ASHLY'S POINT OF VIEW(Universe 13)
 
No way...
 
"Too stunned to speak, sweetheart?"
 
"X-Xylus..." That was all I could manage to say, feeling as if my entire body had stopped functioning.
 
Come on, Ashly! Say something!
 
"I'm glad you still remember me," he said, stepping closer. "Ash, speak or else I'll leave," he added, pretending to walk away.
 
"Wait!" I shouted, causing him to stop and turn back toward me.
 
I didn't know why I stopped him. I felt embarrassed but, at the same time, I didn’t want him to leave. What’s wrong with me?
 
"You know what, just come with me." I was shocked when he grabbed my bag and took my hand. I tried to pull away, but he was too strong.
 
As we walked, I noticed the whispers of the students we passed.
 
"Oh my! Is she... what the hell?!"
 
"Is she Xylus's girlfriend?!"
 
"Why are they holding hands?!"
 
The curious glances from the students of St. Lauren grew more intense. I was certain Xylus held a high position in this school, and if I wasn’t mistaken, Phoebe had called him 'president' earlier.
 
Is he the president of this school?
 
"How have you been, Ashly? I haven’t seen you since you left." I swallowed hard, feeling his grip on my hand tighten.
 
"You were really brave back then. What happened to that side of you, hmm?" I couldn’t speak and had no idea why.
 
He’s just my old childhood friend, so why am I so starstruck seeing him? Of course, I never expected to run into him here. Who would have thought that the childhood friend I left behind would be attending this school?
 
"I'm... I'm fine," I said. I wasn’t used to the way he talked to me. It made me feel weak. He’s... way different compared to the last time I saw him.
 
"Glad to hear that. Wanna eat? My treat."
 
"No, t-thanks. I’m still looking for Kion." Finally, I managed to speak properly. Why couldn’t I talk to him normally?
 
"Kion? Kion Castañeda? You know him?" From the way Xylus spoke, it seemed like he knew Kion. Maybe they were friends?
 
"He’s the boyfriend of my best friend," I replied.
 
"You mean, Seina?"
 
"You know her? Do you know where she is?" Xylus shook his head.
 
"I don't know her, but Kion has mentioned her to me." I felt disappointed by his response.
 
I had hoped he knew Seina. But at least he knew Kion, and I was sure he could tell me where Kion was.
 
"This place is scary," I commented. My companion laughed softly.
 
"And now you’re scared? You used to start fights at the corner." I playfully hit his shoulder.
 
"That was before. Not anymore," I said.
 
I still vividly remember our childhood memories. We were always together because we lived next door, and our parents knew each other.
 
"Don't worry, you're safe with me." I turned my face away so Xylus wouldn’t see me blushing.
 
Am I blushing?! But why—he’s my friend, just a friend, okay?
 
Why is he like that?! His voice is so gentle but...
 
"Ashly? Is there a problem—"
 
"Nothing!" Xylus was startled by my sudden shout, and so was I.
 
"O-okay, you’re too hot-headed, calm down."
 
I didn’t say anything, and neither did he, probably realizing I didn’t want to talk to him.
 
I glanced at my left hand, which he was still holding. Xylus had changed a lot. When we were seven, I was always the brave one between us, always standing up for him when he had conflicts. But now, it seemed like the roles were reversed.
 
He’s also taller now. I used to tease him about being short, but look at him now, towering over me.
 
"We're here," he said, indicating the door in front of us.
 
"Student Council Office?" I asked.
 
"Yeah, I'm the president."
 
"Oh, that’s why Phoebe called you president earlier," I said as we entered the office.
 
The first thing we saw was a round table where they probably held meetings. The office was larger compared to Evergreen University’s, and there were three other doors visible.
 
"It's nice," I commented.
 
"I personally designed this office since the school entrusted it to me."
 
I nodded in response. We headed to the couch, and he placed my bag on the center table.
 
"Oh, you’re here?" I turned to Xylus when he spoke. I thought he was talking to me, but it turned out there was someone behind me.
 
I turned around and wasn’t surprised. "Ashly?"
 
"Yes, Kion, the one and only. Now, can you tell me where my friend is?" I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms while standing in front of him.
 
"I don't know," he replied. I squinted my eyes at him.
 
He doesn’t know?
 
"And I don’t believe you." I stepped closer to Kion and looked him in the eye, trying to see if he was telling the truth.
 
"Eat first. You can kill each other later." I didn’t break eye contact with Kion, and it seemed he wasn’t backing down.
 
But he was the first to look away, moving towards where Xylus was.
 
I sighed. It looked like getting the truth out of Kion was going to be tough. I had no idea if he knew anything or not.
 
I had no choice but to join them for a meal. Fortunately, there was still an hour before the next class, and luckily, Kion was in all my classes.
 
As soon as I sat down with them, Xylus handed me a plate and utensils. I couldn’t protest when he started putting food on my plate. It was easy for him since we were sitting next to each other, while Kion sat across from me.
 
"How do you two know each other?" Kion asked.
 
"We’re childhood friends, right, sweetie?" I turned my gaze away from Xylus. Why did he call me that?
 
"Sweetie, huh? Are you two in a relationship?" I quickly shook my head at Kion’s words.
 
"Are you crazy?" I said, glaring at my friend’s boyfriend.
 
"Bro, I just came back from Japan," Xylus said. "But who knows, what do you think, Ash?"
 
"Are you both insane?" They just laughed. I didn’t think I could handle being around these two.
 
I grabbed my fork and spoon in frustration and started eating. Xylus was about to speak, but I was quicker, shoving a piece of cupcake into his mouth to shut him up.