Aww Seven Exes Begged Cute Blocked novel Chapter 1

**A Promise Written on the Rusted Edge of Time by Dael Rowan Sire**

**Chapter 1 – Turn**

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As the calendar flipped to the second month of my sophomore year, I stumbled upon a harsh reality: everyone had taken to calling me “The Leech.”

The origin of this unflattering moniker? Madison Cooper, the new desk buddy of my childhood best friend, Dylan Carter. It seemed the label stemmed from my habit of always being near Dylan—sharing his breakfast, borrowing his lunch money, and living just a stone’s throw away from his house.

Curiosity gnawed at me, so I confronted Dylan about it. I wanted to know why he didn’t put a stop to the teasing. He merely shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that felt like a stab to my heart.

“It’s just a nickname. Madison’s being dumb—just ignore her,” he replied, his voice casual, as if it didn’t matter at all.

“But you do kinda follow me everywhere. She’s not wrong,” I countered, my heart sinking further as I realized the truth in her words.

The weight of his response hit me like a physical blow. Eighteen years of friendship, and I was reduced to nothing more than a leech in his eyes?

I didn’t argue back. Instead, I retreated home, my heart heavy with betrayal, and deleted every picture of us from my phone—every single one. It felt like erasing a part of my life, but I couldn’t bear to look at those memories anymore.

Then, in a fit of despair, I decided to drop out of school.

Dylan’s reaction was explosive.

“Ivy! Where are you going?!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty hallway.

“Somewhere you’ll NEVER find me,” I snapped back, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

The first time I heard the nickname in the lunch line, it was just another mundane Wednesday. I stood there, tray in hand, surrounded by the usual throng of students. The air was thick with the smell of cafeteria food and the chatter of my peers.

Two girls stood in front of me, whispering conspiratorially, though not quietly enough to escape my ears.

“Look, there’s The Leech,” one of them sneered.

“Always trailing after Dylan. So embarrassing,” the other chimed in.

At first, I thought they were talking about someone else, someone far removed from me. But then one of the girls turned around, her gaze locking onto mine for a fleeting moment before she smiled—a smile that dripped with condescension, as if she were savoring a juicy piece of gossip.

My grip on the tray tightened, the edges biting into my palms.

The Leech? They were referring to ME?!

I glanced around, and it felt as if the entire cafeteria had turned to face me. Whispers flowed like a river, hands pointed in my direction when they thought I wasn’t looking. Laughter erupted from some corners, while others stared at me, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and judgment, as if I were an exhibit in a bizarre science fair.

Heat flooded my face, my ears burned, and I could barely catch my breath.

I grabbed my food and bolted from the lunch counter, seeking refuge in the farthest corner I could find. But just as I took a few tentative bites, the table next to me erupted into conversation.

“Ivy’s so gross. Always all over Dylan,” one girl said, her voice dripping with disdain.

It was as if she didn’t even care that I was sitting right there, mere feet away from her.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. I had to keep my voice steady, but the turmoil inside me felt like a storm ready to erupt.

He scratched his head, his discomfort palpable.

“You heard about it and didn’t do anything?” I pressed, my voice quivering with emotion.

“Do what?” he shrugged, as if my feelings were trivial. “It’s just a nickname. Everyone at school has one.”

“This guy in my class gets called Pig Face. You don’t see him crying about it,” he added, a laugh escaping his lips as if this were all a joke.

“But this nickname is meant to hurt me!” I nearly shouted, frustration boiling over.

“Come on, you’re overthinking it,” he said, giving my shoulder a dismissive pat that felt insincere and patronizing. “Madison’s just messing around. She doesn’t mean anything by it.”

Doesn’t mean anything?

I cast a glance toward Madison, who was watching us with a triumphant grin, clearly reveling in the chaos she had stirred.

“Dylan, do you really think calling me The Leech is just a joke?” My voice was barely a whisper, as if I were trying to convince myself more than him.

He rolled his eyes, exasperated. “God, stop being so dramatic. Besides, you DO follow me around everywhere, so it’s kinda…”

He didn’t finish his thought, but I knew where he was headed.

Something inside me cracked, a deep fissure forming in the foundation of our friendship. I felt shattered, and I realized that this wound might never heal.