The Choice || A.I

~ Chapter 1 ~

He was everything I needed in life...The only reason for my happiness...When I'm with him, I felt like I'm on top of the world. He taught me how to laugh my ass off...cry over pain and sorrow...but then smile through my tears. But most importantly, he taught me how to love with passion and desire. I felt stuff that I've never felt before by just looking through his eyes, that I can easily get lost in. I got the chance to see and explore the most beautiful things in life when I'm around him.

Ashton and I knew each other since year 10. He claims it was love from first sight...That once he saw me rushing through the classroom door on the first day of school, I swept him off his feet with my "captivating beauty" as he described it one time. He followed me everywhere...to every soccer match I attended, he was always there sitting 2 rows away...or at the library where he sat at the end of the room, terribly pretending he's reading a book...or when I'm waiting for the public bus to arrive...even at my after school knitting classes, he was there, not necessarily knitting but staring for sure. Surprisingly, he didn't creep me out. His stares weren't those of a pervert or a stalker. He looked at me tenderly with all the possible love any human can devote to another.

One day, he didn't appear at any of these usual places. Everything felt strange...like something was missing. His constant presence at a near distance made me feel safe somehow. However, the next day I saw him in History class and he looked absolutely beautiful as always. That day I overslept but luckily I arrived to class on time. I sat next to him cause it was the only seat available...it was the first time I ever got this close to him...My God he smelled great...I sensed him getting a bit uncomfortable once he took a glance at my side, coughing repeatedly and starting to fidget in his seat. I wanted to talk to him..to get to know him..I wanted to know the reason behind his interest in me...I was fighting back the urge to talk to him but then the words bluntly come out of my mouth.

"Hey, didn't see you at yesterday's soccer match? I asked him, leaning closer to his direction but still not too close. His entrancing hazel eyes caught mine, no words coming out of his mouth for a while until he suddenly speaks up. "Uhh I wasn't feeling well...Had to head back home" he spoke softly, flipping a pencil between his fingers. His voice was rich, smooth, and warm with the usual Aussie drawl...the tones sparking a shiver down my spine...It was the kind of voice that I would gladly and delightedly spend all day listening to.

"Feel better today?" I asked again still looking into his eyes, trying to keep the conversation going. "Yeah Thanks" he responded, flashing a little smile at your direction before looking down at his hands. I sat back into a normal position and flipped through my notebook papers.

"Why do you follow me everywhere?" leaning back at where he was sitting and directly attacking him with the question. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"What??!! I don't follow-"

"Oh so you're trying to tell me knitting is a hobby of yours!!!Also, you own a car but you still wait for the public bus with me everyday...What's your deal?" you cut him off with a slightly angry tone, waiting anxiously for his answer. The second he opened his mouth, the history teacher walked into the classroom, interrupting what could've been a confessions session. "Good morning class. Today we'll be discussing the...".

...........

I wasn't surprised at all when he didn't appear at that day's knitting class. I probably scared him off like I do with most people.

Later, I was waiting for the bus to arrive with today's events still on my mind, but I was determined to apologize the next time I see him around. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long.

"You know, I refuse to believe that you have any interest in the craft of knitting...I established that assumption based on the awful work you submit at the end of each class" he teased, leaning against the nearby light pole. I looked down at my hands resting on my lap and let out a little laugh. "Well it's better than not getting any work done!!!" I said, grinning at him, "But you're right. I'm only taking the class so that I'd spare myself from dealing with my sister, who is an absolute control freak".

"So you're basically running away from all the bullshit happening back home?" he asked taking a seat next to me.

"Exactly" I said, before letting out a huge sigh, "Listen...I'm sorry about what happened earlier in class...I shouldn't have attacked you like that".

"Nevermind... I'm the one who needs to apologize. I probably freaked you out with my behavior...but you're an intriguing girl, definitely worth staring at. You know everytime I'm this close to initiate a conversation with you, but I instantly back out", he said, "however minutes ago, I saw you sitting here and I've thought to myself how hard could it be? What's the worst thing that could happen? Therefore, I decided to man up and approach you before an idiot steals you away because life is too short and who knows if I'll ever get to appreciate your beauty for another day", he explained, "I don't know your name or anything about you but can I take you out on a date..right now?". I stared at him for a while, fascinated with how smooth those words came out of his mouth and how I was deeply enraptured with someone I barely knew. I simply nod, looking away as I start blushing.

We both left the bus stop and headed towards his car in the parking area, occasionally glancing at each other. "By the way, I'm Ashton" he said as he extended his hand.

"Lauren" I introduced myself with a smile, reaching out for his hand, sensing the warm touch on my skin.

From that day on, Ashton and I became inseparable. Every minute we spent together, made me fall in love with him more than before. I was quite surprised by the constant effect his words and actions had on me; sweaty palms, shaky hands, racing heartbeat and butterflies in my tummy. People in our lives, especially my older sister, thought that this relationship will eventually reach a dead end, having no future at all since Ashton and I had different personalities. But we proved them wrong all the way. We had our ups and downs, but he was there for me and I was there for him through it all. Our differences made our journey much interesting. It allowed us to discover new things in both of us every single day...The kind of things that helped in strengthening the bond between us instead of tearing us apart. I was so in love...wooed by his irresistible charm...enticed by his mesmerizing looks. Little did I know that the only person who was able to build me up all these years is the same one who broke me into pieces in a fraction of a moment...that the love that I thought would last forever, was just......an illusion.

Okay so this is just an intro to the story.It's horrible I know. I swear it will get better throughout the next chapters. I'll try to update as soon as possible..Please vote and let me know if you like it or not. Thnx for the support :-)