Chapter 7.

Jesse: "So, Everything okay now?"

Zac: "Yeah, we talked and we're dealing with it all now."

Jesse: "You expect us to believe you guys just talked things over and left it at that?"

Ashley then realised what Jesse was hinting at and she flushed bright red. So Jesse continued,

"You do realise you have her lip gloss all over your mouth right Zac? And she has none left on?"

Zac: "Okay, so what? We kissed are you really going to embarrass the poor girl anymore than you just did 'cause its not really fair."

Jesse: "Alright, calm down, you guys obviously don't want to talk to us about any of this now. So even though we listened to you all last night go on about how you both didn't know what to do about this, and then we concocted a plan to get you both here tonight and left you on your own on purpose when we went to get dinner, which ended up leaving you both more screwed up mentally, and then finally got you guys to talk it over, we will wait until you guys are ready to open up to us again."

Ashley: "Jess, shut up. You know if there was anything else to tell we would. But that's literally it we made out for a while, and then decided to try a date before actually deciding what was going on. We already knew you both would be able to tell something had happened even if we had remembered to wipe any evidence of it from him or I had reapplied my gloss. On that note … where is Brenda?"

Jesse: "Sorry. I was only joking about the kissing and I was only half serious about the talking to us thing. I'm really happy for you guys. Nobody deserves to be happy the way both you do. And she went to make a bed for you for tonight."

Ashley: "There was already a bed made. I slept in it last night."

Jesse: "She thought you guys would be more comfortable in separate rooms if you hadn't got this sorted. But since you have… I think it's the double bed she's making up in the other room anyway, so if you guys want you don't have to squeeze into a single bed tonight. You guys can both stay in the one room and talk until you both pass out if you want…"

Zac: "Jesse, I know what you're going to say next and trust me, if you do, I will not hesitate to punch you. Leave it."

Jesse: "Okay I'll shut up. She could probably do with being filled in though Ash if you wanna go check she' s getting on okay. She hates making beds."

When Ashley got to the guestroom she really couldn't stop the laugh that burst out of her. Brenda was all tangled up in a mess with the bedding.

"B. You really shouldn't have bothered the other bed was fine last night and it would have been tonight."

Brenda: "I had to do something. I was driving myself crazy wondering what you two were actually talking about. I didn't want either of you to get hurt or upset. I especially didn't want you guys to argue over it. So I came to keep myself busy."

Ashley: "That's sweet. But I have two no actually three things to tell you. Number one, Zac is an amazing kisser… and really a lot stronger than he looks, number two, we are going on a date tomorrow night and finally he asked me to think about being his official girlfriend once we've had our date."

After patiently waiting for her friend to finish her little list Brenda exploded out of her tangled mess and nearly crushed Ashley in a huge happy hug.

Brenda: "I'm so happy that you guys did this the sensible way haha y'know, rather than going on a date, kissing then getting official, you guys kissed… wait just kissed? Or made out?"

Ashley: "Sit down Brenda, I don't want you falling over. It was more like a full on make out session. The second it started I just didn't want it to end. But sadly we needed to breathe and then we thought you guys would come to see what was going on and rather than being caught in the act I figured we would tell you. Oh and by the way… you boyfriend just admitted you practically set the whole night up."

Brenda: "Sorry. I just wanted you to be happy. And I knew if we kept pushing you and Zac it would happen eventually. Then I remembered he was here tonight anyway, so I kinda set it up and then told Jesse."

Ashley: "Well then you're lucky it paid off aren't you? Do you want a hand with that bed?"

Brenda: "That would be great Ash. But what did you mean when you said Zac's stronger than he looks?"

Ashley: "Oh. Uh. Well. When you guys left I sat on the pool table like I usually do when we chill down there. But when we started kissing I guess Zac wanted to sit down so when I had my legs around him he literally picked me up with one hand and slowly walked backward until he found the sofa."

Brenda: "Oh my. Sounds like it could very easily have been more than a make out session if you guys were completely alone in the house.

Ashley: "Oh My God. Do Not ever say that to me again… I would never… not in your house."

Brenda: "So you would? Just not here?"

Ashley: "I'm not discussing this right now."

Brenda: "Ash, please tell me you're not embarrassed talking about sex. That's a very virginal quality, and you, well… you and Chris were together so long…"

Ashley: "Stop it. Right now. I'm glad I never had sex with Chris but I never said I was a virgin."

Brenda: "Well, there's a conversation we will save for another time."

Less than 5 minutes later the girls had finished and we back in the lounge with the boys.

Ashley and Zac were sat on one sofa with Zac sat against the arm rest and Ashley cuddled into his free side with his arm around her. While on the other sofa Jesse was sat up on one side and Brenda was lying across with her head on his lap.

Brenda: "Hey Ash?"

Ashley: "Yeah?"

Brenda: "what are you doing tomorrow day?"

Ashley: "I hadn't really thought about it yet. Why?"

Brenda: "I say we kidnap your sister from Danny and go on a shopping spree."

Ashley: "Good luck with that. I hardly see her these days."

Brenda: "Well we can smoke her out with the promise of gossip. Like what we were talking about upstairs… I told you it would be for another time and I know she would help me either by shining some light on the facts or by joining with me to force it out of you."

Ashley: "Oh good. I look forward to it."

The next day Ashley woke up again to the feeling of Zac's arm draped over her torso. This time however it just filled her with warmness and happiness she had a great feeling about their date tonight.

When she looked over to where he was lying though, she almost got the shock of her life. He was already awake and she couldn't stop herself from staring into his gorgeous blue eyes. That was when he leant in to kiss her again. Unlike last night though this one was just a simple, sweet kiss that made her go weak at the knees.

Zac: "Good morning."

Ashley couldn't answer him right away. That little kiss had just taken all the breath from her lungs and she couldn't focus on what she was supposed to say in return to his sentiment.

When she finally remembered how to speak she felt completely stupid as he was still looking at her, "Uhm. Sorry. Good morning." was literally all she could say.

Zac just smiled at her and swept a stray hair away from her face.

Zac: "Something smells amazing. I think either Brenda or Jesse is making breakfast."

Ashley sniffed the air and sat up in shock.

Ashley: "No they're not! That's my sister. I can't believe Brenda got her to come. I have to go speak to her." And she bolted out of bed, but not before giving Zac as equally sweet a kiss as the one he had just given her moments ago.

Running down the steps she almost bowled her sister over.

Ashley: "Jenn, you came. I'm so glad to see you."

As Ashley began to animatedly fill her sister in on something or another, Zac stood in the doorway just watching her. Man, she's totally perfect. Better plan something pretty special for tonight, have to make a great impression. Show her how seriously I want to be with her.

Jennifer: "Erm, hi. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you. I'm Ashley's big sister, Jennifer."

Zac: "Hi. I'm Zac. Your food smells amazing, it actually woke me up."

Jennifer: "How sweet. Feel free to tuck in. Its all just about ready."

Ashley: "Where is Brenda?"

Jennifer: "She went to get a shower. She will be down in a second. And Jesse is still in bed, says he doesn't feel very well."

Ashley: "Well while she's upstairs I best hurry and get dressed too. And then we can eat and go."

Leaving her sister and Zac alone in the kitchen she ran back to the guestroom.

Jennifer: "So, you're the one my sister was talking about from the party?"

Zac: "Yeah that's where I first met her."

Jennifer: "Well I just want to thank you sincerely for helping her and keeping her safe. Its good to see she's moving on with her life. Just don't treat her badly please? We've both had enough of that recently."

Zac: "My last intention on this earth would be to hurt her. I didn't only help her, she helped me too and I'm very glad our friends invited us both to a place that we couldn't help but meet."

Jennifer: "I'm sure I'm going to like you already."

Zac: "That's great to hear because I hope I'm going to be in your sister's life for a long time. Breakfast was great by the way… but I have a date to plan for later on tonight so I best get moving. It was great to meet you and I hope to see you again after tonight sometime."

Jennifer: "Hey, just relax. She already likes you. Something plain and simple would really make her happy. Do you cook?"

Zac: "Yeah I kind of had to learn."

Jennifer: "So, go out buy some nice candles, place some quiet music and cook for her at your house… trust me… she will love that more than and extravagant gesture. The only reason she's making you have a date before agreeing to be your girlfriend is because as quickly as you two are falling for one another that doesn't matter. She just likes to do things even the slightest bit properly. She would feel weird going out with a guy she hadn't been on a date with."

Zac: "You are amazing. Thanks for the advise… can you do me one last favour?"

Jennifer: "What would that be?"

Zac: "just make sure she's ready to be picked up by 7:30?"

Jennifer: "Of course."