Chapter 43

**

After the scene at the diner and inviting both Ashton and Tyler to the girls Vs boys, we made our way home. I came with Tyler and went back with Ashton, again. That guy is one crazy boy. He literally threw tantrum in the parking lot when I told him that it would be rude if I left Tyler alone. I was the one who invited him at the diner; it would look bad. But Ashton being Ashton was determined to not let me go with Tyler. We argued and I even threatened not to kiss him. He hesitated, but stood firm. It was really frustrating.

Finally Tyler had enough and pushed me in the car with Ashton. Ashton was happy and was behaving highly childish. When I asked him why, his answer was not what I expected.

"It's just the beginning of the pranks. Once we were at it, I'll be the guy who'll make you scream my name loud. Mark my words," he said, winking.

To say I was shock would be an understatement. I hit his head for saying that. Stupid boyfriend.

The car ride was filled with me screaming the songs playing and annoying Ashton for making sexual innuendo. He would just roll his eyes and say, payback's a bitch. I have a feeling that he's not going to go easy on me with the pranks. Oh, well! He doesn't know girl power.

As soon as we reached home, I ran out of the car and inside. Tyler and Ashton soon following. I could tell they were starting their journey as friends. But I could also see that Ashton does not trust him fully. And since he knows that Tyler has something to do with what happened in the past, he's still cautions. I have to tell him soon about my past. I'm just waiting for the right time.

Amber, Chris and Alex were already there having an argument about whose going to win. Chris and Alex at one side and Amber and Leslie at one. The rest just laid back and watch them argue. My friends always come home when all my cousins are present. They are like a part of the family. And now Tyler and Ashton too. Tyler was young when he met my family and after everything that happened, they were a little reluctant to include him as a part of us. But now that he is cleared of everything, he is included too.

Ashton went to Ryan, Lucas and Amy whereas Tyler went to Blake and Max. I walked to the argument going and blew a whistle loudly. They all stopped talking at once.

"Stop this fighting at once!" I yelled at them. Glaring match was going between the four of them. "If you do not stop this shit at once, I swear to God, I'll be the one to make your life a living hell tonight."

"Yeah, she will. So apologize." Leslie spoke.

"You apologize first. You are the one who started this." Alex replied, annoyed.

Leslie took a step towards him. "We did not."

Alex took a step and both of them were nose close to each other. "Did too."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did not."

It was amusing to say the least. I could see the spark between them​. The fighting was normal, but this year it was more heated in a way. The sexual tension was heavy in the air. I just took a step back along with Amber and Chris as both Leslie and Alex continued their glaring match.

But then suddenly, Alex leaned forward and kissed Leslie. I was shock the second time today. Not only me, but everyone looked at Alex as if he has grown a second head. It was no doubt that Leslie was a spitfire and from what I gathered, this was Leslie's first kiss.

As Alex moved back, I saw Leslie stood shock. I don't blame her. It came as shock to all of us. Leslie ran away upstairs. I saw Zach get up and walked to Alex, punching him in the face.

"How dare you kiss my sister?" Zach spat.

"She asked for it." Alex scoffed. Zach was about to punch him again, but Ethan stopped him. "I like her, okay?"

This is the third shock I received within a span of an hour.

"What!?" We all yelled at once.

Alex looked away blushing. "I always have. But she always rejected me. And now she was too close to me. I couldn't stop."

My mouth was open by the time he completed. This is news to me. I knew something was wrong whenever Alex and Leslie are in the same room, but this is definitely a shocking news.

From the corner of my eyes I saw relief on Ashton's face, which made me confuse. As everyone started throwing questions at Alex and Zach rushing to Leslie, I made my way towards Ashton. He was sitting on the couch and watching Alex.

"You look relieved?" I questioned as I stood in front of him, hands on my hips. He just shrugged. "Tell me."

He shifted a little front and placed his hands on my hips and my hands went around his neck. "Alex was your best friend and single. You guys are close. Chris and Amber are together. There was a possibility of you two to be together. I'm just glad to know that Alex likes someone else."

"Did I ever tell you that you're a jealous man?" I asked, surprised.

He kissed me. "I don't know. Have you?"

I rolled my eyes and sat next to him. "Will might talk to you today since you'll be staying here."

"It's fine with me." He said, smiling down at me. I blushed and looked away. He always makes me all putty inside. Just a smile and I'm close to doing anything he wants. He makes butterfly flutter in my stomach, not to forget nervous too.

I heard him chuckle and kiss the side of my hair, pulling me close. I think I'm falling in love with him. Hard and fast.

**

Ashton

I don't know how I got so lucky to have a beautiful girlfriend. Her laugh, her smile, her eyes, everything about her is beautiful.

When I saw her tear stricken face when she found out that Max was still inside the burning lab, it broke my heart. I never knew a girl would affect me this way, but Gwen clearly did. I had to save Max for her. And since then, I knew I made the right choice.

Gwen never left my side willingly. She even agreed to be my girlfriend, even though I would have preferred to ask her on a date first and make it special for her. But when she questioned about what we are, I panicked.

I didn't want to lose her. So I asked her to be my girlfriend, but promised myself that I'll ask her on a proper date soon. I was even planning on doing it when I called her. It was suppose to be a surprise. Just calling and telling her to be ready and give her a surprise.

But Tyler ruined it. When Gwen told me she was going on a date with Tyler, joke or not, it made my blood boil. He had hurt Gwen in the past. From what Ryan told me, and from the expression of Ryan when Tyler walked in, gave it all. And knowing that she was going with Tyler made me question if he was safe. But trusting Gwen, I didn't think about it.

I was an angry, jealous guy. I admit. I like Gwen. Maybe love? She's​ that person who you would want to protect, you would want to love, give everything. The way she was teasing me at the diner gave it all. I knew she would never leave me. Her eyes said it all.

I was more relieved that Alex was also out of picture. There was also a possibility that she would go for him. Amber and Chris being best friend were now dating. That means, Gwen and Alex would be together most of the times. Confessing about liking Leslie, made me sigh in relief which obviously didn't go unnoticed by Gwen.

It was hilarious to see her angry. She's so cute when she's angry. It's like a little lamb trying to fight a lion. And when she blushed, I just want to grab her and kiss her senselessly. I just knew then and there that I love her. And I would do anything for her. If that means facing Will and proving him, then so be it. Speaking of Will....

"Gwen?" Will called as he walked down the stairs. He took one glance at me and I knew he wanted to talk. "Can I talk to your boyfriend, please?"

Gwen stiffens beside me. Looking at her, I raised an eyebrow. "He'll do anything to make sure you don't date me." She said. "I know my brother."

I smirked and chuckled. "We'll see."

Both Gwen and I stood up and went upstairs. The others were still questioning Alex which didn't ask any attention to our situation.

Once we were upstairs, Will asked Gwen to wait at the made-up living room upstairs. The look on her face was hilarious. She looked all panicked and anxious. The brother meeting was with me and Gwen was the one behaving like it was her meeting my family, which went well.

"Take a seat." Will's heavy voice said from the other side of the room. We were in a type of an office. But it looked plain and not used one. There was only a table and two chairs in front of each other. The room was red and white combination. From the design and colour, my guess is that Gwen's mother must have done this room. It was plain, though it looked elegant.

"You do know that I hate you right?" Will asked.

"It's obvious, if you ask me."

"Good," he said, but it was a bit strain. "So you must know why I want to talk to you?"

"No, I actually don't." I sassed.

Will clenched his fist. "You do know how to get under my skin."

"Oh, well. Never planned that." I said, smirking.

"You have to break up with Gwen." He said, directly coming to the point.

I straightened and glared at him. "I won't do that."

"Yes, you will. I'm ​not going to trust your change in behaviour. I don't know what you're playing at, but I'm not letting anything happen to my sister." Will hissed angrily.

"You think if she knew you want me to break up with her, she would be happy with you?" I asked, my temper rising.

"She won't be happy. But she'll deal with it. It's better to keep her away from you than her getting hurt, again."

"I know what I did in past is not justified. I hurt her, yes. But I'm not going to break it up with her. I really really like her. Whether you like it or not." I said, firmly.

"You're going to hurt her." He said, a bit calm.

"I'm not promising that she won't be hurt. But I can promise that it won't be intentional." I said, promising.

Will stared at me and I stared back, not backing down. He stood up and I followed soon. He rounded the corner and pulled my collar.

"You hurt her and I'll kill you." Will muttered, letting go of me.

He doesn't like me, but he sure does love Gwen. Never thought that I'll have to meet up with an overprotective brother of my girlfriend. But I don't regret one bit of it.

"Before you go," Will started. "Don't touch her. I want her virgin until she's 30." He said, smirking.

I let out a laugh. "Yeah. Whatever you say."

I walked out towards Gwen who was pacing and muttering under her breath. I leaned against the wall and watched her in amusement.

"He won't make it. I'll tell Barbara that he went into the woods and was lost. No wait, there aren't woods around here. My brother sent him to Australia and he is with the Australian blonde. Oh, hell no. He isn't going anywhere with any blonde girl. He'll be so happy making me jealous. But he isn't going to Australia, so that's not the problem. Oh my god! I'm going mad. No, wait. Mad is music art and dance. Oh! I know music and so do art and also dance. Damn! I'm talented. Wait, I'm going out of line. I have to think about Ashton. What's taking them so long?" She continues to ramble nonsense. I bit my lips to stop me from laughing. Woods? Australia? Damn! I love her.

As I looked at her continuous pacing and rambling, I knew I was gone. She looked so cute and I just can't wait to hold her. So that's what I did.

I walked up to her when her back was facing me. She turned and bumped into me. Blinking, Gwen looked at me with those big doey eyes. I wrapped my arms around her waist and stared at her.

"What did Will say?" She asked.

"Nothing. He'll kill me if I hurt you." I shrugged.

"Oh! Good. That's good." She said in relief. I hummed and continue staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing." I said and leaned down to kiss her.

Gwen pulled away and looked at something behind me. She blushed and hid her face in my chest. My guess is her family is behind.

"Come on, Gwen. These boys are our target today. We have planning to do. So let's show them who we girls are!" I heard Leslie say.

Gwen looked at me and I could see mischief in them. She smirked and pecked my lips once before running towards the girl gang.

"Game on." I smirked looking at Gwen who smirked back.

**

Firstly! I'm really sorry for late update. Way too late, buts summer. Anyways, sorry for late update and also for not actually putting the pranks, but I promise next chapter will have all pranks. This chapter was also necessary. Knowing the feelings for each other and also Alex and Leslie part.

Hopefully next chapter will be soon. Until then.

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