Chapter 28 - The Excruciating Pain

Megan's POV

I couldn't see the ground because my eyes are covered with tears, and I never felt so hurt before, as if my heart is pulled out from my chest. The excruciating pain in my chest is making me cry harder. I never thought that Ashton would do something like this to me. I know I was so doubtful, at first, why he came to me and introduced himself to me when from the beginning he doesn't notice me at all. And it was the first time that Ashton looked at me that way ever since we were classmates. And right now, I knew the reason why he wanted me to be his girlfriend.

I don't care if I am wet as long as I will never go back in there. Lauren made me the laughingstock of her entire friends, and Ashton is not an exception. He humiliated me and made fun of me. Ashton played with my innocent heart, and I can never forgive him for hurting me this way. And it dawned on me why my brother doesn't want me to associate with Ashton because he knew from the very start that he was the reason why Ashton came to me, and I hate my brother right now for not telling me the truth before something like this can happen to me.

I ran away from Lauren's mansion, and I hate that their main entrance is so far from the gate. I felt so mortified that the rich kids only made fun of me. They didn't consider I have feelings too. And I promise myself I will never look at them because they don't deserve my time. I know I am ridiculous since they never get interested in me, only this time because I became Ashton's toy. It feels so good that no one came after me, and I continued running into the street; I don't know where I am going, but all I want to do is go as far away from Lauren's house as possible.

After a while, I heard a sound of an approaching vehicle. I was hoping it wasn't Ashton because I can't face him right now after what he had done to me. I don't know how am I going to meet him ever again because I know even if I was hurt, I know he is still in my heart, and I don't know how I am going to forget him after I taste his sweet lips, and I hate to think that everything we did together felt so real.

"Megan, would you please stop running and get in." I heard Zachary's voice, and he was pleading at me, and I could tell he is different from them. My instinct is telling me that among all the rich kids, he was the only one I can trust. I stopped in my tracks, and I turned my head to look at him, and I couldn't stop myself from crying when I can see the concern on his face and when I saw my best friend sitting beside him in the front seat.

"Please, Megan, don't make this harder for us," Alice said while I can see that she looked so worried about me.

I walked closer to them, and I opened the door of the backseat, and I get inside his car without saying anything; and Zach drives his car, and no one dares to talk to me, and I can tell they are both afraid If I will break down. I put my tears at bay, and I told myself never to cry in front of anyone ever again. 

"Where are you taking me, Zach?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Megan, I already told you that we are friends, so don't be afraid because I will never do something bad to you. I care about you, and you know that. You are so wet, and you need to change your clothes. I'm taking you home but don't worry, because no one is at home right now because my parents are always busy, and my brother is out of the country at the moment." Zach replied, and I suddenly felt guilty that I asked him with accusation in my voice.

I fell silent as I look outside the window, and I realized we are near the Pritzgold mansion, but Zach told me we are friends. I trust him that he won't do something that can make me feel sadder and more hurt. Then I am shocked that he slowed down his car in front of Ashton's place, but I felt so glad that he turned on the other side. I realized that Zachary's family owns the mansion across the Pritzgolds, and I can see the enormous house of Zach King; and Alice gasped, and I realized this is the first time she came to this part of the subdivision.

The entire house is so quiet, and no wonder Zach always wanted to be with Ashton, and I hate that even my boyfriend hurt me so badly I am still thinking about him, and the worse part, I long to see him again. But I am aware we can no longer be together because it will be only a slap on my face since I was humiliated in front of his entire friends, and they all know that Ashton is only playing games with me. So, if I get back with him, they will still laugh at me, and they will tell it into my face that I am so pathetic and I don't want to be like that kind of person. I don't want to be weak. I want to look strong and tough in front of those rich kids who laughed at me.

Zachary asked us to come with him to his room. He gave me a bath towel, and he told me to use the liquid bath soap I can find inside his bathroom. And I get inside, And I take a warm shower. And I know he was talking with Alice. And I got dress quickly while I try to dry my hair with the towel, and I felt better, but my heart is still aching. I am wondering when it is going to stop hurting, and I can't ask Alice about it since she never broke up with her boyfriend, and I felt so glad my best friend is so lucky in terms of her love life.

"Are you ready?" Zach asked me, and I nodded.

"Thank you, Zach," I said as I looked inside his room, and I could tell right away they have a lot of similarities with Ashton, and no wonder they are best friends.

"Don't mention it, Megan. You can call me anytime if you need something." He replied.

"Did Ashton ask you to take me home?" I asked.

"Yes, even after I gave him a hard blow." He replied, and my eyes widened.

"You hit Ashton?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course, we are friends, Meg, and I already warned him not to court you if he wasn't sure about his feelings for you. I can't speak for Ashton, Meg, but I know him. He is into you, and that is all I can say. I don't know what the real story is, but maybe if your anger with him subsides, you can give him a chance to at least hear his side of the story. I am not asking you to give him another chance because you may say I am biased, but I know you like him a lot, Megan. I don't want you to suffer." He said, and he strode towards the door while my mouth hangs open with what he had said, and I don't want to hope again and made my heart suffer in the end, just what happened tonight.

We followed Zach into his car, and this time, Alice sat in the backseat while I take the front seat. We talked, but I can tell Zach tried his best not to mention's Ashton's name.

"Can I have a sleepover at your house, Al?" I asked my best friend.

"Yes, of course, I have been dying to hear you say that," Alice replied, and I felt relieved because I can't trust myself right now. I may feel okay now, but I don't know what I think later, and I don't want Ava to know I am broken-hearted, and I don't want to face my brother yet, since I am still in deep pain, and now I realized my brother was the one who suffered under Ashton's father and not his friend.

"Thank you again, Zachary," I said as we get out of his car.

"Your welcome, Meg, and please don't overthink about it. I already give Ashton a lesson." He said, and I laughed. He drove away from us, and we get inside Alice's house, and we tiptoed going to her room. I informed my mom to tell Dex not to pick us up, and I told her I would sleep here at Megan's place.

"Did Zach punch Ashton?" I asked Alice after we get inside her room, and he goes to her cabinet, and she pulled out pajamas for me, and I put them on since I already took a bath at Zach's house.

"Yes, and I was shocked, but Ashton didn't fight back. He just allowed his best friend to hit his face once and then to his gut. I think Zach has a point, and maybe you should give him a chance to speak with you, Meg." Alice said, and I looked at her before I lay down on her bed.

"As of now, I am so confused on what to do, Alice, and I am hurting inside, and all I asked from you is please, don't talk about Ashton, for now, while everything is still fresh. Because I know if someone will mention his name, I can feel the pain, and I hope you understand me." I said, and she nodded and offered me a weak smile.

"Of course, Meg, good night.." She said as she switches off the main light, and she clapped her hand to make her lump shade light up, and I try closing my eyes, but I know I can't sleep tonight, and for the first time, I experienced how to be a broken-hearted because of Ashton.