Meant to Be

Chapter Two

" If you don't think then you shouldn't talk " ~ Alice in Wonderland

She was wrong.

That wasn't the last conversation with Peter. The next meeting they had was a few days later when the theme park was closing and Raina was getting ready to head home. She slung her purse over her shoulder and grabbed her keys out of the bag. Adjusting her striped work-out tank, Raina was about to open the door to leave when a tallish male stepped out in front of her. It was the Pan guy in casual clothes. A black t-shirt, baggy jeans and sandals covered his body, and as much as she regretted thinking it, she had to admit, he was pretty hot... Shaking her head to clear the thoughts Raina was having, she turned to stare at the man that has been invading her dream world and depriving her of sleep for the last few days after embarrassing her in front of small children.

"Can I help you?" Raina drawled out, laziness seeping into her tone of voice. He grinned toothily and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Sorry about earlier. How about we start over, as ourselves. Hi, my name is Ashton, and you?"

"Raina..." She replied, unsure of how to react. They stood there for a few moments, Ashton rocking back and forth on his feet, and Raina looking down awkwardly at her shoes

"Right... Well, see ya tomorrow then!" His Australian accent came through a bit and he smiled brightly at Raina and did a small two-fingered salute. Then he walked away. Raina let out a sigh and slumped against the door behind her when he was completely out of view. Looking up at the ceiling she prayed that never again would she have to do that. Talk to 'Ashton' or whatever his name was. Her cheeks burned just thinking about the interaction. She was so stupid and awkward. Just thinking of it made Raina want to slap herself silly. Never again.

~**~

STARTING HERE IT SHALL BE RAINA'S POV

~**~

My little brother played football (the British kind) every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, so I tried to go to as many of them as I could, considering the state of our parents... Anyways, walking into the stands, I settled down to unlock my phone and wait for the game Wesley was playing today. A good few moments later, when it started to feel like an eternity since I had sat down, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Jolting up, I whipped my head around to see who was bothering me. It was him. Ashley, or whatever his name was.

I stared at the guy who was slowly popping up wherever I went. Work, the fields, I even saw him at the local burger place I took my brother to for dinner the other night! Probably sensing that I was waiting for him to speak, he cleared his throat and began talking.

"I'm starting to think you're stalking me or something," My blank stare turned deadly as I glared at him. The grin he was wearing seemed innocent, but lately I've been wondering if he was the devil incarnate come to drag me back with him for all the evil thoughts I've had throughout my life. He started rocking back and forth on his feet when noticing the icy glare I was sending his way.

"Of course I am. I love stalking unattractive guys who probably spend all their time playing video games in their mothers basement in my free time. Just the kind of person I am," His grin dropped at my obvious sarcastic tone.

"Uh... Sorry if I've offended you or anything..." He trailed off and reached his hand up to scratch the back of his head. I sighed.

"It's fine, Ashley," I muttered and turned around to watch as the game was about to start. He made a noise of surprise. Must've gotten his name wrong. Oops.

"Actually, my name is Ashton. It kinda hurts that you've forgotten about me so quickly, Raina," I looked at him through the corner of my eyes, watching as he stepped down the bleachers to sit down beside me.

"Wow. Good job. Maybe next time you can remember to be a decent person." I muttered and crossed my arms. Wesley was about to get the ball...

"Oh, so you're expecting to have a next time?" I could practically feel his... Annoyingness come off of him in waves. Not really paying attention to Ashton, I jumped up and screamed, "YES!" when Wesley had made a goal. Smiling widely as I sat back down, Ashton leaned over to whisper something in my ear.

"No need to be so enthusiastic, Darling," With his mouth right next to my face, I felt his hot breath hit my ear. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Scooting away from Ashton, I absentmindedly asked him,

"Sorry, what were you talking about? I couldn't hear you over the amount of cares I don't give." Slinging his arm around my shoulders, Ashton laughed loudly, bringing some attention to us. Blood rushed to my face and I shoved his arm away. So hard, he tumbled off the bench. I pressed a hand against my mouth to keep myself from giggling.

"Yeah yeah. Laugh it up," he muttered and sat right back down next to me. We were silent for the rest of the game with exceptions for when I was cheering on Wesley. But Ashton didn't make a sound for the rest of the game. When it was finished, I had started gathering my things to go get Wesley and head out, but an arm shot out to grab my own.

"Why not go out for lunch somewhere?" Ashton was standing up beside me. I stared at his face in surprise for a second before shoving his hand away.

"No thank you," Saying that politely I continued my way down with a little puppy dog trailing behind me.

"Raina!" Wesley yelled excitedly at him, waving an arm in my direction. I smiled and waved a hand back, and kept walking until we met in the middle. He gave me a one-armed hug, and started tugging me back towards where he just was.

"I have someone I want you to meet! He's a professional!" Yelling excitedly some more, we fast walked up to a man that had tan skin, dark hair, muscles, and extreme level of attractiveness over all. But not as attractive as the man standing behind you. A voice whispered in my head.

"Raina, this is Calum Hood! Mr. Hood, this is my older sister, Raina!" I smiled at him and we shook hands. Calum glanced behind me. His eyes widened, but his face took on a huge smile.

"Ashton! How are ya, mate?" They hugged and I stared in doom. Why? I silently begged. Why does he have to know him. And things were going so well for me too.

After the two men conversed for a while, Wesley turned to me and asked if we could go to lunch. I agreed and was about to walk off, but stopped when I realized Wesley wasn't beside me. I turned around and saw Wesley talking to Calum, completely ignoring Ashton. I grinned amusedly. I taught him so well.

"Please Mr. Hood? To say thank you?" Calum let out a joyous laugh. It kinda made my heart melt a little at how my brother became so attached, so quickly. So I stood there and waiting for their 'manly' conversation to finish. Then Wesley started walking with Calum Hood in tow. When they reached me, I stopped to ask,

"What about Mr. Ashton? Don't you want to invite him?" Just because he's my brother. Oh the things I put up with. Wesley turned to glare at him, and I had to stifle another giggle.

"Absolutely not. He doesn't like FIFA!" And with that, the two boys marched off to my car. I turned around to wiggle my fingers at Ashton. My hair swished around at my abrupt turn, and I headed out to eat.