Ashton's Lie

chapter nine

"Two suits and tickets for Taylor Ramirez and Ashton Marshall, please," Ashton said.

The lady hands us our tickets. "Have fun kids and stay in school!"

Ashton and I suit up. Apparently, this place is full with kids below the age of ten.

Ignoring the fact that half of these kids should be in school, I prepare my gun and walk beside Ashton in case he tries anything on me.

We're both on different teams which makes the date even better.

"Alright, sweetheart," he says. "Pick a side, any side."

I look at the two teams, one full of boys and one full of girls.

I turn to Ashton. "I pick the boys." I laugh evilly at the image of me winning.

Ashton doesn't seem fazed. He shrugs. "See you at the finish line."

We both walk to our teams. I bundle mine in a dark corner and whisper the plan. "Okay, guys," I whisper. "We are gonna beat that girly sunshine team and we are gonna win! You hear me?"

The boys shout in excitement and victory. "What does Ohana mean?" I ask.

The boys become silent with confusion written all over there faces. Does this generation not watch Lilo & Stitch?

I sigh. "Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten," I say. "Now you guys will be my family for the next hour or so and I'm your mama! So don't you dare let me down!"

I hold up my gun and they do the same, shouting in excitement. I walk to the middle to meet Ashton while our teams stay behind us.

"Scared, sweetheart?" He smirks.

"Kids," I call out. "Remember this smirk on his face because it's not gonna last."

Both teams ooh and ahh. Ashton chuckles and backs away. "Don't cry when you loose, sweetheart."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I say while sprinting.

The room becomes dark as everyone follows down the dark passageway. My team follows me and we wait until the bell rings.

"Okay guys, you take the girls, I'll take the big guy," I tell my team.

The bell rings signaling the game has started. My team spread out as I look for Ashton. I keep my height low and my gun ready to aim. I hide behind a wall when I think I saw his gigantic feet.

I take a peak and squeal when Ashton almost got me. I can hear his laugh over the booming music.

I sprint in front of me and I hear his loud footsteps behind me as I go into another passageway. I shoot three kids, making them disqualified and create a tantrum.

Ashton's catching up to me so I grab a random girl and hold her up blocking my body and use her as a shield. Ashton does the same with one of the boys on my team.

"Give it up, Ashton," I demand. "You already lost six girls."

He smirks. "Oh, sweetheart, you have to loose some in order to win."

I snort. "What are we? At war?"

"Damn straight." He shoots the kid I'm holding and I push the kid forward, making Ashton fall backwards.

I point my gun and try to shoot him but the kids are blocking Ashton. I take the opportunity to run the other direction.

I look back and see Ashton running after me. I scream as I run faster and take a left. I don't know where I'm going, this place is like a dark maze.

I walk into a small room. Shit. I see a box next to the door and climb on it, and get on top of the room's only entrance and exit so when Ashton comes, I could shoot him.

I hear his footsteps and wait until he's in the room. I see Ashton get inside the room, not knowing I'm right behind and on top him. I use my legs to hold me upside down like a monkey bar and aim my gun behind him.

I need something to say before I shoot him ...

"Say hello to my little friend," I say in my best Spanish accent.

Ashton spins around, shock written on his face as he raises his gun.

I shoot him before he could do anything and his suit beeps, signaling he lost. I jump down from my position and scream in victory.

"Yes! I am the ultimate assassin! Wooo!" I do a little victory dance while Ashton shakes his head and chuckles at my behavior.

He picks me up and spins me around. The lights turn on and my team runs around us chanting 'Losers' to Ashton's team.

"I have to admit, sweetheart, I wasn't expecting that," Ashton says, impressed.

I smirk and shrug. "Why, of course you didn't. It was part of the plan."

Ashton takes our suits off and returns them as we walk out into the parking lot. I hop back onto the motorcycle with Ashton behind me again and drive home.

On the way home, Ashton presses the honk on the motorcycle. "Who are you honking at?" I yell.

"You," he yells back. "The speed limit is sixty and you're driving at thirty five!"

I roll my eyes behind my helmet and speed up a little, making Ashton shut up. We arrive at my place and hop off quickly.

The moment I opened the door, Houston and Teddy stood in front of me with their arms crossed, both wearing suits that make them look more intimidating like bodyguards.

Houston shoves a newspaper article at me and I catch it, barely. Ashton reads over my shoulder.

Enemies, Ashton Marshall and Taylor Ramirez at school parking lot. Ramirez is professing her love for Marshall when he gives her a motorcycle bike as a gift. How long will these two last? And how will their families hate for each other overcome all?

All's fair in love and business.

"Wow," Ashton whistles lowly. "I look goooood."

I scoff. "I look like a lovesick fool."

"You are if you think that motorcycle belongs to you."

I turn around with my arms crossed. "You're telling me, that my baby sitting outside isn't my baby?"

Ashton nods unapologetically. "I haven't used it in a while and when I saw your reaction this morning, I thought, why not?"

I push Ashton out the door, grabbing his keys in the process. "That motorcycle is mine." I slam the door in face.

I turn to Houston and Teddy. "Small trouble in paradise."

I fell asleep knowing I won two things today. The laser tag game, and my baby sitting out front.

And hopefully, Ashton's heart, my subconscious whispers.

I shake my head to rid of that ridiculous thought.