Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny - C. S Lewis
Ashley's POV
I come back to school and guess freaking what? Literally everyone was talking about a certain golden couple. It wasn't my business until I heard my boyfriends' name being mentioned as the guy and Anne as the supposed girlfriend. What was I then? Huh?
That photo has gotten more attention than its supposed to. I bet it's the root of all of this. Who the heck took the damn photo? And why the heck did he even allow her peck his cheek. I'm really tired. This, is getting on my nerves, big time.
I tilt my head to Grayson, and there he was, chatting heartily with Pierson. I exit my seat and walk towards them. I say a hello to Pierson before shifting my attention to Grayson.
"I need to talk to you."
"Okay." He says.
I walk off and he trails after me, following my lead. I lead him into an empty classroom. After shutting the door behind us, I turn to face him, folding my arms.
"You've heard the rumor going round, right?" I ask.
"Uhm... yeah."
"They're saying Anne and you are a couple. It's literally everywhere, what am I to you now, then?"
He takes a step forward and I take one back, "You're my girlfriend, of course, and she's not. It's all just rumors and they aren't even true. It's all because of th-a-t photo."
"You know what? I didn't like Anne from start and I still don't like her, call it some sort of feminine instinct or whatever. She is conniving, it won't baffle me if she's the reason behind all of this. She likes you."
A frown marres his beautiful face as confusion draws his features, "Y-e-ah, I'm her friend, of course she likes me."
I scoff, "She likes you more than a friend should, can't you see the signs."
"I d-o-n't think so."
"You don't think so, sure you wouldn't, you're just too good. It's obvious she likes you and is doing her best to make sure that you'd like her back."
"But I don't like her."
"Mmmhh..."
"You don't believe me?"
"Why'd you let her peck your cheek?"
"It was just a friendly thing but I know better now, I won't let her anymore, I'm going to keep my distance, I just need you to trust me." He closes the space between us and this time around, I remain in my spot. He lowers his head to give my forehead a light kiss, lips lingering.
My heart warms up, heart soaring to the sky. I smile.
"What are we going to do... about the rumor?" I voice out my fear.
"Fight it, don't let it get to you. People like talking so let them, we'll be graduating soon anyway. Just, don't believe whatever they say."
I sigh, "I'll try."
He pulls away, "Let's go have some snacks before the bell finally goes."
I nod my head in response.
_ _
"I want to drive with Lucas today, see you." I peck his cheek briskly and ran off to Lucas who looked like he would drive off any moment from now, "Bye."
When I get to where his car is, I waste no time in opening the front door. When I sit he looks up at me boredly, "You aren't riding with your boyfriend today?"
"Nope, I wanted to ride with you. Any problem?" I raise my brows.
"Nope, not that. Just wondering."
"Wondering what?"
"Okay, okay," he smiles, lifting his hand up in mock surrender, "I get it, I'm not going to ask any more questions."
"Better." I smirk and he shakes his head, sets the car in ignition and drives us out of the school premises.
"Am I even your favorite person at all?" I cross my arms against my chest as I shoot him a stern look.
He raises his brows, "Yeah, why'd you ask me that?"
"Maybe it's because you don't tell me stuff anymore."
"What stuff..." he air quotes, "do you want me to tell you?"
I tap my chin, "I don't know? You can probably start with how you're doing."
He chuckles, "How am doing?", a hint of surprise in his tone, "Well..." he trails for a few seconds, trying to find the right words to say, "I'm fine, I'm good. Why all these questions though?"
"Oh! are you?" I emphasize with a hint of playfulness.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"It doesn't seem like it to me."
"Just ask your question directly, there's something you want to ask, just ask already."
I laugh and hit shoulder not hard enough to hurt, "You know me too well."
"Shoot!"
"Well.." I trail, "what's going on with you and Cam?"
His mood seemed to dampen immediately, demeanor shifting, he takes his time before answering. "Nothing's going on."
"Well, you guys don't look and act like it anymore."
"Confused here." He says.
"Have you guys broken up?"
"Is that what she told you?"
"No, she says you guys are fine but it doesn't seem like it. What's up?"
And... he tells me everything that happened.
"No way!" I gasp covering my mouth with my hand. "B-u-t why'd you have to date so many girls. I would be somewhat on edge too if I were her. I mean that definitely sounds like playboy ways, if you ask me. I kinda understand her, she probably thinks you're going to somehow dump her anytime soon."
"I won't."
"Tell her that, then."
"I did, but she doesn't believe me.'
"How'd she? I mean, with this story who'd believe you? I wouldn't too if I were in her shoes."
"You're not making the situation any better, you know." His knuckles were white at this point, he was literally squeezing dear life out of the wheel.
"There's actually nothing I can do about this. I think... you should let her be, give her as much time as she wants, to process this."
He sighs defeatedly.
"And..." I watch him intently as I carefully let out these words, "if she breaks up with you, just know, it's just because she wants to protect her heart, she doesn't want to get hurt."
"So you're saying there's a possibility she'd break up with me?" And now there was so much emotion swirling in his eyes.
"Can't tell but you should be prepared for anything that happens."
"I like her," his voice breaks at the end, "a lot."
"I know." I pat his shoulders. "Just keep praying."
"I need to talk to her."
"Good luck, then."
Lucas' POV
She's got to listen to me. Those were just my childish past, I was young and stupid, I'm still young, yes, but now I know better. I can not afford to loose her. I can't imagine being without her. The thought of her breaking up with me just scares the hell out of me as it stands now.
Can she not break up with me?
The thought of her with some other guy leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. She has to hear me out.
After several rings, she finally picks up. Thank God, I thought she wouldn't.
"Baby.." I say and I hear her suck in a sharp breath, "I'm sorry. I was young and naïve. I wasn't thinking. Please forgive my actions. I want us to go back to how we used to be, we're slowly falling apart. Communication is key in every relationship. I know you probably want to have some time to rethink us. I promise I'm going to make us work, I'll do my best not to hurt you but please don't break up with me."
She remains silent on the line.
"Princess, I love you."
"W-what?"
"I'm in love with you, I can't hide it anymore. It'd break me if we're not together. I can't loose you."
"I-I need s-some time."
She's still in doubt, "Okay," I agree anyways. What other option, do I have than let her have her time?, no other.
"Bye!" she mutters before finally hanging up.
******
Hello!
Should Lucas' past affect their relationship like it is ?
Do you think Cam shoud let go, afterall it's past?
Should they break up?
Is he really a playboy?