"If the ask you about me, tell them: 'She was the only person that loved me with honesty, and I broke her.'" -Unknown

Previously On IASWAD:

"I'm sorry I doubted you," I start as I approach her. "Emma told me the tru-"

"Emma?" She asks confused.

I nod and continue, "She was the one sent me the picture. That's why I didn't believe you but I know the truth now. I was a fucking asswhole to you and maybe you won't forgive me but please, please, please I beg you please forgive me."

"Ryder I..."

Ashley's POV:

I let everything sink in, the sudden revelation had my emotions all over the place. I stare at him and I take in a deep breathe.

"Ryder I-I forgive you," A smile spreads on his face and he leans down to kiss me but I back away. "But after everything I am not sure if we should be together."

His smile fades away and with a confused face he asks, "Why not?"

I swallow the lump in my throat as I think through what I am about to say. His harsh words fill my mind and the tears pour down again.

"Nothing about us feels right anymore." I confess and his once happy expression was long gone now.

"Ash I-"

"I told you that I didn't kiss Mathew...but you didn't believe me. What happened to us just proves we weren't ready, maybe we moved a little too quickly. M-Maybe we aren't meant to be together as...as a couple." I explain. "You put me through a lot of pain and I-"

"Ashley, I didn't believe you because it was my sister who had told me that you were cheating on me, and I trusted her." He defends.

"I understand that but if two people love each other than they will trust each other no matter what," I retort. "I did love you Ryder—but you made me question your love towards me with this. I'm sorry but I can't do this."

I slip off the ring that he had given me just a few weeks back and place it inside his palm. The spark I would get from his touch was still there and it caused my heart to ache even more.

"Ashley please, give us a second chance." He pleads as tears of his own roll down his cheeks.

I look away as the pain grows, "Right now I can only give our friendship a second chance."

His pained expression caused a sharp ache in my heart but I had to stay strong. "It is for the best." My mind states. I kiss his cheek before walking down the corridor leaving his slouched figure standing there holding the ring in his palms.

"Ashley are you okay?" Mathew's voice asked but I ignored it. I walked past the blonde haired boy and into the classroom.

The numbness was still there, the pain was still there, but a bit of hope now replaced the thought of loneliness. He'll still be there, not as a lover but as a friend and sometimes a friend is better than a boyfriend.

Ryder's POV:

Her words still rang in my ears and ran through my mind. I really fucked up, and there's nothing I can do now. It's too late, she hates me!

"Ryder!" I turn around to face the source of this whole mess. "What happened what did she say?"

"She hates me," I dryly respond. "And it's because I stupidly believed the lies you told me!"

"Ryder, I-I am sorry. I...I was trying to protect Catherine and you." Tears stained her once rosy cheeks. "Sandra, she threatened me, she-"

"We told you to come to us if she ever said or did anything to you!" All my bundled up anger and pain finally made me explode.

Emma flinched at my sudden outburst and her dark brown eyes stared at me with fear and hurt.

"Ryder, Emma what's going on here?" Catherine asked as she approached us with Amelia trailing behind.

My icy glare turns to Emma, "Why don't you tell them Em?"

A hurt Emma turns to look at two confused girls with watery eyes.

"I-I was the one w-who told Ryder... Ashley c-cheated on him." Emma choked out as the pair stare at her in disbelief.

"Why would you do that?" Amelia questions.

"Sandra threaten to tell the whole school t-that..." She let out a deep breathe and stared at Catherine. "That our mom was sleeping with a married man."

Catherine stared at Emma shocked at the news. I could see her eyes starting to get watery.

"I didn't want Ryder and Catherine to be put through again, because of me. So I did what Sandra told me but now, now I realize I caused much more damage." Emma finishes.

"Have you told Ashley?" Amelia asks, looking at me with hopefully eyes.

I look down at the tile floor and reply, "She...she thinks it's best that we be friends."

"You hurt her Ryder and she needs time to heal," Amelia replies. "But you two, you guys have something special and I know that she will go back to you, she just needs time."

"If a friendship is what she wants than friends we will be, I'll respect her decision. And I'll wait for her because I do love her." I reply and Amelia gives me a smile of agreement.

"Catherine, are you okay?" I turn to look at her with concerned eyes. She gives me and assuring smile as she nods and answers, "I'm fine."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys and instead let Sandra manipulate me." Emma states and I let out a sigh.

I bring my two sisters closer to me and hug them. I give them and comforting hug and state, "We'll talk to her and see if what Sandra said was true."

They both nod as they hug me back and Amelia stands there with an 'aw' smile.

"With time everything will be back to how it was, you just wait and see." Amelia states and we give her a grateful smile. Ashley sure does have some great friends.

Emma's POV:

I hate seeing them hurt and now they are both hurt because of me. But I need to make things right, fix things between Ryder and Ash and between my mother and us. They've hurt enough because of me, it's time I did something. I step out of the the black BMW i8 and stare at the three story building in front of me.

"You can do this." I tell myself. With my head up I walk towards the familiar house.

I hesitantly raise my hand up. I shut my eyes close as my finger presses the white doorbell. I could hear the ding dong ring through the house and my heartbeat accelerates. Soon the five foot two, hazel brown eyed brunette appears on the other side of the door.

"Emma? What's up?" She asks with a small smile trying to hide the fact that she was sad. The bags under her somewhat red eyes said other wise.

"I-I came to apologize." I answer with an ashamed face as I stare down at my white converses.

"Emma, you don't need to apologize. I know you why you did what you did and I can't hold it against you. You did what you had to do." She responds as she pulls me into a hug.

I smiled into the hug as a few tears ran down my face, at least I still had my friend.

"I just wanted to ask if you could forgive my brother, you two made one heck of couple and the love was visible even to a blind person." I state and her smile fades.

"Em, please-"

"No you please, listen my brother he was a total mess, yes he might have 'hated' you but me as his sister I know him better. He loved you, even after hearing that you cheated on him from me. He would never stop loving you because you mean so much to him." I reply. "You and my brother are meant to be, you're soulmates, love like yours occurs every thousand years. So, please don't let that go because of one mistake."

"Emma, I love your brother with all my heart. Trust me, this hard on me to but it's for the best. Right now I am hurt and I need to mend my heart before I can be with your brother again. He hurt and it takes a bit of time to repair the damage he caused." She answers which causes disappointment to dawn on me.

If only I had a time machine then maybe, just maybe I would be able to remand my mistake. Why could I have let this happen?

"But-" I try once more but Ashley shake her head and answers...

"I just need time and space, please I need time and space." She answers.

I sigh in defeat, "Fine."

She gives me a small sad smile which I return before turning on my heel and walking towards the black car. I fastened my seatbelt and throw my head back. I run a hand over my tired temples that were now throbbing.

"I'm such an idiot." I tell myself before starting the car.

I turn on the radio and Say Something starts playing. The melody flows from the speakers to my car to my ears and into my mind.

"Just the song I needed." I state with sarcasm as I stare at the road in front of me.

Ashley's POV:

I shut the door and let out a breathe I didn't know I was holding in. Why'd life have to get complicated? "Don't worry the ride will come to an end soon." My minded comforted.

"I'm just praying it does come to an end." I tell myself as I push back my brown locks.

"You and my brother are meant to be, you're soulmates, love like yours occurs every thousand years. So, please don't let that go because of one mistake."

Am I really making a mistake? "No you are just looking out for your heart." My mind defends. It's true I was looking out for my heart but I was also hurting it in the process.

"Ashley, sweetie who was it?" My mom asked as I walked back into the dinning room.

"Emma, she was looking for Catherine." I easily lie as I take my seat.

"But Catherine is–Ow!" Blake throws a glare at me which I return. Once he realizes why Emma was really here he shuts his mouth.

Am I making a mistake?

•~•~•
Hello my lovelies!!! I was going to update this chapter yesterday but I decided to change the course of the chapter last minute. What do you guys think of Ashley's decision? Shocking am I right? Tissues anyone? I really, really, really hope you guys enjoyed reading the chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Don't forget to vote, comment, and share.

QOD: "Sometimes a a friend is better than a boyfriend..." is a line from which show?

Thank you so much for reading. I might update again today so keep a look out for chapter 41. I'll see you later, chao xoxo 💋

P.S.- Just eight more chapters to go!!! I'll be doing a character Q&A so if you have any questions for the characters or me, the author feel free to PM me or leave a comment :)