Hi!!!! You are really special for reading this story, supporting it. Hope you enjoy my effort in this chapter)

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Chapter 8

Steven pulled the car into the parking area. I hopped out of the car and first thing I searched for was Ron's car. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw his car parked there.

"Ron didn't finish his training yet I guess." I thought as I made my way towards the entrance.

"I'll see you later then. Need to check for Megan. Okay?" Steven said picking up his way towards the Physics Lab.

"Hmmm....Okay. Ron must be waiting for me. See yeah." I smiled at him which was a mistake. He smiled his handsome smile causing me blush. I remembered 'the moment'.

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I reached to the swimming pool where the training was being taken. I saw him coming out of the pool. His hair messily covered his forehead. His abs looked more defined and his full wet body gave him a sexy look. The water droplets were tracing down his bare chest to the lower abdomen into defined 'V'.

"whoa, I'm definitely not having this thoughts." I slapped myself mentally.

"See something you like?" I was so involved in my lost world that I didn't notice Ron standing in front of me. He had that bad boy smug on his face.

"Shut up Ron." I rolled my eyes at him. "So how's training session going on?" I asked to distract him.

"It's cool. Wait a minute Okay? I'll ask coach the permission to leave."

"There is no need to ask that." We turned in the direction of voice to see coach staring at us.

"Oh thank you si..." Ron was cut off before completing the sentence.

"You are not leaving Ron. Get back to the track NOW." Coach commanded.

"But...." Ron tried to protest but Coach held his hand signaling to keep quiet and follow his orders.

Ron slapped his hands in air in defeat and turned to leave in frustration.

"What do you think you are doing Miss Pritchard disturbing him in the middle of the training?" Coach demanded me taking me off guard.

"I....I...was...I.....just" I stuttered hardly making any words come out of my mouth.

"Don't give any excuses. There is hardly any time left for the championship and Ron is the trump card of our school. So I want you to give him time for practice. Do you understand that? Now make a move."

"Ye..Yes sir." I managed to say yes and scuttled away from the pool towards the exit.

I reached at the exit when I realized I had no option to go home.

"Oh crap! What should I do now? Ron is my home ride and he is stuck with the coach. What should I do? How to go home now?......Gran, yeah I'll call Gran....No wait, I can't trouble her. She must be busy right now......what do I do?......." I crossed the parking lot as panic invaded in me.

"Only one option left. Cab." I told myself walking across the road to see for a cab.

I jumped when a car suddenly halted in front of me.

"Want a lift?" My eyebrows furrowed but immediately relaxed on seeing the owner of the voice and car.

"Steven"

He smirked at me at my dumb move.

"What are you doing here Ash?"

"Well, from so many days I was obsessed with the wish to measure the length of this road. So doing that now." I said sarcastically while he chuckled.

"Okay. That's good. But why don't you seat in car and measure it?" He said giving me a devilish smile.

I gave him a tight lip smile and hopped into his car. "Idiot" I thought when he gave me another devilish smile.

"Why are you alone? Where is your friend?" Steven questioned me keeping his eyes on road.

"Ron is busy with the swimming practice. He couldn't come. So...." I trailed off.

Steven nodded.

"Hey, I thought you were supposed to give Megan a home ride?" I frowned.

"Yup. I was supposed to. But She had the last class free. She had called me but I didn't know that. She then called Eleanor to pick her up."

"Oh...." I paused for a while thinking what to reply. I was very bad at the words. And I knew he didn't receive call because he was with me that time. Probably was getting his tee-shirt wet that time with my tears. It was all my fault. "I am sorry. I know it's my fault. I shouldn't have........" Steven placed his finger on my lips silencing me.

"It's nothing to worry. I had taken you there so you don't need to worry about that. And I don't regret it. I am happy that you considered me for sharing your tears with. You have a beautiful smile Ash........" He caressed my cheek with his thumb. We stared at each other for some time before he leaned back. "And if you are worried about Megan, then don't worry. The only thing I'll need to do is take her for a long drive and spend some bugs on her shopping." He winked at me. I shook my head in amusement.

"Ash, you need to get out of the car. Your Gran is staring at you." Steven said suddenly getting serious.

"Wait did he said Gran?" I turned my head to take in the surrounding. We were in the front of my house and Gran was standing on the front porch staring intently at us. "Whoa, when did we reach here? Why didn't I notice Steven stop the car?" I glanced at him. His body had become stiff.

I mumbled bye to Steven while he gave me a nod. I hopped out of the car. Gran had her arms crossed across her chest. "Okay. Relax. Act cool and normal." I took a long breath and proceeded to get in the house.

"Hi Gran, today so early?"

"Who was that boy?" Gran asked sternly.

"Boy?..." I tried to act innocent but I was very bad at lying. "Oh....he is my friend Granny. Ron was busy so he dropped me h..."

"Why didn't I see him any time before if he is your friend?" seriously? So many enquiries?

"Oh Gran, because I never invited him.... And trust me he isn't bad guy. Now come on, let's get in. My stomach is growling."

I let out a sigh when Gran let the topic drop and entered in behind me.

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I was relaxing on my bed after the dinner. Gran and I silently ate our food. In between Gran gave me some suspicious look but I shrugged them. Gran always acted weird when it came to be socialite. She owned a restaurant where she had to interact with so many people most of them unknown, but she never overcame with the stay-away-from-stranger thing. She would send me to the parties after confirming I had Ron or any of my friends with me whom she knew. May be, it was because of the situations she had gone through. Loss of my parents and bringing me up caused her to isolate herself from the society. A sad smile crept on my lips. I gazed at the photo of my parents sitting on the table. Suddenly, my bedroom door was swung open making me jump in surprise.

Ron stormed into my room and jumped on my bed. It was Ron's usual style. He always acted like he owned my room.

"What the hell Ron?" I said jumping out of the bed. I closed the door quickly behind me. Though Gran adored Ron very much, she didn't like the idea of him jumping on my bed. I stared at Ron placing my hands on hips.

"Ro..." he cut me off.

"Ash, I know you are very angry on me and you should be but I don't know what the hell is happened to the coach, he just seems getting freaky day by day and I should have dropped you home, I shouldn't have left you there, I wouldn't ask you how you came back because that will be shameful of me to ask so, so please I am sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry please sorry?" Ron blundered in one breath kneeling down in front of me with his hands folded. After finishing he let out the breath he was holding.

"Fully dramatic" I thought.

"Ron, breathe....." I shook my head. "Ron, I'm not angry on you. And why would I? I know winning this championship is very important. The coach is right. I shouldn't disturb you when you are busy in practice. I want you to win Ron. Believe me; I'm not at all angry on you." I dropped down on my knees cupping his folded hands into mine. Ron opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. He got up from his knee killing position so did I. He again jumped on my bed lying leisurely. I shook my head again. Ron was himself again.

"Hey, get ready fast. We are going out." Ron exclaimed.

"What? You are kidding."

"Do I look like?" he crawled out of the bed and went to open my wardrobe. I jumped in between to block him from opening it.

"Hey hold on. You should never peek into a girl's wardrobe Ron. It's a bad manner." I said pushing him away from it.

"Oh really? Well Ash, I wasn't peeking. I was going to remove a dress for you and I will." He took a step forward. But I was too quick to block him again.

"Wait. First of all you don't need to open it. I can't remove for myself. And secondly, see the time. It's ten past. I have no permission to go out at this late you know that." I said matter of factly.

"So what? She trusts me. She will let you come with me without any argument."

"Yeah she does. But she will never trust anyone to take me out at this late hour of night."

"But-". Ron brushed his hand through his hair making it messier and landed his butt on the bed. "I wanted to take you out Ash. I wanted to cheer you up today. If the coach hadn't f...." I placed palms on his mouth.

"Ron.." I called his name sternly. I sighed and settled myself at his side on the bed placing my hands on his shoulder. "You don't need to take me out to cheer me up. Your presence is enough for me. And there are many other ways to cheer me up. Why are you getting so upset?" I glanced at his face. He had his gaze directed towards floor. After some seconds or I guess minute, he raised his head.

"I think you are right. There is another way to cheer you up." I looked at his face. He flashed me an evil smile. I knew what that smile meant. "Uh-Oh" It was my big mistake to say there were many other ways to cheer me up.

"No, Ron, please no. You won't...." I said crawling back on the bed until I hit the headboard.

Ron grasped my ankle and dragged, straddling me. He gave me another evil grin.

"Ron, please....." I pleaded but before completing my statement I burst out in laughter. Ron started tingling me all over.

"Ah...Ro.....Plea.....Noooo....." I was dying out of laughter. But Ron didn't stop. If anyone wanted to kill me then this was the easiest way to do. Tears started emerging in my eyes. I was very sensitive to tingles and Ron always took advantage of that. He laughed loudly while tingling me.

"Ron.....Plea...please....i can't......enough....." Ron stopped and moved aside giving me some fresh air. I pushed myself up in sitting position and grasped my chest to calm down my breathing. I gave Ron a killer look.

Ron had a big smirk plastered on his face.

"Wasn't that good?" Ron asked pushing himself into a sitting position.

"Yeah a lot." I said sarcastically.

"You know, you look cute when your face become pink." He pinched my nose making me chuckle. He hugged me while I muffled my head into his chest. We stayed silent for long time. I closed my eyes listening to his heart beats. Ron had his chin rested on my head.

"I love you" Ron said suddenly making me push him back in surprise.

"Ron?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What? What wrong did I say?" Ron started playing innocent.

"Stop playing Ron. I know you very well." I cocked my eyebrow.

He sighed.

"Ash, is there any specific definition given for love that it's a relation that exist between a boy and girl that is nourished by kiss and ........"

"I didn't say that" I cut him off as I noticed where his statement was leading to. "I mea..." Ron cut me off again.

"Then, tell me what wrong did I say?" Ron raised his brows in amusement. "Don't you love me?" he continued pouting.

"Yeah..."

"Then say it." He crossed his arms across his chest and waited.

I sighed in defeat.

"Okay Mr. Dramatic, I love you. Happy?" I said trying to suppress a smile but failed. Ron grinned from ear to ear. "Now go. It's too late for you to be in a girl's room. Go.." I pushed Ron out of bed.

"Ouch....that hurts." He pretended to be hurt. I rolled my eyes and opened the door nodding my head towards exit.

"Okay, okay. I am going. But that's really bad manner. You didn't even ask me for a coffee."

"If you want coffee then come little early next time you idiot."

I closed the front door behind me after seeing Ron drive away.

I shook my head in amusement. A smile crept on my lips. "Ron will never change.......but I like him the way he is. I love his all mischief. I love the way he makes me smile vanishing my tears......" I sighed and went upstairs to my bedroom for another sleepless night.

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Unknown POV :

I scuttled through an isolated street. Its midnight, so you can hardly expect anyone. That's why I chose this time. The darkness, it hides many secrets within it.

I have formed a plan. But to carry it out, I need him. I know he stays somewhere here. I can sense him. I need him.

I came to a halt at an alley. I knew he was here. I entered into it and passed some doors until I reached the one I was seeking. I knocked the door twice. He opened the door. I saw his pale skin turn even paler.

"Wouldn't you invite me in Jeff?"

He moved aside giving me space to enter in.

The room was small and dimly light. It smelt of rot and dried blood. Spider webs were hanging like curtains everywhere. I took a stride towards the couch and dusted it before sitting. I placed my legs crossed on the small tea table. I found no reason why it stood there.

"You still don't know how to maintain it, isn't it Jeff." I said disgusted.

"Why are you here?" he asked through gritted teeth. I didn't appreciate this but it was just a matter of time when I'll have his throat ripped.

"That's none of your business. I want you to do something for me." I spat coming to the point.

"I am not going to do anything for you anymore." He spat in anger. I crossed the room in a flash holding his neck pinning him to the wall.

"Of course you will do Jeff." I hissed. "You owe me."

"I don't owe you anything. I have done enough for you. Leave me alone."

"Don't provoke me. You do whatever I say. I can rip your throat even before you realize. Don't forget I saved you. Your existence owes me." I firmed my grip on his throat.

"Then kill me. I am tired of running. KILL ME." He yelled.

"No, no Jeff. Don't think you are so lucky. If I was to kill you, then I would have done it the time you betrayed me. I saved you from the Lord. But this time, I will do my duty and prove the loyalty by taking you to the Lord's feet. I will tell him everything. You betrayed me as well the Lord. Now, imagine what will be your end. A poor pathetic end." I loosen the grip and smirked. He clearly got my threat.

He swallowed before opening his mouth. He had no option left except to follow my orders.

"What you want me to do and regarding what?" I smiled wickedly.

"It's that girl. I'll tell you what you need to do." I paced back and forth in that small area.

"What?" he choked.

"She is here. I can sense her." I went to the window which gave a clear view of street. A light post stood brightening it.

"But-" I cut him off.

"It won't be long when the spell bond will break." I stared into the darkness planning my next move.

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(nothing much to say. Hope you like it and vote / comment / follow.

Love ya)