He suddenly snapped back into the present. Eros frowned when his eyes meet Mika's concerned ones, instead of his mother's blue ones; like Hailey's. He searched for the picture frame and only got a glimpse of it before Mika completely hid it behind his back. He was crouched beside him, his eyes holding concern and panic within their stormy depths. 

Mika looked away first, putting the frame in a drawer and locking it. He turned back to Eros as he put the key in his pocket.

"Listen, son. What happened was never your fault." He began, and Eros looked away that time, his jaw pulsing.

"Why did you come back?" He asked, diverting the topic.

Mika sighed and rose to his feet, his own jaw locking in displeasure, "I came back to do that." Was his answer, and Eros said nothing more.

"Talking about it would make you feel better, you know."

"I told you."

Mika nodded, "That you did." he paused, pulling his tie tighter around his collar, "—and did you feel better?"

Eros didn't answer. He didn't have to, because both of them knew the answer.

"What was it you wanted to talk about?" Mika asked again, suddenly not feeling like leaving his side.

"It can wait."

Mika sighed and dropped his hands from his collar.

"Eros, I hope you know that everything that concerns you, concerns me as well." He said, needing to, in case Eros didn't want to tell him because he could see that he had something else to deal with.

"I know." Was his answer, letting out a short sigh.

"I was only going to ask for an extra reserved space on Remembrance Day."

Mika frowned, "Oh." He said, before his eyes widened, and a proud grinned wound it's way across his lips, "Oh." He repeated, his tone begging for details.

Eros couldn't help the small smile that slipped from his lips. He looked away with a scoff, not giving him any.

"You have a date?" Mika probed, grinning from ear to ear, his eyes shinning with pride and love.

Eros' smile widened slightly, and he looked back at him, "Go, Quinn waits for you." he cleverly dismissed.

Mika chuckled, shaking his head. He complied, however, not wanting to keep her waiting any longer. She might decide to run away instead. He walked towards the door,

"I expect details when I get back." Mika said, narrowing his eyes at Eros from over his shoulder, before he left.

He leaned back on his seat and crossed his arms over his chest, his smile slowly fading as a certain brown eyed woman crossed his mind out of nowhere. He was planning on inviting Ashley to the festival, if she would left him, as a way of apologizing for what happened between them. He planned on telling her everything she needed to know on that day, but before everything else, he wanted to try and earn her trust back. She needed to know the truth after all, because she was involved almost as much as he.

He hadn't planned on joining everyone for the trip, because he wanted her to have a good time with everyone else; with him out of the picture. A part of him wanted her to forgive him and for things to go back to normal, but the bigger part of him, the logical one, needed her to hate him, so that she could be safe from him and his chaotic world.

Once school was closed, however, he would tell her everything and let her decide whether or not she would want him around her. 

Although he had already come to his own conclusion.

He grimaced and shut his eyes, knowing her well enough to know that she would turn a blind eye to his past, and his predicament. He knew that she would be furious at him for keeping her in the dark, then let herself take the blame, before she decides to stay by his side.

He let out a sigh and opened his eyes, a sharp lamenting feeling coursing through his chest. It was tempting, giving in to her and letting her stay by him, but if he did, he might lose her and losing her was worse than loving her from a distance.

🔱🔱🔱

They reached the island thirty minutes after they rode the bus to the boat. As the day went on, Ashley was convinced that her family had gone bankrupt. This trip so far has proven to be more than her parents could handle. It was just way too expensive.

She grimaced and made a mental note to give them a call and thank her once she was settled into her room. They were making their way to the reception where everyone would get their room keys and access card that would allow them to roam around the island and participate in the activities it had to offer; and boy were they many.

She approached the long line of students that were waiting and stood behind an unfamiliar woman, who sent her a small smile before turning back and paying attention to the queue. Ashley let out a sigh and shifted her bag from one shoulder to the next, the weight of the bag burning her right shoulder. She looked around the reception in awe.

The interior had nice sparking white marble counters with mahogany floors, black couches that stood by the entrance and in front of the reception desk, and black coffee tables stood in front of each two sets of the couches. The reception desk itself was a rounded white and black marble desk that stood at the very centre of the room.

It was so unreal.

She craned her neck and spotted her friends way ahead of her on the line. The mysterious boy was still glued to Casey who didn't seem to mind his presence judging from the way she was smiling and keep her eyes on the ground; something Casey does when she's feeling shy.

Ashley scoffed and skimmed her eyes at the crowd once again. Jason was with Blake talking animatedly about whatever and Ally was standing stiffly besides Seb, who was slightly leaned towards her as if he was whispering something in her ear. Ashley cocked her head to the side curiously, but decieded not to jump into any conclusions. She then looked at Reece who was with Brock to her surprise. She had no idea they knew each other.

Is he also being used by Gregor? She wondered.

Eventually, it was Ashley's turn to grab her key from the receptionist who happily gave to her with the sweetest smile. Ashley couldn't help but return it, politely matching her energy. It was already dark out and everyone couldn't wait to finally get some sleep. Ashley looked at the room key in her hand and noted the number carved on the black, wooden key holder.

CC08

She then pursed her lips and walked towards Blake and Jason, knowing herself well enough to know that she would have a hard time finding her room. Casey had mentioned that everyone would most likely get single room that were separated from everyone else, and that they would all have a view of the ocean. She had also mentioned that there was one on top of a hill that had a 360 view of the island.

Ashley didn't need her to tell her that it was the most expensive room all of. Blake and Jason turned towards her and watched her approach them, cutting their conversation about what activities they couldn't wait to try out short. 

"Hey, Ash." Jason said, meeting her halfway and giving her a huge, tight bear hug, to which Ashley gladly returned.

"Hi hi." She greeted as they pulled away, "—are you kids excited?" She teased as she walked towards Blake and offered to hug him too. 

He grinned like a little boy on Christmas eve and wrapped his arms around her, "But of course." He paused to pull away, "—I get to stay at a private island with my friends."

"Aww." Jason and Ashley said, their hands simultaneously shooting up to the right side of their chests.

Blake shot them a deadpanned look, "Oh, and you guys too."

Ashley gasped and feigned hurt, though she knew that he was messing about. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Wow—."

"What's this? Giving away free hugs without us, Ash?" A familiar, alluring voice said. 

Ashley and Jason turned around while Blake lifted his eyes to lock with Seb's sky blue ones. Behind him was Casey, Ally, Brock, Reece and Alessio. Ashley cocked her head to the side once she locked eyes with blue and grey ones. She openly gawked at his mesmerizing eyes, taken aback by the fact that she hadn't noticed he was heterochromatic. He also weirdly resembled both Ally and Eros to some extent. 

"Y—yeah, there's no way I'm hugging each of you." She commented gingerly. 

Seriously, they were too many.

"Wow. Looks like someone's picking favorites." Brock commented, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at her in a stern, dramatized way. 

There was a scoff from somewhere behind her before Blake spoke up, "Y'all are just jealous." He then wrapped his arm around Ashley and stepped closer towards her, which made her frown and look up at him. 

Blake only winked at her and said nothing more. Ashley looked away in time to notice Donovan walk past Brock, his jaw pulsing for the billionth time since the trip started. She grimaced and looked away before he caught her staring. She felt the weight of the key in her right hand and remembered why she came over in the first place. 

"Which rooms did everyone get?" She asked, silently hoping someone's room would be close to where hers is and she could follow them towards it.

"B07." Blake started, before everyone else followed his lead and chanted their room numbers.

Ashley frowned as she processed everyone's numbers. They only ranged between A and B, with her being the only C exception in the group. Everyone combined were twenty eight, which must mean that the rooms were labeled from 01 to 10, since Blake's key was a BB, instead of just B.

The rooms were divided into five, where the first five were labelled A01-AA10, then relapse back to B01-BB10. With this new information, she realized that she was stationed at the very last room and got the last key; also proving that the keys were distributed randomly.

"CC07." A familiar voice said.

Ashley and the others turned to Reece who held up his key and shrugged nonchalantly, though a smug smile wound its way across his lips, "—can't say this is a coincidence anymore." He paused and kept his sharp eyes on Ashley, "—looks like we're neighbours, Red."

Ashley pursed her lips and wordlessly nodded, noticing that he took it upon himself to call him that since they left the bus and got onto the ship. Why he insisted on calling her that was beyond her. 

"Red?" Brock asked, cocking an eyebrow at Reece, who's smirk only widened beside him.

"Have you seen her get angry? Her face turns into a tomato." Reece said, looking back at Ashley with a dark glint in his eyes, "—a cute, non-threatening tomato."

Ashley cleared her throat and raised her chin proudly, "Anyone want to switch rooms with me?" She asked, loud enough for anyone within ear shot to hear. 

Reece stiffened and snatched her key from her hand, which was raised in the air as her gaze swiped around the reception for someone who was interested in her offer. She scoffed and placed her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed at Reece. He sent her an innocent smile and put her key in his pocket just in time for Mr. Heine to dismiss them into their rooms.

"Alright. You are all adults. I'm sure you will behave and be able to find the right room. We meet tomorrow morning for breakfast, and later for dinner. I need to do a head count everyday, hence why this is necessary. Otherwise, you are free to explore and have fun. If you have any questions—." He paused as he let out an exhausted yawn, "—don't ask me because I most likely won't know the answer. Ask a staff member. You can tell them apart from students by their maroon and black uniform. Goodnight." He finished and dragged his suitcase with him as he walked away. 

There were a few scoffs and disappointed sighs, before everyone dispersed deeper into the resort and out the reception. Ashley followed after everyone, walking in between Blake and Jason as they too grabbed their suitcases and begun the quest to find their rooms. As she walked past the reception, Ashley made sure to take in as much as her tired self could.

They were on a stone path and each side were various trees, plants and even some animals calmly roaming around the area. Behind the vegetation was the clear, vast ocean that surrounded them. 

As they walked further into down the path, tiny adorable little villas grew into view. They had thatched roof, an open entrance and a mini pool on the front of the house. She watched as a group of students walked over towards it and disappear within it's depths. She found herself wondering how everyone seemed to know their way around the island, though they had probably been to a private island before.

The group was dividing into groups of five, which meant that the villas had five separate rooms inside. They were however, an odd number, which had Ashley thinking about how the last three people would be divided, or if they would just have two unoccupied rooms. 

Eventually, everyone slowly made it to their rooms, with Ally being the last one of the gang to find hers; with disregard to Reece and Ashley. Reece still had her key in his pocket as the remaining group of seven walked towards the C/CC villas that were a good distance away from everyone. Ashley noticed that Donovan and the guy who had been glued to Casey's side were still with them.

She prayed that her and Reece's neighbour wasn't Donovan as the first villa came to view. She held her breath as the other four students that were with them walked towards the cabin and disappeared, leaving her, Reece, Donovan and the mystery guy waiting for the fifth person to follow suit. Donovan sighed and followed after them to Ashley's relief, though not before looking at her with a hardened expression on his stupid face.

He then narrowed his eyes at the new guy, before he walked away with his suitcase behind him. Ashley straightened up and finally had a clue on who the guy was. She remembered a conversation she had with Ally and Casey awhile back about Donovan and Alessio. She pursed her lips and cocked her head to the side, curious to see if she was right.

"Sorry, but, could be Alessio?" She asked, her voice as polite as she could make it. 

He turned around as he lead her and Reece to the last villa to their rooms, "I am, yes." He revealed, "—why do you ask?"

"Oh, so I was right." 

"How did you guess? From the rumors already going around?"

Reece let out a scoff and placed his hands behind his neck, causing his muscles to bulge up from beneath his tightly fitting shirt, "Yeah, you get used to that."

Ashley smiled at Reece's comment "I mean, yes, but I first heard about you from—." She paused, "—well, Seb."

"Really? And what did he say about me?"

"That you're my best friend's ex." Ashley revealed with a shrug, "—though, you two clearly look like you're over each other." She teased, her shifting her shoulder bag from one side to the next.

"I'm not." 

Ashley shut her eyes and reopened them with a slight tilt of her head, caught completely off-guard by his confession; despite the fact that she already knew this from seeing them together.

"Oh." She said, clearing her throat, "—that's—great."

Reece snickered and shook his head at her answer, "You're a Huxley alright." He commented as they finally reached their villa, "—where's your oldest cousin hiding by the way? I was looking forward to meeting him today."

Alessio shrugged nonchalantly, "You and me both." Was all he said, before he stopped in front of his room which was the one on the far left.

Ashley and Reece weirdly watched him put his key into the key hole, turn the key and push the door open. Alessio frowned and turned to them with an uncomfortable look in his eyes. Ashley and Reece snapped out of their trance and looked away, clearing their throats simultaneously. 

Alessio cocked his head to the side, "What is it?" He asked, his eyes staring deep into theirs as he stood in front of is door; with his left hand on the door handle and his right holding the suitcase behind him.

Ashley shook her head, "It's just—." About to compliment his gorgeous eyes and point out how much he resembled Eros.

"You look so much like Eros, dude. It's freaky." Reece said, beating her to it. 

Alessio broke into a huge grin, "You think so?" He said proudly before he pushed the door open and disappeared withing it's depths; a sudden skip to his step.

Ashley scoffed and shook her head at him, before she turned her gaze to Reece, narrowing her eyes threateningly when he met hers. Reece raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"What?" He asked, the corner of his lips quivering with concealed laughter.

"Are you not planning on giving me my keys? Or would you like me to sleep outside?" She scolded, sliding her bag off her shoulder and placing it on top of her suitcase.

"Aw," Reece said, "—and here I thought you would want to share your room with me." He finished with a smirk before he reached into his front left pocket and pulled out her room key.

He held it out in front of them and waited for her to swipe it away from him. Ashley hadn't seen the mischievous glint in his eyes and mistakenly went for the keys, only for him to pull them back a second earlier and out of her reach.

She blinked and let out a single surprised chuckled, before she scratched the edge of her right eyebrow, both confused and overwhelmed. Reece let out a chuckle at her reaction and watched as she looked around cluelessly, as if looking for a hidden camera.

"You're really doing this." She concluded, turning her gaze back towards him, her eyes darkening with profound determination.

Reece shrugged and lifted the keys above them, a smirk playing in his eyes, "I guess I am."

Ashley sighed and held his gaze, hoping to be able to make her move once he loosens up. Reece cocked his eyebrow at her in question, "Are you not going to—." He begun, but cut himself off with a series of chuckles once Ashley suddenly leapt for his raised right arm.

She miscalculated her landing and ended up standing closer to him than she had intended. Reece eventually noticed this and lowered his gorgeous blue eyes at her, allowing her to watch the playfulness vanish from his eyes and morph into a dark, intense flame.

Slowly, he wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her tightly towards his rock hard body, closing off the remaining distance she had left between them. Ashley gulped, her heart banging on her chest for an opening to leave her rib cage. Blood rushed to her cheeks, giving them a bold, pink glow. 

Reece kept his eyes on her, taking in her flustered face as she refused to look at him and kept her gaze at his chest. He scoffed and leaned closer, "What's this? Did you lose your cool again?" He teased with a smirk, his darkened eyes still on her.

Ashley snapped her gaze towards his face, her breath hitching once she realized how close his face was. She cleared her throat.

"J—Just give me my keys, dumbass."

Was all she could muster in that moment, which only thickened Reece's triumph and made him push his head back and laugh.

"You're something else." He said, once he recollected himself. He then straightened up and lowered his right hand. 

Breaking their gazes, he reached for her left hand, placed her keys in her palm, then looked back at her; his hold still tightly around her waist as he held their bodies close.

"I'll see you in the morning, Ashley." He said, before he squeezed her hip and took a step back, that dark look from before still swimming in his eyes. 

Ashley watched his grab his suitcase, open his door and turn back towards her, a smug look on his face, "Now we're staring?" He teased for the billionth time since they met, "—like what you see?" He finished.

Ashley cleared her throat, snapping out of the trance like state he left her in, gripped her suitcase and approached her own room, "Not for a second." She said, though the both of them knew she was lying, "—I've seen better."

"Oh yeah?" He said with a scoff, "—why do I doubt that?"

Ashley shrugged, a smirk winding it's way across her lips as she pushed her door open, knowing she had him. She raised her chin, squared her shoulder, parted her lips and said three words that gave her the final win for the night.

"Just ask Eros."

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