Addiction (Relaunch)

Chapter Eleven: Sparks

***Ashlynn's POV***

I could not remember when was the last time since I felt this way. His words really pierced me when he pushed me away to another man. 'How could he say that? I even gave him my first kiss.' It might not be a big deal for others but it is for me. Truth is, I myself did not expect for Jace and I to be a thing and neither did I expect for my feelings for him to be reciprocated back. 'Was I to be blamed for my own incompetence?'.

"Excuse me", I stood up and left the group. I could not stay there any longer. My tears were flowing down as I walked. Flashback of Jace's sarcastic torment gush through my head, as if it's on replay over and over again, "Then you should go in for the kill, Layton. Ash is definitely a bombshell."

'Bombshell?', I pfted at the thought of it. 'So, you attempted to make out with me not because you like me, but because you just want to sleep with me?'

I picked up my pace as water seems to be trailing faster down my cheeks. I could feel the judgmental eyes of the crowd around me. 'Are they laughing at me?'. A few party-goers were echoing from left and right asking if I'm Alright, or What's wrong babygirl. I felt so embarrassed that night and was looking for a place to hide and squirm myself up into a ball. All in the hopes of giving myself some warm. My hands patted unto the wall for support as my frail legs were looking for a place to hide.

For a brief minute, I imagined myself clasping for air to get myself out of that place and the next second, I find myself in the arms of a man in a dark room. I sobbed. "Thank you", my muffled voice thanking him for pulling me away from all the embarrassment that beckoned me. He did not say anything but gently patted my head.

My head burrowed deep on his chest and his hands tightened around me, wrapping me as I sobbed. His musky scent emitting from his embrace gave me warmth. We stayed like this for quite some time until my tears dried up. "Are you alright now, Ash?", he broke the silence. His husky voice gave himself away as my face immediately looked up to see if it is who I think it is.

"Jace", surprised that it was him. "I'm here, Ash", he pushed my head back on his chest as he continue patting me on my head. His solemn words were comforting but it wasn't enough after what he had done. After all, he did push me to another man's arm in broad daylight. 'Just like Alex. He disgust me.'

My body finds myself resisting his touch as I gathered myself up and pushed him away from me. "You gave me to another man, remember?", I lamented.

"It was a joke, Ash. I'm sorry.", Jace tried to pull me back. I pushed his hand away. "Just like how you never bothered to even text me?", I sneered. He closed in. "Something came up again, Ash.", Jace tugged on my arm. "You know I'd never do anything to hurt you.", Jace persuaded.

"But you just did.", I sobbed. "You took away my first kiss, you ghosted me and now you're pushing me away to another man", I put my hands on my face and crouched to the floor.

"Ash...Don't be like this," he bend over and pat my back. "I'm sorry I did not contact you the past few days. I did not mean to hurt you with my words earlier. I was upset that you told Layton that you were single."

'I don't care.', I sobbed further. I then felt Jace's hands around my arm as he slumped unto the floor, yanking me over to his chest. "I'm sorry. If I know it was your first kiss, I would have done better", he comforted. His back laid behind the wall and my head on his
chest. "Forgive me, Ash" His hand repeatedly caress my head.