Ashton’s POV

I know my performance during the entire game was excellent, and my coach was very pleased with our game tonight. I want to feel happy, but something is missing, and I know it was because of Megan. How I wish she were on the side stands cheering for me. I could hear the girls shouting my name while I was running on the field, and I know my fellow students came to watch our game, and only Megan and her friends weren’t there. Still, when I caught Oscar on the bleachers, I suddenly felt excited, hoping Megan was in the vicinity, but I got disappointed when halfway through our game, she didn’t show up, and I realized Oscar was watching the game without his close friends.

“Hey! Why do you look like that, Ashton? We won the game, which is what you like. You wanted to dominate the game, and you nailed it, bro.” Zachary said after we finished our shower.

“Have you seen the face of our coach? He was impressed with your performance, and I am sure those scouts will never stop bothering you again.” Zach said, and I released a heavy sigh. We were both wearing pants and T-shirts, and I was on my way to my pick-up while Zachary was walking beside me. I never answered my best friend because my mind was somewhere else.

“Hey, Ashton, are you alright? I have been talking to you for a while now, and you didn’t even answer a single word. It feels like you are not here physically, and I am sure your mind is somewhere else. Is it because of Megan?” Zach asked, and I stopped walking, and I looked at his face before I nodded my head.

“Yeah, I don’t know how I am going to stop thinking about her, Zach, and this is driving me insane. She’s just so near every time we have a class together, but I don’t have the guts to talk with her again after she broke up with me. And because I was so afraid if she will not talk to me again if it is not a class-related concern.” I said, and I turned around to continue walking to the parking lot, and I felt more downhearted when I saw Lauren already waiting for me outside my truck.

“I don’t know how to convince Megan that we are good and we can be together again. Because until now, I am still clueless on what to do to manifest my feelings for her.” I said, and I saw my friend glanced at Lauren and then back to me.

“Well, I think to do that, you better stop spending more time with Lauren. Because I know Megan thought you were back being together because she saw you with her most of the time. And if you want to win back Megan’s heart, I think you should stop associating with Lauren again.” He declared.

“I understand what you mean, Zach. But this is the only way that I can make sure Megan is safe from Lauren. Because if I will allow Lauren to have a party at her mansion tonight, she is going to find ways on how to embarrass Megan again in front of our friends, and I cannot afford that to happen again. Because I don’t want my girl to get hurt and be humiliated in front of our fellow students.” I replied, and his face lit up.

“Wow, so Megan, is the reason why you offer your place as the venue of our after-game party? And I was shocked at first because I know your mom doesn’t want you to hold parties in your house, and you risk the idea of being reprimanded by your parents rather than making Megan suffer. I am impressed, and how I wish Megan will know all about your efforts so she will give you another chance.” Zach declared.

“Please, don’t ever tell Megan about any of this because I know she will not be happy when she learns that I am doing something like this for her. Because I don’t want her to feel guilty, and you know her personality, Zachary.” I begged my best friend.

“Don’t worry, bro, your secrets are safe with me. See you at your house later.” Zach said.

“Okay, don’t forget I need you after the party to clean the house. I don’t want my mom to find out we had a party at my house, and please brief everyone not to post anything in their social media accounts saying they are in our house.” I said.

“Don’t worry, Aston, and I will take care of it, drive safely,” Zach responded.

“Thank you, Zach, you too,” I said, and I continued to walk towards my car, and I saw Lauren smiling at me from ear to ear.

Lauren kissed my cheek the moment I got closer to her, and I opened the door for her, and I coughed when she asked me to drive her to her house because she needed to change. And I knew she was doing this because Megan was cleaning at her home. I don’t want to go inside her house, but I know she will never stop bugging me. I walked with her inside her gigantic house while I could hear the rapid beating of my heart as I walked closer to the main door of their mansion. I searched the area, hoping I could see Megan, and my world seemed to stop when I saw her on the stairs wiping the balustrade.

I wanted to walk closer to her and talk with her, but I felt so afraid if she would get angry with me. So, I opted to stand in the living room while waiting for Lauren to come back from her room. Megan looked so hot while cleaning, and I was hoping she would look at me, but she never turned or raised her head in my direction. And it made me realized that she is no longer interested in me because she is doing everything she can to stay away from me. And it hurts me, but I am still planning to pursue my plan and court her again, but not yet. I still need a perfect method so that Megan will never turn me down.

And there is no way I will stop loving Megan because I know she is the only girl for me and no one else. And I know through her reactions that she still cares about me too. And I understand she was trying her best to control herself, but I saw her body tensed when Lauren asked me to come to her room, but I am not that stupid to go to Lauren’s room knowing Megan is here. Besides, there is no reason I will come with her to her room. And I couldn’t stop myself smiling when I saw Megan’s body relaxed after I said no. That is why I know even if she wanted to stay away from me because of the love story of our siblings, and I still know that Megan won’t like the idea that I will be dating another girl.

I felt so happy that the odds were very much in my favor during our literature class on Monday. Our teacher paired me with Megan Corteza. I almost jumped to my feet when I heard my name and realized Megan was my partner. And it was like we had been given another opportunity to be together again, and even if Megan wanted us to stop communicating with each other. I felt so energetic the entire day, even if I felt so worried that Megan feels so sad that I am her partner.

“Wow, did you bribe our Literature teacher, Ashton?” Zach asked me, and it made me laughed.

“Ha! I will never do that, but if I don’t have any other option, maybe I will do that in the future if until one month I am still unable to have Megan back, but it seems I am so lucky after our game last Saturday, Zach, and now I can’t stop thinking about Megan.” I replied, and I understood Zach’s word because it was a coincidence that our Literature teacher partnered me with Megan.

The sadness that I saw on her face is the main reason I didn’t approach her right away, and I know that Megan needs time to accept that I am her partner. And on the following day, I was excitedly waiting outside our classroom for Megan to come to our first period. I need to talk to her, and even if there is a possibility that she would decline, I need to speak with her about our group project.

I stifled a laughed when I saw her reaction when she found me waiting for her, and I knew she wanted to run, but she didn’t have a choice but to talk with me. I asked her if I could pick her up from her work tomorrow, and I felt so happy when she said yes. And I wanted to take her hand and sit beside her, but I didn’t want to waste my luck, she already agreed to meet me tomorrow night after her work, and it would be enough for now. I get inside our classroom with a beautiful smile on my face, and I am so excited for tomorrow. Maybe I will be lucky enough to have a chance to kiss her again by tomorrow, and it was enough reason for me to be inspired by the entire day during my classes and even during my football practice.. I could tell Megan Corteza could easily make me feel alive and happy.