The Way You Love Me

1. Little Pieces

~ Chapter One - Little pieces ~

"This is your chance Ash. Just go and say 'I love you.'" My best friend Hailey handed her boyfriend a rose flower and pouted dramatically as she said 'you'.

"Thank you sweetheart. I love you too." Logan, her boyfriend, said and then gave that flower to me. "Now go and nail it, Ash."

"Yes, you can do it." Ryan patted me on the back. I hunched forward as he knocked breath out of me with the force he used.

"Don't forget. I will be your maid of honor. Do you understand?" Gracie pointed her index finger at me and narrowed her eyes.

"They aren't even a couple yet and you are already moving into next level." Julia said in her nonchalant tone while leaning against the wall. She was wearing her leather outfit and was leaning against the wall while fiddling with her phone like always. "Anyways, best of luck Ashley." She smiled kindly at me and I smiled back. Only my smile didn't look as good as hers.

"Go for it." Gracie pushed me towards the part of the park where Caleb and Luke were sitting on the bench. I was standing several feet away from them, behind a tree. Luke discreetly looked over his shoulder signaled me to enter the scene.

My hands were sweating as I nervously rubbed one on my jeans while the other one was holding that rose. I took several steps towards them as Luke kept Caleb busy in talking. My breathing became heavy as I neared them. Fear and excitation, both were clouding my senses. Adrenaline was pumping into my veins.

"...yeah that was such a crappy shot. I mean who does that? Throwing the ball that high? It flew out of the field. He doesn't even know..."

Luke was talking about something as I entered the hearing distance.

"No, I don't think so..." Caleb answered to something Luke said in his velvety voice. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to leave. I ignored my friends who were still standing behind the tree waving frantically at me as I moved slowly.

What if he says 'no' to me also? Caleb is one of the most popular boys of the school. Several girls will be in line to have him as their date for prom. Why would he say yes to me? He only sees me as his friend. There can never be anything more to it. Letting my friends convince me to do it was a stupid move from my side.

"Yes, I agree with you..." Caleb said again to something Luke said and I stopped again.

I have been friends with Caleb since middle school. We have been best buddies. He is my neighbor. There's no way he's going to reject me. He simply won't do that. We have been friends for so long. There has to be some feelings from his part also.

With new determination, I again walked to the boy I was going to confess my love to. Luke was telling Caleb something and with his hands he was discreetly calling me to them. With a smile, I continued to walk.

My heart almost stopped when Caleb threw his head back and laughed in his melodious voice. Gosh! Why is he so handsome?

"No, way. That's never going to happen." Caleb said and I stopped again.

What am I even thinking? This is never going to happen. I turned around and started to walk away again. Caleb won't like me like that. He won't ever like me like that. I love him doesn't mean that he loves me too. I'm thinking too much into it. He doesn't love me at all. That's it.

Feeling despondent, I managed to walk a few steps before a voice stopped me.

"ASH!"

My eyes widened as I heard Luke calling out my name. I shut my eyes close and counted ten in my head before turning around quickly.