•That Wasn't The Plan• || Mikey Murphy Fanfiction

CHAPTER 16

A/N: Hey y'all! Welcome back to my shitty updating! Thank god for the holidays! I've needed sleep so bad lately, and eating sustainable food for once. How is everyone?? I hope your winter season is going well, it's not cold in California so I'm chilling haha, anyway enjoy xo

________________________________________________________________________________

The game ends in a victory, with everyone cheering loudly and celebrating. I laugh with a few casual friends as the football players jump around earnestly, elated to have beaten the rival school for once. Everyone starts to leave the stadium, and as I walk down the steps, I find my old tutor Julian talking with a few of his friends. 

I tap him on the shoulder, and his face lights up when he sees me. "Grace! Hey! How's it going?" I smile, "Good! Thanks so much for helping me in chemistry last year, it's been helping a lot in my AP class this year." He nods and turns back to his friends. "I'll catch you guys later okay?" They nod and wave, and he walks with me out of the stadium.

"So what about you Julian? How's senior year treating you?" He smiles and blushes a little. "I'm actually seeing someone..." I gasp and smile, poking his sides. "Who?? Do I know her?" He laughs slightly, "Him actually. His name is Garrett, he's in my math class." I smile even wider, he's so precious. "I'm happy for you! And you'll have to introduce us sometime, because if he makes you this giggly, then he's gotta be a keeper!" 

We laugh, and make our way towards my car. He says he's parked nearby, and I spot someone leaning on my car. A girl I think. "I've gotta go Julian, but it was great catching up with you! We should hang out more!" He nods and hugs me, "And we can bring our boyfriends for fun." I laugh and agree. He waves and heads to his car. I turn back to mine, kind of freaked out by the random girl that I don't seem to recognize.

"Um, hi?" I say cautiously. She turns, and I'm relieved, its one of Ash's friends, Riley. "Hey," she says, "Sorry if I freaked you out. I heard about what happened with those guys before the game and I wanted to check on you." I sigh, "Thanks. That means a lot. I was going to wait for Asher, we're gonna get food since he's probably starving..." She nods, "Mind if I come? Asher is probably bringing some of the boys along anyway, and I think another girl's presence could ease you a little after what happened earlier."

I agree and stand next to her, feeling the cold metal of my car against my back. "It's getting chilly, let's get in and turn the heat on full blast." She immediately agrees, "Girl preach, I'm too thin for this cold weather." I laugh and unlock the car, turning the seat warmers on high. "Great game huh?" I say awkwardly. We've never been super close, and I'm not really sure what she's like. Luckily, a tap on my window stops the conversation and I sigh in relief. It's Ash, and we both get out to greet him and the rest of the guys. I hug him tightly and give him a quick kiss. I turn and see Riley doing the same to another guy, presumably her boyfriend. I look back at Ash, who's giddy with the winning of the game.

"Congrats babe! I'm so proud of you guys." I say, and he hugs me tighter. "I'm happy that we won, but you're okay right? Still up for getting some food?" I nod and he sighs, happy that I'm in his arms. We hang on for a few more seconds, and then pull apart. I open my car door, "Ready?" He nods and gives me another kiss. "Yup."

We meet back at a 24 hour breakfast place, my choice, and perfect for the boys who are craving sweets and carbs. We all head to a big booth, 4 on each side. I take the inner seat and Asher slides in next to me. Riley and her guy are across, cuddling in a similar fashion as us. We order too much food for normal people, but it's cheap and the guys will definitely finish it. I sip my chocolate millk (perfect for my inner 5 year old) and lean against Ash. "I saw Julian after the game today, he's dating someone now." I say casually. Ash gets jealous easily, and always has. "Your tutor from last year?" He asks, and I nod. "That's cool." I nod again and sigh. 

I should tell him about Mike right? Shouldn't I be honest about my feelings or doubts? Maybe now isn't the time... But I should at least tell him about the phone call tomorrow.

"Hey." I poke him lightly, and he looks at me. "Yeah?" I take a breath, "I'm gonna call Mike tomorrow... We've been back and forth lately, and I just want to get on the same page. You know, make sure we have an understanding so that I can move on, with you." He's quiet for a second, and pulls away slightly. "Ash..." I say, but his face is unreadable. A few of the guys get up to go to the bathroom, and he quickly scoot out of the booth, away from me. "Asher, please. I'm trying to-" He looks at me, still emotionless, and my words suddenly stop. I feel the conversations at our table stop, and I decide that I need to get some air. "I'm gonna go outside for a second..." I say to Riley, because Ash is freaking me out. She looks concerned but nods, and I walk quickly out of the restaurant. 

I get outside and breathe in the cold air. I was annoyed about it before, but now the cold feels amazing. My body shudders but my mind begins to clear. Asher should be happy that I'm ending things with Mikey and finally making sure he's not a romantic interest in my life, and that I can fully focus on him. But he seemed upset? I'm trying to figure out why but nothing logical comes to mind. I shake my head, this is ridiculous. I should have never jumped into a relationship without settling the last one. God, I'm so dumb sometimes. 

But am I? Asher and I started out as a hookup, and I never thought it would go past that, and that's why we're both unstable. I thought we'd be through, and he thought we'd get married someday. Mike and I always thought it was better to face those questions head on. Sure, we disagreed about things, but at least we knew where we stood. I don't want kids but he does, I'm a cat person and he prefers dogs, but we were always willing to hear each other out.

Part of me wants Asher to run out here and say a big romantic speech about how much he loves and cares about me, no matter what.

But part of me wants to follow my heart and go back to the happiest time of my life, the time where Mike was my world, and where I was his. 

I don't know what to do.

________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: I DID IT WOO almost there, almost there!!! We're getting towards the end everyone, get hyped!! Love you guys a lot! Happy almost New Year!