Sorry it's been so long since I updated. I have seriously been swamped with so much stuff for classes and for college. It's insane…anyhow…here's the next chapter…enjoy.

"Ash," Tyler said sternly, "can I talk to you…alone?"

"Ummm, can't Ty," she said running off. "I gotta go find Caleb." Ashlyn ran off before Tyler could ask her about the ring. She had to find Caleb and talk to him. Luckily, she ran right into him outside the dining hall.

"Sorry," she gasped.

"It's alright, baby," he smiled at her. "You ready for lunch?"

"Ummm, we might not want to go in there," she said biting her lip.

"Why wouldn't we," he laughed.

"Tyler kinda saw the ring," she said indicating the engagement ring he had gotten her.

"Oh great," Caleb groaned.

"Right, and that was after Kate came barging in and spilling the beans. How did she find out anyway," Ashlyn exclaimed.

"She cornered me," Caleb answered meekly.

"Yeah, well now the whole school probably knows, which means it will only be a matter of time before my parents find out."

"Then I think you guys should get married as soon as possible," a voice spoke out. Ashlyn turned around to face her brother.

"Tyler?"

"Get married now before they can't do anything about it," Tyler explained.

"We are not eloping," Caleb said sternly.

"Technically, your mom will be there and she is more of parent to my sister than our mom and dad so it's not really eloping," Tyler smirked. "Besides, I want you to be happy. You deserve to be and I know you'll only be happy with Caleb."

"I want you there too," Ashlyn said softly.

"Of course," Tyler smiled. "I'm the one walking you down the aisle."

"And I can get dresses and tuxedos," Kate cheered, joining the group.

"I don't know about this," Caleb sighed. "We'll talk about this later," he said as the bell for the class rang. "See ya later guys."

Ashlyn watched Caleb walk off; extremely worried about what just happened. "He seemed so happy when I said yes," she whispered on the verge of tears. "What happened?"

"Ash,' Tyler spoke up softly," you gotta realize that it's always been you for Caleb and whenever he pictured getting married, it was always you walking down the huge aisle, wearing a white gown that weighs more that a ton."

"He wants a big wedding," she finally realized, "with all of our family and the works."

"Bingo, sweetie," Kate smiled at her.

"Oh boy, I better go talk to him," Ashlyn groaned before running off after Caleb.

After looking all over for Caleb, Ashlyn found out that he had left school after suddenly catching some sort of bug going around. Ashlyn rolled her eyes and thanked the school nurse. Next, she thought she'd try Danvers Manor. She pulled up into the driveway and parked next to her boyfriend's mustang.

"He's upstairs in his room," Evelyn called out from the den as she passed by.

"Thanks Evelyn," she hollered as she ascended the stairs. Ashlyn decided against knocking and walked into Caleb's room. He was lying on his bed with an arm covering his eyes. Quietly she walked over and sat down next to him. "Caleb," she whispered.

Caleb's head shot up as he looked up at her. "Hey," he gave her a forced smiled and she frowned. "Ash, what's wrong?"

"That's what I want to know," she whispered. "What's bothering you baby?"

"It's nothing," he sighed.

"Well obviously it isn't otherwise you wouldn't be mopping around," she chuckled.

"I am not mopping," Caleb growled.

"Well you don't have to yell. What's your problem?"

"My problem is you," he was screaming at her now. "Ever since you came back, you've been trying to fix every little thing in my life! Well, I don't need your help. I don't know what I was thinking getting together with you!"

"You don't mean that," she said. Tears were about to fall from her eyes but she wouldn't let him see her cry. She couldn't.

"Yes I do," he argued. "I don't love you and as far as I'm concerned we're done."

"Caleb," tears were flowing freely down her cheeks.

"Just leave," Caleb whispered. He watched pain, hurt, and betrayal all flash through her beautiful face before she left and as much as he wanted to run after her, stop her, and take her in his arms, he couldn't. It wasn't safe.

"Nice acting," a voice from the shadows laughed. Caleb turned around and faced James. Slowly, the boy's face started to change and then it was Chase Collins that stood before him.

Just so no one gets the wrong idea about Caleb, Chase is threatening Ashlyn's life and Caleb had to break up with her to keep Chase away while he deals with him. So he still loves her…he's just trying to protect her.