Chapter 3

Eric sped up, taking a sharp turn, Ashley held into her seatbelt she knew he cared about her so much and won't want anything to happen to her, no matter how much called his name he responded, finally, it seems they got to their stop, he parks the car and step out of the car, boiling with rage Ashley take a look around where he had brought them, it was a park she steps out of the car after him she looks around and saw him by the river, letting out a sharp breath she took step towards him and touch his shoulder "Eric!!" the soft breeze blew her hair to her face, taking her hand off the stand beside him and look at him "for the first time in five years, I see my best friend get so much annoy" she forces a smile "why?" he ran his finger through his hair with annoyance "EVERYTHING!! EVERYTHING SUCKS!!!" He yells "how do I tell my parents that their family betrayed me, how could Felix just do that to us we are not only family he is my best friend and he... " he grit his teeth and look at Ashley "I know that he has betray you, I understand that it hurts you but you have to live through it, do not waste your time in your past, you just have to pick up the pieces and move on" she said "so... what about you" he suddenly said facing her, Ashley lowered his gaze she was broken inside her heart is torn to pieces, tears laid on her eyes ready to pour she knew that she couldn't hide her pain any longer. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she struggled to find the right words to respond to his question. "I...I'm not sure," Ashley stammered. "I've been trying to convince myself that I can move on, but I can't seem to let go of the hurt. It's like every time I try to forget, it creeps back into my thoughts. Felix is someone I trusted with my deepest secrets, my hopes, and dreams. And to have him betray me like this...it's devastating." she raise up her head, swallowing the tears and force a smile "every ugly girl gets through it anyway" she scoffs "we should leave here, if someone sees you here it will be some other news" she was about to take a step when suddenly Eric grabs her wrist stopping her from leaving before she could question him he threw her into his embrace burying her face on his chest "what are you doing" she struggles out of his embrace, his hand glided behind her head and hug her more tight "truth is, I was not angry because Felix choose Layla but because he breaks your heart" he inhale sharply "Ashley..." he whispered caressing her hair "covering your pain with a smile didn't makes you the strongest woman on earth... it... it makes you grow weak so let it out" tears laid on her eyes finally tickle down, she wrap her hand around his waist and buried her face on his chest "Eric!!!" she cried out "yes... just let it out... just like that" Eric held her tighter, offering his unwavering support and understanding. He knew that Ashley needed this release, that keeping it all bottled up inside would only do more harm than good. He continued to stroke her hair, his touch providing a sense of solace and security, as Ashley's sobs subsided, Eric gently tilted her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with compassion and empathy as he regarded her tear-streaked cheeks. Ashley cried her heart out in Eric's arms after crying her pain away they both sit on the grass her head on his shoulder as he wipe her tears with his hand.

     "Eric?" Ashley call out barely in a whisper "hm?..." he tilt his head slightly "am... I... ugly?" she ask "No... why'd you ask"

"Nothing" she licked her lips "Felix doesn't deserve you Ashley" he caressed her cheek "I don't know... how? why? or when he changed... it's been five years Eric how do I forget him"

"you will Ashley, trust me you will always have me by your side" she raised her head off his shoulder and sat up "thank you Eric, you've been a great friend" she smile "what about the music school you are processing"

"you know your dad's music school is just one of the hardest schools to get enrolled" she scoffs "I have an audition next week, my fate will be decided after the audition"

"I can just talk to my dad then you don't have to take the audition"

"no, don't I have to know what am capable of"

"Okay then" they both smile and inhale sharply "how will you tell your parents about Layla..."

"that's not a problem they didn't know about our relationship... they thought we were just friends so it's nothing" he smiled, the sun was already setting they had no idea they have been sitting at the park for so long "Ashley... we should get going it's already late" he stands up "oh... yes" Eric held her wrist and help her stand up "we should go on a date sometimes" he chuckles "if that will make you forget about Felix"

"you are joking right?" she chuckles "of course am not, okay... I will pick you up tomorrow then" he held her by her waist as they walk towards the car "you should bring your script along I will help you with it" Ashley struggle out of his arms "I will go on a date with you only on one condition"

"And what's that" she touch the edge of her jacket "no expensive restaurant, or exclusive treatment" Eric draw in a sharp breath "you are just a crazy little creature" he shake his head slightly "deal?" she ask blinking her long eyelashes at him "alright deal," he said frustrated.

       Eric drives Ashley home it's almost 8 pm before they got home and the sun already set "I will pick you up tomorrow by 9 am"

"Okay..." Eric hug her "stay strong okay?" she pull away and tap him on his shoulder "have you forgotten that am the super strong Ashley?" she laughs "bye buddy," she said "bye" she moves to the entrance and held the door handle before she enters she look back and take a look at Eric who was still waiting staring at her she smiles and enter after he waves at her. Ashley entered the house she met her mom in the sitting room panicking "Ashley I saw the news" she said with a sad expression "what's with that look mom, he chose who deserves to be with him not an ugly brat like me, am so tired mom I need to rest" she yawns and peck her mom "I love you mom" she walks into her room.