Ashley slammed her locker shut, her bag resting on her shoulder as she turned to head home. Melissa came running in her direction and stopped in front of her, gasping.

“Woah, who’s after you?” Ashley asked, chuckling, and took a step back as she pulled out the earbuds from her ears.

Melissa's face broke into a cheeky grin. “Well, you're going to run with me, after hearing the exciting news I have.”

“What news?” Ashley questioned, cocking her head and putting a hand on her hip.

“There will be no fun if I tell you everything here.” Melissa turned around and started walking away.

“Melissa! Melissa!” Ashley yelled, running after her and tugging on her sleeve.

Melissa laughed and stopped, “Mr. Sinha is waiting for you.”

“Why?” Ashley whispered, her breathing picking up as she swallowed hard.

“Well,” Melissa pursued her lips. “He wants to talk to you about something important.”

Ashley stared at her, wondering what Mr. Sinha could possibly want from her. She had already failed the exam so there was no chance of her going to the competition. Maybe he would demote her from advanced math. Yeah, he must be very disappointed as she didn't pay any attention in the class.

“Ashley, relax!” Melissa's concerned voice snapped her out of her daze and brought her back to reality. Her rapid breathing pace slowed to normal.

“Thanks, Melissa,” she whispered quietly, squeezing her fingernails tightly against her palms.

She couldn't believe she was about to have another panic attack. She needed to control her emotions like before.

‘It must be a meeting regarding the AMC. Nothing else,’ she reminded herself, taking a deep breath.

**

“Leo, wait!” Ashley called out, spotting him in the parking area.

Leo stopped and turned around, grinning at her. “Oh, sup Ashley?”

Ashley blinked, crossing her arms. “You're really asking me that?”

Leo sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I didn't back out for you.”

“I didn't say that.” Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head to read his facial expressions.

“Your eyes did.”

Ashley let out a frustrated sigh. “You can't do this, Leo, because I know why you gave him my name.”

“You know?” Leo crinkled his eyebrows together.

“I'm not your sister, Leo. You don't need to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of mine,” she exclaimed loudly. “Stop whatever you're trying to do.”

His fingers curled in his palms and his jaw tightened. “I know you're not my sister, Ashley.”

The way he used her name, she felt a tight knot in her stomach, making her guilty. She shook her head, gulping, “Leo, I didn't mean it like that. But you need to understand this-”

Her words were cut off when Leo suddenly pushed backward, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he crumpled to the floor.

He lay on the ground, trying to move his shoulder with a hiss of pain, squinting his eyes shut and biting his lips.

Ashley kneeled down in front of him, gasping, and asked if he was okay. Then, she turned her face to see who did this to him.

Her jaw dropped when she found Ashton breathing heavily and glaring at Leo. She exhaled loudly, controlling her temper, not wanting to deal with Ashton. She offered her hand to Leo and helped him to stand up.

Leo frowned at Ashton. “What the hell, dude?”

Ashley glanced at Ashton, who looked thoroughly pissed. A wave of fury crossed his face. His eyes flashed and his jaw clenched, a vein standing out on his neck and his fists clenching in tight balls.

“As if you don't know.” Ashton's voice was cold and chilling, making Ashley freeze.  Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed the crowd forming, staring at them.

“Ashton, you know I hate riddles, so get to the point,” Leo sighed, making Ashley wonder how he could talk so calmly.

Ashton looked around and within the second crowd dispersed, leaving her alone with them. Ashley nervously darted her eyes to him and found him glaring at her. “You,” he hissed, taking a few steps in her direction and pointing a finger at her.

Ashley's eyes widened as she stumbled back.

“What did you do to him?” He shouted at her, and she shifted awkwardly.

“Hey man, relax!” Leo took a step forward, pushing Ashley behind him, “Ashton, she has nothing to do with this. It was completely my decision.”

Ashley looked down quietly, not knowing what to do, and pushed her glasses up the brim of her nose.

“Really, Leo?” Ashton spat. “We decided to take part in this again, together. You can't possibly leave me like this.”

“I'm really sorry, Ashton, but I don't have any choice. If you don't believe me then go ask my coach, this is my only chance. I need to play the tournament. Scouts will be there, Ashton, and I need to impress them,” Leo whispered the last words, his hands ruffling his chocolate brown hair.

“But…” Ashton muttered, “how will I manage without you? We were supposed to be a team, Leo…”

“That's why I recommended Ashley.”

“Which is the worst thing you could have ever done after taking out your name from the AMC,” Ashton said angrily, and stormed out without sparing another glance at them both.

Leo sighed and turned around to face Ashley. “I'm sorry about this.”

“I've dealt with worse,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “But, thank you for your recommendation... you didn't need to do this but you did. I won't ever forget this, Leo.”

Leo shrugged, smiling. “What are friends for?”

This time, Ashley answered him by wrapping her arms around his shoulders, smiling widely. “Thanks, Leo.”

“You're welcome, always,” Leo whispered, hugging her back.

They broke apart, hearing footsteps from their right, to see Melissa coming towards them.

“What happened?” She asked, breathing heavily.

“Nothing,” Leo shrugged, glancing at Ashley.

“Really, Ashley?” Melissa ignored Leo's comment and stared at Ashley.

Ashley nodded. “Yeah, nothing happened.”

“But I saw Ashton with you guys… he looked furious…” she raised an eyebrow.

“Mel, you need to stop babysitting your brother,” Leo chuckled, earning a glare from Melissa as she crossed her arms.

“Melissa, you know your brother very well,” Ashley started, “so just ignore him.”

“You're right, actually,” Melissa sighed.  “Anyways, I'll see you guys tomorrow, especially you, Ashley. Need to talk to you about something,” Melissa smiled mischievously, tilting her head towards Leo.

Ashley groaned, glaring at her, which make Melissa laugh as she walked away.

“What was that?” Leo frowned.

“Ignore her,” Ashley shrugged and checked her watch as her eyes doubled in size. “Oh shoot! I need to go. I promised Aunt Jenna to meet her at the mall after the school,” she quickly mumbled.

Leo chuckled, “you better run, sweetheart.”

“And you stop using those endearments,” Ashley grumbled, punching his shoulder.

“Not in this life,” he winked and pulled out his phone, handing it to her. When she furrowed her eyebrows, giving him a strange look, Leo rolled his eyes, “Give me your number, princess!”

“Oh!” She took his phone. “Of course, here!” She typed her contact in, smiling, and handed him his phone back. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

With a last glance, she grinned and walked away.

***

The weekend went by a blur as Ashley locked herself in her room to prepare for the competition. Leo had put so much faith in her, and she couldn't let him down.

Ashley stirred slowly, clawing on her bedcovers.

Groaning, she threw the blankets off of herself and glanced at the wall clock, rubbing her eyes.

It was 7.15 a.m.

Her eyes widened and she immediately jumped from bed, realising she had overslept. Not only had she missed her morning run but she also needed to reach school in fifteen minutes.

She quickly took a shower and stumbled to her closet, pulling out jeans and black hoodie, her thoughts revolving around Ashton.

She needed to talk to him. The way he reacted in the parking lot was enough evidence to show how much he despised her. But why? She was the one who was trying to avoid him after the cafe incident. How the hell had the tables turned? Why did he hate her now? What if he didn't want to work with her?

He could go to hell.

But, she needed him. If she wanted to win the AMC, the first thing she needed was to melt the ice between them.

After dressing, she went downstairs, noticing her aunt go outside. “Aunt, wait!! She yelled, running towards her.

Her aunt turned, surprised. “Hey, I thought you must have be sleeping because you were studying late.”

Ashley shook her head, “I'm tired, but I can't miss school.”

“I know. Let's go.”

She reached school just in time and quickly headed for her locker. She stuffed her bag inside, taking out her math notebook and running to class.

She got to class and noticed Mr. Sinha was already there.

Damn.

She awkwardly stood for a few seconds until Mr. Sinha lifted his face and smiled at her. “Are you just going to stand there?”

A blush spread across her cheeks as she quickly muttered a sorry and went to her seat, earning snickers from a few students.

“Ashley and Ashton,” Mr. Sinha started after a few minutes, eyeing both of them. “From now on, you will sit together. So, Ashton, move to the first seat.” He tilted his head towards Ashley.

Letting out a groan, Ashton got up and plopped down next to Ashley. She bit her lips to control her laughter after watching the grim expression on his face.

“Now, you guys need to understand a very important thing. You are going to the AMC together and for that, you need to know each other very well,” Mr. Sinha continued, making Ashley confused.

“Why?” She interrupted. “I mean, this is a math competition, so-”

Mr. Sinha cut her off with a nod. “I know, but there will be time when you won't be able to discuss anything with each other. At that time, you need to make decisions based on instinct only. You have to read each other’s expressions to decide whether your partner can support you or not. You won't get any second chances, Ashley.”

Ashley swallow hard and nodded, absorbing every single word of her teacher.

A second chance.

“Don't worry, Mr. Sinha,” Ashton butted in, pulling out Ashley from her negative thoughts. “I'll teach her everything.”

With a smirk on his face, he turned and looked at her only to earn a horrified look from Ashley.

What on earth got into his mind now?