Chapter Eight
 
               Carlos opened the door to his room.  Motioning Ashley in, he 
followed her, shutting the door quietly behind them.  Walking over to the 
bed, he flopped down, not so gracefully, and stared at her as she looked 
around the room.
               Ashley, really out of place now, wouldn't look at Carlos.  She 
was thinking of some way to get out of the mess she got herself into.  
Biting her lip, she decided to try chitchat. 
               "I like what you've done to the place." she said nervously as her 
eyes wandered across the detestable posters lining his walls.
               "Yeah," he grinned, then grabbed her arm and yanked her down 
upon his chest.  "Well now, why don't we just get down to it?"
               "Carlos, do you have a bathroom in this place?" she asked,
 trying to remain calm and collected.  He would just love for her to be afraid of him. 
               "Yeah, sure," he nodded to a door. 
               Ashley got up, and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.  
"I am so stupid," she muttered, looking around to see what was there.  Her 
eyes fell on a window.  Her mind screamed escape as her fingers undid the
 lock and she pushed the window open.  Crawling out, she was relieved to be free.
               "Hey Ashley," Carlos called, getting to his feet.  "I don't think this is 
such a good idea.  I mean, this just doesn't feel right.  I love Cassie, God help 
me I don't want to, but I do.  I just don't think this is going to work out with us," 
he said, now standing by the door.  He knocked softly. "Ashley?" he said, 
grabbing the knob after no reply.  Turning it slowly, he peeked his head 
inside to find empty space and the window open. "Ashley?" 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
               Andros walked Cassie up to the door, a smile upon his face at the 
fond memories of the night.  
               "I had fun," Cassie said, her eyes twinkling by the light of the moon. 
               "As did I," he replied smoothly.
               "I have never gone out with someone like you before," she stated, 
her smile taking Andros's breath away.
               "I am not like everyone else, Cassie." he replied, pulling her closer.
Pressing his lips against hers, he relished the feel of her body close to his,
 until she pulled away. 
               "When is your birthday, Andros?" she asked.
               "Saturday actually," he replied, a smile lighting up his features. 
               "Really?  We should have a party then, don't you think?  Call me
 tomorrow?" she kissed him lightly.  Andros shook his head yes. 
 "Promise?" she asked softly.
               Andros nodded and watched the vision of loveliness walk into the 
house, just before her father walked by and growled at him.  As the door shut,
Andros stood in thought.  "Odd family." he muttered, walking back to the car.