Ashton’s POV

It was already past midnight when I left Zach’s place, and I went home with a heavy heart, and I realized why good things would never last. I was thinking about Megan’s face as I was driving my bike in going home. I hate that almost all the senior boys are now looking at Megan differently after she changed her outfit. I know if she didn’t become my girlfriend, she will never have that transformation, but I like the way she dressed now, not so daring yet I can see her gorgeous figure beneath her clothes, and her long legs made me lost for words. I love all about Megan, and I hate that I hurt her. I sleep on my bed without changing my clothes, and I suddenly felt so lazy.

I heard Cole’s voice waking me up. And I don’t want to get up yet, but I am aware my father is in the house, and every Sunday, if he is around, he wants us to play some basketball game in our basketball court at the back of our mansion, and we also have a tennis court. And how I wished he loves football too. Still, he never likes the sports that I love the most, or he doesn’t want to show me that he loves football too. After all, he wanted me to take it over the company after I graduated college because he wants to retire early, and for how many times I told him Isabelle can take his place, and we only ended up fighting.

“Hey, Ashton, don’t make Dad wait for us. It would be best if you got up now because they are now at the basketball court waiting for us. I know you are not feeling well because of what happened last night, but you have to wake up and think of something to bring back your girlfriend. There is nothing you can do about it now but to think of a way to convince her that you are really in love with her.” Cole said, and I smiled with my little brother’s advice as I got up from bed. And I realized even if my brothers are younger than me, they are now almost as tall as me. Lennon is six feet and one inch tall, while Cole is now six feet tall at sixteen.

“Thanks for the advice, Cole. Maybe you can start brainstorming how I am going to convince my girlfriend not to break up with me. Megan specifically told me the moment I hurt her, it means I break up with her, and base on her reaction last night, she was more than hurt, Cole.” I said as I get a basketball jersey and socks from my closet.

“Wow, that must be hard for you, brother.” He replied.

“Harder than I thought; this is the first time I felt something like this, but I messed it up,” I said, and he laughed, and I furrowed my eyebrow at him.

“Why are you laughing?” I asked him.

“Well, I couldn’t believe the heartthrob of Astikoz Academy will be broken-hearted. Even my female classmates are crazy about you, and I never imagine that my popular brother will experience something like this, and I think it is cool.” He said, and I frowned.

“Come on, Cole, your brother, is suffering right now, and there you are, laughing at my expense. You better stop that because you will have the same fate as me if Ava’s brother found out she was also texting a Pritzgold. Dexter doesn’t want his sisters to date Isabelle’s brothers, and I want to remind you, dear brother, just in case you have forgotten, you are also Isabelle’s youngest brother.” I declared, and I almost laugh when I saw the expression on my brother’s face, and I can tell he likes Ava. I know Megan’s sister is also beautiful like her, and they have similarities.

“That is unfair,” Cole said.

“I know, right, but what can we do, our elder sister fell in love with their brother, and it didn’t end well, and we have to suffer the consequences,” I replied.

“Yeah, you are right, Ashton, and I think we need to find ways how to date them without getting caught.” He said, and I laughed. And how I wish I can convince Megan to date me again. And I know it would take an effort, and I am aware one of the hindrances of being with Megan is Lauren, and how I wish I can stop her from hurting Megan. And I know her treatment with her will become worse.

We ran going to the basketball court, and when we get there, my dad and Lennon are already having their warm-ups, and I smiled when I found my best friend is already with them, and I know I need to talk with Zach later because I need his help. We joined them with their warm-ups. And when we started playing the game, my dad yelled at me most of the time because I can tell I got so disturbed with what happened between Megan and me, and I could tell Megan affects me.

“What is wrong with you today, Ashton? Are you not feeling well?” Dad asked me.

“Just some headaches, dad.” I lied.

“Did you drink at Lauren’s party?” My father asked me, and I quickly shook my head.

“You know me, dad. No alcohol.” I said.

“Good, you must take some medicine later, Ashton, and I could have Zach as my partner, and you better sit down on the bench and stop playing,” Dad said, and I smiled at him as I mumbled my thanks, and I tallied their score. And at the end of the game, my father felt so happy that they won by three points, and I can tell my brothers got easy with them. I know Lennon and Cole are both good with basketball, and there is no way Dad and Zach will win over them unless I am playing with Dad when I am in good condition, I know I love football the most, but I can also be a good basketball player. I am not bragging, but I am good at shooting, especially three points, and I am a team player; that is why I became the quarterback at our academy.

Our mom is happily waiting for us, and she prepared our breakfast; and I couldn’t believe to see my sister, Isabelle, sitting in front of the dining table. I love my sister, but I am not in the mood to talk with her at the moment, and I wonder what made her come home. Ever since she got her place, she seldom visits our house, and I can’t deny I miss her so much.

“Good morning, Dad! Hello guys.” She greeted us happily, and among my brothers, only Lennon talked with her excitedly, and I can tell I shared the same

feelings with Cole, and I don’t want her to hate me, but I can’t help being blue today.

“Hey, are you okay, Ashton?” Isabelle asked me, and I gave her my fake sweet smile.

“I am okay, Isabelle. I am just not feeling well.” I replied, and she nodded her head. She turned her attention to Cole.

“Don’t tell me you are not feeling well as well.” She asked Cole, and my brother got up from his seat, and he hugged her, and we all laughed.

“Wow, I only haven’t seen you for months, and you became taller.” She declared.

“Yeah, that is true. That is why you must frequently visit Belle. We missed you.” My mom said, and Isabelle looked at mom with a beautiful smile on her face.

“Don’t worry, mom, and I will find the time. I got so busy with my classes, I got so many reports to submit, but don’t worry, I plan on coming home every weekend.” She said, and I looked at my brothers, and I can tell they are also thinking the same way. After eating breakfast, I joined them in the family room, which is the first time we are complete. And I felt so happy, but I can’t stop myself from feeling so sad the moment I think about Megan.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Lennon asked me, and I nodded my head while driving my car to Megan’s place.

“I know I can’t sleep tonight without seeing Megan,” I replied.

“I think this is not a good idea, Ashton. I already punched you last night, and I can tell Megan’s brother will do worst.” Zachary said, and I felt glad my brother came with me, and of course, my best friend.

“I don’t care, and I am willing to take his punches as long as I can see Megan,” I said, and they all fell silent. I can feel my nervousness as we get closer to her place, and a minute passes after I pulled over in front of Megan’s house. I saw Dexter came out from their house, and how I hope it was Megan. And I can tell right away that he is so angry with me. He has no right to look at me that way because I never play with Megan’s feelings; unlike him, he doesn’t even dare to break up with my sister when he found someone new.

“What are you doing here, Pritzgold?” Dexter asked me in an angry tone.

“I came in peace, Dexter. I want to talk with Megan.” I begged.

“Peace? You already messed up my sister’s life. How could you come here.” He said.

“I never intend to do that to Megan, and I am not like you, Dexter. You don’t have the guts to break up with my sister when you fell out of love with her.” I replied, and I made him so angry that he gets closer to me, and he punched me. And I don’t want to hurt Megan’s brother, but I don’t have a choice. I hit him back, and the next thing I know, we were throwing punches at each other until I saw her, and I moved right away from her brother as she held his wrist so he will stop punching me.

My world stood still as I looked at Megan’s beautiful face. I felt frozen on the ground when she looked at me full of anger and hatred, and I realized I was such a fool for hurting Megan. And I want to come closer to her and kissed her again, and tell her how sorry I am for hurting her.. And how I wish she will give me another chance to be with her.