Chapter 48 - My Partner

Megan's POV

I couldn't believe that there was a kind of pain like this, and I couldn't stop myself from crying as my brother drove away from the prominent subdivision in our city. And I hate that I am experiencing this kind of misery because of my stupidity. I know breaking up with Ashton was my decision, and I already convinced myself that I would be okay, but when I found him with my mortal enemy, Lauren, I couldn't help but feel hurt.

I didn't look at Ashton when she came to Lauren's place because I was so afraid to see what was on his face, and I was not yet ready to accept that I let him go. And I don't know if I felt glad that he didn't speak with me while he waited for Lauren to came down from her room. But I know Alice was right. I insulted Ashton by breaking up with him, and I know there is no way he will come back to me after I told him that there is nothing he can do to change my mind.

Now all I have to do is face my heartache and deal with the pain, and I have to eat my heart out. I let my tears fall, and I didn't wipe them away since I felt so afraid my brother would find out I was crying. I said goodbye to Alice after my brother dropped her off at her house, and the moment we arrived home, I wanted to climb out of the car immediately, but my brother held my wrist.

"Megan, I know you were crying, and I felt so guilty that you feel this way." He said, and I got facial tissue from the glove box, and I started crying again.

"I'm sorry, Dexter, I know I should not cry, but I can't stop my heart from aching. I couldn't take it that Ashton was no longer talking to me after breaking up with him. I know that I hurt him somehow, but I hate that I couldn't stop myself from hurting him every time I saw him with Lauren. I know that they belong together and look good together, but I couldn't stop myself from wishing that I wish I were the one he was spending time with, and I know we can never be together, but I want to stop hurting you know." I declared.

"And this is too much, and I never asked this to happen to me. I just wanted to graduate from high school without complications, but I never expected I would fall in love with him." I added, and I heard my brother sighed.

I realized Dexter was having a hard time on how to alleviate the pain that I felt because I could see his hands were gripping hard on the steering wheel as he watched the front of our house. And I can tell that my brother was avoiding my face because he could see the pain on my face. And I know my brother feels guilty about what is happening to me because everything leads back to him. He was the reason Ashton approached me in the first place because of Isabelle, but I don't blame my brother for it because it wasn't his fault.

I want to stop my heart from aching, that is all, and I don't blame my brother either, I know I made a choice, and it wasn't Dexter who made it for me. I chose to break up with Ashton on my own accord because I thought it was the best solution for everything. Before getting hurt by his father, I better take the preliminary precaution without knowing I will still suffer.

"I should be the one telling you sorry because I know it was because of me that you are suffering right now, Megan. And if I only have the power to stop your heart from hurting, I already did it, and right now, I am so lost for words, Megan, since I don't want to see you in pain, and this is the first time that I see you like this, and I hate myself right now for making you this miserable." Dexter said the moment he got his voice back.

"I didn't expect that you would break up with Ashton. I thought you would follow your heart this time because I know I can do nothing about it, Megan. Yeah, I know at first I would ask you to break up with Ashton, but when I met him, I realized he was in love with you too. When he came here and punched me, I realized that time he was really into you, and maybe he could withstand his father's wrath because he is Gregory's eldest son and the heir of his empire, and I can tell Ashton will fight what he believes in, and I couldn't believe he will give you up that easily." My brother said, and I let out a sigh, and then I half-laugh.

"Maybe Ashton realized that I am not worth it, and I don't deserve his time. I understand that he is the most popular guy in our school and I am just nothing, so I have to deal with it and do not worry, this would be the last time that I will cry because of him. I hate that he came to Lauren's place, and he didn't even say hi to me while I was cleaning the stairways leading to Lauren's bedroom." I said, feeling so lost and sad.

"I don't think Ashton is that kind of guy, Megan, I am sorry, but I know from Isabelle that her brother is compassionate, and I think he is not the type of guy who will play around with someone else's heart, and I want to ask an apology since I was the one who asked you to break up with him. I was jealous that time that I could never get close with Isa again. And I hate that I broke her heart good time." My brother said, and I smiled at him as I looked at the sadness on my brother's face, and now the two of us shared the same fate.

"It is okay, and you don't need to say sorry. It was not your fault, Dexter. Always remember this, it was never your fault that I ended my relationship with Ashton. It was my choice." I said as I touched my brother's hand, and I asked him to get inside the house.

I still find it so hard to sleep, so instead of thinking about Ashton and Lauren, I spent my time answering my assignments and review my notes until I was asleep with a book on my chest. And since I don't have a part-time job on Sunday since Lauren shortened it by making us worked until midnight last night. I helped my mom cleaned the house and prepared food for breakfast to dinner, and I felt so glad that Ava helped me even if I didn't ask her to help. And I realized my sister is now finally becoming a responsible child.

Then I spent my day reading my notes and lesson in advance because I knew I would be busy again during weekdays, and even if I love my new part-time job, I don't have time to review my notes because the shop is always packed with customers.

Monday came, and I knew I couldn't avoid reality forever. I need to face Ashton again. And how I wish this school year would be over so I would stop seeing him. I chose to wear my skinny jeans that emphasize my butt. I can tell Alice will be jealous of me again since every time I wear this, for her, it highlights my hourglass figure, and I like to wear this with a crop top because I wanted Ashton to notice me even if I know it was so wrong. But I always bring a blazer with me if I need it, especially with my situation that I became a target by the rich girls. I am just glad I stopped dating Ashton, and they also cease bothering me, but still, out of the corner of my eye, I can see they are still looking at me with contempt.

As usual, I can feel my nervousness as I get inside our classroom, and I never make the same mistake again by looking at the back door because I am afraid if I find Ashton and Lauren being sweet with each other. I sat on my chair while I waited for our teacher to discuss our lesson, and I hate myself that I can't deny even if we are in the same room, I am still thinking about Ashton.

I could not stop the pounding of my heart when our literature teacher told us about our upcoming project to be presented on the following Monday. And I hate that it is a pair work, and I have to partner with another classmate, and I wouldn't say I like it when it is like this because scholars like me are afraid to be paired with the rich kids, especially the girls who showed it to our face that we don't belong in their society. I better do my project alone, but I know I can never run away from this scenario.

I experienced this before, a group project, and I ended doing all the works, and this time it would be fine with me if I did the job alone. Our teacher started calling our names, and I wished my teacher would call Alice and me, and I smiled when Alice partnered with Zach. And then I felt my entire body turned called when my teacher called my name.

"Megan Corteza, your partner would be Ashton Pritzgold.." He said, and the entire class turned so quiet, and I could no longer hear the voice of my teacher as I listened to the rapid pounding of my heart.