Finally, you have reached Ashley's bedroom. You straighten your dress and smooth your hair before entering the room.
"Ashley!"
"Lilka!" Ashley exclaims, jumping to his feet from his bed, a book in hand, "What're you doing here?"
"To be with you." You swoon for a moment, not realizing what you said.
"What?" He looks confused, his blue eyes wide.
Oops, did you say something you shouldn't have? Hurry, make something up quick!
"Uhh..."
Anything! Say anything! Quick!
"Umm..."
That doesn't really count as saying something!
"To see my shoe," you explain, pointing at your shoes, "You see, I lost my shoe."
Way to go...
"But you're wearing both of your shoes, Lilka." Ashley frowns slightly.
"Oh, wow, look at that." You can feel your cheeks growing warm under Ashley's scrutinizing gaze. You should've said something else.
"Lilka, is there something you want to tell me?"
"No?" you supply timidly.
"No?"
"Nope."
"Nope?"
"No."
"Oh."
"Yep."
"So..."
"So...?"
Your monosyllabic conversation with the former musketeer is becoming quite awkward and slightly disturbing.
"I learned some really nifty magic tricks," you announce suddenly, trying to change to subject.
"That's really great, Lilka, I knew all of your hard work would pay off." Thankfully, Ashley's smile had returned. You're in the clear for the moment it seems.
"Would you like to see?" you offer, clasping your hands together.
"Of course! How about I go get everyone and meet you at the briefing room?"
"I guess," you answer, disappointed.
"Great!" He offers you a lopsided smile as he exits the room.
You stomp your foot in frustration. He always did this. Every time you managed to be alone with him, he would always come up with some reason to excuse himself or surround himself with people. Maybe you should've worked on a love potion or something instead of coming up with ways to make Terry disappear into the Millennium Puzzle dimension. Well... Maybe not.
Do you:
a) Suck it up and admit your feelings (go to chapter 28)
b) Go as planned and meet at the briefing room (go to chapter 29)