Denial [ n.s] EDITING

Chapter 69 - Fireworks Within Me

Chapter sixty nine,
Lea.

Day 360.

"I find it amusing how you haven't gotten into Ash's pants yet," Hannah says, in complete disregard of our previous conversation.

"I find it rude how you changed the topic," I say, "but, I'm not ready. Plus, he's one of my closest guy friends. Well, all three of them are my closest guy friends,"

"Try only guy friends," Hannah retorts, Zachary and Elijah choking on their drinks.

"I suppose that's not a complete lie," I say, shyly.

"How many times are we going to have to go over this? I'm your best guy friend," Elijah gloats, "in all seriousness though, give the guy a break, he's so fucking into you it's like that ariana grande song,"

"Shut up, Eli" Zachary snaps, "although, he's half right. Ashton's never going to move on from you. He's gonna keep pawning over you, or he's going to find this perfect girl to try and replace you,"

"When the only thing the girl should be replacing is a Barbie doll, because that's how plastic she is," Hannah continues, receiving a smile from Z. They really did read each other's minds.

"This isn't peer pressure or anything though," Z immediately says, raising his arms in innocence.

"Please, it's total peer pressure," Hannah and Elijah say in unison.

"I'm just saying, how many times are we going to have to give you the 'Ashton talk' you know? I've got other things to do,"

I sigh, "yeah, yeah. I understand where you goofballs are coming from,"

Day 365.

Ashton and I had spent the entire day together. I'd taken him to the nearest laser tag since he shared Barney Stinson's love for it. We grabbed some burgers, watched a movie. Basically did the most we could in about 10 hours. What he didn't know was that I was on duty to distract him the entire day while the rest of the gang planned the surprise party. It was his birthday, anyway.

"I enjoyed today, Scott," Ashton says, just as we're about to pull up at the party.

"I'm glad, Leed,"

"Who'd you say you needed to meet here?" He asks, pulling the door open for me.

"Surprise!!" Everyone screams, just in time. I grab my camera out of my bag and take advantage of the look on Ashton's face.

The night only got better from then on. It was most of the people from NYU. The ones we knew, at least. Ashton was pretty bummed since he couldn't spend it with his family, so we decided on doing something for him instead. Underneath all his humour and sarcasm, he's got a pretty decent sized heart.

I'm sat at a table, by myself, eating cake. Hannah and Zachary were mingling with a few other students from their classes. Elijah, was well, Elijah; disappearing and reappearing.

I spot Ashton from a distance, chatting about with some people I barely knew. He had the biggest smile on his face, he was happy.

"This was a really great idea, Lea" Gabriella says.

"You guys planned it, you deserve the credit," I smile.

"Maybe, but you came up with the idea. It was your plan all along. You made this happen. If only Ashton knew,"

"I take no credit. He's happy, that's all I wanted after all," I respond, and she runs along to find Elijah.

I check my phone for a brief second before I feel someone towering over me, from in front.

"Thanks for distracting me today," I look up to a smiling Ashton.

"Someone had to," I say, and he sits beside me. "It wasn't the only reason I hung out with you today though. I genuinely had fun," I reassure him, "I find myself always having fun when I'm around you,"

He gives me a soft smile, "Likewise,"

There's a brief moment of silence between us. I wasn't sure how long it was but it felt like hours. I felt a pang in my chest, and my stomach turned to knots. I felt like I was meant to do something; yet sitting there with him, in complete silence amongst the crowd felt so natural.

Eventually, he leans closer, and there's no longer space between the both of us, our noses brush, and his lips find mine.

I feel like there's fireworks being lit within me, I feel like everything's falling into place, I feel like every bone in my bone is begging us to stay this way.

"You're an awful good kisser, Scott,"

a/n; oh my god ashton!1!!1!1!1 yasssss get it!

holy sheet the next chapter's gonna be the epilogue. brace yourselves.

oh and i watched me before you last night. it was amazing; no beautiful; no extraordinary; I can't put it into words. It's single handedly one of the best films I've watched. yet maybe that's cause i have a soft spot for sam claflin.

anyways, i'm at Starbucks, on a beach, watching the sun go down. I feel so content and I couldn't have asked for anything better. enjoy this chapter, have a good day. love you loads.

x.s ♡