My relationship with Royal Fitzpatrick has always been complicated and messy. At times, it's even been incredibly painful.

When I finally decide to stand up to him our senior year, unable to take another second of his bullying, Royal does the last thing I expected – he promises to change his evil ways.

But I've been hurt by him for too long. He's a lost cause.

We are a lost cause.

At least that's what I tell myself for months until I see him actually become the good, kind man I knew he could be.

Unfortunately, Royal still has secrets, ones he's intentionally kept from me and his best friends.

So while I was stupidly planning our future together, Royal was just trying to make amends before he says a final goodbye.