Eden’s POV:
I immediately looked at Sterling, a little startled. Then I scolded myself. Of course he’d ask for one. He was trying to get me to fall for him. I wanted to refuse. I didn’t want to give him the chance to make me feel vulnerable again.
But my mouth had different plans.
“Okay…” the word slipped out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying. When I did realize, I immediately continued to make it seem like it wasn’t a big thing for me. “You didn’t let anyone know about that day. I’ll agree just this once.”
Sterling’s POV:
She agreed… No way. Seriously?
“You didn’t let anyone know about that day. I’ll agree just this once,” she continued, and my elation deflated a bit.
So she was just repaying a favor… Or that’s how she wanted to play it, anyway. I was sure she knew that I didn’t consider it a favor to not say anything about it; the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind, honestly.
“All right. Cool. So… Does Saturday work for you? Six o’clock? I could pick you up,” I suggested, giving her a small smile.
Eden’s POV:
I absently smiled back before I immediately wiped it off.
“No,” I shook my head. “I’ll meet you there.”
I didn’t want my family to find out about this. If they did, they wouldn’t let it slide. They’d do anything to make this work out for me. I didn’t intend to let this develop. Still, the thought of him picking me up like a real date made me shiver. It was unwanted, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t creep up on me.
Sterling’s POV:
She was determined to make this as hard as possible for me, wasn’t she? But that was okay. I would still do my best to get to know her better.
“All right. That’s fine. Have you seen any of the movies that are out yet? We could go to one of those. Or we could just go out for dinner,” I suggested with a shrug. “Your pick.”
Eden's POV:
Movies or the dinner didn't fascinate me. I didn't want to make this easy for him, just difficult enough for him to give up. Still, there was one place I really wanted to see. It was built a few months ago, but I couldn't go. I heard it was magnificent. I heard it was amazing. Suddenly it didn't matter to me if he saw what I wanted to hide. Wanting to see those marine organisms was more than wanting to keep my excitement inside.
"Aquarium," I said quietly, choosing another option. "The one that recently opened. I want to go there."
Sterling’s POV:
I grinned at her choice. I’d actually wanted to go for awhile, but with my schoolwork and everything, I just hadn’t had the time.
“Sounds great. Six o’clock sound good to you?” I asked, still grinning at her.
Eden's POV:
I nodded, and we both fell silent. Although there wasn't anything else to say, neither of us moved from our spot. For the first time, I noticed his eyes, the mysterious hue that made me get lost inside of them. I didn't know why I didn't want to look away. It was when the warning bell rang that I snapped out of it.
Nodding my head at Sterling, I immediately turned around, quickly walking towards my class. Just because I was a good student didn't mean my tardies didn't count.
I took a seat in the classroom, all the while my heart ran marathons inside my chest.
Sterling’s POV:
As Eden turned and walked away, I sighed, wishing that she would let me get to know her. She was beautiful and mysterious and enchanting, and I wanted nothing more than to get to know the princess behind the tall castle walls.
But I had to let my daydreams end. I needed to get to class, and it wouldn’t be good if I was late. Again…
Lucas's POV:
When I met Ashley during lunch, I had loads of gossip to share with her. Now, mind you, I wasn't the type of a guy to gossip. But trust me, if you found out that your cold and stoic sister had a crush on someone, you really didn't want to miss out on anything.
"He's got brown hair and greyish eyes," I told her the second I saw her. "Or I think they're silver, I'm not sure. Anyway, I know him. He's Sterling Ainsley. Our Eden likes Sterling Ainsley."
Ashley’s POV:
“She likes who? No. No way. Sterling Ainsley? Are you sure?” I questioned as my eyebrows furrowed in my confusion.
Sterling Ainsley was popular with a capital “p”. I mean, I knew I was popular and all, but he was right up there with me. So my aloof best friend liking him? That was right up there with a flying pig on my list of unbelievable information.
Lucas’s POV:
“I’m sure,” I told Ashley, although I couldn’t believe it myself. How did she get a crush on him? What happened? How much did I even miss while I was away? “I saw them talking in the hallway. She actually blushed in his presence! This is why I invited you to check it out with me.”
I couldn’t believe what I saw myself, either. Sterling was popular. In fact, popularity revolved around him. The Ainsleys were extremely wealthy, like the McArthur family. Probably even more. Dad never talked about them, but he knew them. It wasn’t possible for them to aim after Eden of all people. Everyone knew she wasn’t one to mess with. She might seem small, but she could ruin you if she wanted to. Still, once I found out it was Sterling, I couldn’t help but want to keep Eden away from him.
“I don’t want her hanging out with him,” I said to Ashley, a serious look on my face. “I don’t trust him. I don’t want her relapsing again when he ditches her for someone else.”
Ashley’s POV:
Lucas was cute when he was being protective. My word…
He never looked as serious as he did now. His eyes had a hard light in them that I rarely saw, and his jaw was clenched slightly, as if he was thinking about what he would do if he saw Sterling right now.
“Luca, as much as I love seeing you look as protective as you do right now because you look totally hot, don’t you think you should maybe give him a chance?” I suggested, setting my hand on top of his gently. “He might not be as bad as we think.”
Lucas’s POV:
I’d like to say I didn’t blush at what Ashely said, but I’d be lying. I did blush, but the seriousness of the situation lessened the heat in my face.
“I know Eden can protect herself but I don’t even know Sterling,” I admitted. I was her big brother. Granted, the time difference wasn’t large. I was only an hour older than her, but I wanted to protect her, too. “What if he hurts her? You know what happened last time. Even though we don’t know the whole details, she completely lost herself, Ash. I can’t bear to see her crushed all over again.”
Ashley’s POV:
“I know,” I sighed as I leaned into him, lacing our fingers together. “I don’t want to see her hurt anymore, either. But, Lucas… She can’t be afraid to fall if she wants to fly. And we might have to let her fall a few times.”
Lucas’s POV:
“I didn’t do anything the last time,” I said, gritting my teeth, tightening my grip around Ashley’s, but careful not to hurt her. “She got hurt and I couldn’t even help her. I felt like a pathetic brother. To this day, I don’t know what happened between those two. I don’t know what caused them to break up. All I know is that it broke Eden completely and caused her to become an empty shell. I don’t know what Sterling wants, but whatever it is, I’m not willing to trust him.”
Ashley’s POV:
I understood where Lucas was coming from, and I actually agreed with him for the most part. But even though I didn’t know Sterling very well, I didn’t think he was the type of guy that would do that.
“I want to see them with each other before you do anything,” I told Lucas, giving him a determined look. “I want to know how he treats her before we judge him too harshly.”
Lucas’s POV:
That’s what I loved most about my girlfriend. Even though she was just as protective, she was rational. She was too rational.
“I’m not going to do anything, not yet,” I shook my head. “But the second I find out he’s hurt her, I’m going to kill him. I might be a coward, but I love my sister too much to let anyone get away with hurting her.”
Ashley’s POV:
I smiled up at him before kissing him lightly. “Okay. Deal. Except for the killing part. I don’t want you to get arrested for murder, Luca,” I chuckled.
Lucas’s POV:
I smirked at my girlfriend, feeling like teasing her for a change.
“I thought we were too old to use those nicknames, Ash,” I teased her, remembering what she said when we first talked after a long time. “What made you change your mind?”
Ashley’s POV:
My face felt like it was on fire whe he teased me about that. Honestly, I still liked the nicknames. I had just been upset when I said that.
“Can we forget that I said that? Please?” I asked softly, biting my lip. “I was just upset. I didn’t mean it at all.”
Lucas’s POV:
I laughed, shaking my head.
“It’s already forgiven and forgotten, Ash,” I told her, kissing her lightly on the head. “I know you were, so it’s fine.”
Ashley’s POV:
I pouted at Lucas, though I wasn’t really upset. I just liked seeing his reactions to things.
“You’re mean. I thought we were just going to forget about that whole thing, but you just had to bring it up…” I said, looking away with my lower lip sticking out.
Lucas’s POV:
I panicked. Yes, I did. The minute Ashley’s eyes watered, I freaked out.
“No, no, no!” I exclaimed, eyes wide. “Please don’t cry. I was just joking. Ash? Come on, babe, don’t cry!”
Ashley’s POV:
I am a cruel girlfriend. But he was so cute when he was worried. Actually, he was cute all the time.
Lucky for him, we were still at school, so I couldn’t just turn around and kiss him like he did to me the other day.
I bit my lip as I wiped the fake tears from my eyes and turned to face him. An almost-sheepish smirk played on my lips as I looked up at him. “Payback, dear. For the other day.”
Lucas’s POV:
“Okay, that’s it,” I stood up dramatically. “You’re mean. I’m going to find Eden so I can complain about you.”
Ashley’s POV:
“Hey, you started this!” I laughed, standing as well. “And are you really sure she wouldn’t take my side? She is my best friend, after all.”
Lucas’s POV:
I crossed my arms.
“She’s my twin,” I said, glaring at her. “She’ll obviously take my side.”
Ashley’s POV:
“I wouldn’t be so sure~!” I singsonged teasingly, reaching up to peck his lips. “But if you really want to find out, I would suggest we go soon.”
Lucas’s POV:
I raised my eyebrows.
“You’re on!”
I grabbed her arm, leading her out of the cafeteria to find Eden.
Ashley’s POV:
I laughed as I let Lucas lead me through the halls. It amused me to see him like this. Gosh, how had I gotten so lucky? He was just so fricking cute…
