The Gangleader and Me |✔|

019

Chapter Nineteen

The Bad Boys!

Ashley POV

As I stood by the notice board, my attention was drawn away by a tap on my shoulder.

I turned to find a familiar boy with messy brown hair styled in a side part. His dark brown eyes shifted between me and the board.

"Ashley Sky, right?" He ventured, his brow furrowing slightly as if unsure.

"Why do you want to know?" I shot back, my eyes darting around the hallway with a hint of paranoia.

He let out a light chuckle. "Don’t you remember me?"

I shook my head. He touched his ear, clearing his throat before introducing himself. "I’m Chad."

I studied him for a moment, noting a chinese character tattooed on the side of his neck below his ear and it took me a moment to recall where I knew him from.

"We went to the same high school." He continued and I interrupted him with a slight smile.

"I remember...but I didn't think you'd remember me." I admitted, nervously running a hand through my hair as I faced him.

"Of course I do." He replied, his gaze lingering on me. I chuckled softly, my eyes momentarily shifting away.

"We never really talked back then." I noted, shrugging as the memory of my high school crush resurfaced.

"Different social circles, I guess." He mused, making me chuckle as I remembered I had been in a long-term relationship while he was with a cheerleader.

Chad looked down, a sigh escaping him. "Well, it’s good to connect now, at least."

I nodded, smiling a bit and he added with a playful touch to my cheek, "And you’re still just as pretty."

I playfully rolled my eyes, folding my arms. "So, what brings you to this town?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"My parents got divorced not too long ago." He began, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "I decided to stick with my ol' man. We moved here after graduation and I’ve been working at his construction company near the city while doing online classes."

I gave him a nod to keep going and he sighed before continuing. "I’ve been here for a while, just never really came to campus."

"But now my dad’s pushing me to actually finish my degree, so here I am, attending face-to-face classes and all." He shrugged, briefly glancing at the notice board.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to process everything while noticing how much had changed since high school.

"Well, at least it sounds like you've been holding it together." I smiled, offering a nod of understanding and he nodded, exhaling a deep breath.

"Since we're both here, I'd like to get to know you better." Chad suggested with a slight smile, his eyes locking onto mine.

I could only nod in response, feeling the tension rise between us as his smile widened. His gaze shifted down the hallway.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He asked suddenly, gesturing down the hall with a nod.

Curious, I turned to see what caught his attention and spotted Tyson casually leaning against a locker, arms crossed, staring right at us.

His gaze had a hint of a glare, but he waved his fingers at us in a mock-friendly way.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to Chad. "Nope." I answered simply, taking his hand and pulling him away from the notice board, steering the conversation away from Tyson's presence.