*on the previous chapter*

"U-Um sureee. I mean.. it's been a while since I went to the park with a friend."

Ohh Ashley why do you make this harder than it already is

"A friend... o-of course hehe. Friend..... well I guess I'll.. see you on Thursday?"

"... yea sure.. see ya"  what did I just do?

*ASHLEY'S POV*
I enter the house and I suddenly see Johann in the living room with his parents

"Ash! Oh my goodness you're here! I was worried sick about you!" Says Johann

"Ashley honey, you're okay oh my god, come here!" Said Johann's mom as she came and gave me a hug

"We were all very worried about you, love" said Johann's dad

Okkkkk?? It's not like I was kidnaped anyways but...

"Umm.. guys I'm fine, there's nothing to worry about, please calm down" I say

"What do you mean? We were so worried about you. You didn't pick up the phone and now we see that you twisted your ankle" says Johann's mom

"Ok ok I knowww I'm sorry. I told Johann in the morning that I would walk back home after school but I twisted my ankle going down the stairs. I tried calling Johann on a public phone but we lost the connection before I had the chance to tell him...." I say

"So... how did you get here?" Said Johann with curiosity

"Um... haha... w-well.. you see, the thing is-"

"Ash, just say it" says Johann as he interrupts me

"I'm gonna tell you oh my god, give me a break"

I admit that I'm a little nervous to tell him the truth, I don't know why, but I am. Oh and the fact that his parents are present as well, staring at me as they wait for a response didn't help either.

"Ashley honey, we don't have the whole day, sweetie." Said Johann's mom

"I-I.. um... ARI DROVE ME HERE"

You just can't go a day without screwing things up can't you, Ashley?

"Who's Ari?" Asked Johann in doubt

"M-my friend that I was talking to you about"

"Oh right! I totally forgot haha. That's so sweet of her awh" he said

"Oh that's so kind of her!" Said Johann's dad

"HAHA yeaa she's the best." I say in a nervous tone

I can't believe they actually bought that

"Oh.. umm.. well if you excuse me, I'm gonna go to my room" I say in a shy tone

I'm not the most social person we could say. It usually takes me quite some effort to get comfortable around people but I still get shy around Johann's parents. I guess it's more for respect we could say...

"Of course, honey. You know you don't have to ask for permission for anything in this house." replied Johann's mom. She's the sweetest.

So I head to my room, lay down, and just sigh of exhaustion. Today has truly been a rough day. Kevin, school, the Chris incident, what else?

I suddenly hear a knock on my door and I go see who it is.

"Hey Ash, do you mind if we talk for a second?" Says Johann

"Sure, come in. What's up?" I ask

"I wasn't fully convinced of what you said downstairs.."

Oh no. This is it. I'm dead. Just kill me now

"Oh.. um.. hehe.. umm w-what do you mean?" I say clearly in a nervous tone

"You are not okay. Just look at your foot oh my god" he replies in a worried tone

"W-what? Oh my god yes, I'm fine I'm perfectly fine! Don't worry about it" I reply with enthusiasm but more like in a relieving way haha

"You sure? If you need anything just let me know"

Ugh I swear he's the best. He truly deserves a woman that loves him and treats him well

"I'm fine, thank you for worrying" I say with a smile as I pat his shoulder in a friendly way

"Of course I worry about you, no problem."

"Oh, Ash, by the way, at what time do you want me to take you to school tomorrow?" He asked

*gasp*

"Oh my god never. Johann you don't have to take me to school. I mean, today was my first day, I was nervous and I needed my friend by my side, but that can't happen every day" I say very concerned

*JOHANN'S POV*
"Ash. It is not a problem for me whatsoever. I do it because I want to, I want to help you."

She's way too humble. How can I not like her?

"I know, and I truly appreciate it, seriously" she says with a smile as she grabbed my hand

I felt my heart beating so loud it was as if there was an orchestra playing in the room

"Listen, I'm gonna take you to school tomorrow so take some time assimilate what I just told you, and just let me know at what time should I get ready to pick you up" I reply

"Why are you so nice to me? Like ok, we're friends, but I've never met anyone as caring and humble as you"

Because I love you

"Awh Ash, stop it oh my god. Um.. hehe.. you know I do it all on my own will. I'm always here for you" I reply in a nervous tone

"I know you are" she said with a smile on her face

"Oh, Johann. I forgot I've been wanting to tell you something." She said

Hm? Okkk?

"Umm sure, what's up?"

"Listen, words will never be able to describe the amount of gratitude that I have towards you and your family. You were there for me in the good and specially in the bad. You were the only person I had and have, next to my aunt. You opened the doors of your house for me when no one else did and I appreciate it and you so much." She said sincerely

"Awh Ash, stop it you're making me tear up. You've always been welcome in this house and you know it"

"Yes, and that's exactly what I wanted to talk about. Listen, you've done so much for me this past year, but I don't wanna be an obstacle in your way. I know you all welcome me here in your house, but it's just not right for me to keep living here and for free. I'm planning on getting a part-time job so I can rent an apartment. I don't want you to disagree with me, please."

Wait what?

".....What? I totally disagree. You can't leave"

They say 0-100 real quick? I'm saying 100-0...

"Johann, I'm 17 years old, I sadly no longer have a family so that means that I have to start doing things on my own. I must take care for myself and help out my aunt with our economic problems" she said determined

"But.. I'm your family. Listen, ok, you wanna start being more independent that's totally understandable, but don't leave. Please"

"Johann, you're making this harder than it already is.... I was hoping you would understand me.." she said with a frown on her face

I want to understand her. At a certain point, I do, I really do, but it just pains me to see her go. We've practically been together almost 24/7 this past year. I can't just let that go. But I have to suck it up, and accept it...

"Ok..." I simply say as I stand up to exit her room

"Ok? Where are you going? We're not done talking" she said as she grabbed my arm making me face her

"Isn't that what you wanted to hear? Ok. I understand. You wanna be independent and that's totally understandable. You have all the right to leave, and you will. Perfect, Ash" I said. After that, I left the room...

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A/N: helloooo! New chapter so soon? That's so unlike me I know hahhaha but I know that some of you are really into the story and I didn't wanna keep you guys waiting. ALSO, I wanted to tell you that if you're a consistent reader, follow me so you can get notified on when I'll be updating the next chapter and any other details that have to do with the story! Oh and feel free to comment whatever lol i love receiving your feedback. I don't wanna make this A/N long so I'll leave it here

Hope you guys liked the chapter and thanks for reading! xxx