I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story! :)

It was past midnight now and Alex just left. Ashley was packing up all their things because they were driving over to New Jersey for the next few days. They were going to have their next live show there and two house shows. Ashley's phone rang again, she expected it to be Dave, but it was Sarah.

"Hello?" Ashley said, folding up her tees.

"Hey girl. What are you up to?" Sarah asked.

"Eh, not much. Just packing my things together." She placed her clothes in her suitcase.

"Listen, Dave called the apartment…" Sarah bit her lip. She didn't know how her best friend would respond.

"Ugh. He called my cell several times, while Alex was over!"

"Aw, hun! I'm sorry. Whatever you decide to do, I'm here for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well..you know, if Dave wants to get back with you and you say yes."

Ashley's jaw dropped, how could her best friend think she would want to be with a jerk like Dave? She paused, Dave isn't that big of a jerk. He was so kind and sweet when they were together. She bit her lip, "I think I'm going to stick with Alex."

"Whatever you want. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye."

Ashley hung her phone up and placed it back on her nightstand. She let out a sigh. Dave was just…she couldn't put it into words. She still loved him, but how much? And could she really forget what he did? She shook her head and finished packing.

Alex woke up the next day at 4 AM; the superstars had a flight at 7. He knocked on Ashley's door, who collapsed into his arms.

"Not a morning person I see." Alex smirked.

"Coffee. Now." Ashley demanded. They dragged their suitcases to meet up with Cody and Jack.

"Hey guys." Cody said. "So, Ash, how was the mall with Laycool?"

"It was fun." She gave a faint smile.

"That's good." Cody smirked. He walked over to talk to Michelle and Layla, while Jack left to talk to Dolph. Alex and Ashley were left alone.

Alex brushed up against Ashley's hand. He smiled; even brushing her hand makes him smile. He held onto her hand, fingers laced. Ashley smiled at their lock hands and looked at Alex. He smiled back at her.

The superstars and divas headed off into their rental cars to Jersey. Alex, Ashley, Jack, and Cody shared a car. Ashley became really comfortable around them, which made Alex even happier.

"SHOT GUN!" Cody called from behind.

"Obviously." Jack responded back, loading the back with their suitcases.

Ashley laughed. She climbed into the back of the car with Alex behind her. They were off to Jersey, which wasn't that long of a drive, thank God. They eventually reached their hotel and went to their rooms. Ashley was on the fifth floor, while Alex was on the second.

Ashley was going through all her clothes. What was she suppose to wear to the zoo? A dress? No, I wore that on the first day. Skirt? Shorts? She panicked a little. She needed to calm down. She grabbed a pair of shorts from her drawer and slid them on. She then found a cute, white tank and paired it with some sandals. Perfect.

Alex knocked at the door. "Hey." He said as Ashley opened the door. "Ready to go?"

Ashley nodded and shut the door behind her. They were off to the local zoo.

"Zebras! Zebras are definitely my favorite!" Ashley exclaimed as they visited the zebras first. Alex looked down at her and smiled. He just couldn't help, but smile at everything Ashley said or did. What happened the other night with the text had slipped his mind. "What's your favorite animal?"

"A lion."

"Of course!" Ashley said. "Guys always say lion say they can sound all tough and masculine." She stook her tongue out.

Alex smirked. "I've liked them ever since I watched the Lion King. Still masculine."

Ashley pursed her lips. "Maybe…" She giggled as they walked off to grab some lunch. Alex grabbed a hamburger, while Ashley grabbed a hotdog. Girls always feel like they shouldn't order meals like that on a date, but honestly, Ashley didn't care.

"So tell me." Ashley began, while squirting ketchup on her hotdog. "Why the zoo?"

Alex chucked before getting quiet again. "Well, the last place my dad and I went was the zoo. I was twelve. But umm…" He paused and sighed. "After that my mom and dad got a divorce and I don't see him anymore."

"Aw, hun!" Ashley said, leaning in for a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay..I'm glad I don't see him." Ashley raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Well, the reason they got a divorce was because..uh.." He stopped.

"It's okay, babe." Ashley set her hotdog down and held Alex's hand. "You can tell me."

"Um..he was abusive towards my mom." Alex bit his lip and shook his head. He rarely tells people that story, let alone someone he's on a second date with.

Ashley frowned. "Any man who hits a woman is a coward. Your mother deserves better."

Alex kissed Ashley and asked her out.

Ashley smiled back and whispered, "Of course." Before leaning in for another kiss.

Okay. Okay. I am losing all inspiration in this story! More Dave in the next chapter though.