Start of Something Good by Daughtry on the side!

**EDITED!!

READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END!!!!!

Happy Reading :)

After we had finished eating and got the check, we made our way back to the car. I felt bad having Ashton pay, but after being firmly told that he had it, I backed off. I was now sitting inside the limo, driving to god knows where. Ashton sat quietly next to me, occasionally tapping away at his phone. I took this time to study him, to say he was good looking was an understatement. He was beyond gorgeous; his brown hair was in a messy but sexy style. His dark blue suit looked great on him; on anyone else it probably wouldn't have looked this great, but maybe I'm just biased. The suit jacket hugged his wide, muscular shoulders and incased what I knew to be strong arms. Don't get me started on the slacks that hugged his well-toned backside. There was something about a man in a suit that made a woman weak in the knees.

Ashton's well defined jaw clenched as he read something on his phone. I couldn't help but feel turned on by that. His fingers flew across his phone and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. The longer I stared at him, the more I wondered why he asked me out. Maybe out of pity? A voice thought in my mind. I wouldn't lie to myself that just the thought of that hurt, but before I could depress myself, I felt my phone buzz in my bag. Reaching in, I saw that I had a text from Kacey.

To: Layla

From: Kacey

How's your date going? Did you decide to skip lunch and go straight to desert?

I instantly felt my cheeks heat up. Only Kacey would think that.

To: Kacey

From: Layla

NO!!! Why would you think that?

Not even a second later, she replied. I could tell she was sitting by her phone waiting for my reply.

To: Layla

From: Kacey

What? He's hot. You should shag him before it's too late.

After reading her text I quickly turned off my phone, not bothering to reply. Of course Kacey would tell me to sleep with the most eligible bachelor in New York. After putting my phone away, I looked up as I felt the car coming to a stop. Glancing out the window, I didn't recognize where we were.

"Ashton, where are we?" I finally asked.

"Its a surprise." He said as his driver opened the door for us. I slide out and step to the side, waiting for Ashton to come out. I glanced around trying to figure out where we were, but had no luck. After Ashton thanked his driver, he put a hand on my lower back, sending warm tingling feelings run up and down my spine.

"Let's go." Was all he said, nudging me forward towards a big building.

As we walked towards the building I couldn't help but wonder where we are. After Ashton held the door open for me, I slid inside and glanced around. I instantly started to recognize where we were. Posters covered the wall of all different pictures of sea life and little kids ran around their parents with excitement evident on their cut little faces. Ashton had brought me to the aquarium. I have never been, but have always wanted to go. I turned to Ashton with wide eyes.

"The aquarium!" I said, my face forming into a smile.

"Yeah, I thought maybe you'd like it." Ashton mumbled out, rubbing the back of his neck. Seeing him look almost embarrassed I knew he didn't do this often.

"I love it." I looked around and saw the entrance that lead to the tanks. "Lets go!" I said grabbing his arm and pulling him to the entrance. I heard him chuckle as I dragged him. I came to a stop at the ticket booth, reaching into my bag to grab my wallet. Just as I pulled out my wallet a big hand was placed above mine, stopping me.

"I got it." I started to protest, but Ashton had already handed the money over, and the lady was handing him our passes for inside. Glaring at the back of his head, I followed him inside, not wanting to hold the line up.

"Ashton I could have paid." I argued.

"Yes, but I asked you out. So I will be paying." He said firmly as he turned around to face me. Seeing his blue eyes staring down at me made my knees weak. I just nodded my head, not trusting myself to talk. Layla, what is wrong with you? I shouted at myself. You're letting him get to you! "What do you want to see first?" He said, bringing me out of the little battle going on inside my head.

"Uh, I... Um" I stuttered. I looked around and saw there were three hallways; one leading to the right, one to the left, and one straight ahead. "Let's go right." I said, hoping the hallways just link together. Ashton nodded at me and we both started down the right hallway.

We were silent as we came up to the first display of sea animals. I saw all different kinds and colors of fish. There were orange, red, blue, yellow, brown and even green fish.

"Look, there's Dory!!" I said, pointing at the fish that resembled Dory.

"Dory?" Ashton asked, confusion clear in his voice. I turned to him, resisting the urge to gasp.

"Dory? From Finding Nemo?"

"No, I haven't heard of that. Is that a movie?"

"Only one of the best animated movies of all time!"

"I've been too busy working to watch kid movies."

I jerked back in shock, "Its not just a kid movie! It's also an adult one. It's funny, and also has a really important life lesson." I defended.

"A life lesson? And what is that life lesson?" Ashton asked as we made our way slowly down the hallway.

"Well, the story is about a fish, Nemo, that gets kidnapped by humans and is taken to a dentist's office to be given as a gift. His dad, Marlin, goes out and tries to find him, meeting all different kinds of sea life, like a turtle, a shark, and Dory. Well, long story short, the lesson is: its okay to get out of your comfort zone and that it's okay to let someone or something you love go and let them find their own way." I said as I watched all the fish swimming around in their tank. Dory's quote "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" ran through my head. The sound of my heels clicking against the tile was the only sound that could be heard. Ashton was silent as we continued walking, probably thinking about what I said.

"Well that's... Insightful." Ashton finally said. I couldn't help but snort at his response.

"Its a good movie. One day I'll get you to watch it." I said nodding my head at my goal. From the corner of my eye I saw Ashton smirking.

Not even a minute later, Ashton said, "What are you, seven?"

"Hey, a twenty-three year old can watch a Disney movie." I said. He just rolled his eyes at me, but did drop the topic.

The further we moved into the building, the more fish we saw. We turned and walked under this glass fixture that let the fish swim over us. I looked up just in time to see a huge shark swim over us.

"Whoa! Look at that!" I said amazed as I tugged on Ashton's arm. I watched what I thought was a bullhead shark swim over us. Even though we were inside, it's shadow passed over us making it seem eerier than it should be. "That's a big shark." I remarked.

We stood under it for a little while longer, watching all the different kinds of fish swim over us. As I watched them pass by, I couldn't help but think how simple their lives are. All they do is swim around in their tank and don't have to worry about being eaten, not being fed, or have to worry about anything. I can't help but think life would be so much simpler if we were fish in a tank. We wouldn't have to worry about work, money, and family, nothing other than ourselves. It would be so nice to swim and forget about everything. I felt a soft nudge on my hip, knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Did you see that one?" Ashton asked, pointing to a blowfish. It was the same one from Finding Nemo.

"That one is cool. If you could be any fish or sea life what would it be?" I asked glancing up at him as we slowly walked. Ashton was silent as he thought over my question.

"I would be a shark." He said, and just then a big white shark swam by.

"A shark really?"

"Yes. They are the predators of the sea, along with whales. I'd rather be the king of the sea, instead of a jellyfish or something." He reasoned.

"Typical guy response." I said rolling my eyes.

"Okay, fine then. What would you choose?"

"I'd choose a dolphin."

"That's such a woman's response." He said, throwing my words back at me.

"Okay fine! It is, but dolphins are the kindest sea animals and are very smart."

"Sharks eat dolphins." Ashton pointed out.

"No they don't. Dolphins don't get eaten!"

I turned and stared at him before starting to laugh. Ashton just looked down at me like I was crazy.

"W-we're arguing over a six year olds conversation." I choked out, trying to suppress my laughter. Looking up at Ashton's confused face, I let my laughter burst free, echoing off the walls and down the hallway. "We are so w-weird!"

"I am not weird, that is you." Ashton said as I continued laughing for no real reason. My laughter slowly started to die down, and Ashton stood in front of me, waiting for me to stop with a raised eyebrow.

"Sorry, that was just too funny." I finally said as I calmed down.

"You sure are a weird one." Was all Ashton said as he walked ahead. I just smirked at his back.

I quickly caught up with Ashton and we walked all round the rest of the aquarium whilst making small talk. About twenty minutes later I pulled Ashton to a stop in front of an open water tank. Inside swam little stingray's, starfish stuck to the sides, and even little sharks were swimming around.

A young guy walked our way.

"Hello. This is our touching exhibit. You can reach in and touch the animals if you'd like." He said.

"Is that safe? Won't the sting rays sting me, or the shark bite me?" I asked, looking at his nametag, Terry.

He shot me a pretty smile. "No, it's perfectly safe. Come here." He said, gesturing for me to come closure to the tank. Hesitantly, I walked over to his side. "Just reach your hand in like this, and they will just swim by." He laid his hand into the water only a few inches in. A second later, a stingray swam under his hand and his fingers grazed its back.

He looked back up at me smiling. Biting my bottom lip, I got closer and pulled my sleeve up, slowly I put my hand into the water just like Terry did. I saw a small shark making its way towards me and almost pulled my hand away when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked up and saw Ashton standing very close to me with his chest pressing into me back. He nodding at me encouragingly as the shark got closer. Smiling at him, I waited as the shark passed under my hand and I felt his slick skin on mine. My grin got wider as I turned and looked up at Ashton.

"Did you see that?" I asked excitedly, not caring that I sounded like a fiver year-old. I watched as a smile spread across Ashton's face. I grabbed his hand, wanting him to feel it too. His hand stopped me and I thought he would tell me to cut it out, but I was surprised to watch him shrug off his suit jacket and roll up his shirtsleeve. He grabbed my wet hand in his and dunked both of our hands under the water. I looked up at him, amazed that a guy like him was spending his day with someone like me. Here was a handsome, smart, and slightly famous guy, with just an average women, who had no good looks, and a messed up passed, even though he didn't know that last part. I felt his hand nudge mine under the water, and I turned my gaze back to the tank. Coming towards us was both, a stingray and a shark. Feeling the almost slimy skin of them, I couldn't help but smile.

I looked to my left and saw a starfish stuck to the side of the wall. I moved away from Ashton and towards the starfish. Reaching my hand in, I felt the rough skin of it and watched as it moved slightly. I've always liked starfish, and here I was, touching one. I felt eyes on my back, so I turned and saw Ashton staring at me with a weird look on his face. Shooting him a smile, I pulled my hand from under the water and made my way back to him. Terry brought over a few paper towels to dry our hands and arms. Thanking him, I dried my arm and hand before sliding my sleeve back down. Turning to Ashton, I saw he was waiting patiently for me. We silently made our to the front of the building, seeing everything there.

When we got to the front of the aquarium, I felt Ashton's big warm hand wrap around mine. Before I could even look up at him, I was being tugged towards the gift shop.

"Ashton what are you doing?" I asked as he pulled me into the gift shop.

"Pick whatever you want." He said, dropping my hand. I couldn't help but feel cold once his hand left mine. For some reason, I felt like I was missing something the moment his hand disappeared.

"What?"

"Pick something." He gestured around the shop. He gave me firm look when I opened my mouth to protest. Returning his look, I started looking around. As I turned around, something caught my eye. I quickly walked over to it and reached for it. It was a dolphin necklace that was a beautiful deep blue color. It wasn't that large, and it was simple, but something about it was gorgeous. I softly ran my finger over it. It wasn't like it was real or fragile, but I couldn't help but want to be gentle with it.

"You like it?" Ashton said, not really meaning it to be a question. All I did was nod. Before I could blink, the necklace was pulled out of my hands and Ashton was pulling his phone out, taking a picture of it.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked watching him.

"I'm going to send a picture of this to a jewelry store and they can make a better one." He said simply. As soon as he finished his sentence I ripped the necklace from his hand.

"No!"

"Why? I can get you a better version that isn't cheap."

"That doesn't matter to me." He looked at me weird, so I continued. "Even though it is cheap, it has better meaning than a replica. It doesn't matter about the price. When I'll look at this, I'll remember everything that happened today, and not that you got it made so it wouldn't be 'so cheap'. I want this one." I said firmly.

Ashton stared at me almost in amazement, but I shrugged that off. I was not going to let him spent a lot of money on a necklace so it can be better than this one. The whole reason everyone got something at the stupid gift shop was to remember everything that happened, and the things they've done whilst at that place. Everyone knew it was cheap shit and that it would turn green as well as your skin, but that didn't matter. I stared him down, holding the necklace against me. Finally, he nodded and reached for the necklace. Letting him take it, I followed him to the cashier. The lady rang it up and it came to $15.00. Kind of expensive for a necklace, but it was New York after all. She handed it to me and gave me a smile.

"Here you go sweetie." The cashier said as she handed me the bag containing the necklace.

"Thank you for the necklace." I said as his limo came to a stop in front of us. "I love it."

"You're welcome." He opened the car door for me. Nodding in thanks, I slid inside and a minute later Ashton was next to me. As the car started forward, my thoughts went back to everything that happened today. I went on a date with a hot millionaire today, me! Ordinary, boring, weird, ugly me! I couldn't wait to freak out when I got home later. I could honestly say that today was one of the best days I've ever had. The car ride back to my apartment was quiet, but not uncomfortable. I could feel the warmth radiating off Ashton's body next to me. As I breathed in, I could smell his cologne. I couldn't tell you what he smelled like, but whatever it was, it smelt amazing. I could literally smell him all day long.

Before I knew it, the limo came to a stop in front of my apartment building. I was surprised that we got here so quick. Ashton was already outside waiting for me by the time I had said goodbye and thank you to Clark. Stepping out of the car, I turned to Ashton.

"I'll walk you up." He said.

"No, no, that's okay. I don't want you to leave your car running." I started to say, but was cut off by one of his fingers pressed against my lips.

"I'm walking you up." He said sternly. I nodded against his finger and let him pull me into my building. We silently rode the elevator up to the fifth floor, stepping out once there, Ashton took hold of my hand in his. The gesture made me smile. We came to a stop in front of my door and I didn't know if I should kiss him, or just say thank you and goodbye. Before I could decide, I saw him move down and felt his warm lips press against mine. This was our second kiss, and I had to say, it was toe curling. His lips were firm and soft against mine as he softly moved them. I kissed him back, but before it could go any further, he pulled back. I knew my face was flushed and my lips slightly swollen.

"T-thank you for today." I breathed out as I looked up at him.

"You're welcome. I better go, see you later." He said, pressing one last kiss to my lips. He sent me a smirk then walked off. I watched him leave, trying hard not to stare at his butt. The moment he disappeared out of sight, I put my key in the door and walked in, closing it behind me. I leaned against the closed door and stared up at the ceiling. I couldn't stop the huge grin that spread across my face, and couldn't resist a hand reaching up to touch my kissed lips. I knew that in the future, if Ashton kept doing what he was doing, I knew my heart wouldn't ever be the same.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hey! I finally updated! YAY. I am sorry its taken me so but i've decided i'll be spending ALL my time now just writing this book. It has gotten the most reads and i've had people commenting that they like this story. So if you want me to update my other stories just comment and i'll try to update them. I am out of school and I just quit my job so I'm free as a bird.

I hope you guys liked this chapter. I'm sorry its so boring and rushed. I honestly dont really like it only a couple of parts. You get to see Ashton interacting with Layla and how she is different than him. Thank you guys for reading and commenting!! I have 500 reads and im so happy! I know its not alot but thats more than ive ever gotten before so thank you :)

Remember to keep VOTING, READING, and COMMENTING! I love reading comments :)

-Ken