Amanda does not talk to Ashton the whole morning. She does not even look at him. Xiomara notices everything sitting next to her. And she wants to ask. She does not know how Amanda will respond.
"Is something wrong with you and Ashton?" Xiomara asks. Amanda takes time to answer. She takes time to hear the question actually. "Um... what? Why do you ask?" Ananda asks. "I have seen Ashton look at you all morning. And you didn't even give him a glance." Xiomara says. "I found him with another girl. My first love cheated on me." Amanda says. "Fuck! That's bad." Xiomara says. "Yes... I know." Amanda says.
"Amanda and Xiomara!" Mrs. Richards calls out and the girls snap out of their conversation. Ashton is still staring at Amanda. He heard their conversation. But he stays calm.
*. *. *.
The maths class is long and boring. Mr. Tom is not in and Principal Amber West tells the class that Mr. Tom had an office accident. When Principal West leaves Ashton texts Amanda. 'I told you he wouldn't say.' The text reads. Amanda reads it but she does not reply.
"Hey..." Ashton whispers behind Amanda. She does not answer. He taps her shoulder but she does look back. "Okay... I'm sorry for whatever I did wrong to you. I don't know what I did but it would be better if you explained." Ashton whispers. "I have nothing to explain to you!" Amanda whispers furiously as she turns to Ashton. "You are the one who was holding hands and smiling with another girl." she adds.
"Ooh! So that's what it's all about! You mean Fiona." Ashton says. "Yeah... so go kiss her or whatever. Go do whatever you want with her and don't speak to me again. I don't want to be your girlfriend. And forget about our kiss! Forget about me please!" Amanda says. But Ashton smiles. It's not what she expected. She expected him to feel about about himself. For hurting her. But he does not seem to care at all. Why is he smiling?
"Fiona is my best friend Ama. I would never even think of something like that with her. You are the only girl I want to kiss." Ashton says. Xiomara is blushing overhearing their conversation as if she is the one being talked to. "But the way she was touching you..."
"No... don't think about that. I promise there was nothing but touching. We knew each other since we were young. She's like my sister." Ashton says.
"Wow... I must really look stupid now." Amanda says. "Don't worry. I totally understand you. So... we're good now?" Ashton asks. "Yeah... I think so." Amanda says. "We should go out tonight." Ashton says. "Where to? I don't know if my aunt will let me." Amanda says. "First ask, then you'll tell me. And it will be a surprise." Ashton says. "Okay..." Amanda says. And she's melting with happiness.
The kind of happiness that a young girl feels when she meets her first lover. That kind of happiness that you believe you are going to marry this boy. The kind of happiness that makes you think the World is all yours.