Broken By the Campus Heartthrob

Megan's POV

"Megan! Wait!" I heard someone calling my name, but I didn't slow down. I walked even faster, hugging my bag tighter to my chest.

The sun had already begun to dip beneath the horizon, and I still had to get to the café where I worked part-time-sometimes as a barista, sometimes at the register, always on my feet. But before I could take another step, a strong hand caught my wrist and spun me around.

I gasped, nearly screaming-until I found myself face-to-face with the last person I ever expected.

Ashton Pritzgold, the campus football prodigy, the golden boy of our school, and the ridiculously handsome quarterback every girl swooned over, including me.

His eyes locked onto mine-deep, piercing blue-and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded in my chest like it was trying to escape. This had to be a dream. It had to be. I'd imagined this moment since seventh grade, but never like this. Not with him standing so close I could smell the faint hint of his cologne-fresh, clean, intoxicating.

I'd spent years convincing myself I didn't have a chance with someone like him. I was invisible to people like Ashton-just the quiet, scholarship girl who lived on the edges of everyone's attention. My best friend Alice was the only one who ever knew I harbored a secret crush on him.

And now, here he was holding my wrist. Saying my name.

"How do you even know my name?" I managed to say, my voice a little breathless, a little awestruck.

He chuckled, and I hated how good it sounded-like warm honey in winter. "Are you serious? You've been top of our class since freshman year. We've been in the same section for what-four years now? Of course, I know who you are, Megan Corteza."

Hearing him say my name sent another jolt through me. I stared, unable to look away. Up close, he was even more dangerously good-looking than I'd realized. And worse, I was totally aware of how much I was trembling. This can't be real.

He was always surrounded by cheerleaders, always glowing in a world too polished and privileged for someone like me. I'd stopped watching his practices from a distance the day I saw them-those girls with their perfect curls and confident laughs-swarming around him like moths to a flame. I'd told myself then that I was never going to be part of his world.

Not someone like me. A girl with calloused hands from part-time jobs and a life built on quiet survival.

I dropped my gaze, hoping he wouldn't see how flushed my cheeks were. But he still hadn't let go of my wrist. My skin burned under his touch, and my heart raced in ways I'd only read about in romance novels.

"What do you want from me?" I asked softly, turning my face away, trying to sound indifferent even as every fiber of my being screamed with electricity.

He didn't hesitate. "I want to ask you out."

I froze. My eyes widened. My heart stopped.

"Come again?" I asked, wondering if I'd heard wrong. Ashton just grinned, and oh God, he had dimples.

"I said," he repeated playfully, "I want to ask you out."

He let go of my wrist then, and I instantly missed the warmth of his hand. But he kept his gaze locked on mine, and I couldn't stop blushing under his stare.

"But, why me?" I whispered.

His smile faded slightly, replaced by something gentler. "Do I need to write a list? Or put it in a letter? Why do I need a reason to want to know you, Megan?"

I stood there, speechless again. This couldn't be happening. Maybe it was a dare. Or a prank. Or-God forbid-a bet. I'd read enough stories, watched enough movies. Guys like him didn't ask out girls like me without some kind of cruel twist behind it.

"I just... I can't believe this," I murmured. "Ashton, you were asking me out? It was flattering, really, but I'm not the girl for you. I know I'm out of your league, so don't waste your time."

His brows pulled together in confusion and disappointment.

But I couldn't let myself believe this was real. I couldn't afford to fall for a fantasy. So I turned on my heel and walked away as fast as I could, even though every step felt like I was dragging a piece of my heart behind me.

And maybe I should've felt triumphant-maybe a part of me did-but deep down, all I felt was heartbreak.

Because I might be the first girl to turn Ashton Pritzgold down.

But I was also the first to wish with every fiber of her being... that she hadn't.

"What?!" Alice practically shrieked, her voice so loud I winced and instinctively covered my ears. "You said no to Ashton Pritzgold? Are you crazy, Megan?"

We were at the café where we worked part-time after classes, tucked just a few blocks from campus. Thankfully, the place was quiet, with no customers at the counter at the moment-otherwise, I might have died of embarrassment.

I glanced around to make sure no one overheard her, then sighed as I wiped down the espresso machine for the third time just to distract myself. "Keep your voice down, will you? It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" she echoed, gaping. "Megan, Ashton freaking Pritzgold asked you out and you turned him down. That is not just a big deal-that's a movie moment, and you completely missed your cue!"

I rolled my eyes and leaned on the counter. "Alice, come on. What was I supposed to do? Say yes and pretend I believe this isn't some elaborate joke? You and I both know guys like Ashton don't ask out girls like me."

She folded her arms and raised a brow. "Girls like what, exactly?"

"You know," I muttered, avoiding her gaze. "I'm not a cheerleader. I don't wear designer clothes. I don't go to yacht parties or have a personal driver. I don't have that perfect, shiny life people like him are used to."

Alice let out a dramatic sigh and threw her hands in the air. "Megan Corteza, you are beautiful. You're smart, kind, and the only reason I'm passing Calculus. You work harder than anyone I know, and you still manage to stay top of our class. If anything, Ashton should be thanking the stars you even gave him the time of day."

I laughed bitterly. "You're sweet, but I need to live in reality. Not fairy tales. I can't afford to fall for someone who lives in a completely different world. It's self-preservation, Alice. If I let my guard down, I'm just setting myself up to get hurt."

She frowned, clearly not buying it. "You're not protecting yourself, Meg-you're punishing yourself. Ashton isn't just popular. He's the most wanted guy on campus. But from what I've seen, he doesn't even pay attention to those girls who throw themselves at him."

I scoffed. "And what, you've been observing him now?"

Alice shrugged with a cheeky smile. "Well, not on purpose. But we do see him around campus. And don't tell me you don't secretly want to know what it's like to date him."

I stayed quiet, my silence giving me away.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Okay, fine. Yes. I have thought about it. Of course I have. I mean, who wouldn't wonder what it's like to date the golden boy? But it's like falling in love with a star-you can stare at it all you want, but you'll never touch it."

Alice opened her mouth to say something when she suddenly froze, her eyes widening like saucers.

"Oh no," she whispered dramatically. "You have got to be kidding me."

"What?" I asked, turning to follow her gaze.

And then I saw him.

Ashton Pritzgold.

Walking through the glass doors of the café like he belonged in a commercial. His hair was still slightly damp, tousled perfectly as if he'd just stepped out of the shower. He wore a fitted black hoodie and joggers, effortlessly casual and somehow still model-level gorgeous. The sunlight from the window seemed to catch just right on his sharp jawline, making my breath hitch in my throat.

I'd been working here for months, and he'd never come in. Not once. I'd seen his best friend, Zach King, stop by a few times-but never Ashton. Not until now.

And he was walking straight toward the counter.

Straight toward me.

I felt my limbs lock up, like someone had poured concrete into my veins. My heart thundered against my ribs, and I wasn't sure if I should run or pretend I hadn't noticed him at all.

"Oh my God, Megan," Alice hissed under her breath, elbowing me. "He's coming over here. Do not pass out."

I swallowed hard and turned back to the register, pretending to look busy as I wiped an already clean countertop. I could feel his presence, like the air shifted around him-and then he was there, standing across from me, flashing that heart-stopping smile.

"Hey," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

My brain went completely blank.

Why did he have to smell like cinnamon and pine?

"Hi," I managed, hoping my voice didn't sound as breathless as I felt.

He leaned forward slightly. "I was hoping you were working today."

And just like that, the butterflies in my stomach went into a frenzy.

Was he really here... for me?

"Do you think I'll take no for an answer, Megan?"

His voice was low, confident, and laced with a teasing boldness that made my heart lurch. I froze, my hand hovering over the tablet as I tried to type in their order, but the words blurred on the screen.

I could feel it-the warmth creeping up my neck, flooding my cheeks until I was sure I was as red as the velvet cupcakes in the display case.

Across the counter, Alice giggled like a five-year-old watching her favorite love scene come to life. I shot her a warning glare, but it only made her grin wider.

Ashton Pritzgold, campus legend and walking daydream, had just declared-in front of my best friend and my overly amused co-worker-that he wasn't backing down.

I blinked, trying to find my voice, trying to convince myself that this wasn't a scene from one of those corny teen dramas I secretly binged when I was too tired to study.

But it wasn't a show. He was real. He was here. And he was looking at me like I was the only girl in the room.

I wanted to tell him off again-to remind him that I wasn't the kind of girl who played games or fell for pretty words-but then he smiled. That kind of smile made your knees weak and your brain malfunction.

"Hard-headed," I muttered under my breath as I tapped in the rest of their order. "You're seriously persistent, you know that?"

Ashton leaned casually against the counter, resting his chin on his hand like he had all the time in the world. "Well, I was the MVP three years in a row. I'm used to going after what I want."

I tried not to look directly into his eyes, but it was impossible. His gaze was so intense it made my fingers tremble, and I hoped he didn't notice how nervous I was.

"Here's your order," I finally said, handing him the receipt with what I prayed was a calm and professional smile. But when his fingers brushed against mine, my heart fluttered again.

He didn't say anything right away. He just stared at me for a second longer than necessary. And that look... it wasn't playful or flirty this time. It was serious and intentional.

"I meant what I said," he said quietly. "I'm not giving up on asking you out, Megan. So think about it, okay?"

And with that, he turned and walked to the corner table where Zach was already scrolling on his phone, acting completely unfazed by everything.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Oh. My. God." Alice practically lunged at me once Ashton was out of earshot. "Did you hear him? Did you see that look? He's into you, Megan. This is not a drill!"

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my heart still hammering like crazy. "I don't know what's happening," I whispered. But deep down, I did know. Something was changing, and it felt like I didn't have to keep my feet on the ground forever.

Megan's POV

I couldn't believe the hot quarterback of our school would be drinking coffee inside the café that I am working at, and this is the first time that I have seen him here. I couldn't stop myself from being conscious because of how many times I caught him staring at me, and I am just glad that there are many customers at the moment, and I am busy preparing their order, or else I will spend my entire time blushing in front of him and his friend. And I hate to think that they took the table near the counter. And I notice a lot of girls from our school are looking in his direction.

"Wow, I couldn't believe that the football prodigy would be here at this hour. And I think when Ashton told you he doesn't take no for an answer, it only means he was breaking his own rule for not asking a girl twice." Alice whispered in my ear, and I gave her my sweetest smile.

"Stop your Illusion, Alice, and help your best friend here to avoid the filthy rich student of our school," I replied in a low voice since I was afraid Ashton would hear us talking about him.

"Come on, Meg, don't tell me you are saying no again?" She asked me, and I nodded my head, and my best friend gave me a hard stare.

"Look, Alice, Ashton Pritzgold can never win me over no matter how charming he is because I know he will never pay attention to someone like me unless he has something playing on his mind right now," I replied, and our hushed voice is making me feel guilty that we are discussing the hottest guy on our campus.

"Can you tell me, what would be the possible reason that he asked me out?" I asked.

"Because you are smart, and you have a natural beauty of your own, besides you will look hotter if you try wearing sexy clothes sometimes, you always cover your beautiful legs with long dresses and pants. For once, try wearing miniskirts and dangling blouses. I mean, you have to show off your real assets, Megan." She said, and I furrowed my eyebrow at her.

"I don't care what they are going to say about my dress code because I am comfortable with what I am wearing, and it doesn't bother me if he dated sexy cheerleaders, Alice, because I don't have any plan of competing with them," I replied as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Okay, have it your way then. I am just giving you some advice because you will look hotter if you change a bit, but I am not telling you to overdo it, and you don't realize how sexy you are." She said, and I couldn't contain my smile.

"You don't need to praise me, Alice, because no matter what happens, you will always be my best friend, and I know how much you care for me. And thank you for always giving me your moral support." I declared, and she looked at me intently before she spoke.

"For your information, Megan, I didn't praise you because I am trying to boost your confidence, but I am telling you the truth. And it is all up to you if you will listen to me or not." She replied, and we fell silent again when another batch of customers ordered three orders of Americano, one Cappucino, two Mocha, and one Matcha Latte.

After serving the order of my latest customer, I feel my heart racing again, and I can feel the rapid beating of my heart as I look at Ashton standing up from his chair and walking towards the counter. And I almost forgot that he was still there because I got so busy entertaining the customers. I tried my best to stay focused and calm, but the way his eyes looked at my face, I couldn't stop my legs from shaking, and I could feel that my hands were trembling. I hate to admit that he has this kind of effect on me. That is why I don't want to date him because I know I will become a fool once I date the football superstar in our school.

"Megan, what time will your shift end?" He asked with too much confidence, and he is towering over me. I can tell even if I am taller than the average girls in school, Ashton Pritzgold is tall, and I think he stands six feet two inches tall, and he has the muscular body of an athlete that all girls will be drooling over him. That is why many girls will watch him on the campus ground during practice every after class, hoping they can take a glimpse of his hard rock six-pack abs.

"And why do you ask me?" I asked, trying to look irritated, but deep inside my heart, I can feel my heart is trying to get out of my chest because of the happiness that I felt, and I became more frustrated that he didn't even care if I gave him a cold treatment.

"Nothing, I just want to wait for you because I will take you home." He said, and I heard Alice gasping. And I became speechless because my heart and mind betrayed me this time. I can't help myself thinking how it would feel to ride with him in his sports car. I couldn't believe my dream would come true at this very moment because I have been dying to be with him in his sports car. But I tried my best to look calm and raise my head and look at his tantalizing eyes. And even if he isn't smiling, his eyes are smiling at me, and I felt like his charm hypnotizes me that I lost my ability to speak.

"Megan's shift will end two hours from now, and it would be great if you will take her home, Ashton, because she always complained that it took her a long while to get home. After all, she's always late for the bus and needs to wait for the next one. Don't worry, because she told me a while ago that if you ask her to go with you, then she would be willing to ride with you." Alice answered for me, and I kicked her on her leg because I couldn't believe that she would say something like that.

"Hey, I never said that, Alice." I declared, and I can't hide my anger towards my best friend, and when I looked at Ashton's face, he was grinning from ear to ear, and I could see the amusement on his handsome face. And he turned his head and looked at my friend smiling.

"Thank you, Alice, for being honest. See you later then, Megan." He said, and then he turned his attention to me, and he winked at me before he spun around and got out of the cafe at once while I couldn't believe what just happened.

"How could you do something like that to me, Alice? I thought you were my best friend, and I wonder what made you suddenly change your loyalty towards Ashton?" I asked in disbelief.

"Well, I am just helping you, Megan. I know how much you are trying to protect your heart, but come on, we are now in our senior year, and it is about time for you to have a love life. I understand you are afraid that he is going to break your heart, so what? At least the one who will break your heart is someone handsome, intelligent, hot, the most popular in school, then at least you have all the right to be broken-hearted. Unlike some girls over there who spent their time crying over a douchebag." My best friend declared, and my mouth was hanging open, but no words came from my mouth because I can't disagree with her.

"Besides, you have been crushing on him from seventh grade until now, and I think this time give your heart a chance, Megan. You are an outstanding student, but you never experienced what it feels like to be kissed." She said, and my face turned crimson.

"Meg, I am sorry. I know I should never interfere with your personal affairs, but I want you to be happy." Alice said when she noticed I didn't speak at all, and I turned my head towards her, and I smiled at her.

"It is fine, Alice, you were right, I want to have a chance with Ashton, but I am just so afraid of what will happen later. I am so scared of getting hurt because I have never been in a relationship. And I think in the entire campus, I am the only one who has no experience in dating. And I know a lot of our classmates keep on changing boyfriends almost every month while I remain single." I said.

"Don't worry, Megan, I am sure Ashton is serious about you because I can see it the way he looks at you," Alice replied.

"Do you think so?" I asked her, and she nodded her head at me, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

When my shift ended, I couldn't contain the nervousness that I felt as I changed my uniform into my pants and blouse. And then I said goodbye to Alice since she was waiting for her boyfriend, Lloyd, to pick her up. He was older than us by one year since he graduated last year, and he is now in college.

As I walk to the parking lot, I can feel the butterflies on my chest when I see Ashton leaning on his sports car. When he raised his head, he gave me his sweetest smile that made my entire face blush, and I wish I made the right decision tonight to provide Ashton with a chance to know me, as I give myself a chance to know him as well. And I felt so uneasy when he opened the passenger's door for me, and I realized there was no turning back. I officially give myself a chance to date the most popular guy in our school.

Ashton's POV

"Come again, Ashton? You mean Megan Corteza?" Zach asked me for the third time.

"What is wrong with you, Zach? Do you have some problems with your ears? Do I need to tell you ten times that yes, I will be late for practice today because I need to talk with Megan?" I declared, and he eyed me for a long time.

"What do you need from Megan, Bro?" He asked me.

"It is none of your business, Zach," I replied.

"It is my business, Ashton, because you are my best friend, and we talk about it if it regards with the girls we have to share. And why do you change your preference for girls? He asked, and I could feel his irritation.

"And why do you look so scared if I am going to ask Megan out?" I said to him, and his eyes widened.

"What???? Are you going to ask her out? Are you out of your mind? Would you please not do that to her, Ashton? I know that Megan is way out of your league, but she is different from all the girls on campus. If I can only go in there and ask her out, I will do it in a heartbeat, but I can tell Megan is very serious about her studies to maintain her scholarship. And you are aware that our school is only for the rich kids, and those who don't belong to the elite family depend on the scholarship, so I am asking you not to bother Megan?" It is my turn to enlarge my eyes at him.

"And why do you even care about Megan?" I asked him because my curiosity is making me impatient.

"Well, I have been crushing on Megan for a long while now. I always watch her from a distance because I can tell behind her clothes is a body that can make boys look at her with total admiration, and you need to accept that even if she doesn't wear any makeup, she is beautiful. And if she is not only using reading glasses sometimes to protect her eyes, you can see her natural beauty.

"You don't need to tell me how she looks, Zach, because that is the reason why I am going to ask her out." I seriously said to him, and I can see the sadness on his face.

"Ashton, I know you. You have never been serious to anyone. And you had a short relationship with cheerleaders, mostly hot girls, and I know nothing lasts for more than one month because you don't like commitment, and you hate girls asking for your time, and why do you even bother to ask her out this time when we are in our senior year? He asked me, and I laughed at my best friend, who happens to be my teammate in football, and he is one of the Running Backs in our team.

"Relax, Zachary, I know what I am doing." I declared, and he released a long sigh.

"I am sorry, Bro, I didn't know that you were also crushing the brightest student of our class. But I am telling you, I am not planning to back down, even if you like her to, and I am now determined to know Megan, and I don't care if I am going to hurt your feelings. That is why I am asking sorry in advance." I declared, and he offered me a weak smile.

"And who am I to compete with you, Ashton? I know I can never win against you because we can see that all the girls in this school are crazy about you." He said it makes me feel sad because I don't want to be the center of every girl's fantasy. After all, I don't want to hurt their feelings. But I am on a mission of knowing Megan.

"You can ask anyone out from the cheerleading squad, but I am warning you or anyone from the football team to never ask Megan Corteza out on a date. Because I will make her my girlfriend whatever it takes." I said, and I laughed when I saw Zach's reaction on his face, and I couldn't believe the expression I saw on my best friend's face.

"Why do you look pale, Zach?" I asked.

"I just couldn't believe that you will be so affected by a girl because this is the first time that I hear you say something like that." He said as he shook his head, and I said goodbye to him and ran to catch Megan. She was walking fast, and I smiled as I watched her walk, and I hate that I became a stalker for the first time. I haven't done this before because I am so used to how many years girls have been chasing me around, and they always ask me out. And sometimes, I ask a girl out because of my curiosity but not because I am very interested. Maybe because since I can't remember, girls are throwing themselves at me.

I have been calling her again and again, but she didn't even bother to stop walking and turn her head to me. And I am impressed that she could walk fast like an athlete. And I hate that I have to hold her wrist to make her stop walking so fast. And the time that I spun her around, I catch my breath when I am face-to-face with her, and this is the first time that I look at her this close and for a long while.

Damn! Megan Corteza is beautiful, and I realized she was hiding her true beauty behind her glasses. And right now that she is not wearing any eyeglasses, I couldn't stop myself from staring at her lovely face. Her smooth skin wants me to trail my fingers all over her face, and her expressive eyes are making me speechless. And her natural red slightly opened lips are tempting me to kiss her, and I couldn't stop myself from inhaling her scent, and I can't stop gazing at her beautiful angelic face. And Zachary was right, Megan is a natural beauty, and I hate to think that I haven't noticed her before.

I felt so hurt when she asked me how I knew her name. Does she think I am that kind of snob? She is popular in our school because of her intelligence, but I see no one acknowledged her because mostly the rich girls will never give her attention, and the boys are more afraid to deal with her because of her wits. And now that I am face to face with her, I became more determined to know her and spend more time with her, most of all to ask her out.

But I got frustrated when she turned me down, and this was the first time a girl said no to me, and she touched my ego. I became more persistent, and I hate to think that I will be doing this, and watching her walk away made me feel a pang on my chest. I will not allow Megan not to give me a chance to date her, and I am so eager to meet her again, and I don't care if I have to be tailing her around campus as long as she will give me a chance to get to know her.

"Hey! What is wrong with you, you were late for practice and punished by our coach, but I can feel you are frustrated about something, and it has nothing to do with our football practice. What happened?" Zach asked after we finished our training and after we took a shower, we were now in our locker room.

"I couldn't believe Megan said no to me." I declared, and I was so shocked when my best friend laughed at my face, and his laughter reverberated throughout the entire locker room that made our teammates look in our direction, and I gave him a hard stare.

"I am sorry, Ashton, I couldn't believe that finally, someone turns you down, and she is way out of your league, not on your radar for years, and I wonder why you suddenly became interested in her?" My best friend asked me, and I shrugged my shoulders because I am so frustrated with Megan's walk-out episode.

"Hey, don't look so sad; I know where to find her at this hour." He said, and my face lit up, but I suddenly felt jealous of why he knew where Megan was at this time. And I am scared of what I am feeling right now.

"And where could she be at this hour, Zach?" I asked him because I couldn't believe he knew where Megan was at this moment or where she lives because I felt desperate.

"She is working part-time in a cafe four blocks from here. And don't ask why because I have been stalking her for quite a while now." He said, and I laughed as I patted his shoulder.

"And I can tell that I am so delighted that I didn't ask her out because she didn't even say yes to you when you are the hottest guy on campus as what the girls said, and I can't imagine what type of guy Megan Corteza likes." My best friend added, and I continued laughing because I felt so happy that I now know where she is, and I am going to surprise her and tell her that I don't easily surrender.

"I want you to come with me, Zach, because I am not going home tonight without her as my passenger in my car." I declared and got out of the locker room in a hurry, and I can feel my best friend was walking behind me

The moment we arrived at the cafe, the stunned look on Megan's face made me feel victorious because even if she said no, I could feel deep inside her, she wanted to go out with me, and for how many times our eyes met, and Megan caught me staring at her. She looks so adorable every time she blushes. And it made me realize I never felt this way before to any girls, even to the hot and gorgeous cheerleaders that I dated, and how come a simple girl like her made me feel this way. She suddenly became like a puzzle to me that I thought my desire to know her became more intense.