He leans closer to me and I take a step back.

Ashton: You owe me.

My heart is pounding.

Reiss: What do you want from me?!

He tosses his hair with a smirk.

Ashton: I want you to marry me.

WHAT?!

I'm just a college student studying music history... So why am I in this weird situation?

It all started a few hours ago..

...when my bestfriend Jennifer ran into our dorm room.

Jennifer: Reiss! I have a surprise for you!

Reiss: What is it?!

Jennifer: I won tickets to see Ashton Myles perform tonight!

Reiss: ....Who?

Jennifer: Who?! He's the only the hottest man alive. And he's my favorite musician. I can't believe I finally get to see him live!

Jennifer sighs dreamily. I can practically see the giant hearts in her eyes.

Reiss: Wait... Ashton Myles? Isn't he that stuck-up rich pretty boy who play piano?

Jennifer: Wow, harsh. He's an incredibly talented musician!

Reiss: Uh-huh... I'm sure his parents' money and his good looks had nothing to do with it.

Jennifer: Ugh. Does this mean you won't come with me to the concert?

Reiss: No thank you.

Jennifer: Please?! You love music. I thought you would be excited for this! It's no fun to go to concerts alone. Please come with me?

She clasps her hands together and makes pitiful puppy-dog face.

Reiss: Ugh... Fine. I'll go. But only because of that face you make.

Jennifer: Mwahahaha! The sad eyes always work on you.

Reiss: A good friend wouldn't be so proud of manipulating me...

Jennifer: Yeah? Well a good friend would've agreed to come with me immediately!

The auditorium is packed, but Jennifer's winning tickets got us great seats.

We wait for Ashton to take the stage, and when he does...

Ashton: ...

Whoa..

Jennifer: See? I told you he was hot.

Reiss: It doesn't matter how hot he is. What matters is how well he performs.

Ashton: Thank you all for coming to see me tonight. Please, sit back and enjoy the music.

Ashton sits down at the piano and strikes a dramatic chord. His hands fly over the keys as he plays a fast, complicated song.

He's so focused... And not missing a single note!

Ashton: ...

The song ends, and I can't help but appluad along with the audience.

Jennifer: Ha! I knew you'd like him.

Reiss: I have to admit... He definitely has talents.

Jennifer: Ha! Victory! I win. You owe me ice cream after the show.

Reiss: Yeah, yeah... Gloat all you want.

Ashton: The next song is dedicated to my first piano instructor. He tutored me as a young boyand made me play this song over and over again. I hated it. I thought the song was slow and boring... But the again, I was nine.

The audience chuckles and Ashton smiles.

Ashton: But it's because of him that I became the musician I am today. So please listen carefully... no matter how slow and boring the song is.

The audience laughs again and Ashton begins playing a beautiful song. The music is soft and gentle, with each note moving seamslessly into the next. Jennifers leans over and whispers to me.

Jennifer: Do you see that brooch he's wearing?

Reiss: The silver treble clef? What about it?

Jennifer: It was given to him by his first piano instructor... the one from the story. He gave it to ashton after his first concert.

Reiss: I see... He must have loved his piano teacher very much.

Jennifer: Ashton was a child prodigy. He spent hours learning piano everyday. I imagine his piano teacher was like a father to him.

Ashton closes his eyes as he plays, knowing the song by heart.

He almost looks... peaceful.

The song comes a close and Ashton looks up from the piano. Our eyes meet above the crowd. My heart jumps. Can it be?

He's looking directly at me!

Ashton: ...

That's ridiculous. He can't see anyone in the audience with all these lights...

Ashton plays a dozen more songs , but the concert is over all too soon.

Ashton: Thank you all for coming here tonight. Your support means everything to me. Without you to listen to my music, there would be no reason to play.

Jennifer sighs wistfully and the audience of fangirls.

He graciously accepts the audience's applause and exits the stage.

Jennifer: Now for the best part!

Reiss: What are you talking about?

Jennifer: My tickets include a back stage meet-and-greet with Ashton himself!

Reiss: What?! You didn't mention this before!

Jennifer: Because I knew you wouldn't come if you knew!

Reiss: Jennifer!!

She grabs my arm and pulls me through the crowd towars the meeting area. Jennifer drags me backstage. There's already a huge line of excited people.

Reiss: Ugh... There are so many fangirls here.

Jennifer: And congratulations! You're one of them now!

Reiss: What? I'm not!

Jennifer: I saw your face during the concert, Reiss. You loved it.

Reiss: Just because I appreciate his talent doesn't mean I'm in love with him like you are.

I look around us. Most of the fans have brought gifts for Ashton.

Reiss: I'm surprised you didn't bring him anything.

Jennifer: Who says I didn't?

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a tiny clay figure. It's Ashton sitting at the piano!

Jennifer: Isn't it adorable?!

Reiss: Oh! Its, uh... Super cute!

Jennifer: I know! I hope my Mini-Myles can sit on Ashton's piano at home.

Reiss: Along with his millions of other gifts...

Jennifer: Hey! Ashton treats each of his fans as individuals. We're not just a crowd of screaming fangirls to Ashton, no matter what you think.

Reiss: I doubt he-

Jennifer takes me by the shoulders and spins me around to look at Ashton. I watch him as he meets each fan. He smiles at them,

I didn't think he would be so kind to his fans...

Ashton tosses his head, preening for the camera.

Ugh.. He definitely loves attention, though.

Jennifer: We're next!! Aaahhh!! I'm gonna die!

Reiss: Please don't. I don't want to have to tell your parents you died over a celebrity.

Ashtons turns to greet us. Jennifer grabs me and shoves ahead.

Reiss: Ahh! Jennifer! Be careful!

She pushes me forward.

My foot catches on a loose tile, and..

Reiss: Aaaahh!

Ashton: Whoa!

*CRASH!*

Oh no, oh no, oh no... I'm... on top of him?!

He looks up at me with wide, startled eyes.

We're so close, I can see every one of his lashes.

I can feel his heart beart under my hand...

... and something sharp.

What is that... ?

Ashton: You're bleeding.

Reiss: What?!

I look down at my handpressed against his chest...

... and at the brooch, bent in half, cutting into my hand!

Reiss: Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Are you okay? I didn't mean for this to happen. I-

Ashton: You broke my brooch.

Reiss: I'm so, so soryy! It was an accident!

Ashton: Dammit... You clumsy-

He takes a deep breath.

Ashton: Here, let me help you.

Ashton stands up, taking my uninjured hand and helping me to my feet.

Jennifer: Reiss! Are you okay?!

I suddenly realize the fangirls are screaming, all with their cameras out and pointed at us.

Ashton puts an arm around me, steering my face away from the crowd.

Ashton: She hurt her wrist when she fell. It may be a sprain.

Ashton: Let's get you some ice. It looks really bad...

I look down at my hand. The bleeding has stopped and the cut doesn't look too bad...

Reiss; Really. I don't think it's that big of deal. I-

Ashton: Come with me.

He takes me away from the crowd and deeper into the backstage area, pullong me by my hand.

Reiss: You really don't have to do this! I'm fine!

Ashton doesn't answer. He walks down the hall to a dressing roomand opens the door.

Ashton: Let me grab a first aid kit.

As soon as he turns around, there are reporters everywhere.

Ashton: Ugh... I'll deal with them. You stay here.

Reiss: But-

He shuts the door, leaving me alone in the room.

It doesn't even hurt anymore. He's so concerned, though... And he was so nice to his fans... I'm sure he doesn't want any of them to get hurt.

Reiss: Maybe he really cares about them. Maybe I misjudge him. I fell on him, ruined his meet-and-greet... But the only thing he's concerned about is whether I'm okay.

I press my hand to my chest.

My heart races, remembering how close we were.

---

Ashton: ...!

A little closer and we could've kissed...

---

What am I thinking?! I don't even know him! I wish I knew more about him, though..

I never listened to Jennifer when she talked about him.

Maybe I should have..

The reporters are stipp being noisy outside, so I start to look around the dressing room.

Hmm... Maybe there's something here that will tell me what kind of man he is. I've never been in a celebrity's dressing room before! And it seems like he'll be busy with the reporters for a while...

Maybe I should look around?

I'm not going to snoop through his stuff. He asked me to wait , so i'll wait.

On the other side of the door, I hear him arguing with the reporters.

Ashton: She's not used to media attention, and she's just been injured. Please give her some space. I want to make sure she's okay. I would hate for anything to happen to any of my fans, especially at one of my concerts.

I can't tell if he is being sincere or playing it up for the cameras...

Ashton re-enters the dressing room and slams the door shut behind him.

Reiss: Thank you for you concern, but... I really don't think my wrist is that bad. I can-

Ashton: Tch. I don't care about your wrist.

Reiss: Huh?

He's like a different person now that we're alone!

Ashton: I care about the debt you owe me.

Reiss: Debt? What debt?

Ashton holds out his hand l, revealing the broken brooch.

Ashton: Do you know how much this cost?

Reiss: Your brooch? It's full of memories. It's priceless.

Ashton's eyes go wide. He takes a step back, stunned.

Ashton: What do you mean?

Reiss: Isn't that the gift that your piano instructor gave to you years ago?

He flinches, then stares at the brooch in his hand.

Ashton: Then you should know how valuable it is. There'a no way to replace it. You broke it. You owe me.

Reiss: But I-

Ashton: Do you deny that it's your fault?

Reiss: Well... no, but-

Ashton: Then you owe me a debt.

This is bad..

Reiss: I'm in college! I couldn't even afford to come to this concert! We only got tickets by winning them in a contest! But I can make it right! I can raise the money...

Somehow..

Reiss: Maybe I can take a part-time job?

Ashton: Oh, don't worry. I don't want your money.

Then what?!

Reiss: What do tou want from me?!

Ashton: I want you to marry me.

WHAT?!