Chapter 63 - Social Media Post

Ashton's POV

I took a warm shower after my brother left my room, and I found it so hard to sleep since I couldn't stop myself from smiling, and I felt so happy. Knowing Megan's family makes me feel better and content. It is still early to tell, but I would like them to be my future family. I know Megan and I are still young, but the feelings I have for her are genuine, and I know that it will last for a lifetime. I picked up my phone from my nightstand, and I couldn't stop myself from scrolling our pictures together.

I have so many candid pictures of my girlfriend, and she looks so beautiful in all of them, and I couldn't stop myself from touching her beautiful face on my screen, and this is the first time that I have done something like this. I don't take pictures with my past girlfriends, even with Lauren, but when I am with Megan, I can't stop capturing almost every moment I am with her. She made me feel so alive and inspired, and I don't know what she's doing to me, and I am so tempted to post our pictures together on my social media account. But I wanted to protect my girlfriend and keep my promise to her that we would keep our relationship secret until she was ready. I understand that she had a hard time when we became a couple.

I opened my IG account, and I know that I have so many followers, and a lot of them comment on every post that I make. And right now, as I lay awake, I couldn't stop expressing how I felt, so I posted on my IG that I am in love with my girl. After that, I got so many notifications, and when I looked at my post-it has thousands of likes and comments already. I sat up on my bed when I read some of the comments, and I was stunned that most girls challenged my girlfriend to show herself to everyone during one of my football games, and some say it must be this coming Saturday.

I shook my head, and I couldn't believe one single post of the day would make the girls go crazy again. There are so many comments that I found hilarious some say I was only saying that I have a girlfriend to make girls stay away from me. Lauren and her friends commented they would only believe I already have a new girlfriend once they see her in my games wearing my jersey.

It was an impossible thing to happen, even if in my heart I wished someday it would happen because I wanted Megan to watch my games, but I understood her, and I didn't want to pressure my girlfriend and ask her to do things for me that will make her uncomfortable. I don't usually reply to any of the comments unless they were birthday greetings and congratulations on winning our game. I replied to a random comment saying when she is ready with heart emoji. And I turned off and charged my phone and then I tried to get some sleep.

"So, do you have any idea that your post went viral?" My brother asked me the moment we met at the garage, and I felt so glad our mom was out of the country again together with our dad. I looked at him and shook my head, and I pretended I didn't know what he was talking about as I opened my car door.

"Well, I know you've got fans all over the city, and not only that, I could tell girls from the public and private schools are following you in your social media account, knowing you were the hottest guy on Astikoz Academy and the best football player, but I think they are not only interested with your football games now, they are also curious with your love life," Lennon said, while Cole was standing beside him waiting for my reaction.

"I will look at it later," I said, feeling calm about it. I get inside my car grinning because I can't stop thinking about Megan, and I know I have to pretend I don't care about her every time we are on campus, and seeing her from a distance would be enough for me. I can't stop thinking about the sweet moments we shared in my room at my grandfather's mansion. And I am so excited to spend more time alone with Megan to kiss, touch, and hug her, and I want to hear more of her songs. Next time, I will take a video of my girlfriend playing her new guitar while singing a song for me. 

I wanted to go to Megan's place and pick her up and send her to school, but I know it is against our agreement. And I don't want to ruin this chance I have with Megan. I should stick with the rule so that we can be together, and as possible, I want to stop her from thinking we don't belong because of our status in life. She should acknowledge by now that I like her and want her even if we are living in a different world. I know I have a trust fund from my grandfather, but for me, it doesn't matter because I want to have money and be recognized on my own, not because I was the grandson of Henry Pritzgold or son of Gregory Pritzgold.

Our family business doesn't make me rich. Our family owns the company and not me. And I wouldn't say I like it when people only want to know me because I am a Pritzgold. That is why I want to be a professional football player and have my own business the moment I retire, and I want Megan to be part of my dreams. I slowed down when I near the gate of the Academy, but I released a sigh when I realized I was late since I couldn't find Megan or her friends outside the entrance. The moment I drove on the campus ground, I could see from a distance that my friends were already waiting for me at the parking lot, and of course, with Lauren and her friends.

The moment I got out of my car, they asked me about my post, and I only shrugged my shoulders since I didn't want to discuss it because I needed to keep my relationship a secret if I wanted to stay happy like this. I know Megan's life will become miserable again once they learn we are back together. I felt so energetic during practice that I made my coach impressed and satisfied with my performance. 

"So, can you tell me about your date with your mystery girlfriend?" Zach asked the moment we walked to our first period, and I chuckled. I have learned he spent his time with Alice yesterday because they didn't meet each other previously to go over their reports. I felt good. I made an effort to see Megan even if our project together was only an alibi for me since I only wanted to see her, I know we could finish our report in one meeting, but it felt so nice spending more time with my girl.

"Do you think she will come to our game and watch you play?" He asked again, and this time I shook my head As I put my hands on the pockets of my varsity jacket.

"You know her, Zach. She is allergic to a football." I said.

"I don't think so, maybe because she is only busy with her part-time job." My best friend responded.

"Yes, that would be one of the reasons besides she is not yet finished with her contract, at Lauren's place. She can't make it to our games." I replied.

"Well, we still have so many games, and I think I can help make Megan's schedule free this coming Saturday," Zachary said.

"I can't ask her to do that, Zachary," I said.

"Well, your reputation is at stake here." He declared, and I cocked my head as I looked at him, and his words made me so confused.

"How could my reputation be affected by my post?" I asked.

"Well, the girls challenged your girl to come out from her shell, or else they will call you a liar, and they will unfollow you. As for the boys, they are now betting secretly if your girl will show up or not, and the pot prize is unbelievable, and it is not a simple bet. It doesn't include money." He said.

"What? That is ridiculous. I don't care if they will unfollow me, but to call me a liar is a bad thing. And why are the boys betting? And what kind of bet are you talking about if it does not include money?" 

"They are betting for the latest gadgets." He declared, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Why do they even care about my love life? I couldn't believe it is happening right now, and this is my life, Zach, and I want to live it my way, and not because of their expectations." I said.

"I understand your point, Ashton, but you are already a celebrity in our school, and I think you should ask your girlfriend to show herself and make your fans eat their words," Zach said.

"I care about Megan more than a stupid bet and my social status, Zachary," I said, and he smiled at me.

"Wow! That is new, and I can now say you are officially in love with Megan Corteza." He declared.

"Yes, I am." I proudly said, and I couldn't stop my heart from racing as we neared our classroom.. And I admit I am worried about the result of my social media post, but nothing can stop my heart from feeling excited about meeting Megan again.