Megan’s POV

I didn’t expect that I could sleep after what happened to Ashton and me. When I opened my eyes, I saw the sunlight rays coming from the window, and I realized it is early morning already. When I sat up on the bed, I can feel my eyes are very swollen, and I felt relieved that I didn’t come home or my sister will know that I had a terrible night at Lauren’s house. I tried to forget what happened last night, but no matter how I struggle to set aside those hurtful memories, they will pop up into my head, and I will feel the pain again. 

I got inside the bathroom and took a shower, and the cold water makes me feel a little better. I already promised myself that I would never cry, but while I am putting shampoo in my hair, I couldn’t stop myself from crying as I remember the pain Ashton had caused me. I finished my bath quickly because I wanted to go home and talk with my brother. He needs to tell me the truth, or I will forever hate him for not telling me about what happened with him and Isabelle.

“Good morning, Megan. Why are you bringing your bag?” Alice asked the moment I go downstairs.

“I need to go home to study my lesson, Alice. And I don’t know what I will do next week because we had to finish our contract with Lauren. But don’t worry, I will never back down. I will face her even if it reminds me of what happened last night. I know she planned everything to embarrass me in front of her friends and to remind me that she is the queen of our school.” I declared.

“I know for them I am just nothing. Lauren did it so that I will keep silent and stay away from Ashton, and I was such a fool for trusting Ashton with my heart.” I said, and my best friend was looking at me intently, and she allowed me to continue with my speech, and I released a heavy sigh.

“I know it would be harder on my part to face them tomorrow, and I want to be absent, but I can’t risk my scholarship, Alice. You know I felt so embarrassed, and I want the ground to swallow me whole. I know they will continue to mock me and laugh at me. But I guess I don’t have a choice but to face them with my head high.” I added.

“Megan, I am sorry about what happened last night. I know you are hurting right now, and I can feel the pain because you are my best friend. When you ran away from the swimming pool last night, I ran after you, but I realized we need to get our things. And I am just glad Zach offered us a ride.” Alice declared.

“Don’t worry, Meg, I will return the maid’s uniforms today at their mansion. I will ask my dad to drive me there, and you don’t need to come with me. Because I am afraid if I am not going to return the uniforms, Lauren will file a case against us. You know her. She will find anything she can use to harm you, especially what Ashton told her after you walk away.” She said, and I am so curious to know about what Ashton had said, but I don’t want Alice to know that I am still interested in my ex. I know we didn’t break up, but I already told him once he will hurt me, it means what we have is over.

“Thank you, Alice. Yeah, it is better to take precautions.” I replied.

“You know what hurts me the most, Ashton promised me that he would never hurt me, but in the end, he still breaks my innocent heart. And I can’t wait to see my brother, so I will know the truth about what happened between him and Ashton’s sister.” I declared, and I felt my phone vibrated in my pocket, and I saw many missed calls from Ashton’s number and unknown numbers. I deleted his messages without reading them since if I read his texts, I will get swayed. Then, I open my new message coming from Dexter. And I was shocked when he said he was outside Alice’s driveway waiting for me. 

I walked towards the window, and I draw the curtain to the side so I can peek outside; and I felt glad and angry as I looked at my brother leaning on my father’s car.

“Who is there?” Alice asked.

“It is Dexter,” I replied.

“Really, and why is he here early morning?” She inquired.

“I guess he felt guilty about what happened to me. I am sure my ex called Ava last night, or his brother informed Ava what transpired at Lauren’s place, and my sleepover last night was useless since my sister already knew I was broken-hearted.” I replied.

“Wow! Good luck talking with you, brother, and I hope everything will be alright between you two. And I am still rooting for you and Ashton to be together.” She said, and I weakly smiled at Alice.

“Thank you, Alice, for being there. See you tomorrow at school.” I said.

“I will always be here for you, Meg, and don’t worry, and I will call Oscar later and told him to come to school early. We will wait for you at the school entrance.” Alice said.

“Okay, thank you,” I replied, and I walked out from their main door with a heavy heart, while I felt the racing of my heart as I walked towards Dexter, and I thought he tensed up the moment I stopped walking in front of him.

“Why are you here, Dexter? I can walk, you know.” I said as I tried my best to control my voice.

“Megan, we need to talk.” He answered me.

“Talk? I guess it was already late for that, Dex.” I replied as I try to turn around from him, but he moved closer to me, and he grabbed my wrist.

“Megan, I will tell you everything, I know it was already too late, but you deserve to know the truth, please. You know I don’t want you to get hurt, Meg. And if I keep it a secret from you or our parents, it means I don’t want to trouble you.” He said, and my brother is pleading.

“I can’t blame you if you will not forgive me for not telling you right away, why I don’t want you to get close with Ashton. I never imagined that you would get that serious with him. I was expecting it was not that late when I told you to stay away from him, and I never thought that you would continue to see him without my knowledge.” He added.

I felt guilty since my brother was right. He warned me, but I didn’t listen to him, and I continue to date Ashton in secret since my brother always left at home early morning and come home late because of his part-time job. And I am aware that he has a regular job and a part-time job, and I want to ask him why he needs to take two jobs at a time when he hardly had time for himself.

“Did you eat your breakfast?” Dex asked, and I shook my head, he pulled me with him, and he opened the passenger’s door for me, and I get inside the car after I mumbled my thanks to him, and even if I am still upset with my elder brother, I smiled when he takes me into my favorite pancake house.

“I don’t want to discuss this matter with you in our house because I don’t want mom and dad to know about it, and most of all, our little sister, Ava, who doesn’t know to keep a secret that is why I know what happened last night, and before we get inside over there, I want to say sorry, Megan. I tried my best to protect you from this mess, but it still happened, and that is one of the reasons why I came home when I learned Ashton Pritzgold started courting you.” He said, and I can see the sadness on my brother’s face.

“It is okay, Dex, it was my fault because I was hard-headed, and I never listened to you when you say no. I am sorry too, I was only excited to experience having a boyfriend, and if I only knew it would be this painful, I should have never tried it. You know Ashton was my long-time crush. That is why I grab the opportunity right away without knowing I was on the wrong path. If I should have known better, I should have listened to my instinct.” I declared, and he released a heavy sighed, and he ruffled my hair before he got out of the car. And I quickly climbed out of the vehicle, and we walked inside the pancake house.

Dexter ordered our meal, and I looked for a table as far away from the customers eating their breakfast. I can tell most diners are going on a trip because I don’t think they will wake up early to have pancakes, or who knows, they love pancakes like me.. When I saw my brother coming in my way with our number in his hand, I can’t stop the sweat on my palms as I realized I am now about to learn the truth of why Ashton Pritzgold played my young, innocent heart.