The rest of school went by in a blur. Ashlyn found herself just staring at the teacher, pretending to be paying attention but in reality she wasn't listening to anything the teachers said. She was too busy figuring out how she's going to last being Levi's girlfriend for a few weeks. Good thing none of the teachers asked her any questions during class.
Soon enough, Ashlyn was walking towards her locker and true to his words, Levi was there. He was leaning against her locker with his arms crossed and smirking at a group of girls who were giggling and waving at him as if he was some major celebrity. They weren't even trying to be discreet about it and were just openly-and not to mention shamelessly-- flirting with Levi and showing off their desperateness out in the open. After deciding that she doesn't really care, Ashlyn approached her locker with a neutral expression. The group of girls instantly stopped giggling and looked at Ashlyn warily as if afraid she'll pounce on them for flirting with her boyfriend. But Ashlyn just brushed them off and remained a straight face. Levi on the other hand, pushed himself off her locker and his smirk was replaced with a genuine smile.
"Hey, ready to go?" He asked. "I know a great place to get some really juicy burgers."
"Sure." She said hesitantly. Ashlyn wanted so much to get home but since her stomach is begging for food, why pass out on a free meal? "Just let me put away my books first. Why don't you wait for me by your car?"
"Cool." He grinned and leaned in to kiss her. Ashlyn resisted the urge to take a step back but that would just look wrong considering the fact that she's supposedly his girlfriend and that people are watching. So whether or not she likes it, she stood her ground and felt his warm lips on her forehead. "Don't take too long." He said before walking towards the school exit.
Ashlyn turned and noticed that the group of girls were still standing around her locker and looking longingly at Levi's back. Ashlyn shook her head in amusement before clearing her throat. "Like what you see, girls?"
Their eyes snapped back at Ashlyn and they smiled apologetically. "We're sorry. We didn't mean to stare at him. We know that you and Levi are-"
Ashlyn waved her hand dismissively. "It's okay. I don't really care."
The girls' eyes widened. "Yo-you don't?" One of them said in disbelief.
Ashlyn opened her locker and shrugged. "Not really." She said nonchalantly while putting her books away. "Feel free to look at him."
The girls squealed loudly, making Ashlyn winced when she felt her eardrums burst. She had only given them permission to look at Levi but the way they jumped with joy made it seem as if she had given them a back stage pass to One Direction concert or something.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Thank you Ashlyn!" The girls giggled again before walking away.
"Errmm...you're welcome?" Ashlyn furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. What the hell is wrong with Empire High's female population? And how did they know her name? She's sure as hell doesn't know theirs'.
Just then Jaime and Max sauntered towards her. Jaime eyed the giggling girls as they walked pass him. "Are my eyes playing tricks on me or is my future step sister socialising?" He teased.
Max snickered. "I didn't know Ashlyn was capable of socialising."
Ashlyn rolled her eyes. "Shut up you two!" She slammed her locker shut to emphasise on how much they were pissing her off. But of course her anger only made them laugh harder.
"Let's go home, Ash. My favourite show is starting in half an hour." Jaime slung his arm on her shoulder.
Ashlyn pushed his arm off. "Actually I'm not heading home. I have plans with Levi." She sighed.
"You're really going out with him?" Max asked casually. His face was blank but his eyes were the opposite and Ashlyn couldn't comprehend the emotions behind them. "You don't seem too happy about it."
"Wh-what do you mean? Of course I'm happy." She ran her fingers through her hair. "He is my boyfriend after all." She gave out a nervous laugh to cover up her lie.
Jaime narrowed his eyes suspiciously for a moment but shrugged it off. "Whatever. Let's go Max." Max nodded and both the boys left.
Ashlyn slumped against her locker and took a second to regain her composure before heading to the parking lot to meet Levi.
"There you are!" Levi beamed and embraced Ashlyn in a tight hug once she reached his car. "I miss you so much."
"I was only gone for ten minutes, Levi." Ashlyn murmured awkwardly against his chest because he was still crushing her in his arms.
Levi loosened his hug and looked down at her. "And that was the most painful ten minutes of my life."
Ashlyn rolled her eyes and pushed him away playfully. "Just get in the car and get me something to eat, Hudson!"
"You're scary when you're hungry, Miller." Levi chuckled and opened the car door for her.
"Yup. That means I'm scary most of the time." She smiled devilishly. "Are you sure you don't want to back out from this relationship now?" Ashlyn doesn't know why but she couldn't help but ask him that.
Levi instantly stopped laughing at the mention of that question. Instead, he frowned and looked directly into Ashlyn's curious eyes. "Not a chance."
*************
"Why can't I take you to school?" Levi pouted. They were standing in front of Ashlyn's doorway after having their dinner at a burger joint ten minutes outside of town. Ashlyn hated to admit it but the burgers there were the best burgers she had ever tasted. Maybe even better than McDonalds.
Ashlyn fiddled with her hands, trying to think of an excuse. "Because people would stare at us?" It sounded more like a question than a statement.
"But people already know we're together." He pointed out.
"Well, maybe I like Jaime's car more than your car." She crossed her arms.
Levi gave her a flat look. "You're kidding me, right?"
Ashlyn glanced over at Levi's car in her driveway which was twice the size of Jaime's car. Now that she thought of it, her excuse was lame. Like really lame. Since she couldn't figure out what to say to him, she chose to remain quiet and glare at him.
Levi sighed and held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. You win. See you tomorrow in school then."
Ashlyn's lips quirked upwards in a victory smile as she nodded her head. "Bye, Hudson."
Levi pecked the tip of her nose. "Goodbye, Miller." He winked and strode to his car.
Ashlyn watched as his car disappeared from view before opening her front door. "Mum, I'm home-What are you doing standing here?! You almost gave me a heart attack!" She screamed when she almost bumped into Laura.
Ashlyn's mum stood like two feet away from the front door with a cheeky smile on her face. "I saw that, sweetie."
"Saw what?" Ashlyn blinked innocently.
"I saw that fine young boy standing outside with you. Is he your boyfriend?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I don't want to talk about it Mum." Ashlyn said and walked pass her mum.
"He is, isn't he?" Laura gushed. "My daughter first boyfriend! I can't believe this day would finally come. I should have brought down my camera and-"
Ashlyn groaned. "Mummmm!" She buried her face in her palms when she felt a blush creeping up on her cheeks. "Stop it!"
"I'm sorry honey but I'm just so happy!" She wiped a tear from her eyes and Ashlyn internally groaned again. Suddenly Laura gasped as if an idea just popped up. "We should invite him for dinner!"
"No, we shall not invite him for dinner!"
"Invite who for dinner?" Jaime asked as he strolled in from the kitchen. He always had bad timings, Ashlyn thought.
"No one!" Ashlyn snapped.
"Doesn't seem like no one to me." Jaime looked over at Ashlyn's mum. "Who's coming for dinner, Laura?"
"It's Ashlyn's boyfriend. I wanted to invite him for dinner but Ashlyn seems to be against it." Laura frowned.
Jaime smiled slyly as he took out his phone from his back pocket. "Well, I just so happen to know her boyfriend. I would be happy to invite him for you, Laura."
"That would be great!" Laura clapped her hands. "Tell him to come over this weekend for dinner."
"No! Don't you dare or I'll swear..." Ashlyn took a threatening step towards Jaime.
Jaime punched in a few buttons on his cell phone and grinned at her. "Too late."