Daniel and Breckin seem to hit it off naturally, so i leave to go talk to Jack, Corbyn, and Jonah while Zach talks to Molly. Hopefully she's not telling him embarrassing stories about when we were younger.
"Jack, i literally love your hair so much." i twirl a few strands in my fingers.
"ah thanks, it's a fan favorite." we all laugh.
"i gotta ask, what's your favorite thing about living together?"
"i definitely have to say being able to have your friends with you at all times and waking up knowing they are always there for you."
"aww jonah that was really sweet."
"jonah is always very sentimental." corbyn rolls his eyes then let's out a laugh. i talk to the boys for a little longer before i join Zach by the photo booth.
"hey good lookin." i put my arms around his neck.
"oh hey cutie." he kissed my cheek. i start to think that Traci & Kerry are going to notice us together and that maybe i should introduce Zach to them. Zach notices that i'm thinking hard.
"everything okay?" he looks into my eyes.
"oh, yea, i was just thinking that maybe i should introduce you to Traci & Kerry?" he smiles.
"i'm ready when you're ready." i let out a sigh.
"hopefully this dumb feud doesn't make them hate you."
"yeah, hopefully." we walk over towards the two adults. as we approach they don't seem to notice us, as they appear to be in a heated conversation with breckin.
"mom, why can't you just be happy for her?" breckin seems to be stressed.
"breckin, he is a Herron. Don't you understand?" she lets out a long sigh.
"i haven't seen her this happy for a while, and i can tell he only means well. please mom, she's my bestfriend."
"you don't understand how much their family hurt your father!"
"just because his dad did something way back in high school doesn't mean Zach is an awful person!"
"i just don't think it's a good idea for her, she's only going to get hurt again." as soon as these words leave Traci's mouth she looks over and we make eye contact. "oh my gosh, ashley i didn't know you were right there." her eyes travel over towards Zach. "oh, hi Zach." tears begin to fill my eyes. "ashley, listen.."
i didn't let her finish i just took off running towards the beach. i ran into drew and almost knocked his drink out of his hand.
"ashley, are you okay?" i wipe my eyes and sniffle.
"i'm fine." i push passed him and keep running until i reach my favorite spot on the beach. i sit on the rock and tears come streaming out. i hear Zach running over towards me.
"ashley, is that you?"
"yea."
"hey, are you okay?" i sniffle.
"yea, i'm fine. i'm sorry i just ran off." he wipes my cheek with his thumb.
"no, don't be sorry." i lean close to his chest.
"i'm also sorry you had to hear that."
"it's okay, i'm used to it. my dad wasn't exactly the best person in high school." i shake my head.
"no, it's not okay. you're an amazing guy and you don't deserve any of this." tears begin to stream down my face once more.
"hey, beautiful, don't cry. it's okay." he lifts my chin gently up towards him so he can look into my eyes. "here, let's go back to the party and i will talk to Traci and Kerry and show them that i'm nothing like my father was."
"are you sure? they're a pretty tough crowd to please."
"i'm positive." he smiles.
that damn smile.
he grabs my hand and we walk back towards the house.
———————————————————————————
will Zach be able to change Traci & Kerry's opinions?
what's going to happen to Ashley's relationship with her family?
is the whole party ruined because of them?
find out in the next chapter!
