Choosing Mr. Destiny - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Ashley's POV
The week went by in a blur and today is finally Friday, four days after that creepy incident with the unknown number. And since then, nothing has ever bothered me again, which is a good thing. I wouldn't want any creepy person randomly sending me text saying I'm their destiny. That would be plain traumatic and terrifying.
But anyways, today is another day at school, normal, uneventful day as usual. Also, these past few days, I noticed Jeremy being... you know, Jeremy. Like expected, he never approached me again after that little interaction I had with him on Monday. So by the looks of it, I'm guessing that's the first time and also the last time I'm able to talk to him, in which I was honestly sad. I mean, It was definitely a dream come true that he finally noticed me. But then again, I bet I was the only one feeling excited that time. I knew Besty was happy for me, but what about Jeremy? Was he happy to talk to me or was everything that happened considered just a casual interaction for him? Was I being a fool about all this? Is this even worth all my time though?
Maybe it's time that I look after myself more than I should towards others. I've been obsessing towards someone who barely even know my existence, and yet, for these past years I've focused my time on him, I wasn't even bothered by it. I was stupidly glued to him even though I knew it was unhealthy.
So maybe it's time I focus on myself more than anyone else. Maybe it's time I have to convince myself to build a bridge and get over him.
It was just a stupid crush anyway, and I bet he's not even that worth it.
That was a lie. Jeremy isn't just a crush. This may sound stupid and utterly naive but I did fall for him. I don't know how, but I did. There's just something about Jeremy that draws me towards him. Even though I keep reminding myself it's not worth it, I still turn to him no matter what. And I guess now that I finally realize it, that was my biggest mistake.
For the past years I've been in this school, I've spent most of my time, especially during lunch on basically staring at him from afar. I never had the courage to approach him and tell him what I feel because he's one of the popular guys while I'm a nobody. Besides, even though without him saying it out loud, I knew he's not really fond of homosexuals. He tolerates them because he knows it's the right thing to do but he's never associated himself with one. Well I guess he did now since he talked to me. But yeah, there are some major things that stopped me from telling him what I feel. One of it is him being straight.
As I look back to the past when I was still constantly obsessing over him, now I wanna slap myself so hard with a pan.
I blame the hormones.
Right now, the current subject is English and I'm casually going in and out of my reverie. Most of the time, Besty would nudge me on my shoulder to snap me out of my thoughts so I won't get in trouble for not listening. But can you blame me? I was having a mini battle with myself about my long time crush on our soccer team's star player. For the most part of my high school life, he was my ultimate crush, and always will be. But I guess for the better, I should focus more on myself than on someone else that doesn't even give a damn about me.
But like I said, it's going to be a hard process. Jeremy isn't just my crush since I was in freshmen to my senior year, I can say he's the first love I never had.
So with that said, it's gonna take time till I fully moved on. But I'll get there eventually.
"Are you in dreamland again?" Besty chirped in, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I turned to look at her in confusion. "What?"
She sighed. "You zoned out for like almost the whole subject Ash." She pointed out.
"Oh." Was all I'm able to say.
Besty eyed me curiously. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked while placing a hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.
I smiled.
"I'm fine Besty.." I told her as I swipe her hand away from my forehead.
"Then why are you so distracted lately? You're never like that?" She said as she put her pen inside her bag.
I shrugged casually. "Just thinking I guess."
She turned to me.
"You guess?" She said with a raised brow. "You can't lie to me Ashley Dale Valdez. I know there's something going on in that little head of yours. Now tell me before I forced you to."
I looked at her with a pout.
"Why is it necessary for me to tell you everything?" I whined.
She chuckled as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Because hon, I am your other mother who happens to be the same age as you."
I blinked while I cringed.
"Well that's scary."
He placed a hand of her hair behind her ear before looking at me in the eyes.
"Get used to it." She stated, chuckling to herself. "But anyways, get your butt up and let's head to the cafeteria, I'm hungry."
And this time, it was my turn to chuckle as I shook my head.
"You're always hungry and that's also one of the reason why we're best friends."
She laughed.
"One hundred percent true." She agreed as she slung her bag on her shoulders and quickly fixing the strap.
After I placed all of my books inside my back pack, I also slung it on my shoulder and headed out of the room with Besty next to me.
"The three monkeys are going to meet us in the cafeteria. I just hope they already found a spot for us, cause if not, I will spank each of them using my flip flop." She threatened making me turn to her with a puzzled look.
"But you don't have a flip flop with you." I stated as I turned to look at her feet. "And you're not wearing flip flops either."
She laughed evilly. "Oh honey, I always come prepared." She admitted as she wiggled her back pack.
My eyes went wide slightly. "Are you serious?"
Besty was already scary with only herself, but with her coupled with flip flops then that's a whole different story.
Makes me pray that hopefully the other three monkeys already found us a spot.
"Just in case, you know. They always come in handy when I'm in need of spanking someone." She said casually like she was just talking about the weather.
I chuckled nervously. "You're not going to use that on us, are you?" I asked as I held on to the strap of my backpack.
She turned to me with a sweet smile.
"No promises, my child." She said in which had me wincing internally.
"And are you seriously embracing the role of being the mom in the group?" I questioned.
She smiled proudly in which had me bursting into laughter.
"Yes." She answered. "Yes I am indeed the mom in the group."
I laughed as I nodded.
"Okay. What ever you say Mom." I teased as I start to calm down. "But I have a question. Who's the dad?"
She shook her head with a shrug. "I adopted the four of you, so you don't need a dad."
"But I want a daddy." I stated making Besty to look at me funny. I paused and pondered what I just said. "Wait. That didn't sound right."
"Of course it didn't. It sounded like you're looking for a sugar daddy." She laughed and I cringed. That isn't even close as to what I meant when I said daddy, I swear.
"But what I mean is that, it would be much better with a dad in the group since your the mom." I corrected and Besty nodded.
"I don't need a man, I am perfectly happy raising the four of you alone." She said.
I laughed. "You actually sounded like you're the one who feeds us and not our biological parents."
"Because I am. I feed the four of you with undying motherly love." She said with both her hands on her chest.
"That was really sappy."
"Just humor me. This is what happens when food isn't present in my body, Besty."
"Yeah. I've seen worse actually." I admitted as I looked ahead of us.
She chuckled. "I know, that's why I told you to humor me if ya don't wanna get spanked. Again." She threatened.
I rolled my eyes.
"But I still want a dad though." I chimed in.
"Then find me a freaking man then." She said as she picked her phone from her pocket and started scanning through it. "That is if you can find me one." He added.
I smiled wickedly then proceeded on searching for her crush.
Let's just hope he's somewhere in the hallway.
And bingo.
Not long after, I saw George. Besty's crush who happens to be an SSG member and one of the star players of the Men's Volleyball team.
Revenge time. I thought with a wicked smile on my face.
I ran up to George who was busy looking for something in his locker.
"Hey George." I greeted lively.
He stopped on what he was doing and turned his gaze to me.
"Oh hey Ash. What's up?" He asked while closing his locker.
"Oh, nothing much. By the way my best friend here wanna ask you something." I told him then turned to Besty whose still busy on her phone. Oblivious about the fact I'm talking to her crush.
I stifled a laugh.
"Hey Besty! Come over here." I called snapping her head towards me in confusion.
Then a look of shock graced her feature after seeing George standing next to me.
"W-What?" She stuttered as she slowly walked towards us.
I smiled cheekily. "You said you have something to ask George, right? Well now is your time to ask him." I said. "And make it quick, he's a busy guy." I added as I turned to George with a sweet smile.
He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'm not in a hurry." He said as he turned his gaze to my best friend.
"What is it that you're going to ask me?" He asked Besty who visibly paled.
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
She looked at me with a horrified expression on her face before turning to George who was waiting there patiently.
She opened her mouth to answer but unfortunately, there's nothing came out. So I stepped in and gave her a little help.
"She was trying to ask you if you wanna be the dad of our little group." I said turning George's attention towards me. "Besty here will be the Mom. And me, along with Lea, Joseph, and Breinard, we will be your kids." I told him with a nice smile.
George's brows raised instantly after I finished what I said. "Uh."
"It's just for fun though, nothing serious. That is if you....." I was cut off when Besty covered my mouth with her hand.
"Okay I guess that's enough, Ash." Besty interrupted me.
George let out a deep chuckle.
"Uh I guess yeah?" He said. "It's no harm done anyway. And it sounds like fun, so yeah I'm in." He added making me turn to Besty as I wiggled my eyebrows.
Besty pulled her hand away from my mouth and stood there next to me with a bight blush.
"See mom? We have a dad now." I exclaimed happily while clapping my hands.
Besty glared at me in which I was sure I will get myself spanked later, but oh well.
"I will get you back for this." Besty said lowly with gritting her teeth.
We were both interrupted when George let out another fit of chuckles. "Now don't go threatening our kids, babe." He said, playing along.
I placed a hand on my mouth as I once again tried to stifle my laughter.
"She threatening to spank the four of us earlier dad." I told on her making Besty turn to me with wide eyes.
"Did you really babe?" George asked.
"I-I uhm, of c-course I d-didn't." Besty stuttered out her denial.
"She did." I admitted with a pout which in return had George shaking his head at Besty.
He walked next to her and placed his muscle packed arms on her shoulder.
"That's not good parenting, babe." He paused before he looked down at my best friend who was beat red from embarrassment. "Maybe I have to teach you." He added and I mentally laughed and fist pumped.
"Do you want to join us for lunch dad?" I asked still playing along and for some reason, George's smile widened.
"I would love to my little son." He replied then turned to Besty. "Let's go babe, Our kids are hungry." He said as he grabbed Besty's hand into his, and led us towards the cafeteria.
All the way there, Besty's face was nothing but tomato red.
And let me tell you, it was entertaining as heck.
At the middle of lunch, George had to leave because he said he had volleyball practice to attend. But of course, before he left, we asked him to give Besty a kiss on her forehead. And guess what? he actually did and left a little bonus. He left a gentle kiss on Besty's cheeks which had her a blushing mess once again. It didn't even leave her face since lunch started.
After that, George said bye to the five of us including Besty. He said he's gonna meet us later if practice ended early. He even invited Besty to watch him play during the match next week. And of course, we said she can.
We all gave him a wave and told him to take care. Besty was quiet all the time as he watched George's form walking away.
And when he was finally gone, that's when hell broke loose.
She turned to the four of us with deadly eyes that resembled Valak from the movie The Nun.
"Are we in trouble?" Lea asked and Besty glared at her making Lea shrink into her seat.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes." Breinard chimed in causing for Besty's face and glare to transfer towards him. "I'll shut up. I promise." He added making a zipping motion on his mouth.
Then Besty turned to look at me with the scariest death glare possible to human kind.
"I know you love us mom. You're not gonna hurt us." I told her with a sweet, pleading smile.
She then smirked and picked her back pack from the floor. Then, she unzipped her bag and turned to the four of us.
"Oh I won't hurt each of you, I promise." She stated very calmly making us send a silent prayer to God, asking to spare our lives.
Then, slowly, she retrieved a flip flop from her bag, and instantly, all four of us paled.
"Why the freaking chancla?" Lea whispered.
"Now. Who's first?" Besty asked which had the three Monkeys simultaneously pointing towards me.
I turned to them in horror.
"M-Me?" I asked pointing to myself.
They nodded their heads in chorus.
I turned to Besty and saw her watching me with death in her eyes.
"Holy father of god, Jesus Christ please spare my life." I prayed in a whisper as Besty showed the wooden flip flop.
Suddenly, my phone started ringing inside my jean pocket which caused me to jump out of my skin.
"Uhm, someone's calling." I told Besty.
She gave me a blank look. "No sh*t." She deadpanned.
Crap. She really is pissed.
I slowly fetched my phone and looked who was calling. But after I saw the caller ID, I frowned. I felt even more scared at the unknown number on the screen than the flip flop that was about to give me a little spanking. I turned to Besty with a weary look on my face.
I didn't utter a word. I just turned the phone to her to show her what was on the screen.
Besty turned her eyes to the phone and frowned.
"Didn't you block the number already?" She asked as she turned to me.
I nodded.
"I did. But this is a different number." I replied and showed the other three the caller ID. "Should I answer it?"
Besty stared at the ringing phone before taking it from my hand and pressed the green button, answering the call.
"B: Hello?" She asked as she placed the phone on the table and put the call on speaker so the five of us can hear.
"U: Is this Ashley Dale?" A deep voice rang from the other side and I instantly froze.
If a person with such deep voice was texting me then this person is definitely in their 20's or early 30's.
I looked at Besty with a scared look on my face. Lea scooted over towards me and wrapped her arms on me to give me comfort.
"B: This is his best friend. Who is this?" She asked.
"U: This is the same person who texted him on Monday if he can remember." The person on the line replied and I visibly paled.
Just like what I expected, it was the same person.
With that thought in mind, my breathing became erratic as scary thoughts flooded my head.
Lea began rubbing my back to help calm me down.
"Hey." Joseph called, making me turn to him. "You'll be fine. We're here." He said in which I nodded my head.
"Calm down Ash." Lea whispered as she continued to rub my back soothingly.
"B: What do you want from him?" Besty asked sounding angry.
The other three turned to the shared conversation between Besty and the mystery guy, while I tried to block them all out.
My mind was all over the place. All my thoughts was consisted of scary things. Manly about what this mystery guy could be.
"U: I just want him to meet me. I figured, I scared him for sending those text before, and I want to clear things out that I mean no harm to him. I was drunk and wasn't in the right state of mind when I sent him those messages." The deep voiced person explained and I fought the urge to whimper.
Besty chuckled humorlessly.
"B: And why would we let him meet someone who can be a f*cking killer? Do you really think we're dumb to do that? F*ck no. Leave my best friend alone." She replied clearly fuming.
"U: Please I just want to apologize to him for what I did. I don't care if you and his three other friends go with him."
Besty frowned.
"B: How did you know about my other friends?" She asked now really fuming with pure anger. "B: Listen, if you've been stalking my best friend, I will kill you myself for scaring the f*ck out of him. Remember that."
"U: I know you and your friends are angry at me and I understand. I wasn't thinking about my actions and now I had to face the consequences. But please, I just want to meet him and show him who I really am. I was being dumb enough when I didn't grab the chance of introducing myself before, and it's even dumber when I sent him those messages. And now I want to make things right. I wanna make it up to him and start over."
Besty looked at me and then back down to the phone on the table. But before she can reply back, I beat her to it.
"Me: When?" I spoke, making all four of them to look at me like I've gone crazy.
I just want this thing over and done with. If he wants to meet then fine. But that doesn't mean I will just go to where the meeting place unprepared.
"What are you doing Ash." Besty questioned in a hushed voice.
"You're going to be there, right? All of you?" I asked looking each of them in the eyes.
"U: Ash, is that you?" The creepy voice rang on the other side again.
I turned my gaze to the phone.
"Me: Y-Yes, it's m-me."
I stuttered out a reply.
"U: Please. I just wanted to apologize and formally introduce myself to you the right way. If you only give me the chance, I will make things right." The person said as he begged.
I sighed.
"Me: When? What place and time? Name it and I'll meet you there." I replied.
"I hope you know what you're doing Ash." Lea consoled next to me and I only gave her a small smile in response.
"U: It's all up to you Ash."
After hearing his reply, I pondered on the places that is safe enough for us to meet.
Then an idea struck my mind.
"Me: People's Park. Tomorrow, Saturday at 1 pm in the afternoon." I replied firmly.
"U: Then the Park it is."
And without warning, I hang up the call and took my phone from the table and placed it back inside my jean pocket.
"Are you sure about this Ash. You do realize how risky and dangerous this is, right?" Breinard asked as he looked at me worriedly.
"If I want to get this thing over with, then I have to go meet him." I replied in determination.
"But what if he's not the safest person to meet up, Ash? What if he tries to harm you?" Lea chimed in voicing her worries out as well.
"You guys will be there for me, right?" I asked and looked at them in the eye, one by one.
"Of course. This is too dangerous for you to face alone, so we'll be there." Joseph stated making Lea and Breinard to nod in agreement.
I turned to Besty whose eyes are showing nothing but anger.
"I'm not happy of this decision of yours Ash. But what's done is done. And I can't risk you getting hurt so I will be there with you." She said. "I will also ask my dad to stay on stand by just in case things get a little ugly.
I nodded. "Thank you. All of you." I paused and let out a sigh. "Let's just hope everything goes smoothly."
They all nodded as well. "We hope so too." Besty replied.
Today is Saturday. The day I'll finally know who's the person behind the unknown number that had me sleepless and restless.
Today is the day I'll get to meet the person who managed to shake my very core out of fear.
This may sound stupid but I didn't tell my parents about this matter. I preferred not telling them any time soon, knowing fully well that they will take this to the authorities. So taking matters into my own hands, I decided to face him with Besty right next to me, and my friends staying on close stand-by just in case he does something that can cause damage to either me or best friend.
Right now, It's almost thirty minutes passed twelve in the afternoon. We just finished lunch and now I'm currently in the living room waiting for Besty's arrival.
Sighing, I stood to my feet and started making my way towards the kitchen, where I assumed Papa is.
As expected, I saw Papa in the kitchen cleaning the counter top. I walked towards him and made my presence known by clearing my throat.
He casually stopped what he was doing and turned to me with a small smile on his aging face.
"Yes?" He asked.
I looked down as I started fiddling with my fingers.
"Uhm, Is it okay if Ashley Rose and I go to the park today papa?" I asked as nicely as I possibly can.
"Of course, just don't come home late." Papa said continuing his cleaning.
I nodded.
"We won't be stay long in the Park. Maybe we'll be back after an hour or two" I said honestly.
"Oh okay, I would expect you to be home at 3 then, or even earlier if you can?" Papa asked again while still cleaning the counter top. I nodded once again.
"Yeah, I'll be here by 3, I promise." I said with a smile. Papa nodded then gave me a smile in return also.
"Good. Now is there anything else you need?" He asked.
I smiled shyly and nodded once again.
"Uhm yeah, can I have some money Papa?" I said shyly while papa responded with a gentle smile.
I'm always shy when it comes to asking money. Specially if it's from Papa. I feel like I should start earning my own money so I won't be that dependent on Papa. Even if the money is meant to be used for my projects, I still hesitate to ask him. Usually when I needed some money for educational purposes, it's either my brothers who gives me. Or if I have no other choice, I usually ask Alicia to ask Papa for me.
I feel like I'm a burden to Papa sometimes though, but Papa told me that I am never a burden to him. And that, he is willing to help me as best as he can, as well as my siblings.
After that. Papa reached on his back pocket to get his wallet and gave me a 500 Philippine peso bill (it's ten U.S dollars if converted). After Papa gave me money, I went to the Living room to wait for Besty.
She arrived after 10 minutes and came barging in the house like it was her own. Then after that, I told Papa that I'm heading out and he gave me a 'Be careful' as his only reply. We went out of the door and locked it after I closed it behind me. Then we started our 10 minute walk to the Park. Even though Besty brought her car with her, she decided to walk instead so she could spend some time under the sun.
And it was a Big mistake.
It was exactly 1 pm in the afternoon when we reached the Park and it was so freaking hot after we get there. We decided to look for a shade to stay to save ourselves from heat stroke and sun burn.
When we were settled under a big tree, I quickly dialed the unknown person's phone number.
"I'm just gonna put 911 on my dial pad just in case." Besty said next to me and I nodded my reply.
After a few seconds, the mystery person answered the call.
"Me: We're here." I stated calmly even with my nerves running all over the place.
"U: Alright, I'm here sitting on a bench near the kid's play ground. I'm wearing a white v-neck shirt with a skull printed on the back." The person replied describing his outfit for us to easily track his location.
"Me: Okay. We'll search around." I responded back and started walking inside the park and headed towards where the kid's play ground is located.
"U: Alright, I'll wait here."
I pulled the phone away from me and covered the microphone to talk to Besty.
"He said he's sitting on a bench near the Kid's play ground. He's wearing a white v-neck shirt with a skull imprinted on the back." I relayed the message to Besty and she went ahead and started searching.
A few minutes later, the play ground was finally on sight.
"Me: We can see the play ground already. Meet you there in a sec." I told him over the phone.
"U: Sounds good to me."
"Look over there." Besty said while pointing on her left. I turned to look at where Besty is pointing. After a short minutes of looking, besty found the shirt that the person said he is wearing.
After a quick inspection of his body type, I frowned. He doesn't look like he's in his mid-20's or 30's at all. Or maybe I'm just mistaken his body type for someone that's a lot younger. Though in all honesty, his body looked familiar to me which is beyond weird. He's muscular, but not to much muscle that it looks scary and incredibly intimidating. Just normal build, I would say. But I still can't figure who he is even with him seemingly familiar to me. And with his back facing us, it was hard to really say if it was really him.
Besty and I looked at each other. I gave her a weary smile before she nodded her head.
With me walking ahead, Besty followed close behind. And once we were only a few inches away from the mysterious guy, I placed my phone close to my ear and spoke.
"Me: My best friend and I are standing right behind you."
The guy visibly tensed and said a reply to the phone. For some odd reason, his actual voice doesn't sound as deep as the one that is coming out of the phone's speaker.
Which had me thinking. Is he using a voice changer to conceal his identity even more?
I turned my gaze to Besty. "He's using a voice changer to trick us."
And I swear I heard Besty let out an inhuman growl.
"The bastard. I swear to god, if I get my hands on him, I will end his life once and for all."
At that moment, Ashley Rose was clearly showing other side of her other than the one I was grown used to. The Ashley Rose that was goofy and playful. This is definitely another side of her that tells you, if you messed with her, you'll surely regret it.
And right at that point, fear completely enveloped my body. Part of it is because I don't know what she's capable of doing.
"Don't worry Besty, I got your back." She whispered reassuringly.
I looked at her and I gave her a smile then I turned back to the guy.
I just hope this guy wasn't anyone of those scary people that I was expecting.
"Stop being a coward and show yourself." Besty shouted towards the guy.
The guy sighed.
"Promise me you won't hate me after this Ash." The guy spoke which had me frozen on my spot.
That voice. It sounded so familiar yet I don't know who it belongs to.
As the guy slowly turned on his seat, my nerves also went haywire.
And as his face slowly turned towards us, he was showing bits and pieces of his true Identity.
With my heart racing inside my rib cage, I stood my ground as I waited for him to fully show us his face. And when he finally did, I was also left in shock and disbelief.
As the Guy remained seated on his spot, he tried sending us his shy smile, which I guess made Besty snap out of her shocked state.
Ashley Rose's POV
I didn't know what to feel anymore at that exact moment. All the emotions are all mixed up and I don't know which one to believe.
But despite of all those emotions, the one that was so prominent is the anger. Especially after I saw the face of the person who scared the living day lights out of my best friend.
The guy who caused all this is none other than Jacob. Jeremy's friend who also happens to be his team mate in soccer.
Jacob Sullivan
As my eyes kept focus on the guy sitting silently in front of us, my hands grew eager to have his blood splattered on my knuckles. But obviously, I had to contain myself knowing my best friend was standing right next to me. I didn't want him to see a different side of me that looses control. So as much as I want to end this Bastard's life, I have to restrain myself and keep a cool facade, for my best friend's sake.
I turned to look at Ash next to me and saw his expression. His face contorted to a look of pure shock and utter disbelief, as well as being completely lost.
I bet, never in his life, did he thought it would be Jacob.
I turned to Jacob and gave him the deadliest glare I could ever muster. And I was rewarded with a look of fear coming from Jacob himself which made me feel superior.
That's right, you messed with the wrong person and with the wrong best friend. Now you have to face my wrath.
"Jacob Sullivan." I spoke calmly just to let the name sink into my mind.
The guy who owns the name didn't utter a word as he remained on his seat.
"The infamous asshole behind the unknown number. What a big surprise." I stated while stepping closer towards the guy who's frozen on the spot.
Jacob visibly gulped as I kept advancing towards him.
"What on Earth happened to your brain cells when you were sending my best friend those texts, Jacob?" I asked as I stood not too far from where Jacob was sitting.
He looked up at me but didn't reply.
I gave him a smile as fake as possible before leaning down so my face was level with his.
"You should always think twice before deciding to mess with me nor with my best friend, you coward." I told him. "What you did? Was utter idiocy. Scaring him shitless was the stupidest thing you could ever do and I'm not going to let what you did simply pass. I will ruin you even if it's the last thing I can do. And I'm not even kidding." I whispered as I looked at him dead in the eyes before I stood up straight.
"Be thankful my best friend is here with me right now or else I would have put your ass in jail." I whispered towards him again before I walked towards Besty and stood right next to him.
I placed a hand on Besty's back and started rubbing circles to sooth him.
"Are you okay?" I asked using my calm voice even with a huge storm brewing deep inside me, waiting to wreck havoc towards the guy sitting not far from me and my best friend.
Besty didn't utter anything other than nod his head, telling me he's somehow fine.
"I'm sorry." Jacob spoke for the first time while staring down into his hands.
I turned to the guy and glared daggers.
"You should be." I spat angrily. "After what you did to my best friend, you should feel more than sorry."
Jacob bit his lip while still not meeting my gaze.
"I... I didn't know what I was doing and I guess I was just being overly immature that I did what I did."
I let out a humorless chuckle after hearing what he said.
"Glad you realized that." I said. "Because God knows what you did was utter stupidity. Your brain was given to you for a damn reason Jacob, but you didn't use it." I spat as I looked at his slumped posture.
He sighed defeatedly.
"I know. And I'm really sorry."
I scoffed as I raised a brow at him.
"Was that all you can say? Sorry?" I let out another loud humorless chuckle. "You're funny." I stated as I looked at him incredulously. "But let me ask you something Jacob. Will that 'sorry' of yours ever fix what you did to my best friend? Will that remove the fear you caused him? Obviously, without even thinking about it, the answer would be no. And I can guarantee you, just like any other apology that has the word sorry in it, nothing will ever change. What you did to Ash already made damage and it will always be there even when time passes. So with that said, you're stupid sorry means nothing, so you better keep that to yourself." I yelled at him as the anger that threatened to come out, finally bursted out to the surface.
I was about to walk towards the bastard and give him a piece of my mind when I felt small hands grasp my arm.
"Calm down, Besty." Ash said as he held me in place.
I turned to him and gave him a look telling him to let me go.
"Just calm down. Please." He said. "Violence will never solve anything Besty, so please, control yourself and try to calm down." Ash said using his gentle voice.
It still wonders me how calm and collected Ash can be in this type of situation. He's the victim in all this, yet he's still very composed and well tempered. Unlike me.
"You're lucky this time Jacob. But if given a chance, god forbid, I will end your life even if I am way smaller than you. Be thankful, because if it wasn't for Ash's hand holding me back, I would have buried you alive by now." I spat venomously through greeted teeth.
"Besty, Please." Ash whispered behind me, still holding my arm and keeping me grounded.
I sighed and looked over my shoulder. "I'll try Besty. I'll try." I paused as I looked back at Jacob. "But no promises." I added as I glared at the asshole again.
"Let me talk to him instead. Hear his side of the story before passing judgement." He paused as he slowly let my arm go. "And as for you, go for a walk and breathe some fresh air. I'm sure you'll have plenty of it in this park." He said as he stepped closer to Jacob leaving me frowning and gaping behind him.
"And why would I do that? Why would I even consider leaving you alone with this asshole?" I questioned fuming with anger once again.
"Ashley Rose, just listen to me just this once. I believe you're not in the right state of mind to deal with this matter right now." He sighed. "Please, I'm only asking you one simple thing, and that is to have a little walk and try calming yourself down. This will benefit you and me both." He reasoned out.
I looked away from his surprisingly calm eyes and huffed. "You're telling me, I'm the one who's not in the right state of mind? Well what about that guy? Do you think what he did to you, was something a rational person would do?" I argued.
Besty sighed once again. "Besty just listen to me." He tried to reason out again but I wasn't having any of it.
I shook my head.
"Can you stop being stupid and naive for once Ash, and wake up? It's clear as day that he's trying to take advantage of you. Why can't you just see that." I yelled out. And right after those words came out of my mouth, I instantly regret it.
Ash looked away as he gazed down to the ground.
I mentally cursed myself and sighed. "Besty I didn't mean to....."
"Just go for a little walk Besty. Please." He interrupted making me shut my mouth.
No matter how much anger I throw at him when we argue, he will never argue back as worse as I do. He never snaps at me or loses his temper the way I do and that itself tells me what kind of a person my best friend is.
I sighed once more. "Okay. If that's what you think is best then fine."
He nodded his head with his eyes focused somewhere else.
I cursed mentally once again after seeing his sad face.
"You're free to come back when you think you're calm enough not to kill anyone in close proximity." He stated before he walked towards Jacob.
I didn't reply other than a single nod of my head.
And with that, I left the two of them talk the matter out while I forced myself to calm down and clear my mind.
As I was walking at the park, I decided to call Lea whose staying on close stand by.
"L: How's everything going so far?" She asked from the other line.
I looked down and kicked a stone sending it rolling to the edge of the pavement.
"M: It was Jacob." I said directly.
There was a pause before she responded back.
"L: Who?" She asked sounding uncertain.
I sighed.
"M: Jacob Sullivan of the soccer team? Jeremy's friend and team mate?" I said.
"L: Oh my go..........." She was cut off when Joseph yelled loudly.
"J: What the f*ck! Are you serious?" He cursed probably stealing Lea's phone.
"M: No Joseph, I was bluffing. I was obviously Bluffing." I stated as I rolled my eyes. "Of course I'm being serious." I added.
"J:How is that possible?" He asked.
I sighed loudly once again.
"M: I don't know Joseph." I said, not having the energy to explain to him even further.
He sighed.
"J: F*ck." He cursed lowly once again. "Is Ash okay though? Is he there with you right now? Can I talk to him?" He asked simultaneously.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"M: He's fine Joseph. And no, he's not here with me so no, you can't talk to him yet."
"J: What? Why not?" He asked.
"M: Well, he decided it's best to talk it out with Jacob that's why he decided to kick me out to go for a walk to 'calm down'. So yeah." I explained while air-quoting the word.
"J: What? Why would Ash do that?" He asked again.
I sighed for like the millionth time today.
"M: I don't know Joseph. But I will talk to you guys later. I'm just gonna go get myself something to drink."
"J: No, Rose, wait......"
Before Joseph was able to rain me with more questions, I hang up the call.
Once I made it to the play ground, I remembered to give my dad a call. I told him that everything went well and that his help was greatly appreciated.
But since he's a police officer, he didn't let me off the hook that easily. He asked me a few questions regarding of the interaction and asked who was the guy. When I told him who it was, he understood and said it was just a typical teenage mishap. And after that he left and gave me a message saying if something ever happens, just give him a call.
After I placed my phone inside my pocket, I continued walking in the park. I roamed my eyes to the surroundings and just observed what everyone was up to.
I smiled unknowingly when I saw a little boy trying to reach for the monkey bars.
Once I neared the other side of the park, I decided to go to the mini grocery store to buy some drink for Ash.
I crossed the street and made entrance inside the quiet mini mart. I went to the drinks section to go grab some sodas and also some snacks. After finding some chips in the Snacks section, I looked further in search of something that Besty would like.
Picking it out from the shelf, I placed some of Besty's favorite; Gummy Bears, on the basket. Yeah. He's such a baby that way. Anyways, after I got the chips and the gummy bears, I realized I forgot a drink for Besty, since he's not the soda type of person, I picked some fresh juice since he prefers it best from fruit concentrates.
When I got all the food and drinks that I needed, I made my way to the Cashier. But before I get there, I saw a guy standing in front of the counter that looked very familiar to me.
When the guy was still paying for the things that he bought, he started looking around the store. He wasn't able to catch a glimpse of me since I was almost hidden in the shelves. When I turned to look at his reflection at the overhead 90 degree mirror, I got a good look of his face and right then and there, I knew I was right. It was really him.
I walked towards the guy with the basket full of snacks in my hand. When I was on a good distance from him, I halted. I smiled before I poked his well built shoulders.
I smiled even wider after I realized he had grown quiet a few muscles since I last saw him. In which only made him ten million times more hotter than the sun itself. Exaggeration intended.
Right after he turned around to face me, his eyes widen like the size of a golf ball.
Like seriously, he was that shocked.
As he continued to look at me like he'd seen a ghost, I just stood there with an innocent smile on my face.
When he didn't utter a word, I chuckled.
"Hi?" I spoke which somehow snapped him back to reality.
He blinked multiple times before he shook his head.
"Ashley! What are you doing here?" He asked in obvious disbelief.
"Uh, I should be the one asking you that." I stated with a chuckle. "What the heck are you doing here, you Goof? And since when did you get here? why didn't anyone tell me that you're visiting?" I asked in one breath excitedly.
I dropped the things I was carrying on the counter then jumped at him and I hugged him really, really tight.
I'm a good girl, I don't drop things everywhere.
"I got here yesterday. I was planning to surprise you at your house but then this happens. And obviously, I can no longer do it now that I saw you here." He said with a laugh as he hugged me back.
After we pulled away, he placed me down to my feet.
"I am so Happy that you're here." I exclaimed excitedly. "OMG. You have to meet my best friend because I am 100 percent sure that you will freaking like him." I stated with a wide smile before I did my infamous high pitched squeal.
He visibly winced and covered his ears.
"Ahh! Ashley Rose. My ears." He said as he rubbed his ears.
I looked at him before I suddenly burst out laughing.
Somethings never change. I thought.