Ashton’s POV

I felt so restless the entire day as I waited for the night to come because I knew I was going to talk with Megan at last. I opted to stay away from her after our first period in the morning because I didn’t want her to get angry with me, or she might say I was not listening to her.

“How could you forget an important event like that, Ashton?” Zachary asked me the moment I told him the reason I didn’t show up the other night to meet Megan, and we were on our way to our second period.

“No wonder Megan looks so angry with you, Ashton, because she has all the right to feel that way towards you because you didn’t even text or call her that you cannot show up,” Zach added.

“I know, and I felt like I messed all the chances I could have with Megan, and I hate myself right now,” I replied.

“And why didn’t you bother to call her anyway?” Zach asked.

“I was scared if she would get angry with me, but now I realized I made things worse,” I responded.

“Of course, I did my best to help you with Megan, and yet you are also doing everything you can to ruin your chance to be with her, and I became so confused with you, Ashton, if what you want with your life.” My best friend declared, and I can tell he is also angry with me right now.

“I am sorry, okay? I know I messed up everything, but please don’t give up on me, Zachary. I always need your help because, with regards to Megan, I don’t know what to do anymore. She makes me so confused, she makes me feel so empty, and I feel so guilty that I couldn’t be there for her, and I make her life miserable. There are so many things inside my mind right now, and it is all because of Megan. If before I only worried about football, now I am so worried about her, and it is driving me crazy.” I said, and I saw my best friend’s face softened.

“I couldn’t believe you would be like this way. If you only fall for someone like Lauren and any cheerleaders, I think you will have a smooth sailing love life. Since you fell in love with Megan Corteza, it wouldn’t be easy because of your father. Second, because of her brother Dexter and your sister Isabelle.” He declared.

“I talked with my sister last night, and she is okay with it, and she encouraged me to pursue what I wanted. And even if she doesn’t want me to be associated with Megan, she told me to follow what my heart wants. And I know Isabelle is happy for me.” I said in more than a whisper, as we got inside our classroom, and I knew my best friend had something to say, but our teacher arrived, and we stopped talking as we listened to him discussed our lesson while my mind was somewhere else, and I hate myself that I couldn’t stop thinking about Megan.

I wanted to see Megan during lunchtime, but she didn’t show up, and I felt frustrated that I ate my lunch in total silence while my teammates were talking about our upcoming game this Saturday.

“Ashton, you better go to the field now if you want to play this Saturday. Coach already gave you a warning.” Zach said.

“I know, but I want to talk with Megan first,” I said as I craned my neck, looking for her to get out of the locker room.

“Come on, Ashton, I will do it. Move!” Zach yelled at me that I didn’t have a choice but to run towards the football field. I concentrated on my practice to make our couch proud of me.

“That’s it, Pritzgold! I know your ability! Good job,” Coach yelled after I had thrown the ball perfectly that the receiver catches it without sweat and ran for a touchdown.

“Nice passed,” Zach said as we walked to the locker room.

“Yeah, I am just so eager to finish practice so I can see Megan. Did you talk with her?” I asked.

“Yup, and she told me you should inform her if you are going to meet her,” Zach answered.

I drove Zachary home, and I stayed at his house until it was time to meet Megan. I felt so worried about what will happen tonight, and this was the first time I felt this way. I hate that it feels like I never experienced dating before, and I looked at the address on the note she gave me, and I realized the fish shop is only near her house, but it is not still safe if she will walk after her shift because more or less it is 800 meters from where she works going to her house.

I parked my car, and I smiled when I realized I had come before she could get out of the shop. I got out, and I leaned on my car, and I was typing on my phone to let her know I was waiting outside for her, but I couldn’t find the perfect words, so I deleted everything before sending it to her. I could feel the rapid beating of my heart as I waited for her to come out, and I couldn’t stop myself from fidgeting; and to stop my nervousness, I put my hands inside my pockets.

The moment I saw her coming out of the store, I couldn’t stop myself from feeling so thrilled, and I couldn’t contain myself from admiring Megan’s beauty. And she stopped in her tracks when she found me waiting for her, and I stride towards her while she was staring at my face the whole time. I smiled at her as I realized that I still had the same effect on her, and Megan didn’t even flutter her eyes, and I felt so glad that I had her full attention, and my anxieties were gone the moment I faced her beautiful face.

“Hey! I am sorry if I didn’t text you, Meg. I don’t know what to say in the text. That is why I want to meet you in person, but first, sorry if I stood you up last night, and before you can judge me, please let me take you somewhere where we can talk.” I said, and she nodded her head without saying anything, and I felt so lucky that I took her hand right away, and I felt so glad she didn’t pull it away from me. I opened the door for her, and I buckled her seatbelt, and I wanted to kiss her right away, but I didn’t want to lose my chance to be with her, so I tried my best to control all my emotions.

I take Megan to a nearby coffee shop, and I order some coffee, but since I can tell the whole place is occupied, I think of a nice place where I can take her, and there is no place in the area that I can think off, so I bring her to my favorite place, the Astikoz hills. I opened the window of my car as we climbed the mountain so Megan could feel the fresh air, and I smiled when she closed her eyes. I could feel the evening breeze tickled my skin, and when I looked at the city below us, it looked mesmerizing, and Megan gasped when she opened her eyes after I parked my car. I climbed out and ran to her side to open her door, and I felt so glad I met her today, not after the incident at Lauren’s house, and I could tell Zachary and my brothers were right. I need to calm her down.

“Wow! It is so beautiful!” She said, and I smiled at her as I handed her a mocha latte. 

“Thank you!” She added, and I opened the back of my car, and I took two foldable chairs, and I asked her to sit down while she was still watching the view below us.

“Yes, the view here is mesmerizing like your own beauty Megan, that I couldn’t stop myself from staring at your beautiful face,” I said, and I could tell that she blushed.

“Megan, I know I should have told you about my sister Isabelle and your brother’s relationship, but I don’t know the real story between them. I know I am not in the position to judge your brother, but even if my sister asked me to date you and break your heart, I am aware she is not that type of person. Isabelle is kind, and I understand why she said those words to me that night because she was in pain, and to take away her pain, I said yes, I will make friends with you, but I didn’t tell her I would; break your heart.” I said, and I felt glad she let me speak, and she was listening to me

“Lauren was right when she said, I only approached you because of Isabelle, but she didn’t know I fell in love with you on the first night that I kissed you,” I said, and she is in tears now.

“All I have told you was true, Meg. I never expected that I would fall for you, and it made me so happy that for the first time I felt this way, I experienced how to be in love. And I hope you will forgive me.” I asked, and she looked at my face.

“I believed in you, Ashton, everything that you have said, and I fell in love with you too, and I forgive you, but I am sorry that I need to break up with you..” She said, and I could feel my heart is pierced, and I felt the pain that enveloped my heart and soul, and I could feel the trembling of my knees, and I couldn’t believe that Megan was breaking up with me.