be mine

Chapter Twenty Two

I sit passenger in Ashton's car watching the passing trees as I ponder over this week.

Isabel and Calum have grown strong together and he now sits with us at lunch, with Michael much to my dismay. I'd often meet up with Ashton to get away from the table. I don't feel one ounce of pity when I leave Michael to third wheel.

Ashton and I have grown closer after everything that has happened, and for that, I couldn't be any happier. I'm glad Luke finally got the message that I didn't want to make up with him and act as nothing has happened between us.

Ashton and I were on our way to the beach. We had gone out on a couple of dates but haven't made ourselves an official couple. The thought alone of having Ashton to myself both scares me and excites me.

The car pulls to a stop before a beach. I stare in awe as the water crashes on the sand.

We both step out and make our way to the sand with the stuff we bought.

We had planned to do this earlier this week, just a day with the two of us away from school and our homes.

I've been a nervous wreck about going here. Since I moved around before I couldn't really swim because I hadn't practiced. The most I could do was float. I also had to go out and buy a swimsuit yesterday because I didn't own one.

We sit on the blanket we brought and watch the waves crash. We had both undressed to our bathing suits because of the hot weather today.

I couldn't stop myself from watching as Ashton stripped his shirt off, and I still sneak a glance here and there when he's not looking. I was sat in a bikini that was recommended by the saleswomen. It wasn't anything too fancy, it was just cute enough and covered me.

"Let's go swimming." Ashton looks my way, I look at the water and back at him.

"Don't make me drag you."

"You might have to." I smile sheepishly.

He smiles devilishly before getting up and pulling me up with him. In one fell swoop, I'm over his shoulder and he's getting closer to the waves.

I screech as we get closer pleading with him to put me down in the sand, but he's already waste deep in the water. Curse him for being so strong.

"Shall I put you down now?" She laughs, still securing me with his arm. I look down at the water with wide eyes.

"No! I'm good here." He starts to go against my protests and lies me over his shoulder but I place my arms around his neck before I'm fully submerged.

"Damn, you're like a koala." He looks at me, I had wrapped my legs around his waist, halfway in the water.

"I'm too young to die." I joke.

"What if I do this?" He lowers himself farther in the water, and I squeal at the coldness on my stomach.

"I still refuse to let go." I close my eyes as the water reaches my shoulders.

He submerges us all the way making me lose my grip. I resurface balancing on my tiptoes.

"You ass!" I splash his face giggling. All I get back was his dimpled grin, causing me to slash him once again.

An all out splash war breaks out, and I'd like to believe I won. The water was now nice and soothing in the hot sun as I sit in the shallow end with the waves brushing up against my legs.

We stay in the water for a while longer before we decide to sit back on the beach. The sun was about to set making the sky bleed orange and red.

We share some snacks we brought along, eating in silence. Everything was peaceful before Ashton decided to eat the last of my cookie. I had broken it in two and layer the other half down. I went to grab it but was met with just the blanket.

I push him away from me to revenge cookie resulting in him shoving right back. I push back again harder, making him lose balance and I take the opportunity to run away.

It takes him a moment before he's up on his feet and running after me. I was a good distance away but his long legs caught up with me fast.

I end up tripping over my own feet and I bring Ashton down along with me. We land in a heap on top of the sand, far away from where we started.

Our legs were entangled and we lay sideways. I place my hand on his chest as he looks at me with passion. I watch the waves crash some more in my peripheral vision.

I really did like Ashton and I wanted nothing more than to press my lips against his, but I don't possess the courage I had last time. I bite my lip thinking about how our last kiss made my whole being ignite.

I notice his heartbeat start to race from beneath my fingertips and gaze up to meet his eyes with my own.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"