Chapter 40

**

Smoke was coming out of the science lab room indicating that the lab caught fire. It was the only explanation. And then it clicked, Max had a class now.

My heart was beating fast as I ran towards the entrance. I was looking around to see Max, but couldn't find him.

"Where is Max?" I asked to the girl, who ran out from the room. Her eyes widen. She coughed at the smoke.

"I saw him fall unconscious." She muttered.

"And you left him there?" I yelled. I ran towards the room, but was pulled back by an arm around me. I turned to see Ryan holding me.

"You can't go in, Gwen." He pulled me back.

"Are you crazy?" I yelled at him. "Max is still inside."

"I know. The fire department is coming." He reasoned, regret in his eyes.

"But he might not have time till the fire department comes. Let me go." I screamed.

"Gwen, you can't go." It was Ashton. He came in front of me. Taking my face in his hands, he wiped the tears. "He will be fine."

"No, Ashton. One of the girls told me that he fell unconscious. Please. Let me go!" I sobbed, struggling to break free.

His face pained. He shook his head. "You can't go." I opened my mouth to say something, but he cut me off. "I'll go and get him."

"Ashton, you can't do that." Ryan warned, taking a step forward.

Ashton looked at me. "I'll do anything for her." He didn't wait for a reply and ran inside. I went limp in Ryan's arm. If anything happened to Ashton, I won't be able to forgive myself. He went in for me, to save my brother. But if anything happened to Max, it'll break me.

As Ashton went in, Tyler came running towards us. He looked at Ryan and then at me. "Everything is going to be fine."

I shook my head. "No, Tyler. Max is inside and Ashton went in too. They both might get hurt. What will I do without them?" I said as the tears rolled down my face.

"Shh. Everything will be fine." Ryan muttered in my ears as I sobbed in his chest.

"Is-is everyone else out?" I whimpered.

"Yeah." Ryan muttered. I let out a sigh of relief. At least the rest were okay.

I bit my lips waiting for Ashton and Max to come out. It was getting all black now with smoke. It was difficult to watch so we all had to take a step back. Smoke was still coming, and it was difficult to breathe.

"Everyone go home. The rest of the school is cancelled." I heard Uncle Ben yell. He came rushing towards us. "Where is Max?"

"Max is inside and Ashton went to help him." Ryan explained. The tears were running down my face. What's taking so long?

Soon we saw a figure emerging out of the lab. Ashton was carrying Max on his shoulder. He dropped him down.

"Max!" I ran to him as I saw him unconscious. I bend down towards him. His breathing was shallow, but it was there. "Call an ambulance."

"He's fine." Ashton coughed as bend down. "I checked once."

I nodded. Tears were still running down. Soon the fire department and the ambulance came. The fire was down and Max was being taken to the hospital. Uncle Ben went in the ambulance with Max while Ryan, Tyler and I were coming behind in our car. I told Ryan to go in his car with Tyler and that I'll be behind. He nodded hesitantly, but took off.

I ran towards Ashton and hugged him. "Thank you. Thank you so much." I sobbed in his shoulder, not letting him go. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? I should have sent you with the ambulance. Can you breathe? You shouldn't have gone in. I would have handled it. You could have got seriously hurt. How do you expect me to ​answer Gina and your parents? But I'm glad you saved Max. Thank you so much, Ashton." I said in panic.

He wrapped his arms around me. "It's okay. I'm fine. Don't cry. Everything is alright. I knew what I was doing. Max is good man. Being your brother is just a bonus. I would have saved him no matter what. As I said, I'll do anything for you."

"What if something happened to you?" I said, crying.

"Nothing happened." He assured.

"Why?" I whispered.

"Why what?"

"Why would you do anything for me?" I asked, looking at him with tears in my eyes.

His eyes soften. "I really like you, Gwen. I regret what I did. Seeing you like this just broke something in me. I had to make sure you didn't have tears in those beautiful eyes of yours. I would do anything to see that smile. So would you smile for me?" I frowned, but soon it turned into a smile as I saw a pout on Ashton's face. Even though he said he was not hurt, I inspected myself. I saw his arms were bleeding and he was burnt a little.

"You're hurt." I panicked. "Come on. You're coming to the hospital with me."

"Gwen, it's nothing." He said, cupping my face. I shook my head. He wiped the tears and smiled. "Okay. Let's go."

I nodded and rushed him to the car with me. I quickly drove to the hospital. As soon as we were inside, I asked for a doctor to check on Ashton. After making sure Ashton was good and the burns weren't bad and his wounds were treated, we both went towards Max's room.

I saw Will and Ethan waiting with Ryan and Uncle Ben. Zach and Jack were also there. I ran to Will and jumped in his arms, crying again.

"It's fine, Gwen." He smoothens. I nodded and pulled back.

"How is he?" I asked, worried.

"He's fine. The doctor said it was nothing major. He passed out because of less oxygen and too much smoke." Will explained. He then looked up and glared. "What is he doing here?"

I turned to see him pointing at Ashton, who was waiting next to Ryan. "He helped Max." I said, quietly. "I wanted to go in when the girl said that Max was unconscious. But Ryan and Ashton didn't let me. So Ashton volunteered and helped Max out. If it weren't for Ashton, then- then.."

"Hey. It's okay." Ashton said, coming towards us. He pulled me in his arms. He dared and did it in front of Will. If I was not crying then I would've been scared for Ashton. I mean, it's Will we're talking about.

I hiccupped and leaned in, resting my head on his chest. "I was being selfish, Ashton. If anything would have happened to you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

"I did it on my own. You didn't force me." He muttered.

I pulled back and looked him in his eyes. "But you did it for me."

He stared at me. Suddenly, he smiled. "Yeah. I did."

**

We were waiting for Max's doctor to give us an update on how he was doing. I don't know why, but I didn't leave Ashton's side since the scene.

Currently we were waiting in Max's room for him to wake up. Mom and Dad came soon. Mom was crying her eyes out. I wouldn't blame her.

There was this girl who we didn't know came running in. When we asked who she was, she said she was Max's girlfriend. She doesn't go to our school, but when she came to know that Max was in the hospital, she came running.

Mom was happy to see her and so was I. She was beautiful. And seeing that she cared so much for Max, made me happier. He deserves it.

I rested my head against Ashton shoulder. I was tired and my eyes were dropping on their own. Ashton wrapped his arms around me as I leaned into him. Let's just say I forgive him. I don't care he kissed Stacey. What he did for me was beyond anything. No one would have done what he did and I am really grateful for that.

Suddenly, I heard a noise. I turned my head towards Max. I see him waking up. "Max!" I said, rushed towards him.

"Not so loud." He muttered.

"Sorry." I apologised and handed him a glass of water. He chucked it down and tried to sit up. Ethan helped him while I went and stood beside Ashton.

"How are you feeling?" Mom asked in concern.

"I'm fine. Just feeling a little dizzy." He said.

Mom nodded. "You'll feel dizzy, but it'll go soon."

Max nodded and looked around the room. Once he set his eyes on his girlfriend, his eyes widen. "Alexis."

"You scared me, you dipshit." She cursed and went to his side.

He grinned. "But I'm fine." I rolled my eyes. He's so stupid.

"I think you should thank Ashton. He saved your sorry ass." Ethan smiled.

Max raised an eyebrow and looked at Ashton and then at me. As if realising something, he nodded. "Thanks, man."

"Don't mention it." Ashton smiled. I stepped closer towards him. I don't why, but I just want to be close to him.

"Are you going to introduce us?" I asked, jerking towards Alexis. Max shot me a glare as Alexis blushed.

"Alexis, family," Max said, moving his arms around, "family, Alexis."

"Is this how you introduce my sister-in-law to the family?" I asked, placing a hand on my hips. Max shot me a look that screamed danger. I'm going to be dead by tomorrow.

"This is the only way you are going to be introduced, stupid face." He grumbled. Alexis hit his arms and asked him to apologize.

"She's your sister. You can't talk to her like that." She scolded. He cursed under his breath, but shut up soon after he saw the look on Alexis face. I bit my lips to stop laughing. I saw everyone doing the same.

"I love her. If you hurt her Max, I'm going to disown you. Are we clear?" Mom said, sharply.

"Yes, ma'am." Max saluted as Alexis blushed yet again.

Mom turned towards Ashton and stalk towards him. Ashton saw this and pulled me in front of him as a shield. I scoffed. "Are you scared?"

"No. Your mother just scares me." He mumbled.

"You, young man." She said, pointing at Ashton behind me. "If you hurt my baby girl again, I'll make sure to leave the hungry dogs on you and then cut you to pieces and let the birds eat the rest of you. Are we clear?" Her eyes challenged him to disagree.

He nodded his head profusely. "Yes."

Mom nodded in satisfaction and stood next to Dad, who was laughing at Ashton. He gave Ashton a point look, but still amused. As for Will, he didn't particularly look happy. From the look on his face earlier, he was grateful that Ashton helped Max.

"I think we should let Max rest," Nate suggested. "And Ashton, I think you should go home and rest too."

"Yeah." Ashton nodded, smiling. He turned to look at me and smiled, but I could tell that his smile was forced. From the look, he wanted to spend some time​ together.

Mom looked between us and smirked. "Gwen, why don't you go with Ashton? He helped Max. It's only fair."

"No!" Will said, sharply.

"Don't listen to him. Off you guys go," Mom said, pushing us out of the hospital room.

Blinking, I stood there trying to understand what happened. Did Mom really push us out of the door? That's really weird. It's seems like weirdness runs in our family.

"You and your family are all weird." Ashton said, surprised himself.

"Did you call my family and I weird?" I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Yeah. Your mother just pushed us out of the room and encouraged us to do dirty," he said, rolling his eyes. Without waiting for my reply, he started walking towards the entrance.

"Excuse me?" I said in disbelief. I trailed behind him still not believing what he said.

"You heard me." He shrugged.

We reached my car and Ashton snatched the car keys from my hand. He opened the driver side and sat in. I stood there open agape.

"Are you coming?" He asked from inside. I didn't reply just hurried and sat inside.

Ashton drove us to his home after we fought about where to go. I wanted him to rest. Today was a hectic day. He needed rest and I was hell bend on making sure he was resting. Uncle Ben decided it would be better to keep tomorrow's day off.

Alexis was planning on staying next to Max, so I decided to stay with Ashton. Alexis would keep Max in line, so my services won't be needed there. As for Ashton, he won't rest. Even if his family members– including Gina insist him to rest, he'll just come up with an excuse. So I am going to nurse him tomorrow.

"Hm. You're my personal nurse tomorrow?" Ashton asked, smirking.

"Yes. And you will listen to me." I ordered.

His smirk didn't fell. In fact, he seems even more smug. "Does that include you doing everything I say?"

The wheels in his head were turning. From the look on his face, he knew I knew. Great I'm screwed.

**

Because I love you guys. A way too early update. You guys supported me so much. And I don't have any hate comments (which I hope I don't get any further) or anything else. The cliffhanger was also too hard to wait. And I didn't want you guys to wait.

I'm free, so I'll write and updates. I even have ideas for my next book, but after I complete this book, I'll start the new one.

Also, I think it's time for Ashton and Gwen to come together officially. What do you guys say? Until then.

Read vote comment. :)