Megan’s POV

“Why do you have to have to punch him, Dexter?” I asked my brother as I cleaned the cut on his face, and then I applied a cold compress around his swollen eyes.

“I am sorry, Megan. I am not a violent type of person, and you know that, but when Ashton accused me of playing with his sister, I couldn’t control myself anymore. How I wish I can tell them the real story behind my actions, but I couldn’t do it because of my agreement with their father.” My brother said, feeling so defeated while I can’t stop thinking about Ashton. I know my brother whacked him too, and how I wish things could be different for all of us.

“I know the way you look at him, Megan. Even if you are angry with him, I can see the love in your eyes. I can’t force you on what to do, but I have been there; loving the Priztgold can do no good to our family. And I could tell Ashton is in love with you too. He will not profess his love for you in front of everyone if he doesn’t mean it, Meg. Maybe Isabelle asked him to hurt you, but he didn’t expect that he will fall for you.” My brother declared, and I don’t know what to say. Ashton hurt me, but I can tell he was also hurting. But how can I continue to be with him knowing my brother accepted a significant amount of money from his father for my mom’s operation, and I don’t want him to know about it unless we can fully pay our debts. 

I understand it wasn’t a debt my brother has to pay since Gregory Pritzgold offered that money in exchange for my brother to break up with Isabelle. But Dexter wants to pay it back so he can talk with Isabelle again. 

“I will help you pay for it, Dexter, and don’t worry, together we can produce that amount in due time,” I said.

“Hey, you don’t need to do it, Megan. It was mine to pay.” He replied, and I looked at him in the eyes.

“How can you say that? Are you the only child of our parents? Come on, Dex, you need to accept that you can’t pay it with your salary alone. We are siblings, and we should help each other.” I replied, and he weakly smiled at me.

“Thank you, Megan, but you don’t need to do it, ” He responded.

“And until when you are going to wait to tell Isabelle the truth and win her back? I asked him, and his face fell.

“I hurt her, Megan, and I know there is no way I can win her back. All I want is to tell her everything because she needs to learn the truth, and that is the only time I will stop hurting.” He said.

“That is why you need to allow me to help you, Dexter,” I replied, and I saw Ava, out of the corner of my eye walked towards us.

“I know, you don’t include me with your talk, but I just want to remind you I am also the daughter of Barry and Aurora Corteza, and it also means I am your siblings too, and I am old enough to understand that we got a big problem here, and I can also help even if not that much, at least I have the participation as your younger sibling.” Ava declared.

“No!” Dexter and I said simultaneously, and I see my sister’s face saddened.

“Go to your room, Ava,” Dexter said, and my sister pouted her lips, and she turned away from us. After that, a deafening silence followed. They are so many things I want to ask my brother, but my mind is too occupied with Ashton’s thoughts. I am glad my parents are not yet home. They are having dinner with my mom’s colleague.

I go to my room after I helped my brother, and I can feel the heaviness of my heart. I almost stumble on the stairs when I ran the moment I remember I have so many assignments that I need to finish answering tonight, and I also need to review because I have a quiz tomorrow for my math and science subject. I found my sister reading her book when I get inside our shared room, and I can tell she is also upset with me, but I am too tired to talk, and there are so many things playing on my mind at the moment. 

I am shocked when I woke up. I am still leaning against my study table, and when I looked at the clock on the wall, it is already one o’clock in the morning. I am glad I am done with answering all my assignments. I get up from the chair, and I get my towel, and I took a warm bath. 

I am turning on my bed, but I can’t sleep because I am still thinking about Ashton and me, while I can’t stop worrying about Dexter and Isabelle. And I can’t deny, I will have a hard time about tomorrow in school. I don’t know how I am going to face the rich kids, especially my ex-boyfriend. And I don’t know how to deal with him. I know once I look at Ashton, all my resolve will melt because everyone knows no one can resist Ashton’s charm. But I need to be strong to protect our family because, now that I know what type of person his father is, I realized I don’t want to experience the same humiliation my brother had undergone.

I woke up a little bit late, and I hurried on my feet to take a bath; and I realized my sister is no longer in my room as I take the quickest shower in history. 

“Megan, you need to eat something, my dear.” My mom said.

“No, mom, we will be late, and don’t worry, I am not hungry, mom,” I replied.

“Meg, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” She said while she put bacon and pancake on my plate, she poured fresh milk on my glass, and I don’t have a choice but to eat fast.

“Thank you, mom. I love you.” I said, and I am no longer shocked when I couldn’t find my sister in the living room, and I can tell she is still upset with me, and I need to talk with her later tonight. I don’t like it when she is upset with me, and being the eldest sister, I know it is my responsibility to make the first move. I got out of the house hastily because I am late for my usual time and if I can’t reach the bus stop on time I need to wait for the next one for another fifteen minutes. 

My steps faltered when I found a car outside our house, and I suddenly felt worried because I don’t want to face Ashton. I walked fast, trying to avoid looking at the luxurious car, but a familiar voice called me, and when I looked back, I saw Zachary’s friendly face, and I felt so glad to see him this morning. He drives closer to me, and he stopped in front of me.

“Get in, Meg.” He said, and since I am late, I don’t need to think twice.

“Thank you, Zach,” I said, and I almost screamed when someone patted my shoulder and when I turned my head, I saw my sister smiling at me on the back seat.

“You scared me, Ava!” I exclaimed to my sister, and I heard her giggled.

“You are welcome, Megan,” Zachary said as he looked at the road, and I leaned my back on my seat after I buckled my seatbelt.

“Did he ask you to pick us up?” I said, trying to sound irritated.

“Yes, but I just want you to know, even if Ashton didn’t ask me to pick you up, I would still come into your house because we are friends.” He replied, and I can feel the racing of my heart the moment I heard Ashton’s name, and I wonder how I am going to survive today. If I only have a choice, I will no longer go to school after what happened at Lauren’s party.

“You don’t need to do this, Zachary. We can manage. We always commute in going to school anyway. We are used to it. I want to say thank you.” I said.

“I thought we are friends, Megan.” He said, sounding a little hurt.

“Of course, ” I replied, and I smiled at him.

“Then, allow me to pick you up and send you home every day if you consider me as your friend, Megan.” He replied, and my mouth hangs open since I can’t find the right words to reject his offer. We fell silent the entire ride, and I felt guilty when I saw my friends waiting for me at the gate of the Academy, and I smiled when I remember Alice told me they would be waiting for me. 

“You don’t need to get down, Megan; tell your friends to get in.” Zachary said, and I asked Alice and Oscar to get in the car quickly, and I am glad there is no car behind us. They said hi to Zach, and I can tell Oscar is giggling right now. And I can’t stop myself from smiling. Still, it was cut short when we arrived at the parking lot, and my stomach somersault when I saw Ashton leaning on his car looking so handsome as ever, even if he still has a black eye, while his teammates and the cheerleaders led by Lauren are on the other side.. I am contemplating what to do while I felt my legs are trembling as I realized how I am going to face Ashton Pritzgold again without jeopardizing my heart.