Metanoia: A Sequel

Chapter 11: You...

Ashton lifted up his hair, pushing it back. His revealed forehead showed his evident exasperation with its beads of sweat.

"Say something," Rory pleaded.

"Rory, honestly, I love you too," Ashton confessed profusely, the color in his cheeks blooming, his voice softening like butter, melting down a little. "I do. But last night...that was too much for me to handle. I don't want to lose you."

"I'm sorry," Rory said.

"Come here," Ashton directed, and Rory did. He searched for Rory's hand. When he found it, he said, "My wish is simple. Don't go holding hands with others or anything unless that person is me, all right?"

Rory obediently answered with a nod. "So will you come with me now?"

"No," Ashton said straightforwardly. "Lena needs me here."

Rory started to ask why, then cut herself off. She didn't want to pry and be on Ashton's bad side again. She learned her lesson last time.

Ashton just sighed, shook his head, and chuckled. He leaned in closer and pressed his mouth against Rory's while grasping her waist for stabilization and balance. Rory kissed back, and Ashton added more passion. His lips were smooth and increasingly pliable as Rory applied more force to the kiss. He smiled against the passionate kiss, making it delicate and playful. Rory encased her arms around his neck like a seatbelt and never wanted to let go. Due to the new balance that was still unfamiliar to both of them, they tumbled over on the couch, where they stopped kissing momentarily to stare into each other's eyes. Rory was starstruck. Ashton was no celebrity, but Rory certainly liked to believe that he was since he was a special figure in her life.

Ashton finally broke the kiss. He jerked up off the couch and sheepishly mussed up his hair. "I'm sorry as well."

"For what?"

"You know. Shutting you out."

"Oh, I understand. I do. And I'm also sorry. I know I said that before, but I just wanted you to know–"

Ashton kissed her ferociously again. He mouthed "I love you" against the kiss. As soon as they were finishing up the kiss, Lena strutted into the living room.

"All right, lovebirds, cut it out. Ten-hut!" she blithely ordered, managing a sharp whistle. Her charming guffaw was in between her words. Ashton saluted her after he had his share of fierce kissing.

"Rory, I need you to leave," Lena commanded, suddenly very serious from her usual perky, effervescent-of-brightness tone. She pointed to the door she had ushered her in so willingly, just ten minutes ago.

Rory, a little hurt, simply bent her head, leaving. "Wasn't that a little harsh?" Rory caught Ashton saying as she reached for the doorknob.

She sighed, settling on the porch steps. She needed a break. Ashton had reconciled with her on a peace treaty by kissing her, and hard, but she felt that he was merely doing it out of obligation and not because he truly loved her. Look at my ridiculous, indecisive feelings now, even though I made it up to him, Rory thought. She laughed to herself, shaking her head at what an insane thinker she was. I must be crazy for thinking all these thoughts about my true-but-not-so-true emotions.