I watch as Ashton cuts the pizza into eight equal halves and serves them in seven plates with my mom's cookies and the coffee I made.
The pizza that was supposed to be his and mine only.
The pizza my growling stomach is waiting for two hours.
When he's done and turns around, he meets my frowning face.
Ashton lets out a heavy sigh. "Are you for real?"
I cross my arms and hold my chin high. "We still have time. Let's tell them you burnt the pizza and give them the cookies only."
Ashton snorts and shoves a plate in front of me. "Call yourself lucky. You're getting two slices."
"But I want-"
"Shh." He presses a finger over my lips.
I stomp my foot. "This is my house."
"And I made the pizza."
"You're not helping. Why am I getting only two slice-"
"Did anyone say pizza?" I spoke too soon. Because the eighth sharer of my pizza is here. Miles is standing in the back of the kitchen.
"How did you get in?" I ask him.
He points at the backdoor. "It's always unlocked."
"Really?" Ashton asks. "Good. I spent a whole week waiting for Snow to get her ass downstairs to open the door. Now I don't have to do that anymore."
My cheeks turn red. "I'm still here."
"Good," he says and takes one slice from my plate. "I'll make you another one tomorrow," he mutters in my ear and gives it to Miles.
My mouth falls. How dare he?!
And did he just say he'll make another tomorrow? He's planning to come back tomorrow?
"Pizza!" Miles says excitedly.
"Yeah, sorry dude, one slice for each," Ashton informs him. "Come on Snow, let's go to the living room. Everyone's waiting for us."
"Who's waiting?" Miles asks in confusion.
I don't move.
Ashton sighs. He hands Miles another plate. "Kat is upstairs. Can you take it to her?"
"Sure but who else is here?" He asks.
"You'll see," Ashton says and walks towards me.
I turn around with my plate. "I'm not going to speak with you."
I hear Miles leaving the kitchen.
Ashton puts his hands on my shoulders. "Stop being a baby Snow."
"I'll be whatever I want."
"This is too much."
"Nope."
"How about ice cream after they leave?"
"It's my house, I can have the ice cream whenever I want."
He turns me around in a swift move. I close my eyes. I'm not getting into his game.
"Snow."
"Nope." I cross my arms.
"Come on, please."
"No."
"All this because you want fifty percent of a pizza?"
I don't say anything. "Snow?"
Silent treatment continues.
"Babe?" And fails. I open my eyes and slap his hands away.
"Don't ever call me that!"
"But I thought we're friends." He fake bats his lashes.
"Yeah right. Friends. Not friends with benefits." I scoff
"Would you like to be?"
"What? No!" I push him away as he howls with laughter.
"Everyone's waiting for us, probably wondering what the heck we're doing here," he says. "So if you don't want them to cook stories about us, I suggest you to move."
I cross my arms. "I don't care."
"Really?" Ashton asks with a chuckle. "Look, I'm sorry. I'll make more tomorrow. Now please come."
I don't move. "Pleaseeee?"
Don't look at him in the eyes.
Don't look at him in the eyes.
Don't- I look him in the eyes. And that's the worst mistake I have ever made. His eyes are shining so adorably, I can't help but almost give up.
Damn, so much for a warning.
"Pwease?" He pleads again.
And there goes all my sanity.
I sigh and uncross my arms. "Okay."
"Sorry, but what?"
"I say okay, let's not keep them waiting and get over it," I say.
Ashton yelps and does a weird happy dance. He takes half of the plates with him and I follow him with the rest.
By the time we get there, Miles is standing frozen in front of the living room. Hearing us approaching, he turns around.
"Tell me I'm still dreaming."
Ashton and I look at each other. "Uh, you're still dreaming?"
He groans. "You're not helping."
Ashton chuckles and walks past him to serve the food.
Miles takes my hand and walks to the hallway. "What's happening?"
"Hell if I know." I sigh.
"You're telling your biggest archenemy in the whole wide world is sitting in your living room and you don't know why?"
"That's what I just said," I tell him.
Miles pushes for more information and I end up telling him all about it.
*flashback starts*
The bell rings along with my heart. Before I warn anyone, Kat opens the door.
"Hello, hope we aren't interrupting anything," A male voice-Asher Quinn-says from the other side.
I open my eyes. Kat opens the door wider, revealing another person beside him. They aren't whoever I was expecting.
But seeing the person standing next to Asher on the porch, I wish it was. Cora Clerk, my old best friend, current foe. And I hope that status remains forever.
"What're you doing here?" Leaves my mouth before I can stop myself.
Cora gives me a nasty look. "As if I wanted to be here."
I wanted to smack some sense in her right then and there but, of course, Ashton doesn't let me.
"Come on Kiara," he says. "Let's see why they're here."
I look at him. "You knew they were coming?"
"No-"
Asher looks between us. "I thought you were dating the new football captain, Derek," he says.
Ashton flinches at the word captain.
"Yes, I still am," I tell Asher.
He looks between me and Ashton. "I thought-that he-never mind."
I wonder what he was going to say before Nyako interrupts. "Why are you guys here?"
Asher looks at Cora, who nods. Then he turns back to us. "I wanted to talk about the news about me that came out this morning." Here we go again. "Cora was saying Ashton told her the committee has nothing to do with the columns that are spreading rumors about us. And that he's helping you guys to find the culprit?"
Ashton nods. "That's right man."
"I agree with him," Asher says. "We came to talk about it."
"About what specifically?" I ask.
Asher blinks. Everyone in the room stares at me. Kat rolls her eyes and excuses herself.
"We can talk about this inside," Ashton cuts in. "Why don't you guys come in?"
I look up at Ashton. Who's he to invite them in?
But before I can object, Ashton leads them to the living room, with Owen and Nyako.
*flashback ends*
"And that's how we ended up here," I finish.
"Woah," Miles says. "And you're letting them stay?"
"Yes," I tell him. "As Ashton said, talk it out."
A knowing smile plays in the corner of his lips.
"Oh no. No no no no no, it's not what you think it is," I say.
"I'm not saying anything."
"Are you two coming?" Ashton calls us from the living room.
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