22. Snake

"No, no, an' NO."

"Why not?" demanded Ashley.

"Because it's weird, that's why," Drake grumbled, "Why can't you be normal and like fuzzy thing like kitties and puppies?"

He was standing as far away from Ashley as she could. His time on his own had expired and Bianca had been shocked that Ashley would take Drake back into her house. Her looks had been sharp when she'd informed Drake of his new accommodations, and her threats sharper. No problem. He didn't intend to do that again.

As such he was willing to put up with a lot from Ashley. He was the one who'd been an asshole after all. Drake was trying to be more considerate, put her before him more. This was difficult because he was extremely self-centered. Ashley noticed his efforts and found them amusing. That was another thing he could put up with.

This was a bit much though. He had never been one for animals. Even the panthers, ocelots, and jaguars in his shows had made him twitch a little. When he was younger he hadn't ever dreamed of having a pet. Perhaps he was allergic to animal dander. It wasn't like he could use that excuse this time around though.

"Why can't you be normal and keep your hair one color?" retorted Ashley.

"Now that is a low blow darlin'. I've been a brunette for about a year now," he snorted, "But that doesn't excuse…that."

"Are you talking about Loreley?" asked Ashley.

"Who else would I be talking about?"

Ashley grinned. The snake that she had recently bought was wrapped around her neck. Its fore-body was wrapped around her arm. Loreley's head rested on her palm. The large purple-blue snake looked at Drake in interest. Every time its tongue would flicker out. Every time it did that Drake couldn't help but flinch.

"I thought boys were supposed to like reptiles," she said.

"I'll like reptiles the day you wear pink."

"I have a pink shirt I can go and put on," said Ashley cheerfully.

"You know I didn't mean it like that," Drake snapped, looking around the room and trying to figure out how far away he could get from Loreley without going into another room, "It's not literal."

"I'll take it as such though," said Ashley, nuzzling Loreley with her head, "Come on. Pet her. She feels really great, therapeutic."

"You are really pushing it here."

"It's what I do," she said.

"What, cuddle snakes?"

"You scared of snakes?"

"No," he said in indignation, "Nothing of the sort."

"You're scared," said Ashley, a smug smile on her face.

There was going to be no arguing with her.

"Where did you even get that?" he asked in exasperation.

"Michael's father raises them," she said.

"Oh, not him again."

"Michael's a good guy," she said, "When she was born he offered me one for my birthday, since she wouldn't be ready to leave yet. I've had my eye on her for a couple of months. She was finally trained well enough for me to take home."
"You should've warned me," protested Drake.

Ashley cocked her head at him.

"Why would I do that?"

"We're basically livin' together here," he said, "And I'd at least like to know if you were bringing in a snake. Things like that are important sweetheart."

She stared at him.

"It's important," he said stubbornly.

Ashley bit her lip.

"I'll…I'll just go put her away, okay?" she said, "I got the cage in my room and…I'll just go now."

"What're you-?"

Before he could finish Ashley turned and all but fled out of the room.

"Great," Drake muttered to himself, "What did I do now?"

He waited for her to make a reappearance. He needed to at least figure out what was wrong here. When she didn't he sat down and turned on the T.V. It was a way to kill time, but he made sure that he didn't put on any children's shows by accident. After about ten minutes of watching the news she came back in.

"What was that about?" he asked.

He expected her to sit down next to him. She didn't and he frowned. Drake turned off the T.V. and looked at her critically.

"Somethin' wrong?"

She sighed.

"Look," she said, "I'm eighteen and I'm going into college."

"Yeah," said Drake, "I was sort of there when you got that acceptance letter. Remember that?"

"I've never really had a serious relationship before-"

"Makes two of us," he said.

"Stop interrupting," snapped Ashley, "And…to be Frank-"

"If you want to be Frank than can I be Judy?" asked Drake.

He smirked as her glare turned up a notch.

"I'm just saying that the idea of living with someone is a new one and a rather uncomfortable one," she snapped.

Drake's smirk abruptly fell off.

"That's what's got you upset?" he asked.

"Not upset just-"

"Upset," finished Drake, getting up, "Ash darlin', if you wanna be like that then we've been living together for months."

"But we weren't together then," she said uncomfortably.

"Livin' together implies, how shall I put it," said Drake, scratching his chin, "Sort of means that-"

"I know what it means. I'm not a child."

"An' I'm bleedin' relieved about that," said Drake, "But it's not like that. We both know that it's not like that."

She turned away from him.

"Think anyone else thinks it's like that?"

Drake bit back the lie that he wanted to tell her. He was trying to be honest these days. It was something easier said than done.

"Bianca might," said Drake hesitantly, "Explains why she looks at me like I'm scum. Might be somethin' else though."

He heard her take in a sharp breath.

"Bianca?" she all but cried.

"Hey, it's not you she doesn't trust, it's me," said Drake, "Like I said, it might not be because o' that."

She sighed. He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. Ashley breathed out when he pulled her up against him.

"You embarrassed o' me or somethin'?" he whispered, his lips next to her ear.

"All the time."

"Hmm," he grinned, laying a kiss on her jaw, "That's not the kind of embarrassment I meant."

"You know that stuff doesn't matter to me," she said, leaning back into him, "What's past is past. I'm glad your hair doesn't stick straight up anymore and you removed all those ridiculous piercings."

"So you don't care if I was a Morganian, just as long as I don't have piercings?"

"Yep."

He grinned again before sobering up.

"You didn't answer that question though. Are you embarrassed to think that someone thinks we're together in…that way?"

"Just because I'm not that kind of girl," she said, "Not because it's with you."

"Good," he said, abruptly letting go of her, "Well I'm off. Don't wait up."

Drake could feel Ashley glaring at him as he went down the hall.

.

.

.

The next morning he woke up to Loreley's snake eyes staring at him. Her tongue flickered out, just brushing his nose. Drake screamed and flung the blankets off him. The purple snake hit the floor, hissing at him. Laughter filled his ears and the light turned on. In the new light he blinked and made out Ashley.

"That'll teach you," she said, scooping up Loreley, "Don't mess with me."

"Oh, I'm going to get you for that," he growled.

She quirked an eyebrow. The next thing he knew she'd draped Loreley around his neck. He screamed again and flailed wildly. The snake jumped away from him and landed in Ashley's arms. She watched him flail for a little more before walking out of the room. As she did she told him;

"Just watch out. I might decide that Loreley needs some playmates."

Drake groaned. What had he gotten himself into?