Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

Chapter 1

Allison hesitated at the entrance of the restaurant, her ears catching snippets of the conversation inside.

"Shawn, Kate's back in town. What about Allison?"

Shawn's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "What do you mean, 'what about her?""

"You've been with Allison for three years now. Now that Kate's back, who will you choose?"

Peering through the slightly ajar door, Allison watched Shawn light a cigarette. Amidst the swirling smoke, he paused before speaking softly, "I'm not sure. I don't want to hurt Allison, but I can't let go of Kate either."

One of his friends sighed, "Kate was your first love. You two were intense, so it's no surprise she's hard to forget."

Another friend chimed in, "But Allison's been by your side for three years, and she's stunning. You're still hung up on Kate?"

Shawn rubbed his temples, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue. "Allison is beautiful, yes. I was drawn to her because she reminded me of Kate at first. All these years, I've been looking for traces of Kate in her."

in their voice. "I feel bad for Allison." Another friend asked, "So, when are

"I don't know. Allison is sweet and

Shawn on the back. "Shawn, you can't have it both ways. You need

both?" another friend suggested jokingly. "If you feel

chuckled, "Not everyone can juggle multiple relationships like you. I'm

Allison smirked bitterly, turning away

believed the three years with Shawn were filled with mutual love. But now, she realized she was

by the river, she glanced left at the bustling city and right at the endlessly flowing water. A tear slipped down her cheek as the

Allison made her decision.

number. "Dad,

dimmer, insects buzzing around them. Standing under the glow, Allison looked at

was too immature to understand. I shouldn't have

return to Oak Lake once

a long while, returning to Stonebridge Court well past

the soup you made for Mr. Shawn. I reheated it since it cooled down. I was just about to take

and took the soup