Chapter 52 - Options

Megan's POV

"I will only give you two options, Megan, and that is we will go to your house or mine," Ashton said, and I can tell he looked so serious now after he talked with his brother, and I can tell something is bothering him.

"We will go to our house," I said, and I know there is no other option. I know I am doing this because I don't want to go to his house since I can't stop myself from clinging to him the moment he will bring me to his room, and I know I can't trust myself, and I know ever since Ashton became my boyfriend, there are longings I felt that only Ashton could fill.

"That is good then since I have been dying to get inside your house because when you were my girlfriend, you didn't invite me even once, and I wonder why? And I know it was because of your brother, but I think Dexter wasn't the only reason." Ashton said before he drove away from the parking lot of the fish shop while I became speechless, and he was right. I didn't invite him because I felt conscious I could tell the size of our house was the area of his entire room. 

"Are you still angry with me, Megan?" He asked as he looked at me sideways, and I shook my head.

"No," I answered, and I hated that it was the only word that came out from my mouth. There were a lot of things I wanted to tell him, but I got scared of what would be his reactions, and I didn't want to assume that he still liked me because it would be disappointing if I found out he didn't become interested in me anymore. I need to play safe than feel sorry later.

"Then, why are you avoiding me?" He asked, and I half-laughed.

"What? Was I avoiding you? Come on, Ashton, you were so busy talking sweetly with Lauren most of the time after we broke up, and now you are telling me I was avoiding you? I couldn't believe you would say something like that right now. It is ridiculous." I responded, and I found him smirking at me.

"Are you jealous of Lauren, Megan?" He asked.

"Of course not. Why should I be jealous of Lauren? I broke up with you and not the other way around. I don't have any right to be jealous of her. Besides, you look good together." I added, and Ashton fell silent, and I don't know what I have said that made him so upset until we reached our driveway.

I know it will be too late if I will tell Ashton to go home because we are already in front of our house. I need to get this over with because we need to do this project together so that we can graduate high school, and there will be no problem with any of my scholastic records. I only wanted to maintain my scholarship, but I never expected to become number one in our class. It felt exhilarating and a wonderful feeling, but keeping my grades was never easy. It took a lot of perseverance and commitment. There are a lot of things I gave up, including having a relationship. Since I was a freshman, I needed to double my effort because I wanted to study college and make my parents proud of me. It was my only dream to finish my college education.

He opened his car door for me without saying anything, and I motioned him to follow me inside our house. And I felt so glad that my father was not around since I hadn't seen his car in our garage. And when we got inside the house, I could see the shock on my mom's face when she looked at Ashton, and only Ava greeted him.

"Hello, Ashton!" My sister said enthusiastically.

"Ah, mom, this is Ashton, my partner in my project in Literature. Ashton, meet my mom." I said, and my mother stood up, and she offered her hand to Ashton with a beautiful smile on her face, and I could tell even my mother was mesmerized by his beauty.

"Good evening, Mrs. Corteza. I am sorry if it is a little bit late." Ashton said while he smiled at my mom, and I could see the beautiful smile on my mother's face as she looked at me and then at Ashton.

"He picked me up from my work because he was also busy with his football practice, and we are both busy," I replied.

"It is okay, and you should go to the dining hall because there is no place where you can discuss your project together, or you can talk on the balcony of your room." My mom suggested, and I thought it was the most decent place to bring Ashton, but I didn't want him to see my room, but I didn't have a choice; we excused ourselves, and gestured for him to follow me on the stairs. And the moment I opened the door of my room, I felt so glad that my sister kept her side of the bed tidy since sometimes she would not make her bed.

"I am sorry, if we don't have enough space, this is my room, and I need to share with Ava ever since Dexter came back," I said.

"It is okay, Megan. You don't need to say sorry to me, you have a beautiful room, and this is what I expected your room would be like, Meg. So neat, and I am shocked to learn that you play the guitar." He said as his eyes darted a glance on my guitar, which hung on the wall, and I smiled brightly.

"My brother thought me since I was in grade school, and it helps me calm my nerves every time I felt so restless about school and stuff," I replied, and he was smiling broadly at me.

"That is amazing, Megan. You never fail to surprise me, and I know there are still a lot of things I need to know more about you." He said, and I couldn't stop my heart from dancing because I realized Ashton was still interested in knowing me.

I brought him to the balcony, and I smiled when I felt the night breeze tickled on my skin. I wanted to change my clothes, but I knew I needed to talk with Ashton about our project, and I felt so glad he prepared his notes. And I am amazed by how well he has written his notes, and he highlighted all the key points, and it was very shocking to learn that we chose the same book, one from Shakespeare, from Jane Austin, and the classic historical book by Margaret Mitchell entitled Gone With The Wind.

"You chose, Megan." He said when he realized I was still looking in his notes, and when I handed him my notes, I saw him shaking his head out of the corner of my eye.

"Wow! I couldn't believe we have the same preference, and can't you see the order of the novel, Megan? It feels like we are connected somehow. I could tell we are very compatible with each other." He said, and I grimaced at him since I didn't want Ashton to know that I had a great time right now. My heart is racing because we are seated next to each other, and his muscular scent makes me feel lightheaded as I realize Ashton smelled so good, and I can't deny I love the way he smelled; I love everything about Ashton.

"Hey, are you alright, Meg?" Ashton asked me, and I felt shy when I realized I zoned out for a while.

"Yeah, I am fine. I am sorry, I just felt so tired." I replied, but I lied since I couldn't tell him I was thinking about his scent, and his proximity was killing me.

"Well, I think I should go now so that you can rest, Megan. We still have days to finish this project, so I think we can meet again if it would be alright with you." He declared, and I could tell he was waiting for my answer.

"Okay, when would that be?" I answered, and I felt so excited to meet him again.

"Can we meet on Sunday? Now that I have given you my notes, and I already took pictures of your notes, I think we can collaborate, but I still want to see you, Megan. I mean, we can finalize it this coming Sunday." He added, and he stood up, and I got up from my seat, and we got out together from my room.

I am shocked to find my mom and sister in the living room, and I can tell they wanted to see Ashton one more time. Ashton gave my mom his signature smile after saying goodbye to her, and my sister giggled when Ashton tapped her shoulder, and we got out of the main door. I send Ashton to his car, and I can't stop feeling so nervous, and I know deep inside my heart I wanted Ashton to kiss me again, but I got frustrated that he reached inside his car before he said goodbye to me. He opened the window of his car and waved at me.

"Goodbye, Meg. See you at school." He said, and he closed the window and drove away from me, and I got inside our house with heavy steps.

"Oh, Megan, he looked like a celebrity!" My mom exclaimed, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"Yeah, I know, mom," I replied.

"And why did you broke up with him?" My mom asked, and how can I tell her because she got sick my brother needed to break Isabelle's heart, and now all of us are suffering the aftermath of Dexter's decision.

"He is so hot and handsome, and I can tell he is a nice lad, and the most important factor is he is crazy about you." My mother added, and I furrowed my eyebrow, but I could feel the racing of my heart.

"Megan, I can tell it by the way he looked at your face. That guy is in love with you.." My mother continued, and I hate that I can't stop myself from beaming at her, and I love the feeling I am having right now as I think of what my mother had told me, and I am hoping Ashton still wants me to be his girlfriend.