Ashton's Return.

I look up to see the guy that had been staring at me for far too long. He stood beside my table with a smirk playing on his face. He's good-looking, definitely Ari's type with light auburn hair and blue eyes. I closed my eyes as I took a long, deep breath.

"Hello, beautiful." He exclaimed louder, probably thinking that I didn't hear him the first time.

"I heard you the first time, and I don't actually enjoy talking to strangers." I put on the best fake smile that I could muster. He doesn't seem to notice it, though, because he took a seat in front of me.

"I won't really consider myself a stranger if I know who you are." Wow! Stalker much. Just how much does he know? I let out a deep breath from my mouth, feeling my temples throb in pain.

"How can I help you?" I asked, trying my best not to come off rude. He smiled, making me internally cringe. He's so not my type.

"You can give me your digits?" He asked with hope evident in his voice. I tried my best not to burst out in laughter. I thought scenes like this are specifically for movies alone.

"Ohh, my! Would you look at that? I'm late for an appointment." I exclaimed as I made my way to the door.

"Wait! I can--"

"Bye!" I yelled as I walked out of the diner. Ash came out seconds later, doubling over in laughter. I tried to think back to everything I said that could warrant such laughter.

"Goodness, Thea!" He chuckled as he put his hand around my shoulders. "You are a bad, bad savage."

I rolled my eyes, folding my hands to my chest. "Can you just take me home?"

He led me to the car, still chuckling to himself. "I can't believe you had no idea who that was."

"Do I have to know who everyone is?" I muttered under my breath. I only want to stay under the radar, stay unnoticed from the world, and I can't even get that. "I hate that they just can't take a hint and let me be."

"Come on, Thea. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You're one of the hottest girl I've seen. It's only a matter of time before they actually start to notice you." He pulled up in front of the red light. The time currently read 5:25 pm.

"But who is he? He claimed to know me." He gave me a side glance before looking back at the road.

"His name is Shane Roarke. He was Aiden's ally, but I think something happened between the two. They hate each other now." I nodded before looking out the window.

"No surprise there. He's just as cocky as his friend." Ash pulled up in the garage, behind Levi's car. "You planning to come in?"

"I'd love to. But Thea, I have something to tell you." He looked serious all of a sudden, making me sit up on alert.

"Why? Is everything alright?" He doesn't say a word for a long minute, looking into space, making me worried. "Ash! You're scaring me."

He took a deep breath before looking back at me. "I think I'm ready to come back to Riverview High."

My eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets at what he said. I witnessed firsthand what he had to endure from the students and teachers every single day. It wasn't pretty for any one of us at all.

"Are you sure, Ash? It wasn't easy for you then."

"I can't run away forever, Thea. I'm more comfortable here. It's time to come back. If they can't accept me for who I am, then that would be their problem. I can't change who I am because of what people say." Is it cringe to say I have tears brimming in my eyes? I pulled him closer for a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Ash," I whispered. He pulled back, wiping the few tears that managed to escape my eyes.

"I had the best teacher." He turned to me fully, "You taught me so much, Thea. You are the strongest person I know." I highly doubt that, but I won't ruin this for him. He deserves the best happiness the world has to offer. "I should've known you'll make this a cry fest."

I choked out a laugh, wiping my tears. "When are you starting?"

"On Monday."

"You've been thinking about this for long, uhnn?"

"Maybe." Mom knocked on my window, making me jump a little. She waved me for me to get out of the car.

"Here we go!" I muttered under my breath as I got out of the car. "Hey, mom."

"Hey, Ms. Brown." Ash ran to hug her. He can be charming when he wants to be. "Congratulations on your engagement, Ma'am. I wanted to attend the dinner, but I had a shift at Tim's."

I stood beside Mom with my mouth wide open. He didn't even know about the dinner until yesterday evening. What a smooth talker! He has managed to crawl into my mother's heart and make a bed there. I mentally scoffed, shaking my head.

"Thanks so much, darling." She hugged him. He winked, passing me a thumbs up. "Athena, you didn't tell me you were meeting with Ashton today."

"You weren't here when I woke up." I shrugged while she rolled her eyes. She turned back to Ashton, who hasn't wiped the stupid smirk off his face.

"Are you staying for dinner, dear?"

"No! I have to go meet Sara." He hugged us goodbye before going back to his car. "I'll pick you up on Monday, Thea."

I nodded as I watched his car leave. Mom turned to me with a questionable expression on my face.

"What was he talking about?" I hugged Levi before turning back to her.

"He's coming back to school."

"Really? Will he be okay?"

"I'm sure he'll be," I responded as I grabbed a granola bar from the table. "I'm off to bed."

I ran up the stairs to my room as I jumped on the bed. I didn't know how tired I was until my body landed on the bed. I closed my eyes, and I was out within seconds.

**_**_**

I feel like I would break apart. My body keeps screaming at me to stay in bed, but I have to get up. Well, at least I know now that it's not advisable to stand in the rain in thin articles of clothing.

"You've got exactly one minute to get downstairs before I eat all these doughnuts." Ashton threatened over the phone. "By myself."

Since my mom is always on my neck about what I can and cannot eat, I am not allowed to eat my favorite snack in the world, sprinkled doughnuts, and he decides to use that against me.

"Is that a threat?"

"You tell me, is it?" With that, he hung up. I rummaged through my closet, trying to pick out a decent outfit. Settling on a hoodie and leggings, I rushed downstairs and out of the house after yelling goodbyes to Martha.

"God, you're such a foodie," Ash commented as I sat down in the car. "What took you so long?"

I rolled my eyes before placing my bag on my lap. We still have to pick Ari up on our way. Since Ash is back now, we can go back to our normal drive schedule.

"Excuse me for being so tired. I think I'm coming down with something." I said, wiping the small balls of sweat on my forehead. He passed me the paper carton, and I could feel my mouth water.

I hurriedly took the first bite from the doughnut, moaning happily as my taste buds exploded in happiness. I could get used to this. Ash tsked, shaking his head at me.

"I honestly don't know what to say." He said as he parked the car in front of Ari's house. Unlike me, she is ready and waiting for us to pick her up.

"Ohh, doughnuts! Can I have some?" She tried to take a piece, but I swatted her hand away. "Ow! You could've been nice about it."

"You should know better than mess with her food, Ria." We all have nicknames for Arianna. I call her Ari, Ash calls her Ria, and her parents call her Aria.

We pulled up at school, each of us taking a deep breath. We both turned to look at Ashton.

"You ready, Ash?" I asked him.

"More than ready. Let's go, girls."

We walked down the hallway, heads turning to us with every step we take. I worriedly look up to Ash to see his reaction, but he had a smile on his face. I honestly don't know if that a good or bad thing.

"Okay, girls. I need to get my schedule." He said, walking away with his back. "See you at lunch."

"Ari, do you think he'll be fine?"

"I hope so."