You know the drill. I don't own things that aren't of my own mind. Compliments and criticisms welcome.
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"We've got a buyer!"
"Oh thank God. I thought we were never going to sell that place." Ashleigh's mom answered her husband with a heavy sigh of relief.
Ashleigh overheard her parents conversation in the other room. Her heart sunk. It sounded to her as if they had finally sold the neighboring house, their old house, after it had been on the market for over a year. Her parent's were obviously relieved but she wasn't. They'd lived in that house for most of Ashleigh's life and saying that she was attached was a dramatic understatement. Though she knew it was silly, she secretly hoped the house would never sell, forcing them to move back in.
Ashleigh's parents built the five bedroom, slightly extravagant house when their business had been in its prime. Money was not an issue and they had wanted something to show for all of their hard work. They were happy in that house. They had made so many memories, but Ashleigh felt that it was the house that held them. She feared that when the house was sold, the memories would fade. As the years passed business had slowed along with the rest of the economy. The house payment became to much to handle. They held on to the house as long as they could, but finally had to put it up for sale. Her parent's decided to split the land and build a new house significantly smaller than the first. Three bedrooms with the only unnecessary addition being an in-ground pool that the parents had promised. The house was considerably smaller, but large enough for Ashleigh and her brother and sister.
"Ashleigh, come here! Good news," called Ashleigh's mom from the kitchen.
She walked in sullenly with an equally unenthusiastic, "I heard."
"Come on, you know it had to happen sooner or later. This is good news," chimed in her unsympathetic father.
"Yeah. I know. But still." She didn't want someone else living in their house, sleeping in her room. "I have to go get ready for dress rehearsal. They're taking pictures for the year book tonight." With that she turned to leave before being stopped by her dad.
"Alright, but they are coming over in a little bit to sign the papers and get the keys and everything. You should at least come down and introduce yourself."
"Who's they," asked Ashleigh, getting interested.
"There's six of them. They seem nice enough. Four boys though," said her dad while shaking his head. "I'm going to have to get out the old shot gun, put some bars on your windows. Maybe get a pad lock for your jeans."
"Ha. Ha, dad. Real funny. I have to go get ready. I'm going to be late. Call me down when they get here." Ashleigh made her way to her room and hastily threw on her costume. The pencil skirt and blouse were to make her look like a savvy lawyer. The four inch heels were a desperate attempt to add some height to her otherwise unintimidating 5'1" frame. Then came the daunting task of stage make-up. Eye shadow, eye liner, blush for now and save the lipstick for later. With a final look in the mirror and a rushed tousle of the hair, Ashleigh grabbed her things and headed for the door.
Just as she hit the stairs, her mom appeared at the bottom. "They're here. Come say hi."
"Okay, but I'm in a hurry. I'm already five minutes late." Ashleigh followed her mom down the hallway and into the kitchen. The four boy and their parents were standing across the room and smiled politely at the arrival of the young girl. Ashleigh barely had time for to squeak out a meek 'hello' when she remembered that she forgot the baby powder she would need to gray her dark brown hair for her role as an older woman in the third of the four one act plays her school was putting on. "Sorry, I'll be right back." She laid her armful of things on the counter as she scurried back up the stairs and grabbed the baby powder as quickly as she could. Upon returning to the kitchen she threw it in her bag and began to properly introduce herself.
"Hi, sorry. I'm Ashleigh." As she quickly studied the boys faces she felt a sense of familiarity. But she blamed it on the fact that they all looked alike- handsome.
"This is Paul and Denise Jonas," said Ashleigh's mom. The boys proceeded to introduce themselves.
"I'm Kevin," said the boy who looked to be the oldest.
"Nick."
"Joe," proceeded the brother with the best looks in Ashleigh's opinion. He smiled and blushed before sticking his hands in the pockets of his tight fitting jeans. "And that's Frankie."
"It's really nice to meet you all, but I have to run. I'm late for dress rehearsal. I'm sure I'll see you around." With thoughts racing she grabbed her things and left.
Only to be struck with realization moments later.