Chapter 9 My Friends

Megan's POV

Never in my entire life, I think that my dreams will come true because I have been dreaming about it and wishing that Ashton would be sitting beside me during class and will be looking at my face the whole time, and now that it is happening, I can feel the sweat on my palms. I can hear the pounding of my heart against my chest, and I realized how those cheerleaders looked so cool every time they linked arms with Ashton walking on the hallways with beautiful smiles on their faces when right now I think I am going to have a heart attack.

The moment our teacher dismissed our class, I get my bag and hold my books on my chest, and I ran outside our classroom. I heard Alice and Oscar following behind me while they were calling my name, and I didn't take a second look back until I reached our classroom for the next period, which I am so glad I don't share with Ashton. I know what I did was irrational and ridiculous, but I felt so delighted that he didn't run after me. I need to stay away before he turns my life upside down.

I am already seated on my chair as I wait for Alice and Oscar since we are still classmates in our next period, and I am still panting because of my running episode.

"Megan!" Someone called my name, and when I raised my head, I was shocked to find the most popular girl in the entire Academy looking at me, the ex-girlfriend of Ashton. Her name is Lauren, the hot and beautiful cheerleading captain of the academy's cheerleading squad in our school. And as far as I know, they keep on breaking up, and then they will make up again; among all the girls linked to Ashton, she will always be the constant girl that I can see with him most of the time, maybe because I have heard they are neighbors and friends since childhood.

"Lauren, " I uttered, and I am out of words since we only talked regarding school-related concern since she is not only a pretty face, but Lauren is also an outstanding student with regards to academic sense that is why many wants to date her, but she only dated Ashton ever since and I haven't heard any boy that captured her interest.

"Hmm, I don't know how to tell you this without sounding so rude, but I am concerned about you. You are an outstanding student and always top of our class, and I know that you are doing your best to keep your scholarship. Still, now that I heard Ashton is courting you, I felt worried because I know that you knew I was Ashton's ex-girlfriend, and based on experience, I know that he will never get serious with any girl. We have been friends before we became a couple, and he doesn't even give a damn if he hurts me. So, as your fellow honor student, I am asking you to stay away from him since everyone is laughing at you because, as of now, no one will believe that someone like Ashton will have an interest in someone like you." She said, and my heart is pierced, and I couldn't understand why she has to speak with me right now when I am not yet Ashton's girlfriend.

"I don't need to elaborate everything to you, Megan, since you are a bright student, but I want to remind you, you are only a scholar of this Academy, and you don't belong to Ashton's world. You are not even ashamed of yourself looking like an old lady wearing long dresses and skirts most of the time." She said and got out of our room while my friends were stunned, and I am sure they heard everything, and I weakly smiled at them. And I want to get out and go to the restrooms to cry, but when I was about to go out, our math teacher gets inside our room, and I don't have a choice but get back on my chair, and I tried my best to stop my tears from falling as I listened to our teacher, but I couldn't stop thinking about Lauren's words. And I hate to admit I am so affected by her words.

"Meg, are you okay? Please forget what Lauren had said, and I am sure she only talked to you that way because she is still in love with Ashton. After all, if she doesn't care about Ashton's love life, she will not approach you that way." Oscar said.

"Yes, Meg, I can feel it in my core that her ego was touched," Alice added, and I heard many girls say bitch as we passed on their way. I can tell they find the paint on my locker, and I wonder how I am going to remove it. And I need to take out the stain as soon as possible, or else I will answer the academy's custodian since it is my locker. I need to keep it clean at all times, and that word is considered vandalism, and I can get punished by it. I hate whoever did it to me, but I know I will never find out the culprit since I know no one will tell me who did it, and I can't ask the administration to look at the camera since I am not one of those rich girls.

And I know studying in this Academy was hard enough, and I couldn't believe Ashton will make my senior year harder than it is. Before now, we stayed away from the rich kids because they never look at us. Now I realized that it was better than what is happening right now, because I find it so hard to walk around while they are watching my every move, and I was only with Ashton this morning. I wonder what they are going to do the next time they will find me with Ashton holding hands around campus, and right now, I want to go home and hide. Still, I don't want to have cutting classes. After all, I have never done it before, and I don't want to make my grades suffer because I need an excellent grade for my college education. I don't need to be affected by any of this, and there is only one thing to do right, stay away from Ashton the best way I can.

I am just glad this time I walked in going to my next class with my friends because I know almost all the girls in the hallways are looking in my direction. And I am so grateful to my friends because I draw my courage from them, and I can see many of them are looking daggers at me, and some of them are looking at me with contempt on their faces, and I wonder what I have done to them. And I know gossip traveled fast, and before lunchtime, I realized the entire population of the Academy is already talking about Ashton Pritzgold dating the girl in a long dress, and even though I like to date Ashton but knowing that this will happen to me, I better stop my illusion right now even though I am dreaming of tasting his lips again, I know if this will continue my scholarship will be affected. I understand I don't belong to his world, and I already find it hard to deal with his fans. I wonder how I can survive to face his family.

During lunch, I opted to eat in the school garden under a tree shade together with my friends.

"You don't need to come with me, guys," I said to them.

"And what kind of friends we are to you if we will let you eat alone here." Alice declared.

"Yeah, besides, it is nice to be here because it is fresh air, and we all need fresh air from time to time," Oscar added.

"Don't worry, I will never allow Ashton to talk with me again," I said to them, and they both give me hard stares.

"Meg, Ashton has nothing to do about it, and the only thing you can get back to those girls is through Ashton. They hurt you with their words, especially Lauren, don't allow her to intimidate you. Who cares, and let them die in envy once you become an official couple. Because I know if you are going to stay away from Ashton, you will still get distracted, girl. They all said once you've got to taste Ashton's lips, you will be addicted to it, and as your close friend, I want you to be honest with us, Megan. How does it feel to be kissed by Ashton Priztgold?" Oscar asked me, and I could no longer stop myself from blushing as I remembered how wonderful it was.

"Well, to be honest, it was fantastic, and I find it so hard to sleep after I tasted his mouth, and even until now, I am still longing for his kiss," I said, and they both giggled and screamed.

"See, and why do you allow yourself to suffer when those girls are giving you a hard time. Show them that you are not afraid of them. And let them know that you are Megan Corteza, the brightest girl in the entire academy, and we both know behind those clothes is a hot girl, so it is time to show them your real beauty, Meg." Oscar said, and I shook my head.

"Ashton asked me on a date wearing this type of clothing, and why do I need to change suddenly?" I asked him.

"Well, to make those bitches know their place." He replied, and I was thinking about it, but I am happy with my outfit, and I don't think I need to change for anyone.. And my friend's advice made me think twice because I wouldn't say I like Lauren for insulting me and the person behind the vandalism in my locker, and maybe my friends were right; I will give them their own dose of medicine.