Chapter 9: Has to be this Way

Andros drove up and stopped in front of the school. He saw Ashley sitting outside doing some last minute studying. He got out of the car and walked up to her. "Ashley," he called. Ashley looked up and her face paled.

"Oh, no," she whispered.

She stood up and backed up a bit. "What are you doing here?" She asked. Andros stood in front of her.

"We need to talk," he replied.

"Now isn't a good time."

"Now is a good time."

Andros grabbed her hand and led her to the car. "Andros, where are you taking me?" She asked.

"You'll see. School doesn't even start for an hour so we're going to go talk," he replied.

Ashley got in the car and Andros drove off.

They came to the hill where Andros took Ashley the first time when this whole mess started for them. Ashley left her backpack in the car and got out. "Okay, you wanted to talk to me. So what do you want o talk about?" She asked. Andros was leaning against the tree.

"Why do you give into him?" He asked.

Ashley became quiet. "Karone's on Terra Venture with Leo she's safe. Cassie had that restraining order go through she's safe. I'm safe because your dad has no idea where I live. But why do you still go back?" He asked.

"I have no choice," she replied.

"Yes you do."

"No, Andros. I don't. If I do run away daddy will find me and he will kill me."

"Can't you put a restraining order through?"

"I don't have proof. For all the cops know you can be doing it."

Andros looked at her confused. "Ashley, you have scars up and down your body. You came running to my house twice in tears. I nearly got myself killed protecting you from him," Andros pointed out.

"I don't want you to do that, Andros. I don't want you dying because of me," she insisted.

Andros walked over and grabbed her shoulders. "Ashley, he'll kill you before he'll let you out of that house to start your own life. You're nothing but a target," he told her. Ashley shook her head.

"He'll never accept us, Andros, never," she whispered.

She fell to her knees and started to cry. Andros kneeled in front of her. "I want you more than I have ever wanted anything in my whole life," she sobbed. Andros pulled her close and she cried against him. "But…it's never going to happen," she added. Andros held her.

"It will happen," he whispered.

"Not while I'm here."

Andros held her and rocked back and forth while holding her in his arms. "Everything's going to be okay," he assured her. Ashley pulled back an placed her hands on his face.

"Andros, please just let us stay this way just a bit longer. Please?" She asked.

Andros kissed her forehead. "I don't want him hurting you so please," she insisted.

"Alright," he sighed.

Ashley stroked his cheek. "I love you," she whispered. She hugged him. "I love you so much," she added.

"I know. I love you too," he answered.

Ashley buried her head into his shoulder and cried. Andros held her and let her cry against him. "We'll be together in four months," he murmured. Ashley nodded and started to calm down. Four months, it seemed to be a long time but after those four months Andros and Ashley would be together forever.