The most annoying of sounds was hammering on my eardrums. It was like a constant drilling, and it was making me go mad. I tried covering my face with the sheets.

No, it was still shrieking.

I tried holding my pillow over my head.

The sound was kind of muffled, but it still made my anger rise. If this voice won't stop in a matter of seconds, I was definitely going to explode. I threw away my pillow harshly and lay defeated on my bed. Yet, the alarm on my iPhone wouldn't shut up.

Who was the sadistic human being who invented this?

I grabbed my phone roughly and shut off the alarm. I had barely slept yesterday because I was stressing that I might stress over my first day.

Ironic huh?

My head was still pounding from that horrible reoccuring dream I still had and I took a double of deep breaths to relieve some of the aching.

Well, at least I also dreamt that I was stabbing Rude Cashier several times so that's one good thing. Every time I thought of his pale face, his shaggy black hair covering most of his forehead and his pitch black eyes, I suddenly became infuriated and angry. Hopefully, I won't be seeing that arrogant guy again because from now on, I'll be considering the hospital's cafeteria a volcanic site; not to be approached under any circumstances.

I got up quickly, got dressed, and hurried downstairs. I knew I had to do the whole "breakfast with dad" thing before going to school. It was like some holy ritual. A whole lot of energy was needed to deal with him and I didn't even have a shred of that.

I found him sitting on his usual place at the head of the table, one leg over the other, with the morning's newspaper between his hands, and his coffee in front of him. He was already in his suit and probably ready to leave.

"Do you think you would become a successful, decent human being when you cant even wake up early for something as mere as school?" I heard him say behind me as I was preparing my coffee.

Rolling my eyes, I said, "I overslept. Its not a big deal."

"Knowing how to discipline yourself is part of responsibility, don't you think?" He continued, never taking his eyes off that newspaper.

"I never knew connecting your sleep routine with how successful you are is a real thing."

"Im not one of your hippie friends, so don't use that tone with me," He said. "Maria made you breakfast. Get on with it so you can leave."

I grabbed a plate of pancakes that our housekeeper always made and sat down opposite him, when he finally looked up at me.

"Whats with you this morning? You look... wild."

I cracked a smile unwillingly. At least he was right about that. Well sorry dad, you weren't blessed with the perfect Barbie daughter.

"Nothing. Just a bad night."

"Bad night?"

"Yes, I didn't sleep very well." I muttered, trying to lose the subject.

"And whys that?" He arched an eyebrow.

I raised my gaze to his, then quickly lowered it guiltily.

He sighed angrily. "Don't tell me it's one of your dreams again."

"I don't control them, for your information."

"Well you should. They're messing with your head and with your studies. You don't need such negativity right now, you need to push yourself in your last year." He said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I am pushing myself, dad. Life isn't all about studying and becoming a frickin head of a business company."

"Then its about failing school and becoming a housewife isn't it?"

My eyes widened at his response. "Maybe I would rather do that. Maybe I don't even wanna go to college!"

His eyebrows shot up and his mouth twisted angrily. "Then you would rather dream about your dead brother all day and all night, is that so?"

I froze, and my gaze was fixed upon his for a second. "He's not...dead."

He slammed the newspaper harshly on the table and stood up "He is. Now, stop living in your imagination and get those marks needed for college."

"How do you know that? How do you know he's gone?" I demanded.

"I just know!" He spoke angrily. "You're a Reagan, start acting like it." He took a last sip from that bitter coffee, straightened his tie, and headed for the door.

I heaved a sigh as he slammed the door. It felt like the words he said churned in my stomach. I knew I was acting ridiculous, but it wasn't in my power. Actually, I'm probably making things worse by bringing the subject up, over and over again. He's still a dad who lost a son and I can't blame him for ever lashing out on that matter.

Getting up, and shoving the last piece of pancakes in my mouth, I got in my car and dreadfully drove to school.

----------

My head was still pounding and the gulp in my throat was still there when I reached.

After receiving my timetable, I proceeded to my locker and get it a bit organized before first period. I still hadn't spotted my friends, Lyanna and Liam, yet. They are probably late like always but I paid no mind. Sometimes, I would really be jealous of them having such outgoing parents. Wonder what that feels like.

"Boo!"

Turning around, I found Lyanna with her gleaming green eyes and her fiery red locks, gazing excitedly back at me.

"Alyyyyyy!" I beamed happily. She pulled me into a hug and said, "How've you been? I haven't seen you in forever!"

I rolled my eyes. "You really do exaggerate Aly. We've basically hung out every day this summer except last week."

"Exactly! I haven't seen you in a week!"

I laughed. "Well, atleast that's a bit more accurate. Oh by the way, remind me after class to tell you what happened last weekend," I said to her as I stuffed some of my books into my locker.

"Why, what happened? Is it your dad again?" She said worriedly.

"No not like that. I met this guy-"

"A guy! oh my god Ash! You finally decided that the other gender isn't a total piece of scum?"

"-Who was a total piece of scum."

I burst out laughing as the smile suddenly fell from her face and was replaced with an angry glare.

"What? You didn't even let me finish!" I said, trying to defend my sudden laughter fit.

She crossed her arms and sighed in defeat. "I don't even know what to do with you anymore. And why are you even dressed like that? It's still summer! Where are your sundresses and miniskirts?" She motioned to my outfit. "It's probably why guys don't notice you." She mumbled.

"Who said I get dressed for guys? Besides I don't even have sundresses."

My mom was always the one forcing me to buy all those girly stuff and since she wasn't here anymore, that had stopped a long time ago.

"Then at least stop wearing navy, blue or any of those shades for that matter," she said teasingly.

"Whatever, blue brings out my eyes."

"You're right," she sighed. "Like always, I can never argue with you. You give me a headache."

"Oh shut up," I chuckled. "But you're right, I love arguing with you."

"Sometimes I honestly feel that I'm best friends with two boys, not just one," She mumbled almost inaudibly, "You and Liam."

I broke into another fit of laughter at her disappointed face and she just shot me a disapproving look but soon caved in, and laughed along with me.

"Where's Liam anyway?" I said after a very moronic laugh. I hated my laugh. There was this guy I dated that would always cover his ears when I broke into even a quiet giggle. When I would question what was with the sudden expression of horror drawn on his face, he would stupidly claim there was this fly or something.

There was always a fly. How convenient.

Well, at least I fake laughed at his idiotic, sexist jokes. That bastard should've been grateful.

"Hm I don't know. He was around here somewhere," Lyanna replied. "We were just talking, I don't know where he went. Oh by the way... he bulked up," She said, winking at me. "I guess at least someone made good use of their summer."

As if on cue, I spotted Liam marching enthusiastically towards us from across the hallway. His backpack was slouched carelessly on his back and he wore his everyday black skinny jeans topped with a semi tight fitted blue sweater.

"Well well well, how are my two favorite girls?" Liam beamed excitedly as soon as he was standing in front of us. "Ashy!"

"I haven't heard that nickname in such a long time," I shook my head.

Taking me by surprise, he pulled me into a tight hug and lifted me a couple of inches off the ground.

"Oh my god put me down!"

"You're right, I should." He said, dropping me back on my feet. "I think I've injured my back. Did you gain any weight this summer?" A grin stretched across his face.

Grinning back widely, I punched him on his shoulder, not minding being a little rough. I mean, yea, I eat pizza like a crazy person but still.

Although I hadn't seen him all summer, we didn't grow apart at all. The tenderness in his baby blue eyes was still vibrantly evident. His flushed pink cheeks painted his tanned face so smoothly it was almost invisible. But Lyanna was right, he had bulked up. The muscles under that sweater were faintly shown but there was no mistaking that they were there. His biceps were stretching the thin fabric and I could see the veins in his arms under those rolled up sleeves. His whole upper body seemed to be double the size from when I had last seen him. And it was a fact, that Liam Conrad was no longer that scrawny little boy back from Junior year.

"So, how was your summer at Brazil?" I said.

"What do you think?" He winked and his tugged mouth into a half smile. "The sun is awesome, the food is great, and the girls are HOT! I honestly think Brazilian girls are better looking than girls here."

Simultaneously, both Lyanna and I rolled our eyes at Liam.

"What? You girlies jealous?"

"Oh please. Jealous? I honestly feel bad for those girls having you as a stalker," I teased.

"Be careful, be careful!" Liam pointed frantically down to my feet. "I think those jealous vibes are seriously dripping off you Ashy! Here here, lemme grab 'em for you."

I rolled my eyes again when Liam made a show of him picking up something invisible and handing it back to me. He was such an idiot, but I couldn't help not laughing.

"Anyway, I really missed you guys! I know how much you like the beach!" Liam said.

"We missed you too! I mean who is going to annoy us when you aren't around huh?" Lyanna teased.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway ladies see you later," he said, giving my hair a quick ruffle. "I got Biology first period," he shuddered.

Aly trotted over to his side, "I'm coming with you! I got Bio first period too."

↜↝↜↝★↜↝↜↝

I was literally struggling with the problem Mr. Gerald assigned. I was a straight up loser in Physics. It was never my strong suit and never will be, because the moment I would hear Newton or something similar, my brain decides to pack its bags and go on vacation.

"Um, Ashton Reagan?" A voice from behind me called. I lifted up my head and pushed the thoughts of stabbing myself with a pen, aside.

A tall, buff looking guy was standing beside me, looking down on me with wonder. He had his mop of golden curls sticking out in every direction from under the burgundy knit beanie, and he wore a pair of black skinny jeans, topped with a green T-shirt that complimented the greenery of his eyes. His voice was deep and manly, but it had just the slightest tinge of softness to it.

"Yes that's me. But please call me Ash if you want me responding to you. And you are?" I said.

"Oh... So you don't like being called Ashton?"

I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips into a tight smile, "I just prefer to be called Ash okay?"

"Okay..." He said, regarding me with a quizzical expression and probably wondering what the hell is wrong with me. "Anyway, I'm Sean. Sean Donovan. And it's okay if you call me Sean," he stated, winking playfully at me, clearly mocking my previous statement.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry, it's just physics class makes me go all crazy and rude."

Letting out a faint laugh, he said, "No its fine. I was kidding too.".

Sean cleared his throat. "So, you're wondering why I approached you while you're doing your...business," He said, looking down at my messy physics paper.

I blushed slightly and he obviously noticed.

"Anyway, Mr. Gerald sent me to help you so here I am," he announced. "I'm a transfer student, but I have honors in Physics and Mr. Gerald knows that so he sent me to help you," he said, smiling sweetly. "Honestly, when he said Ashton Reagan, I expected...a dude."

Well then, that was a surprise wasn't it?

"Yea it's kind of a boy's name. Many are shocked when they realize I have long lashes and breasts."

Sean guffawed loudly, drawing some attention from our other classmates. My face started to flush when I realized how inappropriate my statement was.

"Well, you're funny I'll give you that," He said, still laughing. "But I think Mr. Gerald is getting a bit annoyed so let's halt the chit chat."

He grabbed a chair and sat beside me. He held my paper up to his gaze and inspected it slowly. "Okay here goes. First of all-"

Sean explained everything to me so swiftly and perfectly. I was really amazed that I understood physics terms. That was something I have never been able to do before, so I was actually proud of myself.

"And that's that," he concluded, placing his hands on the desk in front of us.

"You.are.my.hero!" I said a bit too excitedly.

He let out another laugh.

"So where did you move from? Overseas?" I said trying to strike up some conversation because we still had a couple of minutes of spare time.

"No no, we moved from Barton Wood High school in New York. We don't stay at one place for a long period of time actually."

"We...?" I questioned.

"Oh, my friends and I. We move cities and schools together. We're all attached at the hip you can say," Sean said, chuckling.

That sounded so unusual; A bunch of friends relocating cities together?

I nodded. "That sounds nice."

"Yea it is. It has its advantages and disadvantages too."

"So you're all enrolled at this school at the moment?" I said.

"Yeah."

Not knowing what to say, I proceeded to pack my stuff.

"Um... anyway, you wanna meet them sometime maybe? We hang out a lot together and we're pretty fun," He said, with slight pride in his voice.

"Yeah, why not?"

"Great, here just save your digits one my phone," He said, stretching his iPhone towards me. I clumsily grabbed it and saved my number without hesitation, knowing that it wasn't entirely me to do something like that but whatever, I'm a senior this year and it wouldn't hurt to step out of my comfort zone a little.

The bell rand indicating the end of the first period, which meant I had to rush to my Literature class.

"Awesome," he said, retrieving his phone and chucking it in his jeans back-pocket. "I'll meet up with you later then, Ashton." He said giving me a playful pat on the back.

A slight cringe crept up to my shoulders at the mention of my full name but he quickly corrected himself, "I mean Ash. Sorry don't kill me!" He put his hands up in surrender and I chuckled at the sight of him. Grinning, he said, "I'll give you a call then."

↜↝↜↝★↜↝↜↝

Aly- I had to take an early leave. Dad picked me up so we could go get Mom from the airport. Sorry for ditching you :(.

I read Lyanna's text while I was on my way to grab my Literature books from the locker. I knew there was no way she could go through a whole school day. Lyanna always made up those excuses to ditch classes and they were sometimes very innovative I must say. And on other days, like today, her own parents made up excuses for her.

Where can I purchase such parents please?

Me- Ugh seriously? Why can't he pick her up himself? I need you on the first day! -.-

Aly- Nooooo I want to see her when she lands. I'm sorry Ash I'll make it up to you I promise<3

She ditched school because she 'wants to see her mother land'? And her father picked her up too? Oh my god, this family was unbelievable. My father would never even let me stay home unless I was so sick that I was on the verge of death.

Well, not to that extent but same thing.

He would rather see me making out with a random stranger than miss a day of school.

Never mind, that was an exaggeration too.

Me- You're spoilt Lyanna.

Aly- You're mean Ashton.

I texted back furiously.

Me- Don't call me that!

As always, I hated it when someone called me by my full name. It sounded too manly and weird for my liking.

When my mother was pregnant with Elliot and I, the doctors told her she'll be having twin boys. So, together, she and my dad decided to name one of us Ashton and the other Elliot. What a surprise it was when they realized one of us was actually a girl. And being the lazy people my parents were, they decided to just stick with the name. At least thats what dad said.

L- hehe I love you Ash<3

Me- Ughhh whatever, Love you too! xx

L- Pizzeria at 3 like always on the first day of school? :D

Me- Umm. I guess I can forgive you then ;) see you there. Did you tell Liam?

L- You can't live without meeee :$ And no I didn't text him yet cause I gotta go now. Call him or tell him when you see him! Don't you dare be late! And don't DARE forget to tell him. You've done it before. See ya xoxo.

Yes, Lyanna is sometimes very scary. No way in hell I would think of going against her rules, because I actually value my life. I smiled to myself as I dug around in my locker when I suddenly realized the hallways were empty.

How long have I been texting Aly? Oh my god, I'm ten minutes late! It was only my second class in the entire year and I'm already late.

I broke into a frantic run and certainly not an attractive one. My arm was flailing around and my other was carrying the books. I crossed several hallways and peered into different classrooms.

Fifteen minutes.

I stopped in front of the class. Panting, smoothing out my clothes, and brushing out my crazy hair with my fingers, I pushed open the door. I quickly sat on the empty desk upfront, not even taking a second glance at the surprised students. I didn't even get a chance to check if Liam was here. All eyes were on me, I'm sure of that, but I ignored it.

"Glad you decided to join us Ms. Reagan," Mrs. Suede said with a pursed mouth. She was my favorite teacher and I knew I was her favorite student, so I felt kind of bad being late for her lesson.

I murmured a sorry and opened my book on the page number written on the whiteboard.

↜↝↜↝★↜↝↜↝

"I think the story of Thomas and Jennifer in this novel is a story of love."

We were discussing a novel written by one of the previous graduates of our school. It gained great respect and acclaim so it had the privilege of being read by other students.

"The kind of love, that still thrives even after many decades. I think love, in this novel, is not that of lust or physical attraction, but of true emotion."

I loved writing and literature. It was my favorite subject, and so apparently I was always the one to take the lead in class discussions. I realized some of my classmates were bored and others were probably in their seventh dream by now but I didn't care at all honestly.

"Jennifer is a pure hearted, sweet and beautiful person. Her soul is filled with love for everyone and she never wishes harm to befall anyone. In the way she handles her fights with Thomas, we can depict and see her maturity shine through her actions too."

Some people around me snorted and others agreed. The nerds are probably the only ones who agreed but whatever. I didn't really care as long as I enjoyed what I was doing. I shot some death glares that made people squirm in their seats, and cleared my throat to continue.

"However, Thomas on the other side is foolish. We conclude that from the way he handled the problem with his family. In my opinion, love blinded him. He could've waited for the approval of his father on his marriage to Jennifer but-"

Someone coughed a 'no one cares' behind me but I didn't even glance back. At least Mrs. Suede was thoroughly amused. Her gaze was fixed on me and only me, and it seemed like my words were a tall glass of cold water to her. I was kind of annoyed that she didn't tell those stupid kids to shut their traps, but let's be honest; Mrs. Suede can barely stay focused on one thing.

"But after all-" I continued, making it clear that I wasn't going to stop. "-We can't blame someone who is so consumed by love that it almost blinds him. Thomas's love for Jennifer is to be respected honestly. He fought everyone and everything just to be with her,"

I spoke with so much passion that I was blocking everything out. I didn't actually believe in this fairytale type story, but I loved the idea that it conveyed. That no matter what stands in your way, if you are determined, then you'll achieve what you want eventually.

"He wanted her love, he wanted her respect, he wanted her to be his queen, and he wanted-"

"He just wanted to shag a virgin."

My line of thought was suddenly shattered as some deep voice lazily called out from behind me. How inappropriate! What in seven hells? This is too far.

The whole class erupted in laughter and some people were starting to choke from their laughter fits. I fixated my eyes to the ground. My heart was pounding and my temper was rising dramatically. I shot my head backwards and I glared at that idiot who embarrassed me in front of my favorite teacher and a class of twenty students.

What the-

My eyes raked over the guy who was gazing at me with glee. He was slouched on his chair lazily and his lips were pursed into this annoyingly sarcastic half smile.

Shaggy black hair, piercing midnight eyes, a sharp and strong jawline, high cheekbones, ghostly complexion, and a highly amused smirk.

Oh my.

Rude Cashier.