It was only about a week after summer break had started, and it was the night that Ashton and her best friend, Vanessa, were to start out on the trip that they had been looking forward to for months. As part of a graduation present, Ashton's parents had told her that they would pay for her to take a month long road trip with her friend. It was a great present she had thought. It was finally the time for the two of them to get out of the city, and just spend time hanging out. This last year of high school was very dramatic for both of them, and most of it was just usually catty bullshit from girls who were their friends half the time, and their enemies the next. It was just annoying after a while having to deal with them, and then calming Vanessa down afterwards. Despite being best friends, Ashton and her handled things completely different. While Ashton was very calm, and usually just ignored people who were bitchy or catty, Vanessa was dramatic and always took it personally.
At least it was all over now. High school was done with and they had the chance to get out of the city and away from the fights that had developed. Vanessa had throughout the year, been constantly on about a friend of theirs that she had liked. It was just so obvious that they both liked each other, and at one point Ashton was ready to plot a devious plan to get them together before she pulled her hair out at the annoying obliviousness of the two, but luckily for her (and her hair) the two had gotten together before the end of the year. Now they were all over the other, and he was all Ashton ever heard Vanessa talk about for the last few months of school, but at least she didn't have to deal with them and the awkwardness that there was beforehand.
Putting the last of her bags at the front door, Ashton sat down on the sofa to wait for Vanessa's parents to drop her off at the house. The three bags and her purse were all stacked neatly by the door. Yes, three bags. Ashton had packed sensibly, but a girl still needed what she needed. After all it was a month long, and they were going to be travelling all throughout the states, so who knew what the temperature would be like? With all the different options of clothes, plus her make-up and hair supplies, there were three very full and heavy bags as the end result. Leaning her head back against the sofa, she sighed bored. Earlier in the day, she had been over at her best guy friend's house.
Ashton had met Cameron, Cam for short, on the first day of Grade Eleven on the bus to school. Her and her friends had noticed him, having not saw him before, and figured he was a new kid, since he looked too old to be in Grade Ten. While her friends were content just occasionally talking about him, she had gone over and started up a conversation with him, and the rest was history. They hung out every day on the bus to and from school, talking about whatever came to their minds. They grew really close over the two years, and to be completely honest Ashton wasn't sure how she felt towards him. During the first year knowing him, her parents had invited him to dinner with them for New Years' and since then she knew that she felt something towards him, but she was sick of ruining all her friendships by wanting to be more than friends, so she had promised herself that she wouldn't like him. But as Grade Twelve drew to a close, she realized that she couldn't ignore the fact that she really did like him. However, she refused to tell him. They had hung out earlier that day, as a last time before she was gone for so long, and nothing even seemed to really change, despite her realizing her feelings. She was very good at hiding them though, to be honest. Years of practice, maybe.
The doorbell rang, and Ashton grinned, quickly getting up and answering the door, hugging her best friend. "Oh thank god you're here, I'm so bored!" They giggled and brought Vanessa's bags into the house. After all they weren't leaving until early the next morning. Once everything was ready to go, they made a pizza and got ready for bed. It was going to be a long day tomorrow. They had gone over their map, going over each stop and which hotels they were staying at. Ashton's parents were decently rich since her dad was a big time CEO at a cell phone company, one that probably most of you use. So her parents were paying for everything and had given her a card for a bank account that they would put money in for her and Vanessa during the trip. Once they had curled up into the bed and set the alarm, they lay there in excitement. Ashton could hardly wait.
~!~
The next morning they were on the road heading for Los Angeles. It was about a four hour drive, but they wanted to get there early and get everything put away so that they could shop 'til they dropped. Ashton drove her old white '97 Honda Accord down the highway. It was her baby; something she had actually paid for herself, which explains why it was a run-down piece of junk metal, as her parents had called it. They had wanted to get her a Camaro for her 16th birthday, but she was determined to get it herself; without her parent's help.
"Ugh," Vanessa made a noise as she shifted in the passenger's seat, "Okay, time to wake up. Let's get some music going!" Ashton grinned and nodded and turned the radio on. She grinned as she heard the familiar guitar melody of "Breakaway" from her favorite band, Tokio hotel. She heard Vanessa groan as soon as she heard it. No matter how hard Ashton had tried, she just could not get her best friend to like the music of her favorite band, even after showing her a picture of the four hot boys. For some strange reason (maybe she was an alien from some music hating planet or something), she just did not find the four men attractive. Ashton just couldn't understand, but she had let her friend be. She knew a lost cause when she saw one, but one day she knew that Vanessa would grow to like the band. Who couldn't? But for now, she enjoyed putting her friend to torture as she sang along with the band's vocalist.
"I really don't see what is so appealing about this music…can't we change it?" Vanessa begged, reaching to change the channel. Ashton instantly, but gently slapped her hand away.
"Hands off 'nessa," she said, using the well-used nickname, "It's almost over anyways, just wait…" Ashton sighed. One day.
They sang to the music as the small, white car zoomed down the highway. It was nice to finally get out of that city. It was nice to feel free, and they were enjoying themselves. Finally, it was time to let loose and enjoy themselves. Ashton was looking around as they drove, having quieted down since they stopped for lunch, Vanessa still eating her hamburger as they drove. For some reason, no matter how many Big Mac's that girl ate, she was still a twig. Ashton was slightly jealous about her friend's good looks. Vanessa was tall with long, blonde hair, bright blue eyes and the body of a model. Of course, Vanessa was planning to go into modeling now that high school was done. Ashton on the other hand, wasn't entirely sure what she was going to do with her life. She couldn't possibly get into the modeling; she was not near thin enough. Not to say that she was chunky at all, in fact she was only one size bigger than Vanessa and they often shared clothes. Ashton had medium length brown-Auburn hair, which was usually kept in waves, as it naturally went after it was washed. Her eyes were green and she had freckles that covered her cheeks and nose. Yeah, she was definitely not model material. But her and Vanessa did know a thing or two about fashion and they showed It off whenever they could. Each outfit, accessories and all, were carefully planned along with their make-up.
"Oh my God! We're here!" Vanessa squealed as they approached the city. Ashton grinned and looked at the winding overpasses and many car lanes as they drove into the big city. The buildings surrounded them as they drove. It was so exciting to finally be out and about by themselves, and in LA of all places! Arriving at their motel they paid for the two nights and brought their bags in. Flopping down on the bed, Ashton grinned. "I can't believe we're finally doing this! After so much planning!" She squealed excitedly and bounced on the bed happily. Vanessa was checking her reflection after the drive, reapplying her make-up and fixing her hair. Ashton rolled her eyes and fell back against the bed. "Well we have all day and tomorrow to do whatever. I was thinking we'd go shopping tomorrow and just hang out today. What do you think?" she spoke, knowing that although Vanessa was preoccupied, she'd be able to hear her.
"Yeah, okay that sounds great. Why don't we go check out the outdoor pool and the free food? I'm starved!" she said, patting her flat stomach. Ashton sat up and stared at her incredulously. "How the hell are you hungry? We just ate like an hour ago!"
"I don't know! I just am!" Vanessa tried to make up an excuse, shrugging her tanned shoulders. Ashton rolled her eyes and got one of her bags opening it. "Well, why don't we change, grab some food and go to the pool?" Nodding her head, Vanessa followed her friends actions and grabbed one of her own bags. Once changed, Ashton wore her jean booty shorts and a loose white t-shirt over her bright blue swim suit. Gucci sunglasses were on her head, currently in place of a headband pushing her straightened hair back. Vanessa came out of the bathroom, wearing similar shorts with a fitted blue and white stripped tank over her own purple swimsuit, her hair brushed to one side.
~!~
After grabbing two plates each of food, they made their way to the pool as the sun shined brightly. Setting the food on the table between the two day beds, they stripped the clothes off so just their swimsuits and laid back against the comfy beds, ready to tan. Ashton picked up a French fry and dipped it in ketchup before eating it happily. "This is perfect. I can finally get the tan I've been wanting!" Ashton grinned and lay down against the back of the chair enjoying the rays of sun. When she heard her phone vibrate, she looked over and picked it up, rolling her eyes when she saw a text from her mom. "Who's that?" Vanessa asked curiously. "Just my mom, asking if we made it alright. Ugh, she's so annoying! I hope she doesn't do this the entire trip!" Quickly texting her back that they made it alright and were now by the pool, she set her phone aside, only to have it buzz again soon after.
Don't let those LA boys gawk over you two! Be safe!
Ashton rolled her eyes and set her phone aside again, just relaxing, until she heard Vanessa make an approving noise. Blinking, she looked over at her friend, seeing the blonde watching a couple boys in the pool with impressed eyes. Giggling, she threw a French fry at the distracted blonde. Vanessa gave her an annoyed look but continued to enjoy the view. Ashton smiled and continued to suntan. She knew that she could have also enjoyed the view, but even if she wanted to, Cameron would just come back into her mind. What was he doing right now? Was he missing her?...Was she even missing him?
~!~
The two girls had spent the majority of the day at the pool, getting a nice tan, and occasionally enjoying a nice swim and the free food. Once it had gotten dark, they had ventured back inside and watched movies on TV until they fell asleep. Now, by the next morning, they were sharing the mirror as they applied their make-up. Ashton was wearing short, white jean shorts and a strapless peach colored top, while Vanessa sported a sexy summer dress with her hair curled. Vanessa had offered to curl Ashton's hair, and against her better judgement, her hair now had cute curls at the ends of her hair. She wasn't sure if she really liked it or not.
They took their car downtown and parked it in THE ONLY free parking spot they could find, after hours of searching. By the time they had found it, Ashton was starting to believe that the world didn't believe in free parking anymore. What a sad thing to realize. Getting out, the girls looked up and down the busy street. They had picked this particular area because it was common to see celebrities in the area, and they were not going to turn down a chance to run into Leonardo DiCaprio or Channing Tatum. Personally, Ashton didn't care too much for either of the famous men, though they were muscle-tastic. She would prefer Bill, the singer from Tokio hotel, over any American boy. Of course, that was never going to happen. She hadn't even seen anything online about the cute raven haired boy and his twin since they had disappeared for almost a year now. Vanessa of course didn't understand why this fact was so hard to live with, but Ashton refused to give up on the idea of the band coming back someday.
The two girls wandered down the street, finding a small, outdoor market. Grinning as they started walking through the small stores, they looked at the clothes, shoes and accessories. They were having a field day. Or at least, Vanessa was. She already had four bags of assorted "goodies" she had gotten. Ashton on the other hand, just looked around, hoping to find something that she really liked. Despite having the money to do so, Ashton really didn't like wasting money, especially her parent's money since they were paying for everything she bought on this trip. As they wandered into an accessory store, she watched as Vanessa wandered off throughout the store, eager to grab anything she even remotely thought was cute. It was almost as if she was afraid if she didn't grab it right away, somebody else would. Ashton just shook her head, and looked around.
As she looked at some shirts set up on a table in the store, she looked up as someone walked into the store. She froze. She couldn't believe her eyes. At the front of the store, checking out different pairs of sunglasses, was none other than Bill Kaulitz. She was sure of it, though it was hard to tell at first. He had changed dramatically from the last time anything had been said on the internet. Last she had heard, he was still sporting the black Mohawk, but now he was blonde and haircut that strangely looked a lot like both Mily Cyrus and Pink's hair put together, though she must admit, it looked good on him. It was shaved on either side leaving a strip of hair along the top which was fashionable styled into spikes, though small pieces of the blonde hair had fallen into his eyes, though he didn't seem to notice. She wouldn't have recognized him if it hadn't been for the tattoos, and her amazing fan girl inside of her that could recognize his face anywhere. This was without a doubt the singer she had admired, just with a new hair-do and a few extra piercings.
Ashton couldn't believe her luck. Her second day in the new city, and she just ran into her idol, the man she had secret thoughts about when she was alone about the two of them. Okay, now before you get all weirded out, EVERY fan girl has done this at LEAST a dozen times, so don't judge! Ashton didn't know what to do. He was right there, all she had to do was go and talk to him. But with him being famous, wouldn't he just think she was a crazed fan girl or paparazzi and run off? There was a high possibility, but she couldn't just let this moment pass her, could she? Unfortunately, she could. There was no way she would have the guts to go and talk to the magnificent being in front of her. Instead, she just picked through the clothes, glancing up at him every other moment. She looked at a cute purple shirt, not sure if she liked it or not, setting it aside and glancing up again at the star. Oh shit! He was looking right at her. Ashton could have fainted.