(Edited)

I walked out of school, contemplating if I should go to Ashtons car or not, maybe he wasnt serious about going to get yoghurt with me. His friends probably set him up to ask me so they could humiliate me besides I didn't really want to go, I was still a little bit sore from when Michael jabbed me in the ribs. I couldn't believe he didnt even apologize. I was having such a great day up until that point. I only saw him and his friends once in Math and Ashton once in English after that they were A-Wall, and then he had to go and bruise up my poor ribs even more than they already were. Why couldnt he just stay gone?

From where I was walking, I could see Ashton standing next to his car but unfortunately for me, so were his friends. With this new bit of information, I decided that I was going to bail and walk home. I took a few steps away from the direction of his car, and then my bad luck struck.

Autumn! Ashton called from behind me.

Bags! I cursed under my breath and turned around to face him.

I send him an awkward wave, and he motioned me over with his head. I huffed out a breath of annoyance and walked closer but stopped a few feet away, making sure to stay far away from Michael and Jason.

Were you trying to ditch me? Ashton asked with a raised eyebrow.

Uhm, I started to say but stopped. Michael looked at me with a glare, and my heart froze. I took a small step back. No, no, of course not. I shook my head left and right, but at the last moment, I decided to be honest. Definitely! I retorted. Mason laughed and ruffled my hair.

How exactly he came to stand next to me was a mystery, because a minute ago he was next to Jason.

Dont worry little one, Ashton doesnt bite. He joked, and I smiled awkwardly.

When exactly did Mason become all chummy with me? I looked over at Ashton and begged him with my eyes so we could leave and thank goodness from the looks of it he caught on. He smiled at me and greeted his friends while I stood there awkwardly, trying to avoid the intense stares I was getting from Michael and Jason. They were definitely surprised by the fact that Ashton was leaving with me but didnt comment on it.

Lets go, Feisty, Ashton said, pushing me away from the group.

While we were walking to his car, Michael decided to be a jerk and shouted loud enough for everyone around us to hear. Be careful. I heard her craziness is contagious. Both he and Jason started laughing.

Ashton stopped and turned around, he gave him the middle finger and mumbled an apology to me. I, on the other hand, didnt turn around but from the corner of my eye, I saw Mason pushing Michael for his comment, and I smiled.

'Michaels friends on your side, another point for Autumn!'

We approached the red Lamborghini, and I tried extremely hard not to laugh, but a small giggle slipped out, and Ashton heard it.

Whats so funny? he asked, opening the passenger door for me. He closed it and walked around to the drivers side also getting in.

I cant believe this is your car, I said in-between laughs. Ashton started the engine and looked at me, shocked.

Whats wrong with Maggie? he asked, driving out of the parking lot.

I shrugged and pointed out. Nothing, its just that 'Maggie' is a girls car.

He looked at me sideways and rolled his eye. Thats so untrue. This is the manliest car on the market. He stated proudly.

I stared at him, realizing he was serious I burst into a guffaw of laughter. Who exactly told you that?

Ashton didnt answer me but instead talked to his car. Dont listen to her baby, youre a beast. He bent forward and kissed the dashboard.

I started laughing so hard that my eyes watered; if it was because of the pain in my ribs or the fact that I was enjoying myself, I was not entirely sure.

You should laugh more, its adorable, Ashton said, winking and I looked away blushing.

Today had certainly been a very unusual day. I have never blushed so much before. Who knew that one blonde boy could make me laugh and blush in less than two minutes?

'If so, why do you keep wondering about those sparkling green eyes?' Lilly asked.

I ignored her and smiled at Ashton, he smiled back and turned his eyes back on the road.

The rest of the way to the yoghurt shop, up until the point that we sat down, I couldnt stop thinking about what Lilly said. She was right; I was out with a nice boy but couldnt stop thinking about another one who disliked me tenfold.

I cant believe this is your first frozen yoghurt? Ashton said astounded, pulling me out of my daze. I shook my head and decided to put my full attention on Ashton because I wasn't being fair towards him.

With that thought in mind, I smiled and said, I think these people just found a lifetime customer. I looked down and stared at a cup filled with black-currant and English toffee, with caramel dip all over it.

Ashton chuckled and took a spoonful of his. How have you survived so long without this amazing goodness? he asked with a mouthful.

I scrunched my nose up at Ashtons action. I have no idea.

We sat in silence for a while, and I took this opportunity to look around. The yoghurt shops name was Frogi Yogi, strange but fitting. The atmosphere screamed family and the vibe went along with it. At every table, you could see a family sitting and enjoying their time; the kids drew while the parents talked. The walls were decorated with pictures of some of the customers and drawings of their kids. The different yoghurt flavours were displayed in between. The colour scheme was light green with yellow in between. The entire place reminded me of a restaurant except for the fact that you could only order frozen yoghurt and drinks.

So Ashton started, his voice turning serious. Any secrets you want to share with me?

No!

'Yes,' Lilly said.

Any skeletons hiding in the closet? he pushed again.

No!

'Yes,' Lilly said.

Before Ashton could ask another question, I stopped him. Look, Ashton, Im an open book you can easily figure me out. I shook my head with a fake smile.

'Yeah, such an open book that not even a jack can pry the next page over,' Lilly commented sarcastically.

Ashton pouted and begged, Please, please tell me a secret. I really want to share mine with you.

I bit my lip and looked at him. Why do you need a secret so bad? I asked, trying to prolong the topic.

He gave me a lopsided smile. Because there needs to be a secret shared for this friendship to be sealed tight. He explained with an obvious tone. His eyes widened expectantly. Go on!

I looked around me, pretending to be looking for any eavesdroppers but in the meantime, I was just buying time. I moved a strand of hair behind my ear, and an idea struck me.

I moved closer towards Ashton and whispered, Im Rapunzel undercover. I stood up slightly and moved my hair from under my bum, throwing it over my shoulder for emphasis.

Ashton looked at me wide-eyed and jumped up abruptly. I knew it! he called out triumphantly, pointing a finger at me.

Ashton did a happy dance, and everyone inside the shop stared at us like we were insane. I laughed at how cute he looked, ushering him to sit down. Ashton held up his finger, asking for another minute. He did a few more dance moves and ended up with jazz hands and a goofy smile.

Youre a clown, you know that? I pointed out with a smile.

He wiggled his eyebrows and said, You know it, Baby. I shook my head at his silliness and folded my arms over my chest.

Okay, spill it! I demanded.

Before telling me his secret, he made me pinkie promise that I wouldnt tell anyone.

I sleep with a teddy bear named Mr Cuddles.

I stared at Ashton to see if he was joking, but the look on his face said otherwise, and I couldnt control the laughter that came out of my mouth. I laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt again, but I ignored it. I laughed so hard that the people around us glared at me, but I ignored them. I ignored everything that usually stopped me from laughing and enjoyed it for once.

Ashton looked at me annoyed, amusement behind his eyes. Stop laughing! Ive never told anyone before.

Im beary sorry, I said with a giggle. Ill try to stop. For some reason, I really liked making fun of him. I pointed down at my cup. This is beary delicious, I shoved a spoonful into my mouth.

Ashton chuckled. Youre such a tease.

I shrugged with a smile. Im calling you Ashy-bear from now on."

Ashton gasped. Youll do no such thing! He pointed at me, jokingly. If you tell anyone, Ill kill you.

Time froze around me, the images before me disappeared, leaving only blackness. My entire body turned numb, and I suddenly couldnt breathe. A memory that Ive forgotten for a few years now started resurfacing. There he stood dressed in all black. Blood oozed down his hands, dripping into the pool of red underneath his feet. He looked down at the body near him with utter disgust and spit at it. He turned away from the unknown person and walked towards me. He stopped in front of me, our soles touching. With a hoarse and raspy voice, he said, If you tell anyone, Ill kill you! he smirked, and his eyes shined with evil. It looked like he enjoyed it. But how could he? He was my

Before any more of that forgotten memory could resurface, I got pulled out of it. Pain shot through my shoulder and I flinched away from the hand that was touching me.

Ouch!

Ashton jumped back, removing his hand immediately and apologized. Im so sorry, I was trying to get your attention, He explained, startled. I called your name a few times, but you just kept staring into space. Usually, if youre one of the guys I would just punch you, but I cant do that, youre a girl. Ashton continued blabbering on nervously.

I grabbed his hands to get his attention and squeezed them. Ashtons head snapped up, and he stared at me, expectantly. I smiled at him.

Its fine, Ash. Dont worry about it. I just hurt my shoulder. I explained, releasing his hands.

He gave me a questioning look. Are you sure? he asked, not believing me.

I shrugged. Yes, I just spaced out, sorry, I said, still feeling a bit foggy from what I just remembered. What exactly that was, I didn't know, but I didn't want to find out.

He smiled, but I could see in his eyes that he wasnt fully convinced. So, tell me why you dont like Michael? he asked, changing the subject.

I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant about the question and instead of answering him, I asked. The better question would be why doesnt Michael like me? I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

Ashton shook his head, trying to buy himself some time. He does like you. He just struggles to get accustomed to new people.

So, after two years, I still count as new? I asked, sarcastically, tilting my head up.

He opened his mouth but decided to close it again. Thats what I thought, I said, smiling triumphantly.

I didnt know what Michaels exact reason was for hating me, but I had a feeling that it was something beyond me. Something that I had nothing to do with, yet everything at the same time. From the looks of it, Ashton knew exactly what the story was, but he wasn't going to share.

'So, Ill have to play detective then...'

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