Lyrics by Imogen Heap

I can't wait

To be with you

No I just can't sit still,

Are we there yet?

Takes me back,

I remember

Such a magical place

It was all you...

Closing in

I hope that you make it

Closing in

I hope that you find your way 

A week had gone by and Ashley had barely even seen Craig. She was disappointed in an 'I miss my friend' kind of way…or at least that's how she rationalized it to herself. Friends could hang out more than once a week. She wanted to call him to do something, but she didn't know if that would seem too needy, so she opted against it. Plus, he didn't call her. She shouldn't have to be the one to initiate, right?

To her luck, Ellie called that very day and invited her to come along to dinner and a movie with her, Marco and yes, Craig.

Ashley tried to hide her obvious excitement as best she could. She didn't want Ellie thinking her and Craig were anything more than just friends. After all, she did say they could do it…just be friends, that is.

Ellie could tell Ashley was eager to go out with them…or more specifically, Craig. She knew Ashley thought she was being sly this last week and not seeming desperate in wanting to see him, but Ellie could see it and hear it in her voice. It was so very obvious. These two are just ridiculous, she thought.

They all decided to meet at Craig's since he was driving and that seemed better than him having to go around picking everyone up.

Ashley was ready rather early and didn't feel like waiting around, so she decided to go to Craig's early. She was about out the door, when her mom stopped her.

"Ashley, you're leaving already? I thought you were meeting at 6?"

"We are, but I'm ready now so I'm just gonna go," Ashley responds.

"Sweetheart, do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

"Into? What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

"MOM, I'm not discussing this with you right now. I told you Craig and I are just friends and I plan on keeping it that way," she says in a louder tone.

"Have you ever just been friends with Craig Manning?"

"OK, seriously this sounds so cliché, but if I had a dollar for every time someone said that…"

"Well, it's true Ashley. There's always something there between you and Craig. I know I've always been hard on him…"

Ashley interrupts, "Hard on him…you practically spit on him whenever you see him."

"Oh Ashley, don't be absurd. I'm just looking out for you and you know that. Craig is a great guy. I finally realized that while you were gone."

"What? How? Huh?" Ashley asks.

"Well, he used to call here and ask about you and how you were doing. At first I wouldn't really say anything, but he was so damn persistent and genuinely cared about your well being. I eventually had to give in. He would ask if you were OK, if you were having fun, things like that."

Ashley felt a single tear begin to form at the corner of her eye.

"I can't believe this. I can't believe he did that and I can't believe you are just now deciding to tell me."

"Ashley, I just want you to be careful. The two of you always seem to have some type of drama whenever you're together and I just want…I just want what's best for you. And if that's Craig, then so be it."

"Well thanks for finally seeing the light, but Craig and I really are just friends," Ashley says.

"OK, but just know I'm on your side either way."

Ashley smiles. "Thanks, mom. That really means a lot." She hugs her mom and makes her way to Craig's.

This whole 'just friends' thing keeps getting harder and harder. That little bit of information didn't help matters, either.

She arrived at Craig's and this time she had to use the front door, which meant she might run into Joey. Hopefully Craig explained everything to him. She knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"Come in," Joey yells.

Ashley walks in and closes the door behind her.

"Oh hi, Ashley. How have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile," Joey asks while sorting through the mail.

"I've been good. How's everything with you and Angie?" Ashley asks, thankful that he seemed pleasant and genuinely happy to see her.

"We've been doing really well. I signed up Angie for this summer program where they do lots of outdoor activities and stuff and she seems to love it. Oh, hey how was London? Did you see any good bands?"

"A few, but mainly I just missed home."

"Ya, I can imagine. Hey, so listen, I actually have to go get ready but Craig should be down in a minute if you want to sit down and wait…or actually you can go up, whatever."

"OK, thanks," Ashley says.

"It's good to see you Ashley," he smiles. "Ya know, you should come by more often. I think Angie misses you and maybe some other people do too," he winks.

Ashley just laughs and says, "It's good to see you too Joey. And I'll be sure to stop by, since ANGIE misses me so much."

"Good," he replies and goes upstairs.

Ashley sat down on the couch for a minute before deciding on going up and seeing what was taking Craig so dang long.

She walked up the stairs and saw him fixing his hair in the mirror. He was wearing nicer jeans than normal, a new (well at least it seemed new) t-shirt and a blazer over that. She decided to stand there observing him until he noticed. He must've stood there for at least five more minutes trying to get his hair exactly how he wanted it. Finally Ashley couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed at him, startling him in the process.

"Oh…my…gosh! You nearly killed me, Kerwin. I heard noises down there, but I just thought it was Joey singing or something. What are you doing?" he asks.

"Just watching you take longer than 10 seconds to get ready for once in your life. Had I known, I would've brought my camera. Are you bringing a hot date or something?"

"Or something. I'm just trying to impress this girl I know."

"Impress, huh? You do know Ellie's over you, right?"

"Yes I do." He smiles back.

OK, he needs to stop, she thinks. Stop with the smiling, stop with the being cute. He actually was beginning to be charming and she wasn't sure how long she could hold out. Be strong, Ashley…be strong.

"Ya well, whoever she is, I hope she doesn't mind Converse."

"Ha, ha."

"So I'm gonna go back downstairs, but hurry it up already," she says, hoping the time apart will cool her down.

"I will, I will," he promises.

She walks out the door and he immediately throws his shoes off, in favor of a different pair…a nicer pair.

He goes downstairs and everyone is already there waiting for him.

"Jeez, Craig. What'd you do? Turn into a girl since the last time I saw you?" Ellie asks.

"Can't a guy dress up and not get any crap from his friends?"

"Uh, not you," Marco responds.

"Fine, let's go," Craig says.

Marco and Ellie walk out first and Craig and Ashley follow.

Ashley leans over to Craig and whispers in his ear, "Just so you know…this isn't a date."

"I know," he smirks.

"And also, don't think I didn't notice your choice of shoes changed," she adds with a smile and walks right past him.

All he could do was smile back.