Sunlight pierced through the window, Ashley woke up and stretch herself, yawning she stood up from the bed and faced the window brimming happily with joy, 'why?' because today is the day her childhood sweetheart Felix will have to choose his bride, they have been dating since when they were 15 and now she is twenty, five years relationship Felix is from a rich family and he is also the son of famous actor Wilson who is popularly known for his action and romance movie, lucky isn't she? She smile at her thought but soon replaced with sadness there is a problem his parents were not in support of her relationship with him as she was from the average background and was neglected because of her appearance.

       Starting from high school her peers and classmates always made fun of her appearance, she had a curly long platinum hair and a small face though she had a wrinkle on her both cheek, she cried in secret anytime her peer call her a scarecrow until she met this handsome man 'Ericson' the son of the richest man in the country, he never made fun of her, he stood by her and compliment her beauty making her laugh and blush every day she was slowly falling for him until a day he introduced his girlfriend to her Layla who was also a student in the school since that day she tried to keep her distance from him no matter how much he wanted to be so close with her, and she met Felix his cousin whom she eventually fell in love with and now they are in a relationship for five years. As he clocks twenty his father told him to find a woman and get married so he could take over his company he introduced her to his family they were never in support of their marriage but Felix assured her he is going to choose her on his birthday which is today.

........

"come on Ashley, you will be late"

"Okay mom, just one more minutes" she wore on her shoe and run off to the sitting room "okay am ready" her mum stare down at her "we should find something to do about your curly hair," she said straightening her gown edges "maybe after I get married" she smiles "are you sure he loves you and will choose you today"

"Yes mom am sure, Felix loves me" she sighs and hugs her, car dings causing Ashley to pull away from her mom's embrace "Eric is here" she smiles excitedly "bye mommy" she gave a quick peck and her cheek, and leaves "I love you Ashley"

"I love you excessively mommy shrieks from a stretch, she inhales sharply and shook her head. reaching outside she found Eric leaning by the car he was wearing a yellow suit and his hair too was dye in yellow he wore a long executive earrings on his left hair and was chewing gum checking his watch, when Ashley saw him she smile there he was her childhood best friend Eric he is a famous painter and musician his father own a 5 star music school while his mother is a popular actress how bless is she to have him as a friend, every girl were jealous of her because she has two hot guys beside her "you are late" he said, she smile give him a slap on his shoulder "no, YOU are late" she walk past him, Eric ran his finger through his hair "alright am always late" he drew in a sharp breath, Ashley stood by the door crossing her arm over her chest "and what's a perfect gentle man supposed to do?" she shot him a playful wink "you are at it again, am not even your finance, why am I suppose to open the door for you everytime" he said frustrated, Abi grab his both cheek and pinch it "that's why you are so adorable" she laugh "cheat" he smirk and open the car door "thank you" she entered "where is your girlfriend" she ask putting on the seat belt "at the venue already" he entered starting the car "isn't that too early"

"Felix mother asks her to come over"

"Okay"

"the whole thing is unnecessary, we know who he is going to choose anyway and that's you" he smiles "we've come a long way"

"yes" they both laugh and drive off.   

     They reach the venue in no time, it was bustling with elegant people Ashley got shy and nervous she didn't like much crowd and attention on her feeling her nervosity Eric held her palm entwining their fingers together as they walk hand in hand into the hall the ceremony was about to start, Eric and Ashley sites down at the second row she saw Felix at the front wearing an elegant Black suit, his silver hair was styled in slick back his gaze landed on them he smiles and wave at them and they both wave back at him, they saw Layla and Felix mother at the first sit "that's my girlfriend" Eric smile, Ashley laugh hitting him on his chest "you should get married rather than pointing her out as your girlfriend" Eric grunt "you have been like that since high school hitting me whenever I mentioned her name" he rubs his chest "am getting married" she blushes "crazy little girl".

.......

it was time for Felix to choose his bride elegantly dressed ladies lined up at the front of the hall, except Ashley, just as the plan that Ashley won't join the ladies to avoid commotion, Ashley heart raced that she thought it was going to burst out from her chest, the moment Felix pick the red rose and move around he didn't choose any of the ladies in front of him, Ashley heart flutter with the thought he was coming straight to her but instead he moved towards Layla Eric girlfriend and gave her the red rose. shocked Eric and Ashley rise to their feet before they could take a step Layla already accept the flower which means she is willing to be his bride, tears lay in Eric's eyes he didn't expect this betrayal, especially from his cousin and best friend, the crowd applause, Eric angrily left the hall fighting the urge to destroy everything.

The truth is they have been cheating both of them have been cheating and Eric's family knew about it. Eric's mother and father were not there at the moment as his father was on a business trip and his mother too was at a movie location, she look at Layla hugging Felix and kissing him, her heart sink at Felix and Layla hurt and betrayal well, Layla is a very beautiful girl and she is the daughter of the minister, despite been Eric girlfriend in highschool boys were always after her giving her all kind of gifts she is always jealous of her she is lucky to be very beautiful and have someone like Eric by her side why will she do this to him, Ashley trusted Felix so much that gave her all to him, just for him to let her down after five year's, he is her first love, she gave him her heart, her soul everything she has left and now he burnt it all, the flame in her heart is rising uncontrollably she was about to break down right there this was suppose to be a dream that Felix did not love her, despite all his promises. this can't be true, it is nothing but a nightmare, she knew his mother hated her so much and she didn't want to give her that satisfaction of seeing her suffer and be heartbroken, she swallow hard inhaling all her pain and sadness.

       she walk towards the large crowd and made her way through till she reach Felix and Layla, sighting her Felix thought he would slap her and yell at him but what she did shock him "hello Mrs. Wilson" she greeted Felix's mother, "hey Ashley, you are here too?" she asked "of course, I am" Mrs. Wilson chuckles darkly and face her "are you here because you thought my son Felix will choose you, sorry to disappoint you that he didn't" she giggle mockingly "I was not here for him the first instance to speak with, I am just here to see the real devil in disguise" she looks at Felix "Felix..."

"Am sorry Ashley, but you are not fit beside me, just look at you, you aren't dressed well, your hair is curly, and you have wrinkles you are not my type" he declare, tears laid on Ashley eyes but she fights it back with a smile she can't just believe Felix is saying that now even after telling her she is the most beautiful girl in the world or is he, not the same Felix she knew "I didn't come here for that Felix am just here to congratulate you on your marriage" she stretches her hand out to shake him "congratulations Felix" he stared down at her hand full of curiosity then accept it "thanks" he responded "and to you too, Layla"

"Thanks" she responded "can you please deliver my message to Eric, tell him am sorry, he didn't appreciate me enough and I found someone else who loves me and appreciate, I know you both will find someone else, some really great more than us" she said and Ashley nodded "we will, the earth is full of billion people by the way" she smiled "you too look so good together" she complimented, they both smile "I thought as much, but am really disappointed she is Eric girlfriend but I will talk it out his parents, don't worry Ashley, you will find someone great too, but don't force yourself on any man because of... your... looks man will be so scared to approach am sure you force yourself on my son then, don't repeat such or you be heartbroken again" she smile mockingly, Ashley cock her head and smile "and your son too shouldn't raise any one's hope God punish for it" she said, Mrs Wilson raise her eyebrow, she turn her back and was about to leave "Ashley..." she heard Felix voice, she halt in her track and turn to face him "hm?..." she threw him a questioning look "will... you... come for the wedding?" he asks "sure... I will be there" she turns her back walking away tears rolling down her cheek, the difference between school and life is that school teaches you a lesson and then gives you a test, but life gives you a test that teaches you a lesson she wipes her tears.

........

when Ashley reached outside she found Eric leaning by the car, his face pale and dark she saw the anger burning inside him, they were in no position to console each other but she has to take it off him somehow before he does something unthinkable. forcing a smile on her face she took steps towards him. "hey, tinkle toes" she laughs standing right in front of him "what's with the angry look" she look at him but he look away immediately "come smile tinkle toes... smile" she giggles pinching his cheek, Eric angrily grabs her wrist and takes it off his cheek "stop pretending as nothing happened? we both knew what happened in there, SO ENOUGH OF ALL THIS DRAMA" he roared at her, he was right she knew deep down that she is not fine at all she was in pain, deep pain but this is what she is good at, suffer inside and console broken others "calm down, you don't even love her so why are you angry" Eric hiss and slam his fist hard on his door gritting his teeth, Ashley staggered back did she just say the wrong thing? when he turned back he saw Felix's father driving down "hop in I'll drop you home" Ashley opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out "o... okay" she managed to voice out, she entered the car and Eric enter after her.

       Eric drives roughly on the road sending a shock to Ashley, she stares at him his face was blank and emotionless, and anger was blazing his blank face he already reaches her house but he took a sharp turn and turn back "Eric!!!" she calls out "Eric! Eric!!" she called him repeatedly but he didn't seem to hear her as he was already consumed with rage.

Eric sped up, taking a sharp turn, Ashley held into her seatbelt she knew he cared about her so much and won't want anything to happen to her, no matter how much called his name he responded, finally, it seems they got to their stop, he parks the car and step out of the car, boiling with rage Ashley take a look around where he had brought them, it was a park she steps out of the car after him she looks around and saw him by the river, letting out a sharp breath she took step towards him and touch his shoulder "Eric!!" the soft breeze blew her hair to her face, taking her hand off the stand beside him and look at him "for the first time in five years, I see my best friend get so much annoy" she forces a smile "why?" he ran his finger through his hair with annoyance "EVERYTHING!! EVERYTHING SUCKS!!!" He yells "how do I tell my parents that their family betrayed me, how could Felix just do that to us we are not only family he is my best friend and he... " he grit his teeth and look at Ashley "I know that he has betray you, I understand that it hurts you but you have to live through it, do not waste your time in your past, you just have to pick up the pieces and move on" she said "so... what about you" he suddenly said facing her, Ashley lowered his gaze she was broken inside her heart is torn to pieces, tears laid on her eyes ready to pour she knew that she couldn't hide her pain any longer. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she struggled to find the right words to respond to his question. "I...I'm not sure," Ashley stammered. "I've been trying to convince myself that I can move on, but I can't seem to let go of the hurt. It's like every time I try to forget, it creeps back into my thoughts. Felix is someone I trusted with my deepest secrets, my hopes, and dreams. And to have him betray me like this...it's devastating." she raise up her head, swallowing the tears and force a smile "every ugly girl gets through it anyway" she scoffs "we should leave here, if someone sees you here it will be some other news" she was about to take a step when suddenly Eric grabs her wrist stopping her from leaving before she could question him he threw her into his embrace burying her face on his chest "what are you doing" she struggles out of his embrace, his hand glided behind her head and hug her more tight "truth is, I was not angry because Felix choose Layla but because he breaks your heart" he inhale sharply "Ashley..." he whispered caressing her hair "covering your pain with a smile didn't makes you the strongest woman on earth... it... it makes you grow weak so let it out" tears laid on her eyes finally tickle down, she wrap her hand around his waist and buried her face on his chest "Eric!!!" she cried out "yes... just let it out... just like that" Eric held her tighter, offering his unwavering support and understanding. He knew that Ashley needed this release, that keeping it all bottled up inside would only do more harm than good. He continued to stroke her hair, his touch providing a sense of solace and security, as Ashley's sobs subsided, Eric gently tilted her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with compassion and empathy as he regarded her tear-streaked cheeks. Ashley cried her heart out in Eric's arms after crying her pain away they both sit on the grass her head on his shoulder as he wipe her tears with his hand.

     "Eric?" Ashley call out barely in a whisper "hm?..." he tilt his head slightly "am... I... ugly?" she ask "No... why'd you ask"

"Nothing" she licked her lips "Felix doesn't deserve you Ashley" he caressed her cheek "I don't know... how? why? or when he changed... it's been five years Eric how do I forget him"

"you will Ashley, trust me you will always have me by your side" she raised her head off his shoulder and sat up "thank you Eric, you've been a great friend" she smile "what about the music school you are processing"

"you know your dad's music school is just one of the hardest schools to get enrolled" she scoffs "I have an audition next week, my fate will be decided after the audition"

"I can just talk to my dad then you don't have to take the audition"

"no, don't I have to know what am capable of"

"Okay then" they both smile and inhale sharply "how will you tell your parents about Layla..."

"that's not a problem they didn't know about our relationship... they thought we were just friends so it's nothing" he smiled, the sun was already setting they had no idea they have been sitting at the park for so long "Ashley... we should get going it's already late" he stands up "oh... yes" Eric held her wrist and help her stand up "we should go on a date sometimes" he chuckles "if that will make you forget about Felix"

"you are joking right?" she chuckles "of course am not, okay... I will pick you up tomorrow then" he held her by her waist as they walk towards the car "you should bring your script along I will help you with it" Ashley struggle out of his arms "I will go on a date with you only on one condition"

"And what's that" she touch the edge of her jacket "no expensive restaurant, or exclusive treatment" Eric draw in a sharp breath "you are just a crazy little creature" he shake his head slightly "deal?" she ask blinking her long eyelashes at him "alright deal," he said frustrated.

       Eric drives Ashley home it's almost 8 pm before they got home and the sun already set "I will pick you up tomorrow by 9 am"

"Okay..." Eric hug her "stay strong okay?" she pull away and tap him on his shoulder "have you forgotten that am the super strong Ashley?" she laughs "bye buddy," she said "bye" she moves to the entrance and held the door handle before she enters she look back and take a look at Eric who was still waiting staring at her she smiles and enter after he waves at her. Ashley entered the house she met her mom in the sitting room panicking "Ashley I saw the news" she said with a sad expression "what's with that look mom, he chose who deserves to be with him not an ugly brat like me, am so tired mom I need to rest" she yawns and peck her mom "I love you mom" she walks into her room.