Previously on IASD:

I laid in bed thinking although I didn't want to think no more. I ran my hands through my face and hair. Oh god why me? I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. I've made my decision, I know what I want to do.

•|•|•

-"if I did anything right in my life it was when I gave my heart to you."

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Can't this clock go any faster?! I swear it has been stuck on two fifty nine for the past hour. I tapped my foot on the floor as I chewed on my pen top (don't judge it's a habit of mine!). I kept chanting, "One more minute, one more minute." inside my head as I stared at the black clock hanging in the wall.

"Miss Carter, can you stop staring into space and answer the question I just asked?" Mrs. Grison, yeah that's her real last name, stated as she stared at me with those piercing gray eyes.

Shit! I wasn't paying attention.

"Uh, t-the answer is...um-" before I can prove the teacher right the bell rings signaling the end of school.

Thank you God!

Mrs. Grison's face forms a frown before she states, "Class is dismissed."

Phew. I thought she was going to make us stay here until I answered the question. I have heard she has done that before. Everyone hurriedly packs their stuff before walking out of the classroom like wild animals. Yeah, just like every Friday everyone was ready to get out of here but the only difference was that today was the day of the Valentines dance. After the extremely awkward scene that occurred on Tuesday I have been planning to avoid both Ryder and Mathew at all cost! But it's hard to do that when I share some of the same classes as them, oh and yeah I also live under the same roof as Ryder! Isn't my life just perfect?

As I exit the classroom I am greeted by Natalie and she states, "Hey Ash."

"Hey Nat, thank you so, so, so much for doing me this huge favor." I reply with a grateful smile.

"No problem, you are my friend now and that's what friends are for." Natalie replies.

Natalie has been giving me a ride to and from school, you know since it will be awkward if I went with Ryder and Catherine.

"So have you decided who you are going to the dance with?" Natalie asks as we walk towards the school main doors.

I nod my head as I state, "Yeah, I've made my decision."

"So who's going to be the lucky guy?" She asks.

"Robert," I respond and she looks at me confused. "My imaginary date is the lucky guy. I am not going with either of them to the dance, I-I decided I am going to go alone. It's not mandatory to have a date so who saids I can't go by myself."

"You're so mean I actually thought you had chosen between the Ryder and Mathew." Natalie states as she gently pushes me.

I give her a small smile before replying, "I can't chose between the two, I don't want to hurt the other if I do."

Huh, when did life become so hard?

"Oh, I see." Natalie answers. "So you want to go to my house. I am pretty sure you don't want to face Ryder, at least not yet?"

I give her a grateful smile as I nod.

"That would be nice thank you." I reply.

"No problem and I said that's what friends are for." She responds.

"I am glad I got to know you." I state as we walk towards her car.

We climb into her gray 2016 Honda Civic Sedan before buckling up. Natalie turns on the radio and Cold Water by Major Lazer starts playing. Natalia and I sing along to lyrics.

[Justin Bieber:]
Everybody gets high sometimes, you know
What else can we do when we're feeling low?
So take a deep breath and let it go
You shouldn't be drowning on your own

And if you feel you're sinking,
I will jump right over into cold, cold water for you
And although time may take us into different places
I will still be patient with you
And I hope you know

I won't let go
I'll be your lifeline tonight
I won't let go
I'll be your lifeline tonight

Cause we all get lost sometimes, you know?
It's how we learn and how we grow
And I wanna lay with you 'til I'm old
You shouldn't be fighting on your own

And if you feel you're sinking,
I will jump right over into cold, cold water for you
And although time may take us into different places
I will still be patient with you
And I hope you know

I won't let go (I won't let go, no, no, no, no, no, no)
I'll be your lifeline tonight
I won't let go
I'll be your lifeline tonight

[MØ:]
Come on, come on
Save me from my rocking boat
I just want to stay afloat
I'm all alone
And I hope, I hope
Someone's gonna take me home
Somewhere I can rest my soul
I need to know

[Justin Bieber & MØ:]
You won't let go (I won't let go, no, no, no, no, no, no)
I'll be your lifeline tonight
You won't let go
I'll be your lifeline tonight

[Justin Bieber:]
I won't let go
I won't let go

***

Natalie unlocks her house door before we step inside. It was big and elegant, my eyes roamed in each direction staring in awe at the place.

"Your house is beautiful." I state as I look over at Natalie.

"Thank you." She responds as she sets her keys on the table. "Do you want anything to drink or eat?"

"Water please." I reply before we walk towards her kitchen.

Natalie fills up a glass of water and gives it to me as I say, "Thank you."

"Thank goodness you are here, you can help me pick out an outfit for the dance." She states.

"Sure." I respond before she grabs my hand and leads us to her room.

"I have a bunch of outfits I have put together but I don't know which one I want to wear." She states as she pulls out a pile of clothes.

Something she has in common with Amelia.

"How about you try them on and we eliminate them one by one. I mean we do have four hours to get ready anyways." I suggest and she agrees.

"I will try on this one first." She replies as she picks up an outfit and heads towards her bathroom.

My phone dings indicating I received a message from, Mathew.

Mathew: Hey Ashley, have you decided on who you are going to the dance with?

I bite my lip as I begin to type in the keyboard. A part of me wishes it had been Ryder who had text me. I looked at the text that stated.

Me: I decided I am going by myself, sorry.

I read it once more before erasing it and instead just shutting off my phone. I let out a sigh before Natalie walks back into the room. She had on a white skirt and mint colored crop top with lace sleeves. The look didn't really suit her and I shake my head as I put a thumbs down.

"Good cause I don't like it either." She states causing me to let out a soft laugh.

I grab another outfit from the bed and hand it her, "Try this one on."

"Okie dokie." She states as she grabs the outfit from my hand.

I receive another message and roll my eyes in annoyance. Can't Mathew get the hint I don't want to talk right now. I was surprised when I saw another name flash on my screen.

Ryder: Hey just wanted to tell you that you can go with Mathew to the dance, I understand.

A smile spreads on my face at the text and I begin typing away on the screen.

Me: I've decided to go alone.

Ryder: Oh okay, well I will see you there I guess. Bye Ash.

Me: Bye Ryder see you there

My smile widen as I read over the text messages. I look up when I hear the bathroom door open and Natalie walks into the room.

"So what do you think?" She ask as she spun around.

She had on a pink skirt, black crop top that made the outfit look like a dress, and black wedges. The outfit suited her well and with her hair in curls the look would be finished.

"That's the outfit." I state as I approve of it.

"Yay, I love this outfit." Natalia replies. "Now let's pick out an outfit for you."

"No, it's okay you don't have to." I respond.

"Yes I do, now get up and go try this on." Natalie states as she hands me an outfit and pushes me towards the bathroom.

***

"All done." Natalie states as she finishes with my hair.

It took us literally fifteen tries until we got the perfect outfit for me. Then we had to take a shower and do our hair and make up. Now it was six thirty and the dance was about to start.

"Thanks Natalie." I state as I looked myself in the mirror.

I had on a white lace skirt that reached to mid thigh, and a nude laced top that made the outfit look like a dress. I put on a pair of nude open toe pumps and my hair was placed into two braids that were tied in the back with my bangs falling out. Overall I look nice and I had Natalie to thank for.

"Zack is outside." Natalie states as she looks up for her phone. "Let's go."

"No it's okay I will just calm an Ubur to take me." I reply.

"None sense you're coming with us now let's go." Natalie replies as she leads us to Zack's, Natalie's boyfriend, car.

We climb into the blue BMW i8 and I buckle myself up.

"Zack this is Ashley, Ashley meet Zack." Natalie states as she introduces us.

Zack sends me a friendly smile as we wave at each other.

"It's nice to meet you Ashley." Zack states as he starts the car.

"You too." I respond with a small smile. 

"Let's see what in the radio." Natalie states before turning it in and filling the car with music.

***

It took us fifteen minutes to arrive at school and another ten to find a parking lot. We step out of the car and are met by the February cold air. Damn why did I wear a skirt?!

"You guys can go in, I will meet you inside." I state.

"You sure?" Natalie asks and I nod in assurance.

They turn on their heel and start walking inside as well as other couples. I let out a sigh before heading in myself. I hand in my ticket and give my coat to one of the chaperones. Too bad my brother wasn't able to be a chaperone at the dance because of his college test. I am pretty sure Catherine would have enjoyed his company today. There were pink, red, and white hearts hanging from the ceiling on the hallway that led to the gymnasium doors. An arch with lights meets me at the entrance as well a red carpet, so romantic. I walk inside and am met by loud music. On the stage was a DJ playing Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes. On top of the dance floor where white ceiling drapes which looked fancy.

"Ashley hey." Came Mathews voice from behind me.

"Uh hey Matt." I state with a small smile.

Mathew scratches the back of his neck before responding, "So I see you came alone."

"Yeah," I respond as I look away.

"Well do you want something to drink?" He asks and I simply nod before we walk to the snack table.

I suddenly receive a message from Ryder.

Ryder: Meet me at the lockers near the bathrooms, I need to talk to you.

I look up from my phone and sigh.

"Matt I will be right back I have to go to the restroom." I easily lie and he nods before I walk out of the gymnasium.

I walk towards the restrooms and I feel a sharp pain at what I find. Ryder and Sandra were kissing!

Ryder pushes her away and states, "What the-"

His sentence is cut short since he spots me and anger flashes through his eyes.

"Ashley it's not what it seems." He states but I quickly turn on my heel and start walking away.

He yells something at Sandra before I hear his footsteps running after me. His hands grips my wrist and turns me around.

"What do you want!" I snap as a couple of years run down my cheeks.

He holds my face in his hands and wipes the tears away with his thumbs.

"Ashley, please listen to me. What you saw it wasn't what it seemed."

"Oh really well it seemed to me that you were kissing Sandra, you know the girl that humiliated your sister." I state.

"Ash I wasn't ki-"

I cut his sentence short by stating, "You don't have to explain yourself to me Ryder. You aren't my friend, nor my brother and you're definitely not my boyfrie-"

Ryder connects our lips cutting my sentence short. His kiss like always sending sparks all over my body. It was wrong, I can't kiss him at least not after I saw him kiss another girl. I quickly push him away and slap him.

"Don't you dare touch me ever again." I state as anger starts to rise inside me.

"Ashley that day at the lake house, I-I didn't mean what I-"

I cut his sentence short and state, "No Ryder, I don't want to hear it! I am done with you! Please just leave me alone."

I push past him and start walking back into the school. I find Sandra smirking as I walk in.

"Ah my dear Ashley so gullible. Did you actually think Ryder would ever kiss me?" Sandra states realization dawning onto me as well as guilt.

"You fucking bitch." I state as I slap her hard across the face before running back outside.

I was expecting to see Ryder still there but he was gone. Damn it I just ruined everything again!

Ryder's POV:

I drink some of the fruit punch and have my eyes concentrated on the gyms doors awaiting her arrival. I check my phone's clock again and it read six forty five.

"Hello Ryder." Sandra stated and I just frowned.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"You're phone." She replied as she snapped my phone from my hand.

She ran away with my phone and I chased after her. I look for her and find her near the bathrooms. She has a smirked splattered on her face as I approach her.

"Sandra give me back my phone." I threaten.

She smirks and replies, "Gladly let me just send this message."

I snatch the phone away from her and see that she sent the message to Ashley.

"Why would you send Ashley a message using my phone?" I ask dumbfounded.

"Because." She responds innocently. "I want her to see this."

Before I know it she connects our lips together catching me by surprise. I quickly push her away from me. Anger rose inside of me, why the hell did she kiss me.

"What the-" I start but my eyes land on her and I suddenly know what Sandra had planned. "Ashley it's not what it seems."

Ashley quickly turned on her heel and started walking away.

"You're fucking sick Sandra!" I yell before I run after Ashley. I grab her wrist and turn her around.

"What do you want!" She snaps as a couple of tears run down her cheeks which breaks my heart.

I hold her face in my hands and use my thumbs to wipe away the tears.

"Ashley, please listen to me. What you saw it wasn't what it seemed."

"Oh really well it seemed to me that you were kissing Sandra, you know the girl that humiliated your sister." She states.

"Ash I wasn't ki-"

She cut my sentence short by stating, "You don't have to explain yourself to me Ryder. You aren't my friend, nor my brother and you're definitely not my boyfrie-"

I can't take it anymore and I connect our lips cutting her sentence short. The kiss made my heart skip a beat and all I could think about was how much I loved Ashley. She unexpectedly breaks the kiss as she pushes me away and slaps me.

"Don't you dare touch me ever again." She states as her face turns red in anger.

"Ashley that day at the lake house, I-I didn't mean what I-"

She cuts my sentence short and states, "No Ryder, I don't want to hear it! I am done with you! Please just leave me alone."

She pushes past me and starts walking back into the school. Fuck, Sandra really messed things up with us. But I won't give up, I will prove to Ashley how much I care for her. I head the back of the school were Andrew, Brian, Daniel, and Blake are waiting for me. I told Blake about my feelings towards Ashley and he agreed to help me.

"You guys ready?" I ask and they all nod. "Let's get this party started!"

Let my plan begin.

Ashley's POV:

I walk back into the gymnasium and find Amelia with the other girls.

"Hey Ashley are you okay?" Alexia asked.

"Yeah." I respond as I give her an assuring smile.

"Everyone may we have your attention." Andrew stated and I knit my eyebrows in confusion.

"What is he doing up there?" Nikki asks before I can.

Once everyone is quiet and the attention is on him he continues speaking, "Ashley can you stand in the middle please."

Suddenly the spotlight is on me, thank you Andrew, you know how much I love attention. I walk towards the center of the dance floor and everyone moves out of the way. The curtains start to open and I find Daniel, Blake, and Brian behind their separate instrument. What are these guys up to?

"Hope you enjoy it." Andrew states before picking up the guitar and starting to play the chords before singing into the microphone.

Andrew: Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday.

All: Yeah, I know, I know when I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so sad to think that she doesn't see what I see
But every time she ask me do I look okay?
I say

Ryder walks into the stage with a microphone in hand.

Ryder: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

My hand covers my mouth as Ryder points at me at he sings the last verse. The rest of the instruments join in to play the tune of the song.

Blake & Daniel: Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday

Andrew & Brian: Oh, you know, you know, you know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for, then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say

Ryder walks down the stage and makes his way towards me as he sings.

Ryder: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

He cups my face in his hand and I lean into it smiling.

Ryder: And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

All: The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

"Ashley I like you and I was a freaking dumbass for not telling you earlier, but would you do me the honors of going out with me?" Ryder asked.

The guys continued singing the song but a little lower so everyone could hear Ryder and Andrew played the guitar.

I smile up at Ryder and nod before saying, "Yes!"

Ryder smiles back at me before connecting our lips.

All: When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are.
Yeah

Sparks were sent all over my body as I wrapped my arms around Ryder's neck. I didn't care about all the attention we were receiving, I didn't care about the two death stares we were receiving from Mathew and Sandra, all I cared about was the boy in front of me. All that seemed to matter was that he liked me back and that now we were together. That's all that I cared about on that very moment.

•~•~•
YAAAAYYYY!!!!! Rydley (happy tears) is official now, who else is happy?! I really, really, really hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Don't forget to vote, comment, and share.

QOD: What do you guys think of this chapter? (Also, if you have a better ship name feel free to comment it.)

Thank you all so much for reading, I love you guys so much, see you next Friday (or I might update again today, who knows). Adios my lovelies xoxo

(Ashley's Outfit)

(Ashley's Hairstyle)

(Natalie's Outfit)

(Dance Decorations)