Love is a Lie

Mercy and Hope

3rd Person POV

Though Alex took Audrey's kind words to heart, he finds himself hesitating to give Ashley the satisfaction of forgiveness.

Though aware that she regrets her actions against him Alex couldn't think straight, he feels conflicted about giving her a chance to redeem herself or leave her begging for an impossible chance.

He continues to have discussions and arguments with himself, Alex knows that should forgive her if he wants to live his life to the fullest and that reconciling with Ashley would bring him good, he can't help but feel a tingle of anger and resentment as the memories of her actions against him fill his head.

But for a brief moment did his mind go at ease as images of Audrey fill his core, he could feel his cheeks heat up a little as he remembers her soft embrace. He enjoyed her company and found solace in her warm and angelic personality, her soft and gentle voice, her smooth pale skin, her gorgeous chocolate brown hair and many more of her lovable features enter Alex's head.

His heart skipped a beat as he holds his chest confused as to why he is feeling like this. Confusion fill his mind as to why he feels like this as images of Audrey fill his head, he knew her for barely 6 months and he wonders why does she make him feel so safe. He widened his eyes as a realization hit him in the head like a hard rock.

He likes her.

Alex felt a strong rush of energy flow through his blood as he holds his chest feeling the intensity of his heartbeat. He felt weak to his legs as he tries to stand tall, he looked down at the ground with shock until he smiled in glee.

"Audrey...." Alex said to himself, his face heating up as he forms a small smile.

He then got up and planned his next moves to confess his newfound feelings to Audrey, he decided to call her to meet him at the local park tomorrow afternoon since it will be the start of his summer break.

Alex immediately walks back home to plan his confession, unaware of Ashley watching him with wide eyes with tears slowly escaping them. She held out a hand trying to reach him but ultimately fell on her knees as she cries silently.

Feelings of despair and failure flow vividly inside her as she witnessed Alex blush crimson red and him holding his chest with a goofy smile as he says Audrey's name in longing.

Desperate to keep him hers, Ashley plans to meet him tomorrow before he confesses to Audrey and make this last opportunity to finally correct her mistakes and hopefully become one with Alex. Her gaze on Alex slowly became cold as she continues to stare at him with eyes full of possessiveness and longing, a sinister smile formed as she planned to keep him to herself.

"You will be mine, Alex. I will bring back our bond and make you my king." Ashley said to herself in a sultry tone, desire and longing fueling her determination.

She runs to her home to plan her next move, unaware of Barry and his group watching both Alex and Ashley with perplexed faces.

"So that was-" Barry said as his eyes are wide with shock upon learning of Alex's growing affection for Audrey and Ashley's determination and obsession to keep Alex to herself.

"Unexpected." Jacob finished Barry's sentence, he too shared the same facial expression with Barry.

"That escalated very quickly." One of Barry's groupmates said in surprise.

"So....who bets on Alex hitting it with Audrey?" A groupmate said casually, making the entire group look at him.

"Too be honest, I think Ashley's got a chance. Alex still cares about her." Another groupmate said, disagreeing with his fellow groupmate.

"Hey genius! They aren't close friends anymore. Ashley's gonna end up in the friend zone sooner than later." A groupmate said as he disagrees with the previous groupmate. This in turn triggers the other groupmates.

"And what do you know about them you idiot? Ashley and Alex are most likely going to end up together!" A groupmate said with little patience.

"Heck nah! Audrey and Alex will be together!" Another groupmate said mirroring the aggression of the other groupmate.

The group then started to argue on who Alex would end up with as Barry and Jacob watch them fight with exasperation and disappointment.

"Jacob, are you sure that these boys are even grown men to begin with?" Barry asked Jacob with a slightly irritated tone.

"At this point, I don't even know anymore...." Jacob replied with a deadpan stare.

A moment of silence was shared between the two as the group continues tp fight and bicker among themselves on who will Alex end up with. Jacob then broke the silence with a questionable claim.

"I think Audrey's gonna have Alex." Jacob said with a casual tone.

"Nah, it's probably Ashley." Barry replied dryly.

The two continue to disagree with each other before eventually joining the debate with the group.