The Perfect Gift

Chapter Seventeen

Sarah

I manage to pry myself from my mum's grasp while she grills me about my first date. Geez, this woman knows no bounds.

In my room, I take out my laptop to catch up on an episode of Scream. I have already settled into my usual, comfortable position, ready to click on play when I feel my phone buzz from underneath my elbow.

I push my laptop aside and look at my phone. One message from Ashton.

Ashton: Hi

Me: Hi. Home already?

It's almost 8 pm.

Ashton: Yeah. What you doing?

Me: Watching a horror movie.

Ashton: You actually like that stuff?

Me: Let me guess, you thought I'd be a romance kind of girl?

Ashton: Well... yeah

Me: Sorry to disappoint you then. I'm IN LOVE with scary movies

Ashton: Just scary movies, huh? *winks*

Me: *rolls eyes* shut up, Ashton.

Ashton: You gotta admit though, I am a great date

Me: Sure. Today was a good first date.

Ashton: Wow, Sarah Hope. So there'll be a second date? *shocked expression*

Arrgh. Great going, Sarah.

Me: THAT was a typo. Today was a good date.

Okay, even I have to admit. That's lame.

Ashton: And I completely believe you

Me: Good night, Ashton.

Ashton: Good night, Sarah.

I power off my phone and place it on my nightstand. I've lost interest in what I was watching so I turn off my laptop as well and try to get some sleep.

Keyword try. Because my mind keeps wandering to my day with Ashton at the park.

After the church service on Sunday, I, Jen and some other youths have a bake sale in the church to raise money for our newest project: building a library.

We had so much fun and remained there till late in the evening .

I get a ride from Jen's mum since mine had to cover for someone at work. When I enter the house, I lock the door behind me and close the windows. Mum has her home key with her always so getting in won't be a problem.

Tomorrow is Monday so I quickly brush my teeth and go to bed.

***

As I walk through the hall of Westmore High, I study my class schedule. I don't have a lot today: Art first, then Math, Geography, English and lastly, History.

I have spent nearly ten minutes searching for Ems. She was supposed to meet me at her locker this morning.

When I hear the bell for the first period and head to my Art class. After that, I make my way to Math class. Still, no sign of Ems. I decide to send her a text.

Me: Where are you??? No reply.

I didn't see her during Geography or English either. So I give up, she's definitely not in school today.

I hurry to my locker to get my History book before the class. That's when I see them. Mac and Jules, her best friend, are standing by my locker. They look like they're posing for paparazzi.

When they see me, their expressions turn sour.

"Sarah," Mac says with a voice filled with venom. Is that a greeting? I don't know.

"Mac, you're blocking my locker," I reply impatiently.

"Don't worry, I'll make this easy for you to understand. The only thing more ludicrous than One Direction separating is you thinking you and Ashton could be together."

Frankly, I'm surprised she even knows what 'ludicrous' means.

"What do you mean?" I ask, already tired of where this strange conversation is going.

She scoffs, "Drop the act. Both of you went on a date at the park. Ring a bell?"

A small crowd is already forming around us and this is making me very uncomfortable. I just need to get my books and get out.

"That doesn't concern you." I try reaching for my locker but Jules is blocking me, making it impossible.

"That's where you're wrong," she pushes me against a locker, "Ashton is mine. He doesn't like you, what's there to like?" She sniggers and so does, everyone else.

"You're nothing but a freak. A church girl. He'll come back to me eventually, when he's done with you."

Her words should not hurt me, but they do. A lot. I blink away the unshed tears threatening to fall. Maybe it's because a part of me knows what she's saying is true.

People are clearing a path and I see someone approaching us. My first guess is a teacher, probably coming to see what the ruckus was about.

"Leave her alone, Mac."

I hear the now familiar voice before I see him. My head snaps up to see him. His eyes held so much anger in them, I could practically feel his wrath radiating from his body.

He pulls me away from Mac and says in a threateningly low voice to her, "Don't you dare touch her, ever again. I'm warning you, Mac."

Mac and Jules walk away in annoyance, leaving the clicking sound of their shoes in their wake while Ash drags me outside. He is leading me to his car.

"Where are we going, Ashton?" I'm grateful to be out, I don't think I can manage seeing anyone now.

"Out." He barely acknowledges me but continues dragging me.

"I have History now. I can't skip a class."

We've reached his car now. He opens the door for me to enter. I refuse. "Are you listening to me? I have History now."

"Why do you care? You hate History," when he sees my surprise, he adds, "You can barely stay awake during the class."

"I'm a scholarship student. I can't miss a class."

His fingers rake his hair and I can tell he's frustrated. "You can and you will. I promise you, you won't regret it. You can't go back in there, Sarah."

I consider it for a while and against my better judgment, I get in the car. He gets into the driver's seat and starts the car.

As we leave Westmore High, I close my eyes and feel the breeze hit my face and slowly, I begin to calm down.

"Where are we going?"

A/N:

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote and/or comment cos that's the only way I know you're reading!!!

Sarah Hope played by Chloe Grace Moretz.