DROP DEAD .

Cecily Coplin. Eighteen. Hebe. Aether.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

              Ashton wanted to object because he knew the other already chose her and for whatever stupid reason he had for not pursuing her, it didn’t matter because Cecily had chose him. It was him who won her heart. He couldn’t help but smile while he was being reassured. He wanted to go back to his old ways when they first broke up but she changed him and he liked that guy he was when he was with her, a better version of him. Ashton was still Ashton though. His head may be a little to big on his shoulders sometimes but he had not enough balls to say things he wanted to say out loud. Instead, he did what he did and touched her the way he wanted to, gentle but with passion. There was no right word to say what he felt for her anyway. He gently pulled her closer to him then tucked her brown hair behind her ear. “I know.” He says while caressing her face. “And the gods are not nice. I just happened to be extremely irresistible.” He smirked before planting a light kiss on her lips then pulled away even if there more that he would rather do. “Tell me you love me.” He wanted to hear it. “And that I’m even more handsome than Apollo.” He gave out a chuckled then looked her in the eyes with their face so close to each other as he tried to push the humor aside. “How much do you love me?” He asked in a whisper, almost begging. At that moment, he was admittedly weak, giving in to his hesitations but most importantly, it just felt good to be reminded that Cecily did not choose to love her instead of Jason but she just simply felt that way.

[cecplns]

“I don’t want to say that,” She said in a small voice, “He might burn your face.” She giggled and then she looked at him in the eyes, her expression turning into softly serious one. She cupped his cheeks and then let her thumb ran along his cheekbones, staring into his eyes and melting into like she always did; as if it was too much to handle, she let out a sigh, “I love you, I do” she moved in a little closer to him, “And god, it’s unfathomable, it’s more than much, than so much; it can’t compare to all the galaxies and all the stars in every single one of it.” She ran her hands through his hair and let them rest on his neck this time. She then looked around to check if there are people looking at them, but then she thought ‘fuck it’ and then grabbed him for a kiss, but it was a quick one that she didn’t even register it herself. She tore her hands away from him and balled them into fists because she was trying her best to be a proper lady. She let out a sigh as if she was going through so much physical pain resisting him, “We should finish this.” She said as she tied her hair up into a bun. “Because my ankle’s hurting again and I kinda just wanna rest with you, alone.” Her words seemed innocent, well maybe it was really innocent. She then went back to finishing her meal, all while slightly leaning against him.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

                 Ashton knew he ruined the moment with that Jason comment. He thought she was probably think what could have been. To be honest, he was thinking exactly just that. Ashton liked to think he was always the first choice but he was hardly better. At that point, he got himself thinking and for the first time, he was not sure why Cecily picked because sometimes, love just ain’t enough. He lost his appetite but he would beat himself first before he would let Cece know that he was affected so he continued parting the food they had in half and transferring the half on Cecily’s plate. “Would you like to play Pokemon?” He asked her hoping it would bring back the mood.

[cecplns]

Her mind was in a blank state, she wasn’t thinking of anything; and at the same time she was feeling everything, but she didn’t want to go there. Instead she looked at how the colors were changing around them, and that fall was truly coming, and they would be back on having their classes. And then her mind was put on halt as she heard his voice, “No. I really don’t want to.” She then looked down at her food and realized she barely touched it, so she started to get on finishing it because she didn’t want to seem ungrateful. She took a peek of him while she was at it, and her stomach suddenly dropped. She tried to drink her milkshake to push it aside, but she couldn’t keep silent, “You know, you could have just moved on from me with the way you moved on from your feelings for previous girls before me. There could have been better girls, girls you’ve known already, trust you already just like that...” she snapped her fingers, “but you didn’t, you came back to me for some reason,” She then shook her head, “when you could have just moved on you chose this instead, us.” She took in a deep breath, “I know it might sound so cliche...” She looked at him, “but you’ve hurt me, I could have just moved on and chose Jason who couldn’t even choose me and this time be the one to hurt myself because of him. I didn’t, instead I was hanging on to you because I see you everywhere and feel you everywhere and regret everything and wish I couldn’t have just said those things when we broke up because all of it made me feel so stupid. But every fiber of my body’s aching for you and then I prayed so hard every night that you’d just go away. But shit, Ashton even if it was killing me, I still yearned for you. And then maybe the gods were being nice for once and made you came back to me. I could have just moved on, when there are other guys ready to give me comfort, but I chose you. There are other guys so much better than you, but you’ve done something to me that I believe you’re the exact definition of better for me.” She let out a breath, and then she hit him on the shoulder before saying “And stop making me feel like you’re just going to give me away, it’s not sexy.” Then she hoped that could have changed the air between them.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

                When Cece started moving from her position, Ashton was snapped out of his thoughts. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” He asked but he ended up just sighing and closing his eyes when Cece embraced him. It was too late to stop her as he was occupied with the insecurities he had at her girlfriend’s friendship with Jason. He knew that Cece probably deserved better like Jason although he wouldn’t be caught admitting that Jason was a better man than him. He’d be dead first. He knew that Jason could have easily taken Cece from her, he would have let him. He probably would if Cece asked him too. With what he had done with Cece before, Ashton didn’t have the right to stop her from anything. “Please, you just quoted that Grease song.” He joked then sighed with exasperation. Ashton looked at her then smiled at her then she set their burgers apart. “Eat,” he told her.

[cecplns]

“Okay,” Cecily gave him a small smile and then finally let go of him so that she can be able to eat. As she did, she was silent, her mind half there and half somewhere while her stomach was twisting in discomfort. She knew she shouldn’t worry, but she can’t help herself; basking in her own silence, she tried to eat, even if her appetite was barely there anymore. Too much for a good day.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

                 Ashton couldn’t help but laughed out loud. “Well, I know I won’t but other person might give you a reason to do so. Like that stinky son of Hermes.” The last sentence was actually muttered under his breath venomously. And just like that, his mood shifted but he didn’t really let it show as he proceeded with cutting the huge ass burger in half with the take-out plastic knife. Ashton was probably angrier than he thought when he ended up snapping the plastic knife. He didn’t make a big deal out of it when he continued cutting the burger with a spoon instead. 

[cecplns]

The thing is Cecily’s focus was all on him that moment that’s why she couldn’t help but hear what he had muttered and she almost froze as if she was guilty about how once she was in love with Jason, but it wasn’t the same anymore. And to think about it, if Jason would try to get her, she’d still choose Ashton. She’d always choose Ashton and sometimes she felt like crying about how much she loved him, and sometimes she felt like it was too good to be true, but he was there, actually afraid of losing her this time. Her heart was swelling and she couldn’t even do anything about it but just stare at him in awe and in fondness and in passion. She needed to reassure him, so even if it hurt, she moved and got off the table and moved towards the seat to be beside him, she then wrapped her arms around his middle and ducked her head so she can hid under his underarm all while nuzzling his side. “You’re the one that I want, the one that I need though.” She mumbled, wishing for him to calm down because it scared her when he’s mad. And he is mad, his lips were pressed tightly together, and it seemed like it was pouting, his beautiful brows furrowed with each other and his ears were so red. “Ashton.” She said, as she peeked at his face.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

            He smiled when she saw a hint of excitement in her. Ashton felt his mission was already half-accomplished. “As long as it’s fat.” He brought her to the spot she found then let her sit on the picnic table. He took his tan-colored jacket, rolled it up and used it as foot rest, leaving him with his plain white T-shirt on.  He took a seat in front of her then he started unpacking their Leon La Taberna take out. “But I’m warning you, it’s a joint custody meaning you are not allowed to break up with me, or else we’ll have to split the cat in half. I got dibs on the skin and fur.” He jokingly stated although he meant what he said she was not allowed to break up with him. Or at least, he didn’t want her too.

[cecplns]

She slapped him on the shoulder, “That’s so disgusting, leaving me with the bones and all.” She smiled and shook her head, not liking the idea of skinning a cat alive even. “And who says I’m going to break up with you?” She squinted her eyes at him and then her tone turned into a sing-songy one as she said, “Just don’t give me reasons to break up with you.” She cleared her throat and the smiles on her face was back again “We’re having kids together, you see.” She then looked away because she knew her face was going to be red if she looked at him in the eyes right after saying that since she meant it.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

     "Tigers are literally just huge cats though. Extreme cats.“ He couldn’t help but laugh with such joy in it. "Look at us compromising. I’m very positive this will work.” He lifted her from the passenger seat then close the door with his right foot. “It better be a ginger cat though. Slightly negotiable. I want a fat kind.”

[cecplns]

“I want that fluffy kind, the one that looks grumpy. I forgot what its called...” She looked at his face, loving the proximity they had at the moment, “Oh! Bubby, a Persian cat, I think there could be a ginger kind of Persian cat, yeah.” She then looked around and saw a good spot, “Let’s stay under that tree.”

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

          He burst out laughing when she referred to them as a hot couple. Of course, they are two hot people. Ashton always erupt in laughter whenever someone states the obvious when he was trying to be subtle about it. And when it was his own girlfriend pointing it out, it was no different. “And there goes my humility. Well, that is true. Every couple needs to have a pet. It’s a test of the relationship.” He took a right turn and to go into the parking lot of the national park. “I like to have a tiger but I don’t think that is legal to have in Alabama.” He picked their lunch from the backseat then get off the car. He made his way to the passenger seat and opened it. “Well, what would you like to have?” He asked then handed her over the plastic bag before bending down, in preparation of lifting her.

[cecplns]

She laughed when he said he wanted a tiger, “You’re too extreme.” She then shook her head and took the plastic bag from him. She wrapped her arms around his neck loosely and then kissed him on the cheeks. “You want a tiger, right? I’d like something a little less extreme than that, so maybe a cat.”

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

         "You don’t know? Tsk tsk tsk. I thought you are a master.“ He teased then gave the back of hand a quick kiss. He nodded at her question. "Only if you want to. Cute couples have pets. Aren’t we cute?” He was totally joking because not in a millions years he would associate the word cute with him on a serious note even if it was true. “I don’t know. If it makes you happy then we’ll get one.”

[cecplns]

She rolled her eyes, “I never said that I was.” She then paused and thought about it seriously, “We’re not cute.” She shook her head while her nose were scrunched up, “We’re a hot one.” She said it in a matter of  fact tone to make it ironic. “But hot couples could still have pets.” She put the container of the food on top of the dashboard and then she looked at him. “If we’re adopting, what kind do you want?”

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

            “Oh, I thought that is something you get from a stop station or something.” He opened his mouth a bit and put the whole wedge in his mouth. “You sure you don’t want a puppy or a kitten to practice?” He said, joking along but he could totally see it in the future. “Also, pets are much cheaper to have.”

[cecplns]

“I don’t know, I hadn’t got one.” She shrugged and then put another wedge in her mouth and ate it, “Are we going to adopt one?” She asked and then grabbed her water bottle and drink from it, “Also do you still want some more?” She asked, referring to the potato wedge.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

            “Well, do you have those lure stuff or whatever?” He asked, obviously tolerating her ‘mild’ Pokemon Go addiction as how she put it even though it seemed like it was more than mild. “Give me some.” He told her, referring to the potato wedges. “Do you want a puppy?”

[cecplns]

“Nope, I rather spend my money on clothes and food.” She shook her head and then she picked a potato wedge and feed it to him, “No, I want a baby.” She joked.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

          He took her hand and was glad they were driving slow. “Heavy meal, you said?” There was nothing else that came into his mind that to drive through Leon la Taberna. He ordered their famous big ass cheese and mushroom burger they could share together, chicken and steak enchilada, fajita and a couple of vanilla shakes. He also had some potato wedges just in case Cece is already hungry, something she could munch on while travelling to the national park where he is planning to bring her. He took the bowl of wedges and placed it down on her lap while the rest of the food went to the backseat, wedge between his bag and a pillow. “Eat,” he command. “But I’m taking this.” Ashton then took her hand that was near him when they were back on the main road again. “So, you won’t eat that much. We still have a lot to finish in the back.” To be honest, he just wanted to hold her hand.

[cecplns]

She can be body conscious, but there are just days that she just really didn’t care and this was one of those days. So, without any questions she began to eat the potato wedges he had given her and then was silent until something came to her mind, “I bet there would be kids there playing pokemon go, and cute puppies.” She then smiled excitedly at the thought.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

        While she was fixing herself up, Ashton just watched her, making sure she was doing it properly even if he knew she was more than capable of doing it. He breathed a sigh of relief once she was done and smiled at her. “Good.” He said then nodded. “Now, what do you like to eat.” Ashton asked while he was going back to the road. He was driving a little slower than he normally would.

[cecplns]

She rolled her shoulders into a shrug since she wasn’t feeling picky that time, “Well, you go and surprise me.” She rubbed her stomach, “This girl deserves some heavy meal and that’s up to you.” She buckled herself up once again and reached out for his hand for her to hold. It was always unsettling knowing that she was near him and she wasn’t holding him. She always felt the need to hold him. She felt calm doing so.

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

                   He hissed and shook his head disapprovingly. “We’ll go drive through then I’ll carry you to a nice place. It’s a great afternoon for a picnic anyway.” It was physically impossible for him not to worry for her ankle tho. He opened the compartment of the dashboard and gave out a sigh of relief when he saw an elastic bandage on it, plus other emergency stuff. He wrapped it around her ankle to avoid further damage. “There.” He tossed her some painkiller then closed the apartment. “We’ll make a quick stop in 7Eleven though.” He announced before closing the door and moved to the driver’s seat. Two and a half miles of driving from the academy, he quickly stopped at the store and bought a bottled water and some ice to put on the bag. “I have compress bag or whatever the fuck they call it in my compartment then drink the painkillers. Can you help yourself with it?” He asked while reviving the car’s engine.

[cecplns]

Cecily appreciated how caring he was, but the stubborn part of her wanted to just shush him, since she felt like such a burden to him. When he had given her the pack of ice and water bottle, she put her attention on the pack of ice first, so she put the water bottle aside and took the case from his glove compartment, she put the ice into it and then poured a little water to it before she closed it, she then sat with her legs crossed together, so she just can let ice pack rest on her ankle. After that she finally took in the pain killer and downed it with the water, “I’m good, bub.” She smiled at him. “Thanks.”

[ashtonstaffcrd-blog]

       "It was definitely a yelp.“ He tried to argue even if he knew she was right. He shook his head and tried to look angry when she was intentionally being cute but his heart was not really on it. He was a sucker for her cute face. He sighed and curled up beside the opened passenger door. "Let me see. Take your shoes off.” He said as he gingerly hold her ankle. “Of course, I’m not going to cancel this out. You can’t walk though.” He grinned at her to assure her that there was nothing he wanted more than to take her out on a lunch date.

[cecplns]

She reached out for her sneaker and untied it before slowly taking it off. She cringed when she saw how it was swelling and then she let out a sigh, “We can just have a drive through.” She then let her hand rest on his shoulder and then she squeezed it. “Or you can carry me,” She smiled and lifted his head up to kiss him on the lips. “Drive through’s convenient though.” She then pressed her lips together to stop herself from kissing him again. “Let’s just go. You can worry about my ankle later,” 

[cecplns]

ASHTON ;

             “You just?” Ashton said, his scarred brow raised as if to show that it was a big deal. As her ran roamed under his shirt, Ashton gave her a smile while his hand gently ran from her shoulder down to her said injured elbow. “You know, getting on the backseat was not a terrible idea.” He said while watching her get on then he heard the huff came out of her. Keeping the door open, he bent over to look at her. “What was that?” He queried as his eyes squinted, eyeing her like a hawk, scanning her body from head to toe. “Did I just heard you yelp?” It was an exaggeration. Cecily can be quite prideful when it comes to this. “Are you hurt? Like really, really hurt?

---Although she wasn’t looking at Ashton to actually see how he was looking at her, he could feel his eyes on every inch of her body. She had to be honest, she loved it when he was being like this. It was really a good reminder to her that he truly cared for her and she was nothing but pleased. “You’re exaggerating. I didn’t yelp.” She rolled her eyes as she turned to look at him. “I’m not really, really hurt.” She cupped his cheeks, “Did I left out the part, I sprained my ankle?” She put on her cute face so he wouldn’t get mad at her, “Oops.” She mumbled as she looked down away from him. “It’s not that bad though, I can still walk.” She looked at his face back again, “Just don’t cancel this lunch please, I really want to go out with you.”

[cecplns]

ASHTON ;

        Ashton felt the need to put an ice pack on his knuckles but he knew it was pointless because the swelling feeling on it was not real. The simulation made everything seemed real—felt real—and no matter how much he wanted to shake off the feeling, he knew the effects would last at least an hour. He was lucky he didn’t get any injury. No, actually it was not luck. He was just that good even without the power his father gave him. That put a smug smile on his face in which he quickly wipe off his face, not wanting to feel crazy and all. Later on, he finally saw Cece walking on her way to the parking lot. As usual, he had a goofy love sick smile on and it was harder to wipe off his face. There was something off with her and at the moment, he couldn’t really point it out because he was too busy getting his breath taken away. Instead of unlocking his car, he slipped out of his car and went to the passenger side. He quickly wrapped an arm her waist and pecked her lips as a greeting. “You’re late.” He chuckled then opened the door for her. “Is everything alright?”

She felt frustrated because she wanted to tip toe to kiss him some more, but if she would her sprained ankle will be such a bitch and hurt some more. “I just hurt my elbow,” She showed him the bandaged wound, “So I have to get it check up on before I went to get a shower.” She then slipped her hands under his shirt to feel his skin, it was just one of her ways to show affection towards him. She rested her head against his chest for a while, and then turned to his left breast and bit it, she then giggled and reached out for his face and started squishing his cheeks, “Ah, you’re so frustrating, let’s go before I grab you into the backseat.” She smirked a bit and then opened the passenger door and slipped inside, she let out a huff since pain shot through her. When she was settled, she buckled up and messed with Ashton’s stereo to play some music.

[cecplns]

If she wasn’t careless when she was training in the virtual reality set up, she wouldn’t have sprained her ankle and cut her elbow, but she did and now she was late to the lunch date she and Ashton were going to have. Shooting him an apologetic text message that was saying, “Sorry, bubby, I’m on my way to the parking lot now.” she limped her way out of her room, her face bare since she didn’t have time to put make-up on. It was a painful walk towards where Ashton’s car was parked, and once she had gotten there she started walking properly so Ashton couldn’t see. She made her way to the passenger side and knocked on the window since the door was locked, she then waved and smiled at him.