PAULENE
I'm pretty much sure I'm still sleeping.
But, I can hear voices.
Voices.
Familiar voices.
But just voices.
"I'll drive her home."
"What about me?!"
A voice in the tone of confusion and bewilderment.
"I think it is more practical if you ride with Franz since you're practically neighbors."
"I'm riding in Ashton's car! Ash, I can be with you when you drop Paulene off."
"I think Eric's right. I'll take you home. Else, Ashton will have to go back and forth."
"I'm not getting in the same car with you!"
"And I'm not taking you. If you won't take his ride, just walk home."
Angry footsteps.
I open my eyes with much difficulty.
My vision was frosted like the morning fog. Blink after blink, I had clarity.
I lifted my head from the smooth velvet cushion of the Victorian fainting couch.
I sat up, completely regaining consciousness.
"Good morning!" Franz greeted me cheerfully.
It feels so good to wake up to the sight of a hot guy.
"Come now! I made pancakes!" Ashton said as he pulled me up the couch and dragged me to the kitchen.
Oh my god. I must look like a hobo.
I rubbed my eyes and straightened my tangled hair.
He pulled out a chair for me and motioned me to take the seat before giving me a smile.
Ashton, why'd you have to be so cute?
He then put a plate of pancakes in front of me.
"Butter, syrup, table knife, and fork. Voila!"
"Th--" I stopped as soon as I realized I haven't gargled yet.
I quickly rushed to the kitchen sink. I took a glass and filled it with water.
I put a quarter of water in my mouth, swishing it around my oral cavity before spitting it out into the sink.
Ashton looked at me with amusement in his eyes.
"Eat with me," I said to him as I took my seat again.
"Naaahhh. We already ate. We were already up about an hour ago."
I look at the kitchen wall clock. It's past 9 in the morning.
Oh my! Krista! We have to go home by six in the morning! We're so screwed.
I panicked and quickly got up. "I have to leave now. Krista needs to be--"
"Calm down. We know. Krista needs to go to church with your Mom. She already left. I was asleep when she did, but, she left Eric this note." Ashton then reached for the back pocket of his jeans.
He then laid a folded note on the table.
I opened it, there're two 20 dollar bills inside.
I then read the note. It's definitely Krista's.
"P,
u still needed sleep so I didn't bother waking u. ill just tell mom and dad that you are still at my apartment sleeping coz u were up late watching a movie on cable tv. ill also make up this excuse that I asked u to talk to the landlady in my behalf & that she will meet u @ 8 or 9. sleep tight! xx
PS. ask the boys to give u a ride and drop u a few blocks before our house so that mommy and dadahh won't get suspicious.
gave eric this note along with $40 just in case!
- K "
I folded the note again.
"We've decided that I'll be the one driving you home," Ashton said as he sat on the chair in front of me. He then rested his elbows on the table, interlocked the fingers of his right to his left hand and rested his chin on it.
What strong and manly arms.
I swallowed the lump of pancake in my mouth as I take a good look at his biceps.
"Oh! Let me get you a glass of water!" Ashton said as he rose and dashed to the fridge.
Franz then walked in. He stood next to me.
My eyes trailed from his lower body up to his strong chest.
I close my eyes and tried to regain self control.
This is one hell of a morning.
When I opened my eyes, they were both looking at me.
Believe me, I could faint now.
Ashton then took the last of the grub on my plate and ate it.
"Franz, can we go home now?" Tiffany entered the scene looking annoyed. She then looked at me with raised eyebrows.
"Hey, Princess," She sneered, emphasizing the word "princess".
What the hell is her problem?
We were glaring at each other for quite a while. A crease is forming in between my eyebrows on its own.
"Okay, that's it. We're going home now," Franz said as he dragged Tiffany out of the kitchen.
What exactly was that?
"Just, don't mind her. She's been in a bad mood since she woke up," Ashton answered as if he heard my question and gave me a reassuring look.
He then heaved out a sigh.
"I'll go talk to her," He said as he walked away.
The voices.
I try to remember the conversation I heard earlier.
I couldn't anymore.
I drank my water and washed the dishes.
We all readied to leave the cabin. I double checked the things inside my shoulder bag-- phone, wallet, house and room keys, pressed powder, BB cream, lip stick, comb, and fragrance spray.
I look like a mess. Should I put on some BB cream and lip stick?
But then, they'd notice that. Too late, Pau. They already saw your hobo look.
I stepped outside and joined Franz at the porch as we wait for the others.
"Hell of a night, huh?" He said, breaking the silence.
I gave him a smile and nodded.
Crazy night it was indeed, especially that prank.
And yeah--
I chuckled as I remember.
Franz seemed to get why I was chuckling to myself.
"Look, about the footsie--" He stopped as the others already got out of the cabin.
I smiled to myself.
When Eric was done locking the cabin, we wasted no time and made our way back to where the cars are parked.
We bade Eric and Dianne goodbye as they got in Eric's Subaru parked just at the end of the hanging bridge.
The rest of us walked a bit more.
I admit, Mary Woods is beautiful with the sun up in the sky. It's not scary at all. It's wonderful.
I can tell why Eric's father fell in love with this place.
I shuddered as I remember Eric's scary story about Mary Woods.
I wonder if it's true or he just made it up for the prank.
"Bye!" James called out before he got in Franz's car.
Franz also gave us a wave.
Tiffany took the front seat. She did not bid us goodbye or whatsoever.
That's it.
I officially dislike her.
"What are you waiting for, Pau? Get in," Ashton said.
I obliged.
FRANZ
Tiffany is clearly upset.
"I'm not getting in the same car with you!" I recall what she said to me.
It feels like just yesterday we were best friends, and now, we're worse than strangers.
"I'll miss the cabin. We should do this again," James said.
I look at him through the rear view mirror.
He was looking outside the car window.
"We'll drop you off first, okay, James? Just tell me the directions."
"Ayay! Captain!" He answered gleefully.
Well, that's James for you. I smiled at him.
It's quite funny that James' and Tiffany's moods contrast.
I just realized that Ashton is really Tiff's happiness.
I wonder how she'd be if I win the bet and Ashton pushes her away.
I cringe at the thought and at my guilt.
What have I done?
This bet is changing my life.
Our lives.
If I quit, will Ashton quit?
And what is happening to them right now?
It's just a ride home.
Nothing will happen.
After all, I stole that ride home he promised to Paulene not too long ago.
I could've insisted to be the one to drive Paulene home. I could have chosen to be stubborn.
But I guess I also miss being with Tiffany without Ashton in the picture.
ASHTON
I am feeling kind of giddy and tensed. Is that even possible?
This feeling is quite foreign to me.
I admit that she looks better with a bit of make up on. I almost believed that her lips where that pink and moist. She needs to put on some lip balm right now, but, nevertheless, her lips are still beautiful the way they are.
I chuckled to myself as I remember the moment I observed her sleeping on the couch.
She had a bit of drool at the corner of her lips.
She was like a baby.
So pure.
So fragile.
And I am about to break her.
Well, one of us will.
I never thought I would feel guilt and hesitation.
If I stopped, will Franz stop?
Tiffany means the world to him.
He'd do anything for Tiffany.
He won't agree to put off this bet.
I need to keep my word.
Somehow, I do care for Franz. He's like a brother to me.
But, I guess I am not exactly the best brother out there.
If it were Nash, my own flesh and blood, would I not leave the girl he loves alone?
Would I not push that girl he is in love with away if that's what it'll take?
Even if he won't stand a chance with that girl anyway?
But, who am I to say?
"Turn right, Ash," Paulene said, interrupting my train of thoughts.
"Oh, sorry."
"Sorry for what? Thanks again for giving me a ride."
"Sorry," I said to her again, with much more honesty and sincerity now.
"Hmm?"
"Sorry..." I muttered.
"Sorry for what? For trying to footsie me?" She let out a laugh.
I suddenly felt hot and embarrassed.
"Hey! I was trying so hard to forget! It actually already finally slipped my mind. Awe man! Now I remember! Thank you so much!"
"Sorry!" She said with exaggeration.
"I honestly wasn't trying to footsie you-- or Franz! It's just that. It's just..."
"Just what?" She asked in between laughs.
"I thought it was you and I thought you were initiating it. It's rude if I don't respond! I'm a gentleman!"
She burst out laughing.
I laughed along.
"Anyway, just drop me there at the corner. I'll walk home," She managed to say after drowning in laughter.
I pulled over at the corner.
"Thank you and take care," She said as she gave me a smile and closed the car door.
I watch her walk away.
--
Sorry, guys! It took quite a while for me to update. Was busy making Beyond Promise's trailer. I also finally outlined the story! You can now read the synopsis and watch the trailer! I HOPE YOU GUYS WOULD LOVE IT AS MUCH AS I DO!
Beyond Promise is Historical Fiction/Romance. Totally different writing style. Either third person or single POV. It will be more on the drama! More serious, more elaborate, more tragic! Haha! That's so when you go to my page, you can read stories of different flavors. I aim to be a versatile author! :D
If GTBIL gets 10k reads, I'll start posting the Prologue. It will come in three parts.
Anyway, enough Beyond Promise!! GTBIL will get jealous. I will still keep posting fast updates for this story while updating Beyond Promise so no worries!
A lot are asking if GTBIL will end soon-- Answer is NO! They won't fall in love in two weeks or in a month! Just watch out, keep reading, and enjoy the ride! I promise I won't make it abrupt. I haven't even decided who she'll end up with, to be honest -.- Don't hate me for it! Keep the comments coming and we'll see!
Cheers! xx
This chapter is dedicated to my dear parselmouth, author of Chasing Time. Thank you for the love and the appreciation. I would want to print screen your comments if I wasn't that lazy -.- Hahaha! Anyway, thank you so much! :D
To my old readers, you are the bezzzt! >:)<
To my new readers, I hope you are enjoying so far! ;)