The Way I Feel ~ A.I [ON HOLD]

Five

Previously...

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I walked back into the bedroom. She smiled widely. "That's stunning." She said. I spun in a circle. "Oh! Now look at you, you're glowing." She said. "I like this one." 

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You look beautiful." He said. "You look handsome." I said. I can't believe I just said that.

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 "N-No! I just...It takes a lot for me to be able to open up to people about me." I say. "You seem to talk to me just fine." He said. "Yeah...I know. I just feel like I can trust you." I just realize what I said. "Sorry! That sounds weird." I say. "N-No! It doesn't sound weird. I feel like I can trust you too."

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"O-Oh, yeah. It's just...you're really pretty." I could feel myself blush. "Thank you."

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-Ashton was telling me how Emily said she doesn't open up to people easily. And him being curious, and VERY pushy, he asked me to ask you if there was a certain reason why.

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A few years ago, more like around 6 years ago. We had this best friend, Noah. They two of them grew up together. But eventually, he met a new group of friends. He got this bet to date Emily, so he did. They 'dated' for 6 months, until she caught him kissing another girl. When she got mad, he didn't care and told her it was just a dare. After that, she hasn't opened up to anyone in fear the same will happen again.

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5 Days later...

ASHTON AND I WALKED HAND IN HAND TOWARD THE LAKE. Ashton laid down a blanket by a tree and we sat down next to each other. Yes. We're going on our second date. And, I'm happy. I can finally say, I'm really happy. 

Ashton set down the picnic basket and handed me a tub of strawberries. I opened the lid and started munching on the berry. He grabbed a pre-made salad and started to eat it. We watched as bunnies ran after each other and squirrels ran up trees. "It's so pretty here." I say. "Not as pretty as you..." He whispers. "What was that?" I asked, smirking. I acted like I didn't hear him, but I did. I giggled as he said, "Nothing."  I leaned over and rested my head on his shoulder. 

"I'm glad you're opening up to me." He says. I look up at him. Apparently, he taught I was confused so he kept talking. "I just want you to know, I'm nothing like Noah." My eyes widen and I instantly sit up. "N-Noah? H-How do you know about Noah?" I asked. I know I'm talking fast, but I don't care. "Michael told me." I instantly stand up. Lauren. How could she have told him?

"I can't believe her!" I said, loudly and angrily. He stood up. "Was I not supposed to say anything? Em, I'm so sorry!" He said, grabbing my wrist. I look into his brown eyes. "Ashton, it's not your fault. You're not the one who told someone about a hard time in my life!" I put my hand on my forehead and sighed. "I can't believe she would tell Michael! I-I just can't!" 

I could feel tears start to spill out of my eyes. "I'm sorry, Ash. This was lovely, I just need to go." I kissed his cheek and ran the rest of the way to campus.

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I opened the door of my dorm, more like slammed it. Lauren came running into the living room, she was wearing headphones, so she must have been listening to music. Oh well. "Emily! What's wrong?" She asked, worriedly. I ran over to her angrily, throwing my purse onto the couch. "I can't believe you would tell Michael about Noah!" I shouted. "He told Ashton?! That little-"

"Michael did nothing wrong! You were the one who told him!" I shouted, still crying. "He asked! What was I supposed to do?!" She asked, she started to cry too. "Tell him no! Tell him you promised you wouldn't say anything! Just ignore him! I don't care what you do! I just thought you wouldn't tell Michael, Ashton's best friend, that I have trust issues because of my childhood best friend!" I screamed. I ran into the bedroom and slammed the door shut.

I fell onto my bed and instantly grabbed my phone and dialed the only person I feel I could. My older brother. Ace. I hit his name, Ace of Spades, and it started ringing. "Em? What's up?" He asked. "I-I got i-into a fight and I n-need someone to t-talk to." I struggled to say. Suddenly, the screen changed and he FaceTimed me. I angle my camera against the lamp. "What happened, baby sis?" He asked. "I met this boy. His name is Ashton and I'm planning on bringing him to dinner Friday. Anyway, apparently one of his friends asked Lauren why I'm a little s-shy and she t-told him about N-Noah..." I say. "Oh, Em..."

"The thing was, she promised me. And she hasn't even known him long. Less than a month and she's already spilling secrets and times in my life that I don't want to be told. I don't know what to do..." I placed my head in my hands. "Emily, just breath. Everything will be okay."

"But it won't! Lauren betrayed me!" I cried. "I know. What she did was wrong. But, she's been with you through good times and bad for the past 10 years. Sleep on it and then see how you feel in the morning. I know you won't want to hear this, but maybe it's best if this Ashton knows about Noah. He'll know about your fears and what he needs to do to help." I look down. Maybe he's right. "You know I'm right. Just think about this. Anyway, I have to go. See you Friday. Love you, little sis!" He hung up. He was right. But I can't just forgive her just like that. It will take some time.