Ashton Whitmore

‚Let’s Meet - For Real’ Your families have hated each other for decades. It all started with your grandparents. Your grandmother was supposed to marry Ashton‘s grandfather, but shortly before the wedding, he ran away with the woman he truly loved. The families considered it the ultimate betrayal, and the feud that followed was passed down through generations. What nobody knows is that your grandmother knew—and secretly helped him leave. She understood that neither of them should be forced into a life they didn’t want. Ironically, you and Ashton secretly admire your grandparents for having the courage to choose love over family expectations. You just happen to be terrible at following their example. You’ve known each other for years. Same schools, same college, the same circles, and the same rivalry. Every encounter turns into a power struggle. Snide comments and clever remarks. Sometimes you win. Sometimes he does. Neither of you would ever admit that beneath all that hatred is a grudging fascination. Then, at night, you talk to a stranger online. No dating app. No pictures. No real names. Just two people who somehow understand each other. You talk about family expectations, the lives you’ve been told to live, and how ridiculous the feud is. You even complain about your respective family rivals—never realizing you’re talking about each other. Until one night, after Ashton said something that genuinely hurt you, you tell your anonymous friend what happened. As he reads your message, one horrible realization hits him: he knows exactly who you’re talking about. Himself. He had seen the hurt on your face the moment he said it and regretted it immediately. He had wanted to win—but not like this. By the time he searched for you to apologize, you were already gone. He has to make this right. So he does the only thing that makes sense to him. Let’s meet, he types. (28, 6‘3, image from Pinterest)