He's Still The One

Chapter 38 - Eenie Meenie

Please read author's note in the end. Thank you!

----

Justin.

Being with Ashley is pure bliss. Getting to call her my girlfriend never gets tiring. I don't mean to sound selfish or anything. I was over the moon about it, but I couldn't tell if Ashley felt the same. Sure, at first she was happy but she seems bothered by something. I have to find out.

We are still in LA right now, thank god it's spring break or else Ashley would have missed classes and I wouldn't want that to happen. I care about her education too, you know.

We were snuggled on the couch, watching re-runs of Friends. Friends was supposed to be funny but she just laughs occasionally and shuts down immediately.

"Ash, babe. Is there something bothering you?" She sat down and looked at me in the eye, doubtful if she was going to tell me or not. She then sighed and proceeded on whatever she is going to tell.

"I have just been thinking. When you asked me to be your girlfriend, Tyler and I were technically still together. We never broke up. I found out he was cheating then we became distant to each other, but there was never and official "it's over" exchange between the two of us. Don't get me wrong, I want and love the feeling of being your girlfriend, Justin. I have been waiting for this since I knew I had feelings for you when we were still kids. I just can't help think, people at home are probably talking about me saying how I move on from one guy to another, faster than Nicki Minaj could rap, how I was such an eenie meenie miney mo lover and yes, I am quoting your song. Do you get me?" I chuckled at her lame attempt of trying to lighten the situation. I held her hand and squeezed it tight. I looked at her in the eye and told her things which I know, she likes to hear from me.

"Ash, first and foremost, that will be the last time you will tell that joke, okay? Secondly, If you want to talk to Tyler, you could just call him. Hasn't he been reaching up to you lately? Or if you want, we could fly back to Stratford, and you both could talk out what you guys should have talked about. Just know that I am always here for you and I support whatever it is your decision. I love you." She hugged me tight and whispered she loved me too. It was too eargasmic to hear those words coming from her mouth. I have to get used to it.

She got up and went upstairs. I followed her to her bedroom, yes, we don't share a room, please keep your minds off the gutter, and saw she was packing her things.

I guess we are going to go back to Stratford for a while for them to solve whatever issues they have with each other.

****
Ashley.

As soon as we landed in Stratford, I directly went to the meeting place Tyler told me to meet him. How would I know? I texted him that we had to talk and he agreed.

Justin went home because he wouldn't want to cause any trouble. He just told me to call him if things get worst. Seriously? How on Earth do you not manage to fall for the guy? He's handsome, he's got a rockin' body, a kind heart and just everything in general. I seriously do not get people but hey, I am not complaining. I would not want competition.

I got to the restaurant Tyler told me to go to, and as I went inside I saw him, sitting alone in the far corner booth, not quite near to everyone, thank god that no one could hear us talk.

I faintly smiled at him as I sat down across him. He looked well, judging by the way he's dressed. He seems to be worry-free.

As soon as we got what we ordered, we both ate in silence. It was really awkward because no on dared to start a conversation. After a minute or two, Tyler finally broke the silence with a straight to the point question I wasn't ready to answer.

"Are we still together, Ash? I mean paps caught you holding hands with Justin, that must've meant something. I know how you like him, Ash. You can't tell me you are just friends, I won't buy it. Either be real with me or leave me alone. It's that simple." He tried to sound calm as possible but I know he was beyond pissed.

"Yes, I have had a crush on Justin ever since we were little kids. We grew up together, spend everything together. As cliché as this sounds, yes, I fell for my bestfriend. But he left me. He left me without saying goodbye and I was deeply shattered by it. It's hard to wale up everyday knowing he isn't there, you know. So I had to do what I had to do. I had to forget him. It did work and then you came. At first I thought you were annoying as hell. But then I got to know you, and honestly? With you, I felt loved. But he came back. I don't know how or why but I guess fate did it. I have loved you Tyler, I did. But not much as I have loved Justin. But I couldn't say it to him maybe he doesn't recognize me. So I went on with the lie of forgetting him while we were still dating. Remember when Justin got hospitalized and me and my mom flew directly to LA? He was in coma when I told him the truth. The minute I had stopped talking was the moment he woke up from his senses and he heard everything I said. From there I knew I had to compromise. I was still dating you and we were happy but you became distant. Why Tyler? What happened?" He was too taken aback by what I said. He deeply breathed and told me his side of the story.

"I met a girl named Diana at a party one of the guys threw while you were still in LA. We had a one night stand. I thought that was it but she had her connections. She bugged me every single day. She even showed up at my doorstep. Of course, I wasn't raised without manners so I let her in and I told her I wouldn't want anything to do with and what we had was a mistake. But she was too hard headed and air brained to even listen to what I said. She continued pursuing me while I, on the other had has been contemplating on how to tell you. Trust me, my conscience was eating me alive. I became distant because I couldn't bear the fact that I cheated on you. Hell, I couldn't even look at you in the eye. I am so sorry, Ash. It's my fault how our relationship went downhill. I understand if you can't forgive me because I deserve this." It all makes sense now; what his father told me at dinner, when I saw him and a girl at the field, everything. I feel so bad not wanting to hear Tyler's side. I am so shocked right now that I couldn't even find the right words to say.

"I can forgive you, Ty, you know that. But I can't forget what you did. But I have to admit, what we had was pretty amazing, don't you think?" He chuckled lightly with me as I continued. "I am with Justin now and he makes me happy. Maybe we just aren't meant for each other. Maybe those are the ways destiny is tell us that we just won't work as a couple. You deserve someone who makes you happy, Ty. I am and will always be here for you no matter what. I love you always." I stood up and hugged him.

"I will always love you too, Ash. Don't forget that. I am happy to see you happy. I am okay, don't worry about me. I am perfectly fine. And maybe you are right, I deserve someone who makes me happy. Thank you for that, Ash. Oh, and one more thing. I restored my relationship with my dad. I mean, it's a working progress but hey, at least I am trying." He smiled at me as I beamed back. I thought this talk would go wrong but turns out, it was all good. I never expected this to be a happy break up. Things are getting back to the way it was.

Except for one thing.

-----

I lied there is no long author's note here but I will leave you with a question:

What's the one thing that isn't back to normal? Hmmm.

Please do support my new story The One That Got Away, it is not a fanfic anymore.
I will be uploading the Prologue and First Chapter on Saturday! :)

Love you guys. Til next update,

G