I'll be behind in my chapters written now... but hopefully I can write one this week to stay on track.

I just feel this needs to go up with the last one.

Enjoy a little more Ashton.

Thanks already to jueka1

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"I... Well... Not... I—" I tried and failed to come up with a lie, an excuse, something to get me out of this awkward situation.

But the corners of Ashton's lips turned up. "I overheard basically everything you told Jackson, Callie. Don't even try to deny it... but I tell you what, it did feel slightly better to have a clearer reason as to why your sister did what she did. This whole time I thought she was just a manipulative bitch who wouldn't let you be—"

"She is a manipulative bitch," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Exactly, she... Wait. What?"

And so I figured if he knew about my relationship with Flynn, if he knew about the kiss list, what was the worst that could happen? So I told him everything. From when we wrote the list, to when she came back, to how Flynn got involved... all of it. "And if she had never come back and made me do it then I wouldn't be like this now."

A myriad of emotions were flickering across Ashton's face as though he weren't sure where to begin. But then he settled on, "So you did like me a little before I messed it up with my stupid comments and beliefs?"

Heaving a sigh that that was what he had fixated on, I gave him a nod.

Ashton's eyes lit up as a cocky grin took hold of his face. "I knew it," he then said. "I doubted it for a bit after overhearing your conversation with Jackson, but a part of me just felt it."

Shaking my head, I said, "Aren't you mad?"

"Of course not."

"But I used you."

Ashton sighed. "You're sitting here talking with me despite how horrible you thought I was. Meaning, you've quickly forgiven me despite not being a great person. How can I be mad because you used me to kiss me? I feel like I won in the end there..."

He did have a point.

"My actual concern is... why have you continued your list? Is this a post-breakup thing?"

"I want to get rid of Lexi."

Ashton pressed his lips together in response.

"What?"

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

With a slight shrug, I said, "It will make me feel better for now. Even if one day I do take it back..." I felt a bit of weight exit my body at the admission that I knew my anger wouldn't last forever. That for now I just needed her to be my punching bag until I was ready to be honest with her. But I'd never admit that part to anyone. "So yes, it's what I want."

Ashton gave me a small nod before saying, "So who is it at this party who is on your list?"

"How did you—"

But the deadpan stare said all. For good measure, Ashton threw in, "You never come to parties, Callie. But you did for Fraser and you did for me. So evidently you're here to tick someone off."

Heaving a sigh, I fell against the bed end and said, "Luke."

"Luke?" he asked back in confusion. But then suddenly he sat up. "As in Luke Luke? Like Luke McCarthy? My—"

"Best friend? Yeah. Though I know he might be dating—"

"They broke up last week," he quickly threw in, though Ashton's eyes were searching me.

"What?" I pressed.

"I can arrange a way for you to get that kiss... but I don't know if I want to."

Letting out a slight sigh, I said, "Because it would upset you?"

Ashton's eyes went wide with surprise.

Heat overcoming my face, I began to say, "Oh... sorry for—"

But he cut me off. "No... I guess it would a little. I think, after everything, a part of me is always going to have a soft spot for you, Callie. But no way am I trying to weasel my way into the heart of a girl who is still mourning the loss of her last relationship... I feel sorry for all the guys you've used as rebounds."

"I have not—"

"Don't even try to defend your actions, Callie. Don't even try." Though his eyes twinkled with humour as he said it, as if he were trying to tease me.

And so I didn't.

"As I was saying... I can organise it. But I don't want you to just... write off your sister."

Pressing my lips together, I said, "That's my decision, not yours."

His eyes searched my face for a few moments until he gave a sigh that almost sounded like a fine. Have it your way. "At least talk it out with me again after I help you tick him off."

Knowing I could at least commit to this—and do what I want after anyway—I agreed to his terms.

And next I knew, Ashton helped me tidy my makeup, fix my hair, and find Luke in the party.

After setting up a game of spin the bottle—with Luke coincidentally seated across from me after Ashton's careful planning—a few spins in I got my kiss.

And completed the list.

And for some reason, I didn't feel as great about it as I thought I would.

Though what did feel great was an hour later when Ashton and I decided to ditch the party. 

After a quick Maccas run to get a greasy meal and some McFlurries, we pulled up by a park in my neighbourhood and ate our food, chatting about all things stupid and nonsensical.

While Ashton said he didn't want to go there with me—and he was right, I had too much baggage to have anything with anyone right now—when he pulled up in my driveway, neither of us could stop ourselves going there anyway.

My house ahead was illuminating the car with the gentle glow from the living room streaming out the windows.

The engine was off, with only our breaths feeling the small space.

And a slight buzz echoed in the space between us.

Ashton's eyes immediately dipped down to my mouth as I hesitated to get out of his car.

Ever so slowly, we both started leaning in at the same time, eyes closing along the way.

It was nothing like the last time we kissed in the cinema.

He made no sudden grab for me. There was no need to rush or kiss with fervour.

His hands merely gently cupped my cheek and the back of my neck as he slowly brushed his lips across mine before his tongue caressed my lips. Then I parted my mouth, letting him deepen it.

We kissed for a few moments.

Long enough to stir my dead aching heart ever so slightly.

Long enough to find one or two butterflies lingering in my stomach.

But also long enough to bring memories of him crashing back in as we pulled apart and my gaze saddened as I realised it was Ashton I was looking at.

His face fell as he took in my expression, knowing fully well where my mind had gone.

I gave him a small, apologetic smile in response.

And so he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, desperately trying to hide his dejection behind a forced smile. "I'll text you. And see you at school on Monday."

I gave him a slight nod before turning to get out of the car before I made things awkward by trying to talk about what just happened.

"Hey Callie?" he called out to me through his rolled down window.

"Yeah?" I asked, bending down to meet his gaze through it.

"I'm glad we're friends again," he said, removing all doubt and guilt from my heart that I had somehow messed up what we had developed tonight by kissing him and regretting it.

Mirroring his smile, I said, "Me too, Ash."

He grinned at the nickname, then rolled up his window before taking off into the night.

>.> So...

I wonder what role Ashton will now have in her life.

What role do we want him to have?