His words echo in my mind for the rest of the night. Part of me is ecstatic that he would say something like that, and wants to believe him wholeheartedly. But the more logical part of my brain reminds me that that doesn't happen. People don't just say things like that, at least without a ulterior motive. What motive could Ashton have?

The weekend passes with my mind in a whirl. It seems as if it's harder for me to be without Ashton. Usually that results in a long phone call where talk about random things and occasionally get into arguments about movies. I can't help but feel that I need to be around him all the time, or at least most of the time.

Waking up on Monday morning and my head is still full of questions. Ashton's words continue to circle around in my brain causing havoc and confusions and want. I want them to be true. I want to be his only one.

A different car pulls up to the end of my driveway. I look at it curiously, maybe Ashton has two different cars. Instead, a familiar brown head pops out of the sun roof.

"Well, are you just going to stand there?" Josh asks mockingly with his signature smile.

"Josh, what are you doing here?" I ask him as I walk towards his car.

"Ashton isn't going to be able to make it to school today." He responds as I open the door. Josh pulls his head back into the car.

"Why isn't he going to school?" I ask. Josh starts the car and starts driving before my seatbelt is on.

Josh pauses for a second, "He has some decisions that have to be made and thought it would be easier to be made at home."

"Oh, alright I guess." I say, not really knowing what else to say.

Josh spends the rest of the car ride asking me about the 'meet-the-parents'. I tell him everything he wants to know and am rewarded with laughter after every answer. For some reason, Josh finds the entire thing hysterical.

We pull up to the school with Josh still laughing at the fact that my dad almost kicked Ashton out. I roll my eyes at him and get out of the car.

"Evie wait up." I hear Josh gasp between laughs. Probably making the wrong decision, I pause and wait a couple of seconds for Josh to fall into step with me.

"Stop laughing. It wasn't even that funny." I reprimand him.

Josh laughs again, "Trust me, it isn't often Ashton gets bested. It's worth it when he does. Did you videotape it?" I scoff at Josh's blatant enthusiasm.

"No I didn't videotape it."

"Too bad." Josh says as his laughter finally dies down. We walk into the school and start heading towards my first class. I notice how many students seem to watch Josh and I through the corner of their eyes. They seem curious and I try to ignore their looks. Josh, however, also notices them and glares back at them. Usually they stop looking at us, at least until we pass.

We reach my classroom and I quickly look to my table expecting to see Ashton already there waiting for me like he's been doing for the past couple weeks. A frown slips on my face as I remember that he's not going to be here today.

Josh seems to sense my frown and gives me a side hug, "It'll be fine. You got me remember." I pretend to not hear the sympathy in his voice.

I give him a half smile, "Thanks. But I'm fine, promise." By the look Josh gives me I know he doesn't believe me, but he waves good bye anyway. I take my seat and wait for class to start, hoping this day will go by fast.

Every class seemed to drag by, especially the two that Ashton was supposed to be in. Josh helped out during my classes with him by trying to distract me in any way possible. He got sent to the office during science, which was the highlight of my day. However distracting Josh was throughout the day, I was extremely happy to finally go home.

"How was your day?" Josh asks as he drives me home.

"Long. How was the office?" I ask him teasingly.

Josh snorts, "I just wanted to see what would of happened if I dropped a cell phone into liquid nitrogen, but I didn't want it to be my phone."

"So steal the teacher's." I say sarcastically.

"Exactly." He responds with pride shining through his voice.

"I still don't understand how you found his phone in the first place." I try not to sound too impressed with the fact that Josh got lucky in finding the phone.

Josh laughs, "Well I guessed that it would be in the desk. It was only the matter of distracting him long enough to go through the desk drawers and voila!"

I laugh along with Josh, "I'm surprised you didn't get suspended or expelled."

"No but my mom's pretty pissed." He scratches the back of his head and I see Josh's cheeks turn a light pink. I laugh at his slight embarrassment.

Josh and I banter for a bit more about the day during the short car ride until we reach my house. Josh drives up the driveway as a light sprinkle of rain starts to fall.

"Bye Josh." I say when I open the door and start to step out of the car.

"Don't be surprised if I pick you up again tomorrow." He responds a little hesitantly.

A confused expression comes over my face, "Is Ashton not coming to school tomorrow either?"

Josh hesitates again, "No, probably not."

Disappointment crashes through me, followed quickly by sadness, "Do you know why?"

"No. He's been a little distant lately but I'm sure he's fine." Josh responds, though I can hear the doubt in his voice. As if he doesn't even believe what he's saying.

I don't respond.

Josh pulls up again Tuesday morning. I don't question it, as he told me yesterday this probably was going to happen, but I can't help a little sigh coming out of my mouth. What has Ashton been occupied with?

The day passes with nothing interesting happening. I can't help but feel sad when once again Ashton isn't here. I start to worry that something bad might have happened to him.

"Josh you would tell me if something bad happened to Ashton, right?" I ask a little hesitantly.

He doesn't respond for a second, "Define 'something bad'"

My head shoots up and I look at him fearfully, "Josh has something happened?" I try to contain my slight hysteria.

"No. No of course not," Josh is quick to reassure me, "it's just, he's keeping more to himself lately. I told you he has some decisions to make and I think they're taking a toll on him."

I don't respond, feeling saddened at this new information.

Josh's car pulls up again on Wednesday. I don't say anything as I get into the car and neither does Josh. We ride to school in deafening silence. When we arrive at school, however, neither one of us gets out.

I open my mouth to ask him a question but Josh beats me to it.

"He's fine, just stressed." I take my answer and get out of the car.

Thursday morning is the same. Same car, same drive, but different response.

"I don't know. He barricaded himself in his room and isn't answering to anyone." Josh sounds defeated. I know my expression relays my defeat too.

"He hasn't been answering anything I send him." I say quietly.

"He hasn't been answering anything." Josh responds.

"What is he doing?" I ask and am astounded when I realize that I am almost crying.

Josh is silent for a moment, "He's making one of the biggest decisions of his life." Josh gets out of the car.

Getting into Josh's car on Friday, I can tell there's a change of mood. Josh seems to be a bundle of nerves as he starts driving. Watching the trees pass by, it seems they're moving past faster than normal.

"Josh, I think you're driving too fast." I say as I look at the speedometer. My assumption is correct when I see we're going about twenty miles above the speed limit. Josh doesn't respond.

The school comes into view and passes just as quickly as the trees do, "Josh, you missed the school."

"We're not going to school." He finally responds.

"Then where are we going?" I ask a little concerned. Josh responds by putting his foot down a bit harder. I look at him curiously but decide to drop it, at least for now.

We keep driving and after about ten minutes Josh starts slowing down. I immediately know where we're going because there's only one place I know of that's this far outside of the main town. Ashton's, and Josh's, house comes into view. Josh pulls into the driveway and quickly gets out of the car. He turns around and gives me a huge smile and gestures for me to come with him.

Josh and I walk into the living room and I immediately spot Ashton as he paces in front of the couch. I feel a smile start to form on my face and I can't help to feel relieved when I finally see him. It's been hell not talking to him or seeing him the past week.

"Evie." A smile breaks out onto Ashton's face when he notices us standing in the doorway. He quickly stops his pacing and walks over to me. His arms wrap around me and he smashes his lips to mine. Immediately I'm lost in the kiss. It's seems like he's telling me how much he missed me through the kiss and I'm enjoying every second of it.

A throat clears, "I love romance as much as the next guy, but not right in front of my face. Give it a break you guys."

Ashton breaks away quickly, "Shut up Josh." His starts kissing me again and I hear Josh sigh.

He breaks away again, "I've missed you."

"I can see that." I say a little breathy. Somehow, during our mini make-out, my arms had wrapped around his neck and my hands had delved into him hair while his arms had settled around my waist.

Before Ashton could kiss me again, Josh's voice rings out from the sofa, "I don't mean to be a cock block, but Ashton, you did have something to share."

A blush immediately flushes my neck and cheeks. I turn away from Ashton's gaze and try to hide my face in his shoulder. My hands move back around until they're laying flat against Ashton's chest. His arms move until they're wrapped around my upper back, hugging me closer to him.

A growl-type noise emits from Ashton's chest and I feel his head turn towards Josh, "Watch your mouth Josh." The command comes out as a growl.

"I was just trying to get a laugh." I hear Josh complain.

"Well it didn't work." I say to him from Ashton's shoulder. Josh starts mumbling to himself in a hushed voice and I can't make out anything he says. Ashton, however, seems to be able to understand and I feel him tense up. Before anything can happen, I quickly ask Ashton a question.

"What do you have to share Ashton?" I keep my voice at a whisper.

Ashton's hands move from hugging me to cupping my face, moving my face from his shoulder, "You might want to sit down for this bit of news, sweetheart."

Panic flirts down my spine and apprehension fills the tense atmosphere around Ashton, Josh and I. A foreboding feeling fills my gut and I suddenly notice small things that slipped by me before. The way Ashton is holding me, as if he's afraid I'll run. The way Josh can't keep still, his leg rapidly moving up and down as if he's nervous or impatient.

He leads me to the sofa and we sit down. I notice in the corner of my eye, Josh leans forward. However, Ashton has my utmost attention when he stares into my eyes. Caught in his stare, I see the conflicting emotions that swirl in his blue eyes. He breaks our eye contact when he turns his head slightly to glance at Josh.

"I have something to tell you." Ashton says softly when he connects our eyes once again.

I give him a small smile, "I gathered that." Ashton returns my smile but I can see that it's forced.

He sighs, "I need you to keep an open mind, promise me that you will."

The foreboding feeling comes back at full force, "I promise." I hope he doesn't hear the slight waver in my voice.

Ashton does, "I need you to be sure. Please Evie." The desperation in his voice is clear.

I lean forward a place a quick kiss on his lips, "I promise Ashton." I say quietly with more strength. I don't like hearing the desperation in his voice and find myself wanting to do anything to be rid of it.

"I'm a werewolf."