Megan’s POV

“I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me right now. How could I face Ashton after what happened to us, Alice?” I asked my best friend as we walked to our next class.

“I know how you feel, Megan because I was shocked as well, and I wanted to talk to our teacher and ask him that we could exchange partners, but I don’t want him to get angry with me,” Alice responded as we walked faster going to our room because I don’t want Ashton to chase after us even if deep inside my heart I was crying out loud to talk to him again.

“Yeah, I never expected our teacher would pair me with Ashton. How could it be? I know we need to present our project on Monday, and I still have a lot of time to talk with him, but with his practice and my busy schedule after class with our part-time job, I can tell we only have time this coming Sunday. I know I can prepare our presentation alone, and I will give him notes, so we don’t need to talk face to face since I can send it to him through Facetime or email.” I said.

“Well, that is perfect, you know, if you were only paired up with someone else, and not Ashton Pritzgold, I could tell your partner will be so happy to have you do all the works, but I am telling you, Megan, that idea of yours will never work out on Ashton, because you know, he got it all. He is intelligent like you, and giving him notes will never satisfy him, and you will hurt his ego.” My best friend said, and my shoulders sagged, and I understood what Alice means; Ashton will never agree with my terms because he wants to do this project too.

“I hate that I was paired with him, and I was only glad Ashton didn’t come to me and ask me about it, and I know I need to speak with him about it if I want to maintain my grade in Literature. And I am aware that I needed to do this because I have to maintain my scholarship, and losing a point is not an option for me.” I declared as I released a heavy sigh.

“Of course, whether you like it or not, Megan, you have to face Aston. And I know you can do it be professionally and try to control yourself. Don’t ever throw yourself at him ever again if you want to survive High School.” My best friend declared, and I know she has a point.

“I don’t know how I am going to face him, or how can I ask him to be with me to discuss our project together because I can tell that he is still angry with me for breaking up with him. But knowing that he is back together with Lauren, I think I will take it as a sign that he already moved on with me. I couldn’t believe my fate again for tricking me this time.” I said as I sat down on my armchair, and Alice did the same. And then I saw my best friend’s face lit up.

“What is that look, Alice?” I asked her, and I felt glad most of our classmates were not yet around, but I kept my voice low so no one would hear our conversation.

“Well, I thought you were wrong, Meg,” She replied, and I raised my eyebrow, and I was confused why she needed to tell me I was wrong.

“How could you say that, Alice? And which part I am wrong?” I asked her as I could see the amusement on her face.

“Well, in my opinion, I don’t think your fate is playing a trick with you. It gives you another chance to be together, and maybe you are meant to be. And I don’t think Ashton is back together with Lauren, they are used to be so close, so it’s not a question if they will hang out again after you broke up with him. And what do you want him to do? Spend his nights in his room crying over you? I don’t think the most popular guy in school will do that because it would be a shame on his part that his friends will see him miserable because his girlfriend dumped him.” My best friend said.

“Do you know sometimes I wonder if you are really on my side or his side? I don’t get you at all.” I said.

“Of course, I will always be in your side, but we can’t deny there are times as your best friend I need to weigh things over for you. Because you can’t make a fair judgment when you are suffering from a broken heart.” My best friend said, and my face softened when I realized she was only trying to help me. Our conversation stopped the moment our teacher came inside our room, and as I listened to my teacher discussed our lesson, I couldn’t concentrate since I was thinking about my project with Ashton.

I know working alone with our project would be easier for me than approaching my ex-boyfriend. I don’t know how to talk with him or even be near him anymore because I am so afraid of myself if I break down again. I know it is not a good idea to be alone with Ashton again because of what happened between us. And I am a liar if I say I am over him because I know I can never get over Ashton. He will always be part of my life and who I am.

I know he was my first love, even if we only dated for more than a week, And I don’t know when I have to suffer these feelings that I have for him. But I know that all the emotions I had for him were not suitable for me and both of us. I needed to stop and control myself, but it seems the harder I tried to forget him, the more I remembered him. He is giving me a hard time, even if he started ignoring me.

I felt so glad that girls stopped harassing me. I couldn’t find any more notes in my locker room. Before I broke up with Ashton, almost every day, I got messages from different girls telling me I was such a flirt, bitch, and all the bad names they could call me, and to be honest, I was hurting every day. Every time I read those notes, but Every time I was with Ashton, everything vanished in my mind because he made me happy.

We never ate at the cafeteria again after what happened to me. Because I was so afraid Lauren would ask one of her friends again to make fun of me, I felt so glad my day ended without complications, and I knew that I hated myself during our math class. I was hoping Ashton would talk to me, but I realized I could never have a second chance of love with Ashton Pritzgold. I am aware not even a cheerleader could hurt him, and I am not proud of what I have done because I am suffering right now, and I wouldn’t say I like that I am still reliving the sweet kisses I shared with Ashton.

The following morning as I took the bus, I was still thinking about what story we need to present. I was thinking about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet since it was classic, and the plot and the characters of the story moved me. Still, I was also thinking about a novel written by a famous writer way back in 1813 because I love the concept of marrying a person for love over money and social stature. Still, I don’t want my classmates to think I chose that novel because I want them to realize that money does not matter when two people are in love. After all, most of my classmates came from wealthy families, and they only associated themselves with their fellow rich kids, except Ashton, who tried to win my heart.

I can feel my heart is pounding as I find Ashton waiting outside our classroom, and there is no way I can avoid him now. And I hate that Alice and Oscar didn’t join me in the library this morning, and I can tell they are already inside our classroom. 

My heart skipped a beat when Ashton smiled at me, and he stepped closer to me that I needed to stop on my tracks when we almost collied with each other, and I needed to take a deep breath so I could control myself from hugging him. Ashton smelled so lovely that I wanted to be in his arms again.

“Hey!” He said, and I tried to smile at him, but I could feel my mouth is shivering because of my nervousness.

“Hi,” I replied.

“Mmm, I know you are always busy, Meg, and I also have football practice but, would it be alright if I will pick you up tomorrow night after your part-time job?” He asked, and I almost lost my voice as I stared at his mesmerizing eyes, and I can’t deny there is no way I am getting over him.

“Sure,” That is the only word I uttered since I felt so nervous, and I couldn’t trust myself.

“Ok, see you tomorrow then,” Ashton said, and he smiled at me before he turned around and walked ahead of me in going to our classroom. And I felt hurt that he didn’t take me with him, and I hate myself for feeling this way, but I can’t stop myself from feeling excited to meet him tomorrow.. And I know it is not bad to hope and wish that he will still feel the same way towards me.