"I'll take you home if you don't leave me at the front door," It was a typical morning in the Jonas home for Ashleigh. She was in the bathroom, getting ready for the day. Shaking it to her music, make-up and appliances strewn out over her side of the counter. Joe had the other side – they agreed to share a bathroom because they were both early risers.
This morning, however, Ashleigh was up an hour earlier to make breakfast pizza for everyone.
"I smell breakfast pizza…" Joe moseyed into the bathroom in his boxers and a tee shirt.
Ashleigh pecked him on the cheek, "Yeah, I felt like making some this morning."
"If you weren't there while mom and dad were gone, I don't know what I would do."
Ashleigh's iPod was on shuffle and the song changed to "Red Letter" by This Condition. She abruptly hit the next button.
"I don't get it… that's your favorite song on the CD, but you never listen to it," Joe was brushing through his curly mess of hair.
Ashleigh sighed, "It's just ridiculous how much I want that song to come true for me; for a guy to say something along those lines to me." She absentmindedly placed her mascara down, staring at her reluctant reflection. "Well, the pizza should be ready in fifteen. I'm gonna go wake your brothers up." She sauntered out into the hallway.
"Good luck!" Joe yelled after her.
Ashleigh stopped at Kevin's door, ready to knock, but he groggily opened it; rubbing his eyes with his free hand.
"I smell breakfast pizza," He murmured.
"Fifteen minutes," She pecked him on the cheek.
Next, was Nick's room. Ashleigh always had to take a breath before knocking on his door – the smell of his room, or anything he owned for that matter, was breathtaking to her. She quietly rapped on the door.
"Come in," His voice called out in response.
She slowly pushed the door open and peeked around it, Nick wasn't in his bed or anywhere in his bedroom. The door to his balcony was open and Ashleigh walked outside to find him sitting on his porch swing.
He looked up and patted next to him, signaling her to sit down. An autumn breeze blew past them and Ashleigh curled up into a ball. Nick pulled her closer by throwing his left arm around her shoulders, then he placed some of the blanket he was using over her.
"Thanks," She looked up at him and smiled.
The two sat there in silence for a while, just staring at the clouds passing by. Suddenly, a car pulled into the driveway. Four guys piled out of the mustang.
"Hello boys," Ashleigh called out to them.
Mitchel Musso, Cody Linley, Mason Musso and David Henrie looked up at the balcony.
"Hey, Ashleigh!" Cody called up.
"The breakfast pizza is almost ready," She got up and placed her hands on the railing.
Mason, Mitchel and Cody dashed inside the front door.
"Listen, Ashleigh… what are you doing today?" David bashfully shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Well, I'm going to the brothers' photo shoot from eleven to four with them. That's about it. Why?" Flirtatiously, she popped her foot in the air behind her.
"Maybe we could go to dinner tonight?" David managed to get the question out of his mouth without stuttering.
"Sure," She giggled.
"Alright, see you inside," He winked then strolled through the front door.
Ashleigh sighed then spun around. Nick shifted uncomfortably in the porch swing and cleared his throat.
"I'll see you downstairs," She bent down to kiss him on the cheek and gracefully glided inside.
Nick heaved a sigh and rand a hang through his hair. He knew he was being ridiculous. Ashleigh could date. His feelings were just being irrational. This was just a phase for him. David Henrie would be a good boyfriend for her. He had to convince himself of that.
"Hey man, ready for some breakfast pizza?" Joe leaned on the doorframe.
"Sure," Nick slowly stood up and wandered inside.
"Dude, why the long face? Breakfast pizza's your favorite."
"I'm just a little tired. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night." Which was true enough; Nick and Ashleigh spent half the night playing twenty questions by texting despite the fact that they were right across the hall from each other.
"There's time to sleep later," Joe lead Nick downstairs in the kitchen where everyone was congregated.
Ashleigh was at the fridge, pulling the orange juice and milk out while Kevin grabbed some glasses. The pizza was already on the table, cooling off. Nick and Joe sat down at the table, waiting to eat. Ashleigh and Kevin placed everything on the table then sat down – Ashleigh next to Nick and Kevin at the head of the table.
"I'll lead prayer today, "Kevin called out.
Everyone bowed their heads and joined hands. Nick could barely hear what Kevin was saying; he was too focused on the fact that Ashleigh was rubbing her thumb over top of his. He knew it was just a friendly gesture, but it was driving him insane.
"Amen." Everyone finished in unison.
Nick snapped back into reality. He really needed to figure out what he was going to do. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket; it was a text message.
You doing okay? You look on the down side, babe. Ash.
Nick tried not to let his mind wrap around the "babe". Ashleigh had a nickname for his brothers too.
Just a little tired from our game of 20 questions. We seem to have a knack for texting in close proximity.
He heard Ashleigh giggle from her seat. The fact that he could make her smile made him happy.
I'm sorry. Starbucks on me?
Kevin cleared his throat, he didn't approve of phones at the table, much like his father. Nick smiled apologetically.
No, Starbucks on ME.
Ashleigh checked her phone, then snapped it shut, not wanting to get in trouble with Kevin. She shook her head, then leaned over to Nick, "Absolutely not. It's my fault you're tired. I'm paying for Starbucks."
Nick was thankful that everyone at the table was being particularly loud this morning, nobody really noticed their stolen conversation.
"It's as much my fault as it is yours. I'm going be a gentleman."
"I refuse," Ashleigh crossed her arms.
"Some girls would kill to have me take them to Starbucks. I mean, I AM a Jonas Brothers," Nick leaned in closer to whisper.
"Fine. You win this time. But next time we got out, It's on me, " Ashleigh uncrossed her arms to start eating her slice of pizza.
Everyone at the table animatedly chatted about the schedules ahead of them, tending to the hungry hearts of pre-teens and teens alike. Soon enough, the breakfast pizza was gone and people were piling their dishes in the sink.
"I'll text you later, Ashleigh," David winked at her then slid out the front door.
Nick tightened his grip on the box of orange juice as he put it away. Ashleigh blew David a kiss and continued arranging silverware in the dishwasher. Kevin and Joe noticed their brother's reaction, unsure what to think of it. But they knew something was up.
"Ready for Starbucks, babe?" Ashleigh closed the dishwasher.
"Yup, lets' go," Nick grabbed his keys off the counter.
"Ash, Nick will be there in a minute. We need to have a bro talk with him," Joe called from the kitchen table.
She nodded and closed the door behind her, leaving the boys some privacy.
"What's up?" Nick twirled his keys around his index finger nonchalantly.
"You." Joe raised his eyebrows.
"Me?"
"What's going on between you and Ashleigh?" Kevin laced his fingers together.
"Nothing… we're just getting some coffee."
"What was with tensing up when David mentioned texting her later?" Kevin leaned in toward his younger brother across the table.
"Did I? Huh…" Nick managed to keep a cool façade.
"Nick… are you starting to like Ashleigh?" Joe blurted out.