Loving Ash [a.i.] {Original Version}

Chapter Ten: Plus, he's a really great kisser

Song for this chapter:
Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer
Just because I love the video :) the movie 'She's all That' is super good, go watch it :D

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Chapter Ten: Plus, he's a really great kisser
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{Ashley}

I was not prepared for this. No, not at all. Michael was going to kill me. I glanced over at the boy who had spoken, gnawing on my bottom lip. I could see the wheels turning in Mike's head. This was not good.

"You?" Michael stared at his best friend, shock and hurt plastered across his face. "You were supposed to watch out for her! Not make out with her!"

I watched in silence, too shocked to say anything. He had confessed? Why would he confess something like that.

The five boys I still hadn't been introduced to shifted uncomfortably. Yeah, the tension in this room was ticker than molasses. I sat down, my legs felt too weak. I almost fell. What was happening?

"It was years ago," he answered Michael with an apologetic look. I could tell he felt bad about not telling his best friend, but we had promised to keep it a secret. "We were ten, Michael."

I looked to Calum, trying to catch his eye, but he wouldn't look at me. I hadn't lied to him, but I hadn't told him who it was. I had let him assume.

"Mikey," my voice was soft, broken. I felt his pain. Don't ask me how, it's an empathy thing. I had always been able to feel people's pain, and with Michael being my twin it was always stronger. I could feel more from him. His pain, his anger, his sadness.

He turned to look at me, my weakness showing through my tough exterior. He saw it, my depression and pain. My sadness and heartache. And even though he was mad at me, he was still my brother.

"Ash?" His voice had softened, his anger subsiding into worry. He hurried to my side, needing to make sure I was okay. "Ashley? Are you okay?"

"Michael, it's not his fault." I whispered, ignoring everyone else in the room. "I asked him not to tell anyone."

"Why wouldn't you tell me, Ashy?" I could see the hurt in his eyes as his voice broke on my name.

I know it seemed like we were making a big deal out of the whole thing. It was my first kiss, for goodness sake. But it really was a big deal to Michael. Ever since our dad left us, Michael had been there to protect me. To keep me out of trouble. He didn't want me hurt, and he was convinced that any boy I dated would do just that.

"I didn't want you to worry about it, Mike." I mumbled, trying to blink back tears. We've been through so much, it hurt when we fought. "It was almost eight years ago, we were playing at the treehouse and I fell."

I smiled lightly recalling the memory. It was one of my favorites, though I would never admit that to anyone else.

"I remember that." Michael and Calum said at the same time. Ashton and Luke stayed silent, while the five sat in silent confusion.

"You went to get mum, and had Luke stay with me." I blushed as I remembered my first kiss. It had been sloppy, but it was with one of my best friends. He was so cute. His blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears as he sat next to me holding my hand. He had started whispering silly things to me, trying to make me smile, and occasionally succeeding.

I broke my leg that year, having to stay inside most of the summer. It was taking a long time for Michael and Calum to get back with mum and I had started crying again. Luke was trying really hard to be strong for me, his ten year old self just as sweet as his seventeen year old self. I remember I had closed my eyes as the pain in my leg intensified and then I felt his soft lips on mine. It was short, not lasting more than five seconds. But I remember feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.