The Perfect Gift

Chapter Eighteen

Ashton

I drives us to a trade fair happening in the town. Adrian told me about it yesterday and I thought I'd check it out.

The silence between us is so thick and I can't think of anything to say. "I'm sorry about what happened back there," my hands are buried deep in my jeans' pockets and I hope she doesn't notice how nervous I am.

I hear Sarah sigh, "It wasn't your fault, Ash. You can stop apologizing." This is the third time I have said sorry since we both got into the car and drove off..

We are walking around looking at what traders showcased in their stalls. "It's not true, you know."

She doesn't answer me, instead she focuses her attention on some second-hand shoes. They looked like the most fascinating thing to her.

I stand in front of her, blocking her view of the horrible looking shoes, she'd suddenly taken interest in. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I make her look at me.

"All the things she said, Sarah, are not true," my eyes are pleading with her to believe. She looks away and it takes a lot of effort to hide my hurt.

"You believe her," I say with incredulity. It is more of a statement than a question.

This time, she does look at me and I see anger in her eyes, "Of course I do! Or else, why would you want to go out with me? I'm just a challenge for you," she scoffs. "Me, the God-loving girl and you, Westmore's bad boy. You can quit the game, Ash," she adds sarcastically.

Now tears are falling freely down her face. I do the only thing I can think of. I hug her. We remain in that position while she cried.

"You're not a game, Sarah; not a challenge. I like you, not Mac," I say soothingly. I finally feel her relax and soon she pulls away.

"I'm sorry," she says, her tear-stained cheeks flushed. I use the sleeve of my jacket to wipe her face and then I say, "Come on, let's buy something."

We eventually settle for two handmade knit heart-shaped necklaces. Incredibly cheesy, I know. But Sarah insisted and if I'm being honest, they're really pretty.

We play some games and manage to win half of them, earning us stuffed animals. After a while, we decide to get ice cream in a shop nearby.

"So you're ready for the NYC trip? I heard it's in two weeks" she asks, her tongue touching the strawberry-flavored ice cream tentatively.

"Yeah. We've been working our butts off. Coach has us on full training mood for two weeks straight, I haven't even had time to go to the café."

"How did you know I worked there anyway?" she asks raising her brows.

"Emily told me," I say guiltily, "and she made me promise not to tell you, so don't be mad at her."

She doesn't look surprised, instead she smiles. "Of course Ems told you," she mutters. "What else did she tell you, huh?"

"Nothing much. She also said you're an amazing painter. I would love to see some of your paintings sometime."

"No!" she says quickly. Too quickly. Panic fills her eyes and she tries to recover. "I mean, I don't normally show people my paintings." She changes the subject, "You lived in Texas?"

I decide to not say anything about it. Maybe she'll learn to trust me someday. "Yeah. I lived there all my life till I moved here." I take a spoonful of my ice cream and close my eyes as the delicious liquid melts in my mouth.

"How was living there like?" she asks casually as if we didn't have the most awkward moment seconds ago.

"Hot," I admit, "But I really loved it there, it was home to me. I miss my friends, Jason, Chase and Ashley, a lot," I feel a twinge of sadness at the nostalgic thought.

What she does next is unexpected: she covers my free hand with hers. It is a simple gesture but the instant her hand touches mine,a wave of electricity soars through my entire body.

I pull away in shock. My confusion is mirrored in her face when I see her, but soon she's laughing. "My, my. Is Ashton Stewart blushing?"

"Westmore's bad boys are incapable of blushing, Sarah," I say mockingly, throwing her words back at her.

"Well played, mister," she chuckles softly. God, I love hearing her laugh.

Just then, I remember her laughing with the little girl at the park. "The first time I met you was at the park. You were with a little girl."

That surprises her. "Demi?"

"Probably. It was my first day in Forks and seeing you that day made me feel... happy."

I see realization cross her face, "That's why you looked at me strangely in the hallway. And History class."

"There's something that pulls me to you every time. I want to know you, Sarah. The real you."

She doesn't say anything for a while, so I do. "Who is Demi? You guys looked really close."

"She's a friend. Her mother left her in the church when she was three and Rev. Baker took her in." She looks at the wall clock behind her and says, "Come on, I need to get to the café."

On my way there, we continue our conversation. I discover that she goes to church every week, she loves Art class more than the others, she's been best friends with Emily Turner since she got into Westmore.

I tell her about Adrian, the foster care, the Parker twins and the little I remember about my parents. Not once did she mention her dad. 

"Why did you leave Texas?" I ponder her question for a minute.

Turning to face her, I say, "You really wanna know?"

"Yeah," she says determined.

Okay then. I swerve to the side of the road and park the car.

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!!!