"What're you ladies talking about?" he asked.

I shot Elena a panicked look.

"Oh you know, just ... stuff," I said.

"What stuff?" he pried.

"Nothing, just random stuff. Can we go?"

He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Right, let's go!" I gave him an extra large smile."Bye Elena, see you later," I said giving her a quick wave.

The entire ride home, Aaron was quiet. He didn't say a single freaking word.Even when I asked if he was okay, all he did was nod his head silently.

Once we were home,he quietly went to his room.

What was up with him?

Was he upset because of what he'd heard? And exactly how much had he heard?

Oh shit, he couldn't possibly have heard his name in the conversation, right? Right?

And if he had, then I literally had no idea what to say to him.

On the other hand, if he hadn't, why was he upset about it?

Shaking my head I went into my room and got changed my clothes. I was going to the mall with Elena.

It didn't take me a lot of time to get ready, so after about half an hour when Elena came to pick me up, I was ready to go.

"Whoa, that's a lovely house," she commented as I got into her car.

Her older brother was already headed towards the mall so he offered to drop us off.

"I know, it's gorgeous," I replied.

"Ashley, this is my brother Dustin."

"Hi Dustin."

Dustin was a quiet guy. After we'd said hello to each other, he didn't say much which left me and Elena to talk about all sorts of things till he dropped us off at the mall.

After spending a couple of hours at the mall with Elena, I decided to head home. I had really enjoyed myself. Besides, Elena seemed like a really nice person.

When I got home, I quickly changed my clothes and decided to call my mother.

She answered after a few rings.

"Hey, sweetheart."

"Hey mom. How are you?" I asked, lying down on the bed.

"I'm good.How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm good too," I replied,"How's Gran?"

"Oh,she's doing much much better now. And you know what?"

"What?"

"I think I might be able to come back soon."

"Really?"I asked, a smile on my face . I'd missed my mother too much.

"Really. Your dad and I are actually thinking about having her move in with us."

"Oh my God, that's awesome, mom!" I exclaimed.

"Honey, I have to go. You take care of yourself, okay?"

"Will do."

"Love you, honey."

"Love you too, mom," I spoke and she hung up.

I was happy with what mom had just told me. Being an only child, it got really lonely at home. Having someone other than mom and dad at home seemed like a pretty good idea. Besides, I'd never gotten to spend much time with her, so I was thrilled by the idea.

But then I remembered something else mom had said.

She was going to come back soon. Which even though was great also meant that I'd soon be leaving the Woods, leaving Joanna's hospitality, Amanda's cheerful self and Aaron.

God, Aaron.

How could I live without him annoying me all the time?He had really grown on me.

What was I going to do without him?

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Just then the door to my room swung open and before I could hide the fact that I was crying, Aaron popped his head inside.

"Hey Ashl-What the hell? Are you crying?" he asked, looking panicked.

He quickly shut the door behind him and hurried over to the bed, where I was sitting.

"Ashley?" he said softly.

"Shh,don't cry," he whispered and before I could register what was happening, he was hugging me.

This made me cry even harder, for some reason and I absolutely and disgustingly ruined his shirt with my tears.

"I'm s-sorry, I r-ruined your shirt," I managed to say as I pulled back.

He chuckled. "You can ruin all my shirts if you like.But please don't cry, okay?"

I sniffed."Yeah."

I realized that I wasn't crying anymore.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened?"

"It's just..It's just..Nothing," I croaked out.

I knew I was being stupid. Obviously, I had to go back at some point,right? Aaron would definitely think I was crazy. Besides what would I tell him? That it was the thought of living without him that had made me tear up?

"Ashley, please tell me .Please?"

It was gentle and pleading tone that made me tell him about my mother coming back.

"Oh, so you're...leaving soon," he said once I told him.

I nodded silently. " I mean I don't really know when but maybe soon. I'm being stupid, I don't know why I'm so upset. I guess I'm just going to miss you all a lot."

"Can I tell you something, Ashley?" he asked, moving slightly closer to me.

I couldn't form any words so I nodded and he moved a little more closer.

"I'm going to miss you a lot too," he whispered.

Hesitantly, he placed a hand on my cheek.

"Aaron, I..."

Should I tell him now?

"You what, Ashley?" he asked, looking at me intently.

"I'll miss you too."

I couldn't say it.

"There's something else I need to tell you too."

I took a deep breath. "What is it?"

"Ashley, I like you. "

I stared at him wide eyes with my mouth open.

Did he just...

Was I dreaming?

He looked nervous, embarassed even.He gave me a quick look and then looked away,scratching the back of his neck.

"Listen it's okay if you don't feel the same.I mean,you probably don't. Sorry I never should have-"

He was too,too goddamn cute. The way his cheeks were a light shade of pink and the way he was stuttering somehow made him even more adorable.

Before I knew what I was doing,I pressed my lips against his.

They were soft.So soft.

But what was I supposed to do now?I had never kissed anyone before. Shit,why did I initiate it?

But before I could worry more,I felt his lips move against mine. Both relieved and ecstatic,I smiled against his lips, kissing him back.

Our lips moved against each other slowly and gently. It wasn't hurried or rushed.It was nothing like what I'd imagined.It was better.It was a billion times better. It was sweet and perfect.

When we pulled away I was grinning like an idiot. I couldn't believe it had just happened.

"Well, that was a lot better than our first kiss," Aaron joked, referring to the first time he had kissed me at that party.

I chuckled, still unable to believe it was really happening.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to that for,"Aaron whispered.

"I like you too, Aaron," I looked down at my feet.

I felt his finger under my chin, slowly lifting it up so I was forced to look at him."What was that?"

"Nothing," I muttered,my cheeks getting hotter and hotter.

He came closer to me,our face merely inches apart."Tell me," he whispered.

"I like you too," I whispered back,my eyes closed.

Once again, I could feel his lips on mine.But it was just a quick peck and he quickly pulled away.

I opened my eyes to see him grinning at me.

The door opened just then.It was Amanda.

I suddenly became aware of how close Aaron and I were.

She covered her eyes with her hands."No, I didn't see anything."

Aaron rolled his eyes. I,on the other hand, sat frozen in place,my cheeks still flushed."There was nothing to see."

She removed her hands."Sure,sure. So,anyway what I came to tell you was that mom's looking for you Aaron."

"Well, in that case, let her keep looking," Aaron smirked.

"Ha-ha, very funny, Aaron. She's leaving tomorrow morning."

At this, Aaron muttered something along the lines of "finally" under his breath but I could hear him.

"And she wants to talk to you,"Amanda finished.

Aaron sighed."Fine."

He gave me one last smile before he jumped off the bed and followed Amanda out of the room leaving me to mt thoughts.

Aaron Woods liked me. He liked me and I liked him and we kissed.

Needless to say,the gigantic smile didn't leave my face the rest of the day.

.

Hey guys, sorry I had to change this chapter a bit, I hope you understand :)