"So let me get this straight," Ashton flicked his tongue, titling his head to the side. "You want me to be your boyfriend?"

"Pretend boyfriend," Eva quickly corrected, "I never had a boyfriend before, so..." Eva held tight on her warm cup of The Regular Ice Cream Shop's special milkshake, her hazel eyes averted not to meet Ashton's analyzing blue eyes. His gaze wasn't as intense as his brother, who she yet had to learn his name, but it was quite intimidating.

"Hmm, I see," Ashton nodded. "I never had a girlfriend either, by the way," he acknowledged thoughtfully. Ashton took a sip of his black coffee that was so sophisticated it made Eva feel so childish when she ordered the special milkshake. "And this is all a part of your revenge plan against Zarek?"

"Yes," Eva fiddled with her oversized sweatshirt as her eyes roamed the interior of the most popular coffee shop in the area, trying not to swirl the hair she no longer had. "You said you'll help me, right? I hope you still stand by your offer."

Ashton's arms were both on the table as he leaned his demeanor over, slightly intimidating Eva with his composure. His aura wasn't hostile and guarded like Trudy, or evil and dangerous like Zarek, but relaxed and comfortable. Eva's awkwardness had nothing to do with him as much as it had to do with what she said. It didn't sound so stupid when she plotted it with Trudy yesterday. Eva was about to take everything back until Ashton opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm glad you reached out to me, I'd love to help with whatever you need," he heaved a sigh, leaning back on the chair that could've been the same chair Zarek sat on less than a month ago. "Although, I personally think that this plan is not the best and - honestly, no offense - very immature." Eva didn't disagree with him the slightest. "But I also think we've already established that I can't change your mind," He smiled at her, a hint of accusation mixed with sadness swirled in his blue irises. "So yeah, count me in, you got my support on getting even with Zarek."

Evangeline smiled, weights lifting off of her relieved chest. "Thank you," she beamed.

Ashton shrugged, his fingers curling around the hot cup. "Yeah, I'm all about woman empowerment," Ashton cleared his throat and looked away, a ghost of a smile in his lips. "Well, that and the fact that I can't deny myself a relationship with a pretty girl, even if it was fake."

Eva must've blushed at least seven shades of pink.

"Although, I must say this," Ashton's amusement slipped away, his shoulders tensing as he leaned back on the table and a bad feeling stirred in the pit of Eva's stomach. "Don't you think it's a little late? You endured him for three years and only two months are left before graduation. You'll never have to see him again if you wait, so why now?"

"Exactly, I'll never see him again," Eva's fingers were wrapped around the paper cup so tight that she feared she'd spill the substance over. "I don't want to end things with Zarek the way they are now. I want him to know how it feels to be stepped on, because if I don't then I'm sure he'll do the same thing - if not worse - to the next innocent girl." Eva took a deep breath, cleansing her soul out of the negativity the thoughts of Zarek brought. "I don't want him hurt, I just want him to stop, take a step back, and realize what he did. Besides, it has nothing to do with time, it's about being fed up, Ashton."

Evageline made a promise to herself - although she already broke it - and she was determined to stand up for herself. Zarek was god's test, she once thought it was to test her faith and patience, but it wasn't. Eva reached the realization that it was a test for her strength and courage to defend herself, and she wouldn't fail this time around.

Ashton laughed, and for a second, Eva thought he was about to make fun of her and humiliate her - something Zarek would definitely do if he was in Ashton's shoes. "Wow," Ashton wheezed out, "What a diplomatic answer."

Eva nodded, not knowing whether he was openly humiliating her or innocently poking fun. She didn't know what to say next so she reached for the grey beanie in her pocket and gave it to Ashton. "Here's your brother's beanie," Eva pushed it toward him on the table. "I never got to properly thank you when you helped me last week-"

"Hey, it's okay," Ashton caught her hand, stopping her from moving it. "I like to think that we're friends - or is it girlfriend and boyfriend?" He grinned, a dimple popping out of nowhere in his cheek. "So don't thank me, I was glad I was there. By the way, you can keep the beanie. Jeremy says it suits you."

Eva pulled her hand to herself and stuffed the beanie back in her pocket, her skin prickling with goosebumps as a strange thought banged against her skull - this is so wrong - but she pushed it aside. "Jeremy? That's your brother, right?" Eva nodded, a fake laugh forced out of her delicate lips. "That's so nice of him, although Celene, my fourteen year-old sister, strongly disagrees - she even said it was ugly." and that it matched my face, but Eva wasn't about to tell him that.

"It seems like Celene doesn't have a taste in fashion," Ashton said, chuckling. His demeanor changed all of a sudden. Ashton ran his pale hand through his ginger hair, discomfort washing over his face. "Oh, god, I just realized something,"

Eva straightened her spine, alarm flashing in her eyes. "What?"

"Having a relationship with you will earn me lots of enemies." Ashton smiled, although it didn't reach his crystal blue eyes. "Zarek, Hunter, Ryan, Raven, Wendy-"

"It's okay if you want out," Eva snapped. "It's not like I'm forcing you to do anything."

"Don't get me wrong," Ashton frowned, probably thinking how insecure Eva was. "I can handle Zarek and Hunter. As for Ryan and Raven, we used to be friends but we're not on the best terms now. I already made things clear with Wendy, and I don't owe her anything. I just acknowledged the drama that might result in such a relationship, and no, I don't want out, it's totally worth it."

Eva was uneasy, but she let it pass. Ashton was willing to participate in her immature plan - as he had put it - and that was very generous of him. Eva really needed to stop making a fuss out of everything and just take it easy. "Okay," She needed to change the subject. "What did you mean when you said you and Ryan are not on the best terms? Did you stop being friends?"

"Well, not exactly," Ashton took a long sip of his coffee, his tongue clicking at the strong taste. "Ryan and I have been best friends since we were just kids. We were neighbors so we used to play together all the time. However, when we grew up, we sort of drifted apart.

"How come?"

"He became friends with Zarek and didn't have any time left for me," Ashton shook his head, smiling at the deep black of his drink, drowning his thoughts in his past. "I remember being so jealous, especially since Zarek was so rude to Ryan. For some reason, Ryan always defended him and put him first, before me."

Eva's heart twisted at the sad story. "I'm sorry," she said the only thing she found appropriate.

"It's okay, I'm a grown-up now." He looked up at her and smiled, his pleasant aura returning around him. "Besides, we didn't stop being friends. It's just that we're not as close as we used to be, and that's fine by me. That's just life, you know?"

Ashton was so sensitive she could understand why him and Ryan became friends in the first place. Eva nodded, remembering Hannah for some reason. Eva was well aware how life could be so ruthless when it came to destroying relationship, so she related to Ashton on that. "Yes, I feel the same."

"By the way, speaking of Ryan," Ashton swirled his cup and emptied it out of the black coffee, setting it on the wooden table. "He has the biggest crush on you that it's unbelievable. I hope he told you because then I would've messed up, right? Accidently slipping his secrets?"

Ashton winked at the word 'accidently' as he grinned, the dimple appearing again in the cheek that was once slapped by her - God, I'm horrible to him. Eva decided she would be nicer to him. Therefore, she smiled back, sharing less enthusiasm but making efforts at it. "Really? Well, he did mention it..." Eva stopped herself because this was intimate, it should stay just between her and Ryan. Eva didn't want to talk about it, because she didn't tolerate slipping secrets, so she changed the subject.

"Aren't you friends?" Eva frowned, finishing her milkshake too. "I understand you're in an awkward area with him, so wouldn't having a relationship with his 'biggest crush' worsen your friendship?"

"I don't think so, he'll understand if he learns the real reason because he's not cool with Zarek's bullying just as much as I am." Ashton said, "What about you and Wendy? I suppose she told you she confessed to me - you're friends, right? Will she appreciate this?"

"Well, this relationship is not real," Eva said, cringing at her own words, "I'm sure she'll understand if I explain to her." Eva knotted her eyebrows, reflecting on Wendy's words. "She said you're leaving in a month. Is that true?"

"Yes, I'm leaving for my studies, I managed myself an early spot in Oxford." Ashton chuckled, fetching out his wallet and placing a couple of bucks on the table. "But not in a month because that's ridiculous - three months maybe? I still have to graduate first and say goodbye to my friends and pack my things, so yeah, sometime mid-summer."

Eva nodded, taking it all in as Ashton payed for her milkshake. Eva had insisted to split the bill beforehand, but Ashton refused, arguing that if she didn't let him then she would be hurting his manhood. Eva didn't want Ashton to feel the need to prove to her his manliness - she was still horrified at what Zarek could've done when she insulted his masculinity - so she gladly accepted Ashton's treat.

They were about to leave The Regular Ice Cream Shop when the little bell rang, indicating someone's entrance. Eva wouldn't have cared if it wasn't for the strong odor that invaded her nostrils - it smelled of heavy leather and pineapples. Eva's hazel eyes traveled to the entrance, managing to catch a glance of his surprise upon seeing her with Ashton.

Hunter must be thinking they were dating, which they kind of were - what if he told Zarek? No doubt Zarek would throw another fit if he learned Eva was dating someone else and would be so angry. That was what Evangeline wanted though, so she pushed her feelings of uncertainty and stood by her ground, refreshing her determination to teach Zarek a lesson of her own for once.

"Hey, give me your phone," Her attention was tossed back to Ashton when he spoke. "I'll give you my number and have yours. You know, just in case." Eva reluctantly gave him her phone, the slight crack in the screen reminding Eva of Hunter's party where it all broke loose. Eva glanced at Hunter again, curiosity killing her insides.

Hunter put his mask soon after, denying Eva to read his feelings as his face went expressionless. His strong jaw was set hard as he walked slowly towards the coffee stand. His packed muscles were bulging out of his leather jacket that it looked so surreal. It would've made more sense if he was a model rather than a highschool student. His ridiculously good looks and body wasn't what perplexed Eva however, his tense muscles and knotted shoulders did. From her distance, Eva could detect so much repressed anger at Ashton in Hunter's glaring, grey eyes.

He definitely didn't look like the guy who cried on a bench and flirted with her afterwards, which made Eva cringe at the number of filters and shades he had.

Hunter ordered two ice lattes - sugar-free - before he got his drinks and walked toward the exit, a hardset snarl on his edgy face as he denied Eva and Ashton his attention. Eva didn't want him to come over and act friendly and flirtatious with her, but she sort of expected something other than total ignorance, especially after doing all what she could to comfort him the day before. It seemed like no matter how hard Eva tried, she would always be met with carelessness - no wonder mom ignored me so much.

"Okay, all done," Ashton said, "By the way, I found Zarek's contact here. He changed his number a while ago, so I can't reach him. Can I save his new number from you?"

Eva's guard was up. "Why?" She tried sounding as less alarmed and defensive as possible, but her narrowed eyes probably gave her away.

"Trust me, okay?"

Eva hesitated, but she better leave her trust issues aside and have faith again no matter how hard it seemed. Ashton was good, he would only help her. Eva nodded, hoping that Ashton wouldn't somehow end up hurting her like everyone else in her life, as Ashton saved Zarek's number in his phone.

Ashton gave Eva's phone - that looked so outdated in comparison of his - back to her. Eva wasn't one to feel self-conscious about her financial state - I'm even friends with Trudy and I never felt like this - but she couldn't help but do in the presence of Ashton. She knew he wasn't as rich as Trudy for example, but Ashton didn't need money to make someone feel blustered, he was just so composed and comfortable without even trying to be.

For a strange reason, Eva liked that about him.

It was safe for Ashton to walk her home since Hannah planned a day out; she would take her precious twins and visit her sister-in-law, Chelsea, who probably missed her favorite nephew and niece, then Hannah would go grocery-shopping because she promised a splendid dinner. Sadly, Eva wasn't even included. Eva wanted to have a day out with her family, because Hannah wasn't the only one who missed Celene and Joseph; Eva did miss them just as much, but some things wouldn't change, apparently, even for the sake of a happy family reunion.

The walk wasn't far from Eva's house, it was barely a five minute walk. Eva stopped once she reached her home, not wanting to go inside and be lonely for the rest of the day. She wasn't ready to say goodbye to her only company, but it was inevitable.

"So..." Eva trailed.

Ashton grinned, his hands in his pockets as he looked down at her. He was standing next to her, making Eva realize how tall he was. He wasn't as tall as Justin - no one is as tall as Justin, that guy is a giant - but he was pretty close. "Ryan's birthday party is tomorrow night. I was thinking maybe you would like to go with me?"

A tiniest blush was enough to tint his pale cheeks a flustered pink. Eva chuckled at the guy's embarrassment, he really was taking this whole relationship thing seriously. "Oh, yes, I totally knew it was his birthday tomorrow," Eva couldn't remember Ryan inviting her to his party, but she figured he was still sore on rejecting him. He can be so childish sometimes - and that was something she loved about her best friend despite how annoying it was. "I'd love to go, but I'm not sure mom will let me leave."

Eva didn't want to talk about her family, but she needed to get this out in the open. "By the way, Ashton, no one other than Zarek knows about 'us'," Eva cringed at herself yet again, but it was too late to take anything back anyways. "My family is really strict, they won't approve of this."

"I love myself a secret, fake relationship," Ashton's cute little dimple made another appearance, his ginger hair a bright, happy orange. "So don't worry, you can trust me, Eva."

Ashton was such a nice guy - a gentleman, even. This won't completely suck. Eva had a feeling that out of this fake relationship, a wonderful friendship might blossom.

Eva and Ashton? how does that feel?

the walk home was going to be longer and they would've talked about other important things but i postponed that since so much is happening already and i would've contradicted myself since i already said that the walk from the ice cream shop and Eva's home was five minutes in the chapter Faith, so yeah. look out for more of Ashton and Eva though. (i know not much is making sense right now between them, but just give it a few chapters and it will all get clearer, i promise.)