Beauty behind the magic

chapter 19 "that voice again"

TORI'S POV:

it had been a week . a whole week without ashton . i seemed desperate to look into his eyes these days. but i couldn't show any of that . i sighed for what seemed like the billionth time this week and slammed my locker shut , the sound resounding down the hallway . i began walking towards my english class,my heels clicking on the tiles, when a felt an arm sling around my shoulders . "hey victoria" i heard logan say . 

Logan and i had gotten closer since my episode with ashton . it wasn't intentional , but being a friend , Logan had sought to comfort me . and i wasn't the type to reject that . "hey lo-lo" i sang , a wobbly smile placing itself onto my face . i called him that even though he always stuck to calling me by my whole name . i couldn't bear to hear any other guy call me tori in an endearing way . it hurt too much already . 

"thought you could use some company , you know , for protection " he said winking . i snorted at that . "do you see my heels?" i asked incredulously "these babies could seriously wound someone , aside from complimenting a person's legs " i said , poking his shoulder with a long manicured finger . he laughed , a light airy laugh ,. 

but it wasn't like ashton's . there was that voice again . and it never seemed to shut up

i shook my head getting my maudlin thoughts out of my head ,when i realized he was saying something to me ."i'm sorry , what?" i said , reddening a little . "i said..they compliment your legs for sure " he said , raising a brow in the direction of my ripped skinny jeans. i shrugged and pushed his shoulder,my cheeks colouring at the straightforward compliment .it felt good to feel something again.even if i was being desperate for cheap thrills . we walked towards our class,pushing our way through people. he was going on about the latest episode of a TV show last nights and i was telling him about how much i hated the plot . 

"-i mean its ridiculous that she dies , don't you -" i was cut off as someone pushed past me a little too hard , tripping me in the process . i lost my balance in an instant and fell . i squeezed my eyes shut waiting for the impact of the cold floor when i felt a warm body against me . i opened an eye to find myself in logan's arms his hand an iron band against me . i was so close i stopped breathing. , i noticed the tiny details in his face . his eyelashes , and a tiny freckle at the corner of his mouth. 

it was only then i realized that he was asking me if i was okay , his eyes roaming over my face for any signs that i was hurt  and his brows creasing together .like a bucket of water was dumped over me , the moment was over. i quickly nodded , pushing myself off of him . he still hadn't let go . he kept a strong grip on my waist with his hands , as if he was afraid i would fall over if he let go .i shook my head in an attempt to clear it , and turned . 

only to find ashton staring at the two of us from across the hall. 

with the stormiest expression i have ever seen , marking his face . 

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"ms. callaway , it would be a good idea to pay attention " mr.robinson said from the front of the class ,shooting a highly displeased and offended look my way . i looked up and looked back down at my book , which was empty . my hands were slightly shaking and i kept replaying the look on ashton's face . 

which wasn't a good idea . at all . 

the bell rang , eliciting a sigh of relief from me , as i dumped my books in my bag and slung it over my shoulders . i tossed my har over my shoulder before walking out . i strode down the hallway before hearing someone call out my name . i turned around to find logan chasing after me . 

"hey " he said when he reached me , slightly breathless . "hi " i said . he poked me shoulder " you okay?" he asked . i mutely nodded " i think i just need to go home " i said , trying my absolute best to put a reassuring edge to my voice . "ok , i'll walk you " he said "i think she can get home herself " a voice beside us said . i looked in it's direction to find ashton' green eyes staring back at me . "ashton " the name slipped out before i could stop it . 

"back off man " i heard logan sneer beside me , a scowl replacing the warm friendly smile . i felt a little shocked at his mood change .wasn't he just sweet a second ago? "you can leave now " ashton said , his voice cold , as he pointed to the doors . 

"why , are you afraid i'm going to snatch up your leftovers again?" logan sneered . i whipped my head in his direction , a look of absolute bafflement no doubt etched onto my face . "excuse m-" i didn't have time to finish as ashton tackled him . they wrestled for a good long minute before my instincts kicked in and i dragged ashton away from him. 

"what the hell do y-" i was cut off for the billionth time that day as ashton grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside the doors. when we finally stopped , i wrenched my wrist from his grip . 

"what are you doing ?!" i yelled . "why are you with him " he yelled back . "i asked you first " i ground out , crossing my arms petulantly."just cause we can't be together doesn't mean you should get it on with the first guy you see" he yelled . "atleast pick a good one " he bit out . i gasped . 

the next sound was a resounding crack as my palm met with his face . for the second time since we met . 

A/N: HEY GUYS !! my uploading game is weak , but i will be saying more on that later . 

new character !!! or rather old character , if you guys remember . what do you think of logan ? do you think he's changed ?? what about ashton's reaction ???

ah , so many questions ..

stay tuned readers ,

-sneha