Megan's POV
"Thank you, Megan, for spending time with me even if you are so busy, and I know that you still need to study your lessons in advance, and you're going to answer your assignments," Ashton said.
"I am sorry if I couldn't stop myself from wanting to be with you. I want you to know that I feel so happy tonight, and I want to spend every night with you, even if for a while." He added after he parked his car in front of our house, and he turned his head to look at me. And I felt so happy when I heard him say those words.
"I should be the one thanking you for taking me to dinner, I had a good time, and I enjoyed being with you. I feel the same way too, Ashton. I want to spend more time with you every day, and I am sorry that I have a busy schedule." I replied, and he smiled at me that made my entire body felt so weak.
"That is okay, Megan; what is important is I know that you feel the same way too, and I understand that you need to work because you want to help your parents. Most girls in the Academy, after school, will go to the malls to go shopping, and others will go to beauty salons, or others will have a good time with their friends at the coffee shop, while you are so so busy preparing for your future. I am so proud of you, Meg. You are not only beautiful, but you are so diligent." Ashton said, and my face blushed with his compliments.
"Thank you. I don't have a choice, Ashton. I need to help my parents. We are not rich, so we have to double our efforts to make ends meet. But I am happy to help my parents. And I love working too, and it always makes me feel energetic." I replied, and he took my hand, and then he brought it to his mouth. Ashton kissed my knuckles tenderly, and then he held and squeezed my hand.
"I hope you will have some time for yourself. You are still young, Megan. At your age, you should find time to be with your friends and enjoy your teenage life, and it would be nice to spend more time with your boyfriend too." He said, and he looked at me with puppy eyes, and I smiled and caressed his face with my other hand.
"Don't worry, now that we are back together, I promised to spend more time with you. I am sorry if I don't have the luxury to enjoy my life like the other girls in the Academy did; they grew up in a mansion, and they have trust funds. They don't need to worry about their future because they already have a beautiful future ahead of them, just like you. Don't get me wrong, but that is reality." I said, and his face softened.
"You don't need to say sorry, Meg, I understand you, and I hope you will let me help you," Ashton said, and I shook my head immediately.
"No, you don't need to do that, Ashton. I am already ashamed that I am not worthy of your attention because I have nothing to offer you. I don't belong to your world." I said.
"Hey, don't say that, Megan. I love just the way you are, and you don't need to belong to our world because what matters the most is you belong to me, and I belong to you." He said, and I couldn't stop myself from grinning at him.
"Wow, I never thought you could be that romantic, Ashton," I said, and he laughed, and then he leaned down and captured my mouth tenderly. Ashton kissed me with tenderness, and I felt so overwhelmed with happiness when he slowly deepened our kiss that made me moan. I felt Ashton's hand caressed my back before he pulled me closer to him without breaking our kiss, and when I felt his tongue swirled inside my mouth, I could feel the butterflies on my chest. We were both out of breath after our hot kiss.
"Damn, I don't want to go home, and I want to spend more time with you, Meg." He said, and I love the way he said those words.
"I don't want to go inside our house either, but I don't have a choice. We have a test tomorrow, and I still need to study." I said, and he let go of my hand, and before I could speak again, he got out of the car and went to my side and opened the door quickly. And my boyfriend helped me to climb out of his car.
"Good night, Megan; dream about me tonight," Ashton said, and I grinned at him.
"Good night, Ashton. I wish you will do the same." I replied, and I couldn't stop feeling like jelly when I found him looking at me with great intensity.
"I love dreaming about you, Meg." He replied, and then he said his goodbye before he went back to his car and drove away. I was wearing a beautiful smile on my face as I walked towards our door, and I felt relieved Ashton didn't mention his post in his social media account since I couldn't promise my boyfriend to watch his game. I know I will feel guilty about it, and I don't want to hurt Ashton's feelings. And I couldn't wait to get inside my room to open my IG account and read his post and comments of his followers.
"Hey, why are you in a hurry, my dear?" My mom said when I came across my mom on the stairs.
"Hello, mom!" I said and smiled at her.
"Can we talk, Megan?" She asked, and I suddenly felt worried that I tightly gripped the handle of my bag. Because if my mother will ask me to have a word with her, it is something important.
"I everything alright, mom?" I asked, and my mom smiled at me, and I didn't know if she was faking her smile because ever since I learned, she got sick without me knowing about it. I realized my mother is the best at hiding her genuine emotions.
"Don't look so worried, Megan. I miss you. I know you still need to study your lessons but don't worry, it will be quick." She said, and I nodded my head. My mom motioned me to sit next to her on the sofa, and I suddenly felt worried about what she had to say.
"Did you have a date with Ashton?" She calmly asked, and I nodded my head.
"He took me into an Italian restaurant after he picked me up from the fish shop," I replied.
"That is good. Is everything alright, Meg?" My mom asked, and I suddenly felt confused.
"I am fine, mom; why do you ask me that question?" I asked back.
"I am your mom, Megan, and I want to let you know; you can tell and ask me anything. If you need my advice about something, I will try my best to give you my opinion without judgment. If you are hurting, you can tell me. I know you are a strong and independent young woman, but you still need my advice in terms of relationship, don't hesitate to ask me anything, Megan." Mom said as she caressed my face, and I moved closer to my mother, and I embraced her.
"Thank you, mom. I know you will always be there for me, and I am so grateful to have you as my mom." I said.
"You are always welcome, Meg. Of course, I am your mother, and I have to be there for you, especially when you will experience your first heartache, and if I have it my way, I don't want you to be broken-hearted as possible." My mom added.
"Don't worry, mom, I will tell you, and I will be honest with you," I replied, and I couldn't stop myself from telling my mother about Ashton's post on his IG account, and I narrated everything to my mom including the reason why I broke up with Ashton. I also told her why I needed to keep my relationship with Ashton secret.
"Oh, that was hard on your part, Megan. You make
me so proud of you. But I am sorry if I didn't know about your breakup, and now I am so happy that you are back together. And now, my dear, about his post on his IG account that is so sweet of him, Meg. I could tell he is really into you. For me, please have time to enjoy yourself." My mom declared.
"And if I am going to ask your advice about the challenged those girls asked, what do you think I should do, mom?" I asked my mother since I wanted to hear my mom's point of view.
"Well, to enjoy your relationship with Ashton, you must be proud of your relationship with him, and I am sorry if I will tell you those girls have a point. Ashton is the epitome of perfection, Megan. And you should enjoy your love for each other. It is so wonderful to walk around campus holding hands with your boyfriend, Meg. Don't be afraid of those girls, Megan. They are only jealous of you." My mom said, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling at my mother.
"And it could be so romantic if you will show up to one of his games, and if you do it, I will support you, Meg. I will take a leave and go with you to watch Ashton plays his game." Mom added, and my eyes widened in disbelief.
"Are you sure about that, mom?" I asked, feeling so excited.
"Of course, my dear, I love you, and I will do everything to make my girl happy. Besides, I like Ashton too, and I want him to be pleased as well. I can tell Ashton is crazy about you, Megan." My mom answered, and I couldn't contain my happiness as I realized my mom loved me so much, and I felt so lucky to have her as my mother.. And now I can tell I am more determined to face Lauren and her friends' challenge to show up on Ashton's game wearing his jersey and prove them wrong that Ashton was a liar.