Dancing, Love, and tutoring?

Chapter 7

My mind is still racing as I walk from history class to the dance studio. I could barely concentrate on my work because I was still trying to wrap my brain around Icy's words.

"....and it's clear he likes you back. More than likes. Loves even...."

My feelings for Asher are all over the place. Sure he is good looking and understands me, but he is the reason why I was forgetting my own future. Icy is clearly delusional if she thinks Asher loves me. She is probably still hyped up on Danny asking her to prom.

"That's what it is." I whisper to myself as I walk down the long, deserted hallway.

The dance studio is so isolated from the rest of the school. I use to pass Icy as she was leaving the studio, while I was going, but ballet ended before spring break so now it's just Ashton and I. As I get closer to the studio, I can hear soft music playing. I quicken my pace, the quiet music growing louder as I finally reach the studio door. I walk inside, my eyes widening at the beautiful sight around me.

The studio is only lit by the glow of a hundred candles placed around the room. The scent of roses envelops me as I look down to see tons of rose petals scattered all over the floor. I recognize the song playing in the background and realize it is "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. One of my favorite songs. A pair of rough hands covering my eyes startles me, making my heart almost jump through my chest.

"Guess who?" a familiar male voice whispers in my ear.

I smirk and whisper back “Hmmm...Ashton?"

Ashton quietly laughs as he removes his hands from my eyes. I laugh back and turn to face him, taking in his formal appearance. Ashton is sporting a black tux with matching black pants and a satin light pink tie. His hair is smoothed back, making his dazzling light blue eyes stand out. I never knew Ashton, who is use to looking rugged, could clean up so well.

Ashton gives me a little bow and holds out his hand for me to take. I give him a little curtsy, taking his hand and we walk to the center of the floor. Gently, he places his hands on my hips and I wrap my arms around his neck as we sway back and forth to the music.

Ashton clears his throat and says, "Lydia, I know we had some hard times in the past, but I realize now how horrible I was to you and would do anything for you to forgive me."

I stop swaying and look Ashton in the eye “You really mean that?"

Ashton gives me a weak smile and says “I really do. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, Lydia. I would do anything to make you mine."

I swallow the lump in my throat and say “I don't know what to say."

Ashton forcefully grips my shoulders, a pleading look in his eyes “Say you'll forgive me."

I sigh, debating in my mind on what to do “Fine, I forgive you, Ashton."

A huge smile grows on his face “This is great, thank you so much."

I smile back “Your welcome."

Ashton begins to hesitate a little as I try to pull away from his grip, like he wants to tell me something else.

“Something else you'd like to talk about, Ashton?" I ask.

Ashton loosens his grip and says “Well, I was wondering if you would like to go to prom with me. It's our last year and I thought maybe we could go together."

I am completely speechless. I've been waiting for him to ask me, but now that the moment has finally arrived, I'm not sure if I want to go through with it or not.

The boy standing in front of me doesn't even deserve my forgiveness. Junior year, Ashton and I were lab partners in Biology. By the end of the year, we became really close friends and were excited when we were assigned to be dance partners.

Eventually our friendship budded into a blossoming relationship. I didn't know a lot about Ashton other than the basics, so I did not expect that when we started dating he would change. As Ashton and I's relationship continued in the summer, he wanted to have sex with me. Countless times, I explained to him that I wasn't ready, but Ashton kept pushing the idea. One day while my parents weren't home, Ashton and I were kissing in my room when he started tugging at my clothes. I, of course, resisted and that's when he hit me in the face. Hard.

After that, Ashton became a controlling, abusive monster. He would randomly strike me and even threatened to kill a few occasions. Stupidly, I never told my parents or even Icy, so the abuse continued. Finally, this year after Christmas I told him it was over and strangely he accepted it. I begged the school to find me a new partner, but there were no seniors interested. So now, we never spoke of our past together and everything was fine, until I started tutoring Asher.

Unwillingly, I nod my head in agreement, thinking maybe that if I agree he won't try to hurt me again.

Ashton's whole face lights up like a football stadium and he pulls me into him, crushing his lips painfully against mine. Whatever feelings I had for Ashton before today have completely disappeared.

A wave of sadness and fear washes over me, but I put on a smile as our lips part.

“I swear to you, Lydia that nothing will tear you from me this time and I'll stop anything or anyone that does!" Ashton shouts happily, sounding like a psychopath.

He practically floats out of the room, leaving me to collapse to my knees, crying hysterically.

What on earth have I just agreed to?