Shaking my head, I followed him.

"Do you have plans for the rest of the day?" Ashton asked the moment I matched his pace. Plans? I don't have that in my dictionary. I've never plan on how my weekends will turn out.

I didn't answer right away, pretending to think. Don't want him to think that I have a social life place to the lowest degree.

"Nothing so important." I lied.

"Good. Because we have a long weekend ahead of us."

~•~

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Let's have a date." He grinned, his dimples showing.

My heart stopped a beat as I stared at him. His deep eyes glint with mischief. Date. He's asking me on date? Well that's new, to me at least. I admit the idea of Ashton and I going out on a date seem enticing that it made the stupid butterflies in my stomach go overdrive. It sounds appealing that for almost seventeen years of my existence someone finally ask me out on a date.

But it felt so wrong. This is Ashton we are talking about. I couldn't keep aside the fact that Mia likes him. She may point it clear that it's alright if I like Ashton but whos nitwit she's talking to? I know it will hurt that your friend slash cousin is having a crush to the boy you liked. And I don't want Mia to get hurt. And if I agree to go out with him it will turn out that I just stab her in the back.

I felt Ashton's warm hand on mine. I looked down on our intertwined fingers then up to his face. He was eying our hands anxiously as if anticipating for my response. When I didn't shift my hand off his grip, he smiled.

"So yes it is?" He assumed.

"I'm sorry but no."

"Why?" He asked, hint of disappointment lacing his voice.

"Friends remember?" I reminded him. And even I want to, I value Mia and I's relationship more than anything else. I am willing to sacrifice everything even my own happiness. People might say its utter stupidity but I'll call it a loyalty.

He gave my hand a small squeeze."How do you define date, Annathea Marie Sammuels?"

He wiggled his brows suggestively and I giggled. "I define date as numbers. A mark of time, Mr Ashton Leonardo Sullivan."

His face dropped and contorted with grimace. "You didn't say that." He said, his voice dripping with mock threaten.

"Oh yes I did, Leonardo." I drawled uttering his middle name so sweetly. He couldn't hide the embarrassment on his face as I was trying my best to hold back the laugh that threatening to burst.

Suddenly, a violent snort passed through my nose then a belly laugh emitted from my mouth. Ashton cocked his brow in amazement. When my laughter subsided, I wiped the tears off at the corner of my eyes and clutched my aching stomach from too much laughing.

"You seriously are making fun of my name." Ashton grumbled.

"No I don't," I laughed and then I add. "Leonardo."

"Stop it."

"What? Leonardo. Leonardo. leeooonnarrdoo~." I laughed.

"See," he pointed at me. "Your mommy is a meanie." He murmured to the dog as if asking for sympathy. Like a human he thought he is, Scooty tilted his head and licked Ashton's cheek.

"Oh come on," I playfully punched his arm. "Stop being a gay."

All the happy vibes were gone when I saw Ashton's blank reaction. I mentally smacked my head when realization dawn on me that I might offend and hit his ego. As far as I could remember straight guys don't like to be called gay. Steve hated it when I teased him that. I actually don't see why because gays are nice and smart people. I don't have any problem if someone compared me to a gay.

"I'm sorry." I bit my lower lip. I got no response. Stupid. Stupid mouth.

I grabbed his hand for a halt and cupped his face to face me. "Look I'm sorry I didn't mean to make fun of your name and call you gay." I said sincerely.

He said nothing. Ghad. Is he seriously giving me a cold shoulder? This is difficult as I expected. Heaving deep breath I give in. "What should I do for you to forgive me?"

A small smile slowly pulled up at Ashton's lips. "You'll do anything?"

I rolled my eyes at his childish antics. "Anything."

"Go out with me."

"I already told you."

"Why?" he sounded exasperated.

I shrugged. "I have reasons."

"I'll let you insult me for the rest of my life if you just say yes." He offered.

"Don't worry. This is the last time you'll ever hear I insulted you." I joked.

"I'm serious moo." He said. "If you don't like to call it a date then let's calls it a family day instead." He smirked, casting a look between Scooty and I.

I sighed. "You wont take no for an answer will you?"

~•~