I wake up to my annoying alarm and groan into my pillow. I turn it off and decide to stay in bed. How is Christmas break over already?

I lazily roll off my bed and trudge down the stairs for breakfast. When I finish eating, I go back upstairs and start getting ready.

While I'm putting my shoes on, I get a text.

❤️

Good morning :)

Look outside

I glance out the window and see Ashton on his motorcycle. I smile and start typing.

Do you want a ride to school?

😏

Get your head out of the gutter, Lynn

I can feel your perverted thoughts through the screen

I meet him in the driveway and say, "Hey."

He wraps his arms around me and says, "Hi." I smile and tippy-toe to kiss him.

When we pull away, he rests his forehead against mine and whispers, "I love you."

"I love you more," I say, pecking his lips. I put on my helmet and got on his motorcycle. I wrap my arms around Ashton's waist, and we head toward school.

I'm about to leave school when I pass Mila's locker. I feel a shiver go down my spine and start thinking about Tristian.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I see I got a text.

❤️

Where are you?

I spot him on the sidewalk and try to sneak up on him. He turns to look at the entrance, so I hide behind a wall. I glanced back to see if he was still looking, but he turned away.

I start running towards him and jump onto his back. He tries to flip me over but relaxes when he sees it's me.

"I could have killed you!" He says.

"Nah... I would have killed you first," I say, smiling.

"I doubt it... I'm the better gang leader." He says, smirking.

I shake my head and say, "Sure..."

We laugh as we walk towards his motorcycle, and I say, "But for real, I would have kicked your ass."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night..." He says.

Before he starts the engine, I ask, "I have this shipment coming in today. You want to tag along?"

"Isn't that going to be weird? Leader of Mayhem hanging out with the leader of the Red Claw." He asks.

"Well, you're my weird boyfriend, so I guess they'll have to get used to it..." I say, shrugging.

"Do you think we should gather our gangs and make a public truce or something? We can keep the alliance even though Evanescent is over." I say.

"Do you want to?" He asks.

"It sounds like a good idea... My gang probably still sees you as a threat. Wait, you're not a threat, right?" I ask.

"Actually, we plan on taking you all out, so we'll be number one," Ashton says sarcastically. Nah, it sounds boring.

"Hey, you should only be taking me out," I say with a pout.

Ashton laughs and cups my cheek. I lean into his hand, and he says, "You know that's not what I meant."

"I know..." I murmur before he lightly kisses me.

When we separate, I say, "I don't want anyone thinking we're enemies or something. No one even knows we're dating... I mean, I never told anyone in the Red Claw." I say, shrugging.

"Ugh, never mind! This sounds stupid when I say it out loud. I don't need to bring personal relationships into my business. I don't even know what I'm trying to say." I say, annoyed at myself.

"No! I think it's cute you want everyone to know you're taken..." He says teasingly.

"No! Stop. Nope! Never mind." I say, feeling my face flush.

He looks away from me and says, "I actually wanted to introduce you to my gang..."

"Awww, now look who wants to show off their girlfriend..." I say teasingly.

"I just want everyone to know I'm the luckiest guy in the world," Ashton says, shrugging. Ashton's cheeks turn a light shade of pink, and I also blush.

Before I could think it through, I wrapped my arms around Ashton and kissed him. He kisses me back like his life depends on it. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself," I mumble against his lips.

He pulls away and says, "Don't worry, I'm all yours."

I grin, and he pulls me closer to his chest. I look up and say, "We could do a game to see whose gang is more skilled... Like a friendly competition."

❤️

👋