Chapter 8: Be Patient

Ashton's POV

"What are you doing here, Ashton?" Zachary asked me the moment I arrived at his doorstep. I could see the surprised look on his face because he knew that I had already left for Majuscule. Even if we fought and Zach had beaten me up, I know nothing changed with our friendship because we will always be best friends no matter what happens. After all, he is the only one who has the guts to tell me to my face that I was wrong.

"I need your help, Zach. I want to talk with Megan, and I know she trusts you the most, so please call her. I have been calling her number, but I can't contact her mobile," I said, and he opened the door wide for me so I could get inside his house.

"I am sorry, Ashton, but I can't contact her phone either. Maybe she changed her number because she doesn't want you to talk to her anymore," he said.

"Of course, I expected her to do that. Then we don't have a choice but to meet her sister, Ava," I said, and I dialed Ava's number. I could feel the anger in her voice the moment she answered my call. I was just glad she agreed to meet us at the pizza house near her home, and I felt so happy to be back in Astikoz. I hope my family never finds out I was here because I would feel guilty that after all they have done for me, I came back without telling them.

"What do you want, Ashton?" Ava said the moment we got near her. I was just glad she chose to sit at the far end table because I didn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation.

"Can we at least order some pizza first? I'm starving," Zachary said, and I knew he was only trying his best to kill the tension between Ava and me. I could tell right away that Megan’s sister was very angry with me. We ordered pizza and chicken, and then we ate. I felt glad Ava was eating her food in silence. As I ate my pizza, I couldn’t stop the hammering of my heart.

"I'll give you ten minutes to speak, Ashton. Tell me, why did you do that to my sister?" she asked in a stern tone after finishing her food, and I guess the pizza didn’t change her mood after all.

"I want to see your sister, Ava. I know I made a big mistake. I should’ve told her everything, and she has every right to know what’s going on in my life. I stopped communicating with her not because I didn’t love her anymore. It was the opposite. I needed to stop being her boyfriend so she could have a better future," I said.

"You ruined her future, Ashton," Ava hissed, and I didn’t know what she was talking about. I wondered if my father had done something with her scholarship already. I know Megan didn’t apply to my father’s scholarship program. She got her full scholarship because of her outstanding academic records, but my father has many connections, and I know Megan could lose her scholarship if my father intervened.

"I know. That’s why I stopped seeing her, and I accept I was a coward. Now I came back for her," I said.

"It’s already too late, Ashton. The school sent a letter informing our family that my sister lost her scholarship. Are you happy now?" she asked angrily, and I closed my eyes as I tried to calm myself. I couldn’t believe what I had done. My father actually did it, and I curled my fists on my lap as I tried to control my anger. I could feel my face turning red with rage.

"Please help me, Ava. I want to see your sister. I want to ask Megan for forgiveness," I said.

"I’m sorry, Ashton, but I’m afraid you're already too late," she said, and I looked at her, horrified.

"What do you mean? What happened to Megan?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"We don’t know. All I know is that after she came to your house, she left the following day, and we don’t know where she is at the moment. My parents felt so guilty that Megan left without saying goodbye to any of us. No letter, no explanation, and all I can think of is you. You’re the only reason my sister left Astikoz without a trace, and I’m just hoping she’s fine. Our only consolation is Alice is with her. That means my sister isn’t alone, and I know you’re the reason my sister left," Ava declared. I felt so cold, and I didn’t know what to say anymore as I realized I was too late.

"Can you come with us to Alice’s house?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"I regret to inform you, but Alice’s family doesn’t know where she is either. I could tell that my sister and her best friend are trying to hide away from someone, and I think that someone is you. That’s why I hate you, Ashton. You hurt Megan terribly, and I know you’re going to regret what you’ve done for the rest of your life," she said and stood up, leaving us at the table. I stared into space while Zach ran after her, and I knew I was such an idiot.

I stayed at Zach’s place for the entire week, and we searched all over Astikoz City, hoping I would find her, but I couldn’t find Megan at all. How I wish I had run after her that day she came to our house. Now I don’t know where to find her. I tried to look for her on social media, and I could tell right away she had deactivated her account. I became more frustrated, so I called some friends to help me, but they gave the same answer—they hadn’t seen Megan or Alice in Astikoz. I didn’t have a choice but to go back to Majuscule, and this time my best friend came and stayed with me at our house. I felt so glad Zach was with me, or else I would’ve gone crazy.

The summer ended, and the first semester began. I devoted my time to playing football, and I concentrated on my studies. I became more studious. A lot of girls wanted to get closer to me, but I kept my distance. I know entering into another relationship would cause me trouble because I only have one girl in my heart that I cherish, and I hate my life now. It’s been almost ten months since I last saw Megan.

I stopped using my social media accounts, and I stopped listening to music because I couldn’t stop my heart from remembering Megan. I almost laughed every time I heard Zach listening to music since he would quickly turn off the stereo for my sake. One evening, I got into his room, and I was dumbfounded to find him listening to a familiar voice. I could tell right away it was Gael’s voice. Zach was lying in bed, and I could tell he had dozed off in the middle of making his report.

"I’m sorry!" Zach said right away when he woke up while I was sitting on his sofa, looking so lost.

"It’s okay. Play it again," I said in more than a whisper, and I realized I was listening to Megan’s song for me. It hit me in the gut. Megan sold her music to Gael, and I hated myself even more.

"When did this song come out?" I asked. I couldn’t hide the pain in my heart. How could Megan sell her music to Gael? I know why she did it—because she wanted to forget me, and I know I was such a fool for hurting her. Right now, all I want to do is see her and ask for Megan’s forgiveness. But I can’t be with Megan because I know my father would find out right away if I tried to go to her. I need to be patient if I want to spend my life with her. Four years is not too long for me to wait. I can wait for her through eternity, and I have to endure the pain and loneliness of not seeing her.

"I think five months ago," Zach said, and I realized I was such an idiot. I got out of Zachary’s room and went to my room with a heavy heart. For the first time, I used the internet for pleasure after ten months. I searched Gael’s profile and realized he had separated from his bandmates, gone solo, and released a new album five months ago. I discovered his songs were all Megan’s compositions. I wondered why she sold them to him when she told me so many times she would never share her music with anyone.

It hurt me so much to realize Megan had already given up her love for me. It made me realize I needed to graduate and play pro football so I could be with her. I promised to do everything I could to have her back. Whatever it takes, I know I have to wait another three years. Still, I don’t have a choice but to remain strong and make her my everyday inspiration, even if she already tried to forget me by selling her music.

But I still believe Megan’s love for me is deeper than the pain and hatred she feels in her heart. I know the time will come when she will totally forgive and love me again. We can be together again, and I can’t wait for that day to come. For now, all I need to do is be patient and wait for the right time because I know I can’t win her back yet—I have nothing to offer her.

I don’t want to work in my father’s company. I want to have my own company after retiring from football. I am excited to spend my life with Megan, even if I am hurting now. But I know the wait will all be worth it. I continued to listen to Gael’s song until I fell asleep with tears in my eyes.