Short

chapter, I know

but please don't hate me. I

had to post something. I felt bad for ignoring

Long Since Forgotten. I got caught up with my other

Covenant story, Unbreakable Bond. The good news is

that pics for both stories are

now posted on my

profile. So

check them out and please

review and I promise not to wait so long to

update again. Thanks a bunch for the reviews sent in

for the last chapter.

xoxo

Kris

"You know, my parents are going to kill me for missing dinner because of you," Ashlyn teased.

"Oh don't worry. I'll protect you," he laughed. "So who's the new guy?"

"His name's James Hale," she told him. "Apparently he's been mostly home schooled."

"Oh really."

"Jealous," she asked.

"No, not the slightest," Caleb pouted.

Ashlyn just chuckled and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later," she said before heading off to her next class.

A few hours later the lunch bell rang and Ashlyn got in line to buy her food. She noticed Tyler already sitting at their table and waved. After getting a burger with fries and a bottle of water for herself, Ashlyn went over to sit with her brother.

"Hey bro," she smiled.

"Have you seen Caleb," Tyler asked as she sat down.

"Not since this morning," she answered.

"He's probably just late," Tyler supposed.

"Right, so have you talked to mom and dad lately?"

"No, why," he asked worriedly.

"Well-," Ashlyn began.

"Hey guys," James came up smiling and stood in front of Ashlyn. "Is it alright if I sit with you Ash?" When no one answered his grin faltered, "Sorry, was I interrupting?"

"Oh, no," Ashlyn exclaimed, trying to spare the boy's feelings. "Sit down."

"Thanks," his smile returned.

"James, this is my brother, Tyler Simms," she gestured to Tyler, "and Tyler this is James Hale. He just enrolled."

"Hey man," Tyler smiled.

"Hi," James said shaking his hand. "So what's up?"

"Oh…um, nothing," Ashlyn stuttered. "We were just talking about the dance coming up."

"Really," his smile grew, "I know we just met but would you go with me?"

Tyler chocked on his drink, hitting him with fits of coughing.

"Ummm…You're sweet James but I can't," she said patting Tyler's back. "I have a boyfriend."

"Sorry," he smiled nervously. "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't," Tyler muttered under his breath, earning him an elbow to his ribs from Ashlyn.

"Its fine," she assured James.

"So," he began hesitantly, "who are you dating."

"She's dating Caleb Danvers," Tyler interrupted.

Ashlyn saw James's eyebrows go up, "Danvers as in the original settlers of Ipswich?"

"That's right. Tyler, Pogue, Reid, Caleb and I are the descents of the original Ipswich colony," Ashlyn explained.

"Oh my damn, where is she," a female voice screamed from the dinning hall doors. Ashlyn saw the blur that was Kate rush her and take her down to the floor.

"Kate," Ashlyn laughed. "What are you doing?"

"Let me see it," the mocha-skinned girl exclaimed as she grasped Ashlyn's left hand. "Damn! Now that is a rock."

"Kate," Ashlyn groaned.

"I'm so excited for you two," she squealed.

"Am I missing something," Tyler asked confused. Kate simple took hold of Ashlyn's left hand again and held it out to Tyler. Tyler's face paled slightly before he asked, "Something you want to tell me Ash?"

"Thanks Kate," Ashlyn muttered under her breath.