"All good things must come to an end." - Aria, PLL

There was a harsh sting in my chest as memories swirled through my head. Salty water droplets left my eyes and rolled down my cheeks as I tried to figure out when things went spiraling down. I punched the wall but the pain in my heart was worst than that of my hand.

"You never loved me, did you?"

I pushed back the brown locks in my face as I stared up at the white ceiling.

"Ash, open the door." Blake voice could be heard through the white wooden polished door.

"Leave me alone," I cried out. "I just want to be alone."

"How could I have ever loved someone like you?"

His harsh words lingered on my mind. The hurt was then replaced with anger. How dare he accuse me of such thing? "If he had loved you he would have believe you." My mind answered.

"Did he even love me?"

Two Days Earlier...

I interlocked my hands with the dark brown haired boy laying next to me and smiled.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask as I look up to meet with his loving gaze.

He smiled down at me and answered, "About how lucky I am to have you as my girlfriend."

His words caused my heart to warm up and butterflies to fly around in my stomach.

"Who would have thought seven months ago that we would end up together." I reply. "You the popular boy of the school and me the ordinary girl."

Ryder stroked my cheek and pecked my lips, "You're anything but ordinary."

I smiled up at him and reclaimed his lips before he deepened the kiss and wrapped his arm around my waist.

"You are smart, talented, beautiful, nice, and the list goes on and on." He stated and I smiled at him. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I respond. I wrap my arms around his neck and connect our lips again.

"Get a room!" Blake exclaimed causing us to break apart.

"We are in a room," I retort gesturing to my room. "MY room."

"Well get a room with the door closed." He replied jokingly.

I roll my eyes but keep my smile intact.

"What are you doing here anyways?" I ask. "Aren't you supposed to be working on that project you have at Jeremy's house?"

"He has the flu and since its contagious I couldn't go." He explained. "Plus I have a party to go to."

"With Catherine?" I ask and he nods in response.

"Well you two have fun," Ryder states. "And use protection."

Blake's cheeks turn a light shade of red as he flips Ryder off and heads to his room.

"Where were we?" Ryder asked as he turned to face me leaning down to rejoin our lips.

I smirk and answer, "I believe I was about to kick you out so I can get ready for our date."

"Can we just stay here (kiss) and lay next to each other (kiss) enjoying the company of one another (kiss)?" Ryder asked placing kisses on my lips and neck.

I cup his face in my hands and connect our lips. He smiles into the kiss as he turns us around so I am on top of him out. The small kiss becomes intense and more demanding.

"Seriously, I just leave for one second and you're at it again." Blake's voice caused us to break apart. I grab a pillow near Ryder's head and throw it him. "No need for violence!"

Ryder chuckles as Blake runs back to his room. I smile down at Ryder and peck his lips.

"I'll see you in a bit for our date." Ryder states as I get off him.

"Can you tell me where we are going?" I plead as he make our way downstairs but Ryder shakes his head.

"You will find out soon enough." He answers causing me to frown. "I'll see you in a bit okay. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Ryder smirked before he slapped my butt and stared, "Now go get ready for our date."

A gave him a playful frown causing him to chuckle. I peck his lips once more before the door shuts close. I walk back upstairs and into my room.

"What to wear, what to wear." I ask myself as I tap my chin.

I look through the closet until I find a black and white stripped off the shoulder shirt and burgundy skirt. I put the clothes on and decide to tuck the shirt into the skirt. I let my hair fall into wavy curls before applying some light make-up. I pair the outfit with my white converses. There's a light knock on the door and I open it to find Harper.

"Hey what's up." I ask.

"I need your advice," She walks into my room and takes a seat on the bay window. "If a boy bothers you a lot but is sometimes nice and defends you does it mean he likes you?"

I take a seat next to her and run a hand through her wavy brown hair, "He might or maybe he wants to be friends. With boys it's often complicated to know, but the best way to know if he likes you are not is to ask him."

"But what if he doesn't? I will just embarrass myself in front of him." She answers.

"What's worse, embarrassing yourself in front of him or living with that nagging doubt?" I ask. Harper smiles up at me before walking to the door.

"Thanks for your help Ash." She states before walking out the door.

There is a ding and I walk over to my phone.

Ryder: Hey, I'm outside.

Me: Okay, I'll be there soon.

I shut off my phone before grabbing my purse and walk downstairs. I say goodbye before walking out the door. Ryder was standing there awaiting for me and his eyes seemed to light up.

"Hey, handsome." I state with a smile.

"Hey, beautiful," He answers. "Are you ready to go?"

I nod in response before we interlock our hands and walk to his car. He opens the door for me and I climb. He rounds the car before taking his seat and driving away from my house.

"So...can I know where we are going?" I try once more but he shakes his head.

"I'll give you a hint though," He replies and motion for him to go on. "The place we are going to stars with an ER."

"We are going to the emergency room?" Ryder chuckles at my answer as I sit their dumbfounded.

"No, it's not the emergency room." He replies. "Just wait until we get there."

With a sigh of defeat I give in and sit back in my chair wondering where Ryder is taking us.

***

"Escape room!" I exclaim as we enter the building. "That's what you meant by ER."

"Yes," Ryder chuckles. "Come lets go."

Ryder intertwines our hands as we walk over to our attendant. She leads us to our room, which was a zombie escape room. She explains the details and how we can ask for a hint. The door to the room opens and she leads inside.

"If there are no questions I'll leave." She walks over to thee door. "You have sixty minutes and your time starts...NOW."

Ryder and I look for all the clues we can possible find. There were two zombies in the room who were sleeping. Although, I knew they were fake they still caused goosebumps to run down my back.

"I found a clue!" Ryder excitedly exclaims. I walk over to him and he found a note in the garbage can which had numbers written on it.

"Wait, there was a clear sheet of paper with numbers on it." I look for the paper and finding laying next to the table. There was a white paper with letters on it on the wall and I laid the clear one on top of the other one.

"Want me to read you the numbers?" Ryder asked and I nod. "Seven, five, nine."

"It spells six." I state and Ryder walks over the lock we found earlier and inserts the number. The lock unlocks and the drawer opens.

Inside was a key for the next room. Before we could make our way to the door though the lights went off and we heard growling.

"Run!" Ryder and I ran to the door and closed it behind us leaving the zombies outside.

"This is the most scary but exciting and fun date I have ever gone to." I state as we turn on the lights for the second room.

"I'm glad you are having fun." Ryder states before pecking my lips. "Now let's find this cute."

***

"Thanks for the amazing date." I state as we step out of Ryder's car and head towards my house.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Ryder replied with a smile.

"Oh the two love birds are back." Blake states as we enter the living room. Catherine who was dressed in a pair of jeans and pink ruffle top gave me a welcoming smile.

"Where'd Ryder take you this time?" Catherine asks.

"An escape room." I answer as I take a seat on Ryder's lap.

"We should go to one of those as a group someday." Blake states.

"We should." Ryder agrees but Catherine shakes her head.

"No, I don't know about you but I don't want to die young." Catherine states only to be comforted by Blake who whispers, "Don't worry I'll protect you."

Ryder and I smiled at the cute couple in front of us. I laid my head on his shoulder as he ran his hands through my brown locks.

"Hola mis amigos!" Andrews voice filled the room and we all turned to look at him. "Aw, dang now I'm the fifth wheel."

"I'm not even surprised anymore." Blake stated causing us to laugh.

"So, what are you doing here?" I ask.

"Well duh, I came to spend some quality time with my friends. Plus I have the new movie 47 Meters Down downloaded on my laptop." Andrew states as he shows us his laptop.

"I've been dying to watch that movie." Catherine states. "Why don't we go to the mini cinema downstairs."

We all nod our heads in agreement before walking downstairs. We all got situated into our spots but the doorbell interrupts Andrew from playing the movie.

"I'll go get it." Catherine offers. She makes her way upstairs and comes back down a few moments later with three teenagers trailing behind her.

"Hello my amigos!" Daniel greets as he plops on one of the seats.

"And who invited you?" Ryder jokes causing Daniel's jaw to drop.

He touches his heart for emphasis before stating, "I thought we were friends Ryder."

"He's kidding," I state. "You are welcomed here anytime you want."

"Yay, thanks Ash, that's why you're my best friend." Daniel stated as he gives me a bear hug.

"Heh! Hands off my bestie!" Andrew responds as he shoves Daniel away. "I've known her longer."

I chuckle at Andrew as I pat his back. Daniel sticks his tongue out earning a chuckle from all of us.

"Can we start watching the movie, please?" Catherine asks and we all nod.

Andrew pressed play on the keyboard before taking his seat next to Hannah. I lay my head against Ryder's shoulder as I snuggle next to him. Everything was perfect in that moment and I wish time could have just frozen so we could stay like that forever because I was definitely not ready for the storm that was heading our way.

***

"We'll see you guys at school tomorrow." Daniel stated before walking to his car with Alexia, Hannah, and Andrew.

"Okay, bye." Catherine, Ryder, and I respond. They wave goodbye before Daniel pulls out of the driveway.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow beautiful." Ryder states as he turns around to look at me.

I smile up and peck his lips, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight princess." He kisses the top of my head and gives me a hug.

"Goodnight." I reply as he pecks my lips one last time and climbs into the car with Catherine.

"Welp, I'll be in my room if you need me." Blake informs as I shut the door behind me. I walk over to kitchen and take a cold water bottle from the fridge.

Before I can drink the cold liquid the doorbell rings. Guess they forgot something.

"I'll get it!" I announce. I open the door and am surprised to find Mathew standing on the other side. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk with you." He answers as I stare at him suspiciously. "May I come in?"

"No," I quickly respond. "You can tell me what you want to tell me out here."

Mathew sighs in defeat, "Fine."

I stare at him with arms crossed and raised eyebrow informing to proceed.

"I'm sorry for being a douchebag to you and destroying the trust and loyalty between us," He states. "I hope one day you can forgive me and we can maybe be friends again."

"It's going to take a long, long, long time for me to restore the trust I had for you and for us to be friends again but I can forgive you." I reply.

Mathew nods and he slowly turns around but immediately turns on his heel and walks over to me before claiming my lips. He cups my face with one hand and wraps the other one around me making it impossible for me to move since my arms were still locked together over my chest which was now pressed against his. I hear a flash of a camera from the distance and Mathew finally lets go.

"What the hell?!"

Mathew runs a hand through his blonde locks and answers, "Sorry I couldn't help myself."

"Leave now!" I exclaim and he obliges.

His car roars to life before he leaves. I hear the ruffling of leaves and I snap my head to the bushes only to find someone running away in the distance. What the?

***

I enter the school confused and head straight to his locker. Ryder hadn't showed up to pick me up and it was quite weird because he hadn't answered any of my texts.

"Ryder are you okay?" I ask as I approach him. He had a frown on his face as he gave me an icy glare.

"I'm fine," he dryly answers. "Just like you and Mathew are now. Why did you do it Ash? What did I do wrong?"

I stared at him confused and answer, "You did nothing wrong. What are you talking about?"

"About you and Mathew kissing!" He exclaims. "I trusted you Ashley! I can't believe you did this to me!"

"What are you talking about? I never kissed Mathew."

Ryder shoved his phone in my face and there stood a picture of last night when Mathew kissed me.

"I didn't kiss hi-"

"This picture saids otherwise."

I stared at him with glossy eyes, "He kissed me! I didn't kiss him back!"

"Yeah, yeah sure." Ryder let's out a hurt chuckle.

"Why don't believe me?!" I question as a few tears leave my face.

"You never loved me did you?" He scoffs.

"I do love you." I state trying to cup his face in my hands but he just pushes my hands away.

"How could I have ever loved someone like you?" He stared at me with disgust causing my heart to shatter. "I should've listened to Catherine...heck I should've listened to Sandra. They were both right about you."

"Ryder how can you say that! I love yo-"

"We are over, and please don't ever speak to me again!"

I felt the world around me come crashing down as the pale dark brown haired boy walked away.

•~•~•
Hey my lovelies!!! I'm so sorry for the extremely long hideous I took but I really needed it. I had some family issues going on and I was also pretty busy with end of the school year stuff...but now I'm back! What do you guys think? It was so hard for me to write this chapter because of how sad it made me but I did it. Please vote, comment, and share.

QOD: What do you guys think?

Thank you so much for reading!!! I hope you enjoyed it. Might update again today so be on the look out for chapter 37. Adios for now my lovelies xoxo 💋

P.S.-Eleven more chapters to go!!!

(Ashley's Outfit)