"Would you please stop staring at Megan like that, Ashton, because you are scaring me? Actually, I am bothered right now because I couldn't believe you will be acting this way. I have never seen you so smitten by a girl before, and right now, I am backing out. I will no longer compete with you. At first, I thought you weren't serious at all. That is why I was begging you to stop bothering her. But now that I have seen you look at her that way, I could tell you got it bad, buddy." Zach said as he looked at me, gazing at Megan the entire time while I was sipping my coffee. And yes, what my best friend had said was all true because this is the first time I chased a girl. I usually hide from them, but this girl intrigued me, and she is like a magnet that I find so hard to stay away from, and I am determined to spend time with her and know her.
"Of course, I will never allow you to court her, Zach." I declared.
"Don't be so confident, bro; she already turned you down." He responded, and I laughed.
"There is no guarantee she will say yes, but you need to be careful, Ashton, Megan is living her life in peace, but once she will get involved with you, I can tell her life will become chaotic." He added.
"Zach, I want you to stop worrying about Megan and me because I am going to make this work. I can tell she is only hesitant because she is different from all the girls that I have dated before, but I am going to make her realize that what she thought about me was wrong. I can make her happy. And her life will become more interesting from now on, and why do you think her life will be a mess once she becomes my girlfriend? Do you think I can't have a good relationship with her? Come on, Zach, you must admit that I have all the charm that I need. I am Ashton Pritzgold." I said, and he shook his head.
"Yeah, you don't need to remind me that you are rich and handsome, buddy, and your family name alone is shining with gold, and yes, everyone on the campus knew who you are, Ashton. That is why almost every girl in our school wants to date you, and I think only Megan Corteza said no to you, and once she says yes to you, I am sure your fans club will start to bother her." He declared, and I became more curious about Megan. And I can't stop myself from staring at her, and I was confident I was the reason why she was blushing because of the intense stares that I gave her, and I can't stop myself from feeling so thrilled every time our eyes met, and her face became redder.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I got up and went to the counter, and I placed my arms on the counter and leaned my body closer to her, and I can see her face blushed again. I asked Megan when her shift will end. I felt a little hurt when instead of giving the exact answer, she asked me why I need to know about her work schedule, and I am just glad Alice was there. I always see them together on campus, and they are inseparable, and I can tell they are best friends. And I felt so triumphant that Alice speaks for Megan, and I learned she needed a ride in going home.
And even if Megan did not confirm that she would ride with me. I told her I would be waiting for her, and I know two hours would be long enough to wait for a girl. Still, I don't care anymore, my intention of knowing her more is driving me crazy, and I realized I should have given Megan a simple glance, and I should have known that she can rock my world like this, and I don't think it is too late to learn her now that we are in Senior High School. We still have so much time to know each other, and I became more excited about where this thing will lead us, and I realized my reason for knowing her is no longer necessary now that I felt something I can't explain even if we only talked for a while.
We get out of the coffee shop, and I told Zach I would send him home first because I will take Megan home, and I can tell my best friend was surprised, but he didn't ask me any more questions because I can tell he was trying his best to understand me. We are neighbors, and sometimes he will ride with me. We became best friends because we grew up in the same neighborhood, and we have been friends since we were in grade school, that is why we don't have secrets to each other, only this time I keep a little secret because I don't want my best friend to hate me when he learned the reason why I want to know Megan in the first place. But, I am now serious about knowing her, and I am willing to forget the purpose of why I approached her a while ago.
"Thank you so much, Ashton, for taking me home, and I will not talk anymore about Megan but just make sure you will not hurt her because she is different, and I know she has never been in a relationship before, and I am sure she has never been kissed and never been touched by a guy." He said, and my smile widened because I became more interested in her, and I couldn't believe she never dated anyone.
I know I am always busy with football, and I don't have time to mind the dating status of my fellow senior students since I already told myself I would focus on football and my studies. Still, every time Megan attended quiz balls, I always watched her because I am so fascinated by her intelligence. Still, I never expect this to happen to me one day, that I will be interested in dating her because my best friend was right Megan Corteza was way out of my league. I know, no one on campus will believe me if I will tell them I am interested in dating her.
I drive away from Zach's house and make a way to our driveway. We are both living in the most expensive subdivision in our city, where most wealthy families live, and we are called the elite. Our subdivision is overlooking the city of Astikoz, and I live in a twelve-bedroom house with my parents and two brothers, and one sister. And we have properties all over the country and abroad since my father owns a shipping company. I grew up in luxury, and I constantly attend social events since my mother loves hosting social gatherings.
I love Isabelle, our eldest sister, and she is now in college; even if she was called a spoiled brat in our society, I still adore her because she loves me, and we are very close to each other. I am the eldest among the boys. Being the eldest son, my parents expect me to replace my dad in running the company the moment I finish my college education, and I know it is a big responsibility. Still, since I love football so much, I asked my father to play football professionally, but he got angry with me, and that is why I hate spending time in our house, especially if my dad is around.
I can tell my brothers are already home since I can see Lennon's car in the driveway. I get inside and go to the kitchen and drink some orange juice, and I met my mom when I was on my way out.
"Hey, mom!" I greeted her.
"Ashton, when are you going to join dinner with us?" My mom softly asked me, and I give her a sweet smile.
"I am sorry, mom, but I need to pick up someone tonight," I said, and her face lit up.
"And I can tell it is a girl because your eyes are smiling." My mom declared, and I didn't realize I am that obvious, and I nodded my head since I am close with my mother.
"When can I met this girl?" She asked, and my face fell because I am not even sure if Megan will allow me to court her.
"Wish me luck, mom," I replied.
"Well, I don't need to wish you good luck since I know girls will naturally chase you around." She declared, and I shook my head.
"Not this time, mom," I replied.
"Wow, that is interesting, and this is the first time we talk about a girl, and I can't believe my handsome son is having a hard time." She declared.
"Yeah, I couldn't believe either that she will turn me down, but I am not going to stop. That is why I need to leave right now, Mom." I said.
"Okay then, but be sure to be back before midnight. I know I don't need to remind you to study your lessons since even if you are a quarterback in your football team in your school, you never abandon your studies. That is why I am a proud mom." She said and hugged me before she let me move away from her, and I ran going out of the house and got inside my car quickly and drive away as fast as I can since I don't want to be late in picking up my future girlfriend.
As I was waiting for Megan to come out of the cafe, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so nervous. When I saw her coming in my direction, I couldn't stop myself from giving her my signature sweet smile, and I felt so overwhelmed with happiness when I saw her face turned crimson again, and I can't stop myself from feeling so thrilled to know her more, and I hope she will give me a chance to date her.
I don't know how I feel at the moment; at the age of eighteen, I have zero experience with dating, and I don't have any idea about going out with boys since I am so busy with school and with my extracurricular activities, and with my part-time job.I hate to say that I am good with an oral recitation in our class every time our teacher asked questions. I could quickly raise my hand in the air, but this time I couldn't even make a single word as I get myself inside his brand new sports car, and I hate to admit that his car smells so good, just like Ashton.But the moment I settled myself inside his sports car, I realized I couldn't be with him. He makes my pulse racing, and I felt so shy. Most of all, I know it was a mistake that I gave him a chance to know me because I know he is trouble, and once I get involved with him, I know those cheerleaders who circled him during practice will make my life hell, and all I want is to graduate my high school without any complications, so I need t
Ashton's POVI couldn't believe that Megan would run off just like that after we shared a hot kiss, and I realized Zachary was right when he told me that Megan has never been kissed. And I couldn't believe my luck, and now that I have tasted her lips, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and this is the first time that a girl has run away from me after sharing a sweet kiss. All the girls that I have kiss will always stick around and cling into my arms and would be asking for more. Most of the time, the girls I dated will kiss me again after sharing a sweet kiss on our first date.But I am aware that for Megan, it wasn't our first date because she kept pushing me away. After all, she was very doubtful about my intention towards her, but I couldn't blame her, and she has all the right to feel that way since she was right. I had have never given her a second glance every time we cross paths before, even if we have been classmates for a long time.I must admit I have stolen Megan's first ki
Megan's POVThe moment I wake up, I can feel the heaviness of my eyes, and I am having back pain, and I realize I don't have enough sleep because of one person named Ashton, and this is the first time that I feel this way, and I hate to admit that I am so affected by his kiss. I never thought that what they have said in the movies and even in books that your first kiss will keep you awake at night was right. Now that it is happening to me, I realize that my first kiss was fantastic, and I can even feel butterflies in my stomach as I remember our kiss. And even now that I am standing inside my room looking at my face in the mirror, I can still feel Ashton's soft lips on my mouth, and I hate that I am going crazy because of just one kiss. Still, I will never let Ashton Priztgold ruined my senior year because I have already planned everything."Are you all right, honey?" My mom asked me while she was looking at my face. My mom is tall and very beautiful, and she is working at the nearest
Megan's POVI get inside the library after I said goodbye to Ashton, and I can't stop myself from feeling so happy as I walked to my favorite spot, and after I sat down, I started answering my exercises. I know I have to study in advance because I am going to work after class, and I don't have time to review after I got home because I need to answer all my assignments. I know it is tiring, but I don't have a choice. I want to proceed with my studies and graduate from college to make my dreams come true. Besides, I want to help my mom because someday, I want them to stop working. After all, by the time my parents became old, it would be my time to help them.I adjusted my headset since I was listening to some music on my phone while answering my notes, and I didn't notice someone sat across from me, and when I raised my head, I couldn't help myself but smile at my best friend, Alice. We didn't talk as we continue answering our notes and reading our books because we both know that we ne
Megan's POVNever in my entire life, I think that my dreams will come in reality because I have been dreaming about it and wishing that Ashton would be sitting beside me during class and will be looking at my face the whole time, and now that it is happening, I can feel the sweat on my palms. I can hear the pounding of my heart against my chest, and I realized how those cheerleaders looked so cool every time they linked arms with Ashton walking on the hallways with beautiful smiles on their faces when right now I think I am going to have a heart attack.The moment our teacher dismissed our class, I get my bag and hold my books on my chest, and I ran outside our classroom. I heard Alice and Oscar following behind me while they are calling my name, and I didn't take a second look until I reach our classroom for the next period, which I am so glad I don't share with Ashton. I know what I did was irrational and ridiculous, but I felt so delighted that he didn't run after me. I need to sta
Megan's POVWe walked faster in going to the locker before our first period in the afternoon will start. I stopped in my tracks to find Ashton and Zach in front of my locker, and I realized they tried to erase the paint on my locker room. And I saw the girls, primarily cheerleading squad members, lingered around the locker room, and Oscar had nudged me. In contrast, I saw Alice grinned as she watched them cleaned the paint on my locker, and when Ashton noticed us, he stopped what he was doing. He walked closer to me, and I can feel my heart is pounding against my chest, and I want to run away from him because my mind is telling me to stay away from Ashton to keep my heart safe, but my own heart betrayed me as I remained footed on the ground.He caressed my face, and I felt so excited, and I tried my best to stop my body from shaking. And I hate myself for hoping he will kiss me again, but instead, he takes some strand of my light brown hair that covered my face and put it at the back
Ashton's POVThe moment I arrived at Megan's driveway, I felt so restless because I am so excited to see her today, but the moment she got out of her house, I can see that she is not happy to see me, and I realize Cole was right there is always a first time of everything. And I admit this is the first time I have seen a girl so angry to see me, and it seems like she doesn't want to see me at all.I can tell that Megan wanted me to leave right away when she told me to go because she is busy and they are in a hurry, and I am just glad that her sister insisted on riding in my car, so she has no option but to ride with me. I kept silent the entire ride in going to the school. After all, I am so afraid I will say something that will upset her more because I am so confused about what to do with her because I want to know her, but it seems more complicated than I thought. Last night I was very confident that I can easily win her over, but I was wrong.I can tell Megan tensed up when we arriv
Megan's POV "Thank you, Ashton, and you don't need to take me here because the café is very near to our school. I know you have practice and you should not be late because I know your coach is very strict about your training. And I don't blame him because your football team brings fame to our school." I said. "You are welcome, Meg. I hope next time you will still allow me to send you here and to your house. As much as I want to stay and watch you during your entire shift, but I know I should go back to the school grounds right now since I know the coach will get mad at me again because I was late this morning." He said, and I felt guilty since he walked with me to the library early this morning. "Bye, Megan, and see you later." He said, and my heart is beating so fast. "Goodbye, Ashton, and I think you must hurry now," I said as I smiled at him. He waved his hand before he closed the window of his pick-up truck and drove away from me, going back to the school, and I couldn't stop m
Megan's POV"Ashton, I came here because I have a very important thing to tell you, but it seems you are having a good time, and I was such a fool for thinking that your father was the reason you stopped communicating with me, but now everything is clear to me," I said. I looked at him in the eyes, and he was looking at me with bitterness on his face.I didn't let them see my tears because when they trickled down on my face, I looked down and wiped them right away with my fingers, I was already hurt, and I didn't want Ashton, especially Lauren, to see me in tears. What I have left is my self-respect. Ashton injured my heart, and I promised to forget him starting today. "Yes, you are right, Meg. I am having the best time of my life, now that you are no longer part of it. And please leave." He said, and my entire body shook, and I wanted to slap him. Still, Zachary beat me to it by punching Ashton on his face with force, and I wonder why Ashton didn't fight back, he received Zach's blo
Megan's POV"Meg, Alice, long time no see!" Zachary said, avoiding my eyes, and I knew right away he was guilty of not answering my text messages and calls."Yeah, because the people I know in Astikoz hills were trying to ignore me, and I didn't expect you will also do the same to me, Zach, but I know your loyalty will always be with your best friend, and I get that, but I came here to ask your help. I need to tell Ashton about something, and the guards won't let us in, and you are the only one who can help me." I said, and for the first time after we got inside his gigantic house, he turned to look at me in the eyes, and I was shocked to see his swollen eyes, and I wondered what had happened to him."Look, Meg, I don't want to be in trouble, I already talked with Ashton, and this is what I've got." He said as he pointed to his black eye, and my eyes widened in disbelief that Ashton hit him, and I realized my boyfriend didn't want to see me anymore."Zach, I need Ashton now, there is
Megan's POV"Are you sure about this, Megan?" Alice asked me, and I nodded my head as I tried to compose myself, and even if I was having the hardest time of my life."Well, I have been telling you that we should go to Astikoz hills and see your boyfriend, but you were so sure of yourself that you didn't want to go. And now I wonder what made you decide to see Ashton, and I can tell you looked so bad, Meg." Alice added as she looked at me sideways."I will tell you everything after I see Ashton, Alice," I said as I tried to control myself."Do you know I am hurt? You used to tell me everything first, but ever since Ashton came into your life, everything changed, but I understand because I know you became so in love with your boyfriend." Alice declared, and I could feel the bitterness in her voice."Ex-boyfriend," I said in a stern voice, and I heard my best friend chuckle, and I could tell she was mocking me."Why are you like that, Al?" I asked Alice, and she was shaking her head."I
Megan's POVI know things between Ashton and me will never be the same again after the party. I didn't tell my family about it because I didn't want them to worry about me, especially my parents. Not even Dexter, deep inside, I wanted to talk with my brother because I know he will understand since he already experienced how cruel Gregory Pritzgold could be, and we are in the same predicament. Until now, I know my brother is still in love with Ashton's sister. I pretended everything was fine between us until his car moved away from our driveway. As I watched Ashton's car fade away, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so lonely, and it felt like I missed him already.My father put his arm around my shoulder as we got inside our house. I could tell my parents love and adore my boyfriend and how I wish Ashton's dad would accept me to be Ashton's girl, but it would be impossible. I know Ashton's mom likes me, and I can feel the sincerity in her voice and how she looks at me.I found it so
Ashton's POVI felt so terrified when I saw Megan crying and looking at me with sadness in her eyes. I thought she would run away from me, but I felt so relieved that her feet remained footed on the floor. I know Megan was hurting since she heard my father's hurtful words, and I couldn't believe my dad didn't wait the night to pass without telling me what he wanted. I know that I have insulted my father, and I hurt him when I introduced Megan to them in front of all the guests.I am now an adult, and I know that I have the right to choose whom I want to be with, only Megan Corteza. She was the only one my heart was screaming for, and there was no other girl in my heart and mind. I only plan to have stargazing with Megan in the Astikoz hills inside our property, but since my father made a show, I don't have a choice but to proceed to plan B. I wanted to go to my grandfather's estate, but since my grandpa, Henry, and grandma Sarah are in our mansion at the moment, I hesitated to go, but
Megan's POVI gathered all my strength so I could get out from the library and face Ashton and his siblings, and if before I found the place amazing, after my conversation with Ashton's father, everything turned unpleasant. It feels like everything around me was fake. I take a deep breath before I walk out of the library.I couldn't imagine my parents would lose their jobs because of me and even my brother. I know Ashton's father could do anything because of his money. Is my love for Ashton worth it? Can I stay in love with him knowing my entire family will suffer? I didn't expect Ashton to be looking for me and I was shocked when I found him talking with his father in the living room; and I wanted to go to Ashton right away, but after what Gregory had told me, I lost my self-confidence. When Gregory spoke with me, I tried my best to stop myself from crying, but now that he was talking with his son and using force over Ashton, I lost it. My tears fall like waterfalls, and I can feel
Ashton's POVI couldn't believe that my mother's birthday party would turn out so fantastic and enjoyable. I feel glad that my father didn't get angry when I introduced Megan to him, even if he planned to announce my engagement with Lauren. It was ridiculous, and I felt so glad my loving mother backed me up; she knew I was in love with someone else and not with Lauren.I know I made the most significant decision tonight by introducing Megan to my parents. I could feel the happiness in my heart as I watched the crowd look at Megan with admiration after our performance. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I brought her back to our table.Now that our relationship is out on the open, not only in our Academy, and the entire Astikoz hills knew, I wanted to celebrate this moment with my girl alone, but I know we can't sneak out while the party is at its peak. I wanted to bring her to our favorite spot and gaze at the stars until morning and feel her body next to mine. We ate our dinner,
Megan's POVI tried to compose myself and act as if I didn't know about Gregory's plan for tonight. I couldn't believe he would do something like that to his son; well, I should not wonder because he already did something horrible to Isabelle and Dexter. And how I wish I could tell Isabelle the truth so she will stop herself from hurting and realize how much my brother missed her and yearned to be with her once again. I know I should conduct myself according to Gregory's liking, but I am aware no matter how I carry myself, I will always be nothing in front of his eyes because I don't belong to a wealthy family."Are you enjoying the party, Megan?" Ashton's father asked the moment we started dancing. I wanted to avoid his gaze, but I knew it would be inappropriate, especially now that he had asked me a question. I raised my head to look at him, and I could tell Ashton's dad was handsome up close, and he looked younger than his age. "Yes, sir, I am," I replied, and I felt so glad I cou
Megan's POV"Wow, that was fantastic, children. Thank you, and Megan, you are incredible. You are such a talented young woman." Ashton's mom said after our performance, and we all returned to our seats. The program continued, and the guests waved their hands to me. And I could tell they were now looking at me with different light, and I couldn't be happier. I saw how Sherry's scowl turned into a smile the moment Lennon sat beside her."I never realized you are that good, Megan. My brother wasn't lying at all." Isabelle declared, and I could feel my face blushed right away, and I didn't expect that Ashton had already told them about me that I could play the guitar and I could sing. It made me feel so happy that my boyfriend was proud of me."Thank you, Isabelle," I replied as I drank water from my goblet, and I felt glad my nervousness subsided, and it felt like I was still dreaming. Still, when I felt Ashton's arm around my waist after he moved his chair so he could be closer with me,