Rafael Miller as Ashton Sullivan

~•~

Just as we are about to move a hand coil around my wrist. "No she won't." His familiar voice cold and firm. As we both look up, we met Ashton's menacing blue eyes. I shifted on my left foot as a sudden feeling of warmness crept on my cheeks. What is he doing?

Brett scoffed. "Fuck off," Brett said as he drew me to his side, glaring at Ashton. Ashton took a step forward, so they were standing chest to chest. With the look on his face, he was daring Brett to back down. Despite being only an inch or two taller than Brett, he conveys control and dominance. The other, on the other hand, refuses to show any fear, as his face is impassive and his posture is collected.

"What's your problem?" Ashton snapped.

Brett scowled. "I'm not the one who has problems here," Brett said sharply, as Ashton's jaw tightened and his hand balled into a fist. I gasped as Ashton grabbed Brett's collar, crinkling his shirt, and his features morphed from frustration to annoyance. Brett swatted Ashton's hand away, but Ashton quickly yanked Brett's shirt back, this time aggressively. My eyes widen and my face flushed with fear. What is wrong with these boys?! They looked like wolves who want nothing but to rip off each other's head.

I had too much dose of fight for this day and I don't think I could take another more.

"Guys," I shakily touched their rigid shoulders and try to separate them. "We're attracting too much attention." I motion to the people casting curious glances and excited looks on our way as a small crowd forming around us. "And please calm down the both of you. We don't want to shed blood here, do we?"

Ashton looked down at me; his face softened and freed Brett from his hold. "I was waiting for you."

I blinked. "Why?"

"About what happened earlier. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable around me." He said and reached for my hand.

"Oh please. You don't have to act as mushy lovey birds in front of me. We all know it was just a show." Brett groaned.

"How did you know it was all a show?" I asked. The thought of Brett knowing everything scares me.

"Because it's unbelievable." Brett said, his voice firm and full of conviction as a knowing look plays on his face. "And we both know what I mean, Ash. Stop using her."

My brows furrowed in confusion. I feel out of place in their conversation, as if Brett is putting up a wall between me and them. Ashton's hand dropped completely.

"That's what I thought." Brett smiled.

~•~

"Did you two fight again?" Easton who was watching us from afar asked as we stopped in front of him. He was leaning against his oozing sophisticated Ferrari FF, his hand tucked into his pocket. He's wearing a v-neck shirt that hugs his upper perfectly and faded jeans. His blond hair disheveled.

Brett rolled his eyes. "You know your brother."

I choked on my saliva. "B-brother?" I enquired.

Easton gave me a half-smile and ruffled my hair. "Yes, Anna," he said, teasingly poking my nose. "And don't get involved in another boy's fight; you might get hurt."

"Wait a minute, why-how-?"

I struggle of coming up with the right words to ask. Brothers?! How could this have happened? They don't look similar with each other, and I can't see any resemblance. Ashton has raven hair, deep ocean eyes, and strong features, whereas Easton has blond hair, earthy-colored eyes, and sweet features.

"Do you want ice cream?" He asked.

"Yes!" Brett raved, making himself comfy inside the passenger seat. Easton snorted. "I'm not asking you."

"Your treat?" I asked and he nodded. Well who say no to a free food? He opened the backseat for me which makes me blush. What a gentleman.

"Thanks." I muttered. "Everything for you, princess." He winked and jogged to the driver seat.

~•~

"I still can't believe you two are brothers." I said, licking my mango cheese ice cream. Brett got rocky road and vanilla. Even though he already said he's fine I can't help but feel bad for Easton because he can't eat since he's driving.

Easton glanced at me from the rearview mirror. "Stepbrothers." He corrected.

"What happened?"

He maneuvered to the next lane and made a swift turn to the street. I got no response. I fight the urged to turn on the radio as a long deafening silence engulfed inside the car. We are going to this small diner twenty minutes away from school where Mia and the others are waiting. I sighed. I feel like this ice cream is my last food to taste before I go to my final judgment. Hope not.

Easton finally broke the silence. "His father chose us, that's what happened," he said, his voice laced with sadness. "That's why Ashton changed in the first place."

So Ashton comes from a broken family? That makes sense. "It must be difficult for him," I said quietly. I completely understand and sympathize with Ashton. When his father turned his back on them, he felt as if the world turned on him as well.

"Did you try to reach out?"

He nodded. "A lot of times, but Ashton was the first to turn his back on us. Do you remember what I told you when we moved here from San Francisco when I was twelve?" He asked, and I nodded.

"When my good-for-nothing father abandoned us for a bimbo, my mother went to this barrel house every weeknight to drink away her stress, and that's where she met Dan, a widow corporal soldier in our city. Dan was there to help mom, and that was just the start."

Easton sighed deeply. "Dan offered to take us to his hometown to start over, which my mother gladly accepted; we didn't know until then that he isn't a widow but has a family."

"And then I met Ashton," He stopped as the traffic light turns red. "I could still remember my first day of school, Ashton was so nice to me. He was first mate." we said. Easton smiled as he turned at me. "He introduced me to his friends. We treated each other as brothers, and we were even known as the great duo. Our relationship edged when he found out that I was his father's new family, and he was Dan's old family. He thought I betrayed him. He thought everyone betrayed him and left him."

I didn't realize we'd finally pulled over until Brett bolted from the car.

"Does Dan still live with you?" I asked skeptically.

He smiled and nodded.

Easton tugged me inside where I saw Mia sitting in the table for six in the middle of the diner. Her bangs fall just above her eyes while the rest was pulled in ponytail. She's with Steve who was sitting across from her and Brett who was making weird faces earning him a scowl from her.

When she finally noticed us I embrace her in a hug muttering continuous apology. To say that I was hurt when she didn't turn the embrace is understatement.

The waiter appeared and asked our orders at the same time Luvelle came in from the bathroom. She smiled at us and flopped down next to Easton.

I nibbled my lower lips nervously as silence hung around us. I could imagine crickets and other night insects whispering mocks in my ears.

"Okay," I breathed. "Before you judge me I just want to say I'm sorry for everything. I swear I didn't know it will end up this way."

Mia handed me her tab. My eyes widen when I saw the page of school tabloid featuring Ashton and I. The picture shows Ashton kissing me in front of many with the headline 'Hot News: I read the article and scoffed. The fudge. Half of the article about me is a sham!

She arched her brow. "Now, mind to explain? Is it true that the both of you were seeing secretly?"

"You never take my words seriously, do you?" Brett asked. "He will never get close to someone without gaining benefits. And now look at you. He's using you to get rid of Victoria."

"You know something about this?" Mia asked Brett incredulously. When Brett didn't answer a pang of hurt shown on her face.

"Ashton is more than just what you called the 'school bad boy'. And you all know that because he was once your friend!" I said, my voice a little bit raising.

"We just want what is best for you." Steve said.

"You do not say what is best for me. Seriously guys? Why'd you keep leaving me in the pit of darkness? Tell me the history so I could understand where that hatred of yours coming from."

"How about you tell us how you met Ashton?" Luvelle suggested.

So I did. I told them about the first encounter, the detention, about the party, the phone and skipping classes. I even told them that Ashton said that I remind him of someone. Instantly, Mia's and Brett's expression twitch.

The waiter appeared and set down our food which the others dive in right away.

"I assume you already figure out that Ashton was our friend, yes? But FYI he was the one to push us away, Anna. When the conflict between Easton and Ashton rose, Ashton changed." Mia revealed.

"Not because he changed doesn't mean he's not the Ashton you used to know. What make things worse is you didn't even try to reconcile. You just let your friendship crumbled completely." I said.

Mia let out a humorless laugh. "Easy for you to say because you were not here to witness that! We try to understand him but what did he do? He pushed us and hurt our feelings. Besides I am no saint like you to forgive and forget so easy."

"Ashton was hurt, Mia. You should have understood him more because he went through a lot." I said

"Stop defending him." She hissed. I reached her hand and squeezed it. "If you were his true friends you will accept him even he changed. Ashton may not say nor show it I know he still wants to be your friend. So please give your friendship another chance. No more hate."

"I'm sorry we can't... I-I can't." Mia mumbled.

"Why?" I asked exasperated. She was trying to contain her tears yet a stupid tear rolls down her cheek as my pulse rushed in my ears of what she said next.

"Because hating him is the only way of keeping what I feel towards him... I like him, Anna."

~•~

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