Chapter 24: Rollin With The Homies

February 15, 2008
Time: 6:34 AM
Mood: Frantic
Username: adhasnovds

Thank God that's over. Now I realize why so many people hate February 14. It's the worst damn day of the year. Worst day ever!

Don't get me wrong; spending time with my girlfriend is great. But getting into fights prior to seeing her doesn't exactly help my mood be all cheerful and lovey. Though I have to say, having the entire Bitch Battalion out of the house helped greatly.

I ended up cooking her dinner; lasagna, salad, and chocolate fondue. I may have taken a bit of aggression out on the lettuce and carrots though…woops.

We ate in front of the TV while we watched Casablanca. It was decent, but I wouldn't put it up there in my top list of movies. It's her favorite though, so I sat through it and held her when she decided to snuggle closer to me. Can't say I minded that part. ;-)

After the movie we exchanged presents. I'd gotten her several DVDs that she didn't have yet; all black and white ones that she'd mentioned. She got me a top that she thought I'd look good in, one for the clubs. She also got me an adorable stuffed bear.

We actually ended up talking all night rather than partaking in…other activities. It was great getting to know more about her. She told me about her family, her college plans, and her favorites. I told her stories from when I was a kid, and how I got interested in film.

She just left a little while ago. Gosh she's great.

I need to get ready for school though. Man that's gonna suck. But as a friend once told me, "Sleep is for the weak!"

I'll be out like a light by second period. *shrugs* I'm weak, it's ok.

So that entry was bullshit. Not entirely, but a good portion. The night did start off fine and I did cook her dinner. We watched that god awful movie and she did snuggle into me. There was this nagging in the back of my head though, the entire time.

I called Kyla a little bit ago; she's on her way over. At least one of us got some sleep last night.

Cal was a good boy and got her home at 11:59.

My window was opened a little bit so I easily heard the put-put-puttering of Kyla's vespa. I raced down the stairs and opened the door before she could ring the doorbell and dragged her into the kitchen.

"Well good morning to you too sunshine," she said as I plopped her down on one of the chairs.

Since I'd been up all night I figured I'd just make her breakfast. It was the least I could do for getting her up so early and making her come over here. I saw her eyes go wide at the assortment of muffins and also the omelet I was dishing up.

"Aw honey, you baked."

I had to crack a smile at that, Clueless always made me happy.

"I tried," I said with a faux pout as I set the egg dish in front of her.

She thanked me and dove right in. I'd become quite the master of the kitchen over the years. I had to; otherwise I would've starved. God knows my stepmother didn't cook, and her daughters' brain power combined couldn't power a blender.

I sat down across from her and nursed a cup of coffee. A contemplative look settled on my face and my knee bounced up and down rapidly. Last night was definitely not as peachy and I'd painted it to be in that blog.

I started tapping my fingers against the table; it was another nervous habit of mine. Kyla hated it.

"Ashley."

I crossed my legs in an attempt to stop the knee bouncing, but it only served to make my foot start shaking instead.

"Ashley."

It thumped rapidly against the leg of the table while I took another sip of my coffee.

"Ashley!"

I snapped out of my daze and looked at a bemused Kyla, "Huh?"

"What is up with you today? I haven't seen you like this in years," concern laced her voice as she put her hand on top of mine.

I bit my lip and set my gaze on the tree in the backyard. I didn't know how to go about this conversation. She didn't exactly know everything that'd been going on with me; i.e. whom I'd been talking to.

"Ash, did something happen last night? Did Spencer or-"

"No Ky," I cut her off. I knew what she was going to say. "Well, I mean yeah there was a bit of a throw down between me and the bitchiest half of the Idiot Brigade, but it's not that. Not entirely anyway."

She stood up quickly from her chair, almost causing it to fall over, "What did they say? Do I need to perform a Cruciatus spell?"

I chuckled lightly as I watched her dig through her purse while she searched for her beloved wand. Sometimes I was surprised that she didn't just tape it to her body, but I would never mention it to her. She'd probably do it.

"Maybe some other time," I sighed and returned my gaze back out the window.

Kyla sat back down and looked intently at me. She knew something happened, something big in fact. I didn't have to tell her that for her to be able to just look at me and know something was amiss.

"Ash, talk to me. What happened after I left?"

I took another sip of my coffee and just stared into the blackness, "You know why Gretchen Weiners' hair is so big?"

"Yeah, because it's full of secrets."

"Well, she let one out of the bag last night. I thought maybe she'd just said it to get to me, I mean she's done it before ya know? I tried to put it out of my mind, but then Syd came over and…"

"Wait, I'm confused. What does Sydney have to do with any of this?"

I looked up to her curious brown eyes, "She's Gretchen's ex."

"Shut up!"

"Yeah. I didn't want to believe it and I was doing good at ignoring it for a while, then when we were on the couch watching a movie and she leaned into me I had to ask her."

"How did they even meet? Sydney doesn't even go to our school," Kyla asked as she went to get some juice.

"Same way we met I guess," I shrugged.

"So what, you found out and got in a fight about it?"

"Well yeah, I mean, she tried to lie about it at first. But then she got this…look on her face. One that said 'I should totally call her soon' or something," I could see she was about to interrupt me so I continued. "And don't even say that I was just being paranoid after what happened with Kelly. I saw the look. I know the look. And then there's the fact that she and Gretchen slept together and that makes her tainted Ky. Tainted! But the worst part is, is that I slept with her which is like me indirectly sleeping with Gretchen and…and that makes me tainted in a way! God I feel like I need to be vaccinated."

She looked at me sympathetically, "Are you guys done?"

"I dunno," I shrugged again. "We said some pretty nasty things to each other and stuff. So I'm gonna guess yeah. Plus the fact that I told her to get her 'lyin, yella, no good, foreflushin carcass out my door'."

That cracked her up.

"Oh Ash, you didn't go Home Alone on her," she was close to snorting I'm sure, but she sobered herself. "I should not be laughing. I should not, not, not be laughing. But only you would break up with someone that way."

I smirked; she had a point. It was pretty funny…

"I can't say I'm not sorry. I liked her, I did. You know I did Ky. But the fact that it was because of Gretchen that we broke up makes me kind of sick," I said faking a gag.

"Yeah, it's like you…owe her or something," Kyla shivered after she said that. "Ew, I can just imagine what her repayment plan would be. God, why is Spencer friends with that?"

"Ky, there's something else," I let out a shaky breath. It probably wouldn't be a big deal to her, but she could be unpredictable at times.

She had that look of concern back in her eye, "What? What is it?"

I got up and walked over to the sink and leaned on it, my back to her.

"There's someone else."

"What do you mean there's someone else?"

"You remember that girl I weighed the pros and cons with you about emailing back?" I started, turning back around so she could see me, but I kept my head down. "I've been IM-ing with her since then and…"

Kyla got up and walked over to me and brushed some loose bangs out of my face, "And what Damien? Come on, you know you can tell me anything. Don't make me take you to the back building."

I smiled despite myself, "The back building burned down in 1987."

"Yes, well when I perfect my time machine I'll be sure to take you back there!" she chuckled. When I didn't say anything still she sighed and tried again, "Ash…come on. What is it?"

I swallowed hard and looked her dead in the eye, "I think…I think I like her. In a major way."