Author's Note: I'll be switching POV a few times in this chapter. But, there will be a line to indicate when the POV is switching, so keep that in mind. Thanks.
The first thing I felt when I woke up was a sharp object puncturing my back. I arched my back and pulled on the culprit. It was indeed one of my song lyric notebooks. Apparently, I fell asleep while writing. I sat up in bed and rubbed the spot where the spirals of the notebook had embedded themselves into my skin. Looking over to the clock, I realized it was only ten thirty. I let out a heavy sigh and fell back onto my pillow.
Suddenly, I realized what had happened last night. Ashley Kerwin kissed me. I shot up in bed and a smile overtook my lips. As all the details of the previous night were brought back into my mind, my spirits fell as quickly as they had been raised.
Sure, she had kissed me and said that we had 'nothing left to lose'; but, I couldn't help but wonder if she did it just because of her mother's presence. I had to call her to find out. I grabbed the phone off the charger, but then set it back on just as quickly. What would I say? What if Ashley didn't feel the same way about me? Was I still waiting on the other side of nothing?
Stupid, Craig, stupid. Of course you are. Ashley left to get away from you. And she didn't come back for you. You need to get over her. I hit my head with my hand, as if I was trying to push out the thoughts.
I lay down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. I had been up practically all night contemplating the events of last night, especially the last thing that took place. What happened? We were doing great as friends, and then we kiss? Sure, the kiss was all me. Maybe that's why I'm so worried. Maybe the kiss was only me. Maybe Craig didn't want it. He'd just been dumped, so why would he want it? I felt terrible.
I glanced over at my clock, only to be disappointed by what I saw. It was only eleven. Craig would still be sleeping. Besides, what makes me think he'd want to talk to me anyway? He's probably too freaked out by that kiss and that comment. I wish he would just call me, so I wouldn't have to seem like some lovesick fool.
Just when I was almost giving it to calling him, my cell phone rang. I quickly hopped up and ran over to my desk. My face went blank when I saw the name on the screen. Jimmy. I sighed and answered the phone.
"Hey," I said, softly.
I had completely forgotten about the kiss at the graduation. In fact, the only thing I had bothered to remember from that day was how happy Craig had looked with Manny.
"Hey Ash," Jimmy sounded as if he knew something wasn't right. "What're you up to?"
He was so caring. Always. Why couldn't I love him? Why did I have to want somebody that was far too complicated?
"Um, I'm just hanging around. What about you?" I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the clock.
"Well, I woke up early today…and I was just wondering if you'd like to meet me at The Dot for lunch?" He sounded so hopeful, and I just couldn't turn him down.
"I'll be there. Noon sound good?"
"Perfect. I'll see you then, Ash. Bye." His voice was so cheery; I could practically hear him smiling, if that makes any sense at all.
"Bye," I said, hanging up the phone with a sigh.
It's around eleven thirty and I'm still sitting in my room, phone in hand. I had dialed her phone number a million times, but now it seemed as if my fingers were glued to the phone, unable to move. After dialing the first few digits of her phone number, I'd hang up. I was practically incapable of dialing the last digit.
I sat there for another fifteen minutes. Just wondering what she was doing, what she was thinking, how she was feeling. I just wanted to be there with her. I wanted the kiss we shared last night to mean something. Anything. I needed to know. Good or bad, I needed to know.
No matter how much I thought about it, sitting in my room wasn't going to answer any questions I had. So, I decided to get ready. By the time I was finished it was noon on the dot. Of course, I certainly couldn't make decisions on an empty stomach. That's when I decided to head down to The Dot. As always, there was the possibility of getting harassed by Spinner, but a guy has to eat.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to The Dot as quickly as I had hoped. On the way I ended up running into Ellie.
"Hey Craig," I heard a voice behind me say.
I knew it wasn't the voice of Ash, but it was the voice of someone else I didn't mind seeing.
"Hey El, where are you heading to?" I said, nodding to her purse and cell phone in hand.
Before she could answer me, she got an incoming text message on her phone.
"Oh, hold on." She began to text message away and I just kind of stood there like an idiot, or so I felt like one. It didn't take her too long to finish the message up. Before I knew it she had threw her phone into her purse and turned to face me again. "I'm on the way to The Dot."
"Getting some eats too, eh?" I said, smiling.
"Of course, care to join me?" She smiled as we started to walk, "I'm meeting Marco there. Well, I guess we're meeting Marco there."
"Right, you are," I replied.
Food with friends, it's always been a good cure for a confused mind.
As soon as we entered The Dot, I saw Marco seated at a table. He waved to both of us and Jimmy decided we should go over.
"Hey you guys. Out on a date?" He winked at Jimmy and we both laughed.
"A lunch date," I smiled at Jimmy. "Who're you meeting?"
I figured it was Dylan or Paige, possibly both.
"Ellie, we haven't spent much time together lately. Hey, great idea. Do you two want to join us? El should be here in a few…" Marco offered us both a seat, and Jimmy rolled up his wheelchair.
I was surprised by Jimmy's sudden acceptance. And even though Ellie and I weren't on the best of terms, I couldn't help but accept. Time with friends would definitely get my mind off of the events of last night, or so I hoped.
I looked up from my spot at the table, only to see Spinner grinning at me slyly. I really hadn't thought about him being here. I mean, I knew he worked at The Dot, but was my luck really that bad? I just hoped he wouldn't approach our table and make some sexual comment like he had the night before.
"Earth to Ash, you in there? Wasn't that joke hilarious?" Jimmy said both him and Marco waving a hand in front of my face.
"What? Oh, yeah. Great joke, Marco," I forced out a laugh.
Both Jimmy and Marco waved at someone who had just entered. I turned in my seat, ready to smile and greet Ellie. As soon as I had turned, my smile faded. There he was, walking towards me.
I immediately went into freak out mode and offered Ellie a seat next to me. Unfortunately, it was too late. Craig sat down beside me and smiled. Maybe he had assumed the kiss only happened because my mom was there? Or maybe he had wanted the kiss as badly as I had.
"Hey Ash, Jimmy, Marco," Ellie smiled at all of us and took a seat near Marco. "I'm glad you two joined us. Um, I ran into Craig and decided to drag him along. Hope you guys don't mind."
Mind! Of course I mind! I practically threw myself at him last night and now, he's here. Not only that, but Spinner won't stop winking at me. Craig elbows me, so apparently he sees the wink-a-thon Spinner is having, as well.
I look at my watch and sigh. This was definitely going to be the longest lunch date of my life.
I accept to a nice lunch with Ellie and Marco, and next thing I know she's there. Not only is she there, because that I could deal with, but she's there with Jimmy. Jimmy! I thought they were finished a long time ago. So, maybe that kiss didn't mean anything. Even though it might not have, is it wrong that I want it to mean something?
The constant winks from Spinner are becoming annoying, but I figure it couldn't get any worse. That's until he approaches our table.
"Ready to order?" Spinner says, giving Ash and I yet another wink.
"Um, yeah…hey Spin, something wrong with that eye of yours?" Marco jokes.
Spinner just laughs and I can see how uncomfortable Ashley is. I look over to her and our eyes meet, she looks annoyed. Honestly, I don't blame her.
Spinner finishes up with all our orders, except mine. Ash seems to have calmed down, she's less jittery. But, of course the worst is not over.
"A burger and…"
I'm so close to sealing the deal without any embarrassments, but with Spinner things are never that easy.
"Would you like a side of Ashley Kerwin with that?" He laughs and both Ash and I dart furious glares his way.
Marco, Jimmy, and Ellie give both Ash and I awkward looks. Ash turns red and I try to continue with my order, but unfortunately…it has yet to reach full embarrassment.
"Because, I know that's what you got last night." Spinner ends his ludicrous comment up and Ash puts her head down on the table, turning as red as the ketchup bottles on the table.
Everyone else at the table looks shocked and they all burst out laughing. I can see Jimmy looks a little hurt, and I can definitely see how uncomfortable this makes Ellie. Ash's head remains down and I pat her back gently.
I lean down and whisper into her ear, "red is your color."
