head. "I first met Brittany back in high school when I was at a low point in my life. I felt like I was such a major disappointment to my parents, and because of that, I fell into a depression.
"I started seeing this new girl in the halls around school, just before Christmas one year, and all the guys were talking about her and how hot she was. I mean, she was absolutely gorgeous, and sad as it is to say, I dreamed about her all the time. But it was just a crush, and I knew I'd never have a chance with her, so I put her out of my head.
"On the first day of the new semester, I was sitting in my art class, and she walks into the room. The object of my desire, the girl I appreciated from afar, walked towards me, and did something I never dreamed she'd do. She sat in the seat next to me, and started talking to me.
"By the end of the first week, she'd asked me out on a date. I couldn't believe she would actually converse with me day after day, let alone do something as bold as ask me out on a date. I didn't know what she saw in me, so to avoid disappointment, I said no.
"Finally, mid-semester, I actually said yes. She had been so persistent that I figured there had to be something about me that she liked. On our first date, it was unreal to be out with her. I felt like I was flying, with this beautiful, sweet girl by my side. She had chosen me, and I never felt worthy of her, but little by little, she began to build my confidence. Brittany was my first everything...my first girlfriend, my first kiss, my first love, my first..."
Noah paused, and Ashton grinned.
"Do go on," he teased.
Noah grinned back, but his smile soon faded. "She was also my first heartbreak," he continued.
"Something happened one day, about ten months after we started dating, and her whole attitude towards me changed. I mean, it was literally overnight that she started treating me differently. There was no warning, no lead up to the change. She started telling me that I would never amount to anything. A week later, she broke up with me.
"It all seemed so sudden, and I guess I never really got over it. There was no explanation, nothing. Just a clean break. She never talked to me again until recently.
"A few months ago, she just showed up again. It seemed like a coincidence, but it also seemed like every time I turned around, she was there. For once in my life, I felt like I was worthy of her. Everything with the band has been going great, and we're finally getting somewhere with our music. I felt like, on some level, I was finally up to par, and was someone she could be proud of."
Ashton shook his head. He never thought that his friend had such a low self-esteem that he would allow this to happen. "So in the meantime, you're going to allow her to rule your life and treat you like crap?"
"Man, I just want the woman back that I fell in love with," Noah said, blinking back sudden tears. Ashton paused and let him get his emotions under control.
"That was so long ago. People change, man. She may never be that woman again," Ashton pointed out. "Don't you see the way she's playing you? You're relying on her to build yourself up, but at the same time, all she's doing is tearing you down lower than you were before. She's just taking your money and isolating you from family and friends."
"I can't help it! She's like a drug!" He exclaimed.
Ashton wanted to say something about that, but decided against it. He didn't want Kaylee to get in trouble for snooping through Brittany's things. It just wasn't the right time to bring the drugs up, so he tried to stick to the subject at hand.
"Listen, you've missed a few recording sessions, and the record execs are all talking lawsuits. You really need to get your head screwed on straight, and get into the studio with us before we all lose out. Do what you want with Brittany, but when it comes to studio time, you better be there."
"I know man. I'm sorry. I'm going to try..."
"No! You need to do more than try, Noah! You owe it to us. Just remember who's