I'm Still Standing
The two shifted uncomfortably then looked at each other, blushes tinting their faces. They were speechless at the realization that they would be sharing a bed with their secret love. Ash started hyperventilating without realizing it. She would be sharing a bed with Johnny, the sweetes and most handsome guy of all, her best friend, her secret crush. Just as she was starting to feel light-headed, Johnny snapped her out of it, trying to calm her down, "Ash! Take slow deep breaths. It'll be alright. Try to stay calm." He was now face-to-face with her. He had his forehead resting against her, talking slowly and calmly to calm her down. Her breathing slowed back to normal. He looked into her crystal blue eyes, "Are you alright?"
Ash nodded, out of breath, "Thank you...Johnny."
He breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness you're alright. Was that a panic attack?"
"Yeah...it only happens every once in a while...but I'm fine now...thanks to you," she said, smiling shyly.
Johnny placed his hands on each side of her head and just closed his eyes, breathing a sigh of relief. No words were needed as Ash placed her hands on his wrists, relishing the quiet moment, closing her eyes as well. They stayed like that for a while. Neither knew who was moving, but they were slightly moving closer. Just as their lips nearly brushed, there was a loud knock on the door, causing them to fly apart. Johnny went to the door and, seeing it was his dad, let him in, "Glad you made it Dad."
"It wasn't too hard to find this place. It's a very nice space for the two of you," he said, looking around.
"Thank you. How did the rest of your day go?" Ash asked.
"Good. I already told everyone about you two. We are all so glad he found someone that could help him get over his shyness."
Their eyes went wide. "You told everyone?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah and I gotta say you've got a keeper there Johnny," he said with a wink. He then had an idea, "Hey...how 'bout lettin' her have one, eh? Show us a kiss."
Their faces lit up red. Johnny tried to respond, "B-but Dad...we...we try not to...um...do anything like that...ya know...in front of others."
"Not a fan of PDA? Come on, it's just me Johnny. I mean surely you two have kissed. Just pretend I'm not...uh oh...um...where's the bathroom?" he asked.
Ash and Johnny pointed to the bathroom, not sure they could trust their voices at the moment. When he was out of the room, Johnny whispered, "What are we gonna do?"
"Calm down...I think I have an idea. Have you ever done a stage kiss?"
"Yeah...you think he will believe it's real?"
"That's really our only option so we gotta sell it," she said, "he's coming back."
"Alright I'm back. Now pucker up and lay one on her Johnny. Make 'er knees go weak."
Not giving Ash time to prepare for it, he pulled her close, left hand on her cheek to block his father's view, and wrapped his right arm around her waist. He kissed just above her chin. Ash's eyes went wide for a split second before closing and started to kiss back. She kissed just above his lips, bunching up his shirt in her hands, pulling him close. After a little bit, they pulled apart and looked each other in the eyes before turning to his father, who wore a huge grin on his face.
"See? Wasn't so hard was it?" he asked, teasing them.
"N-no...I guess not," Johnny stuttered.
"For our first time kissing in front of anyone else, anyway," Ash added.
As soon as their food got there, they all ate and told stories of the past year. Johnny's father was a fun and truly amazing person, once you see past the criminal record. It was amazing how close they were. They finished eating and were about ready to call it a night. Johnny's father looked around the guest room confused, "Why is all of Johnny's stuff in this room?"
Luckily for them, Ash thought quickly on her feet and said, "Because his clothes wouldn't fit in my dresser or closet. I have them both full."
"Oh...alright. I'll see you two in the morning," he said.
"Good night," they both said. Once he was in the room, they looked at each other awkwardly before walking toward Ash's room. They stood there in awkward silence.
Johnny spoke up, "Um...Ash...is...is it okay if I sleep without a shirt?"
"Y-yeah...but um...I usually just wear my...underwear to sleep in..."
"W-well...I could sleep on one side and you could sleep on the other. I swear I won't look," he said.
"O-okay. Um...stay turned around...I'm starting to undress," she said. Seeing his nod, she carefully took her shirt and skirt off. She took off her boots and socks, now wearing only her underwear. She saw him take his shirt off and climb in bed, his back to her. She climbed in bed behind him and covered up with the sheet on her bed, "Okay...you can turn around now."
Johnny turned over and saw Ash covered up with the sheet. He could tell that she was nervous and self-conscious. He placed a hand on her cheek after brushing back her quills gently. He smiled when she looked at him, "Ash...you're beautiful no matter what you're wearing."
Ash blushed then smiled and scooted closer to him to rest against his chest, "Thank you Johnny."
He merely smiled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her as they fell asleep.
The next morning, Johnny woke up hearing humming coming from the bathroom. Not thinking, he walked in and heard Ash sing a very familiar song:
You can never know what it's like
Your blood like a winter freezes just like ice
And there's a cold lonly light
That shines from you.
You'll wind up like the wreck
You hide behind that mask you use.
Johnny realized two things right then. One, that Ash was singing while she took her shower. Two, she was singing the song he sang on his final performance. He didn't want to scare her so he leaned against the wall in the bathroom, closing the door and listening.
And did you think this fool could never win?
Well look at me,
I'm coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I'm still standing
You just fade away
And don't you know I'm still standing
Better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor.
I'm feeling like a little kid.
And I'm still standing
After all this time,
I'm picking up the pieces of my life
Without you on my mind.
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Johnny couldn't help but remember playing the piano and the rhythm of the beat. He started singing the next verse, effectively startling Ash.
Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the rode
And leaving me again.
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus
You'd be a clown by now.
Ash had no idea how long he had been there and was embarrassed that she was in the shower, covered only by her black shower curtain. However, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to sing with him.
And don't you know I'm still standing
Better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor.
I'm feeling like a little kid.
And I'm still standing
After all this time,
I'm picking up the pieces of my life
Without you on my mind.
Both:
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ash:
And don't you know I'm still standing
Better than I ever did.
Johnny:
Looking like a true survivor
I'm feeling like a little kid.
And I'm still standing
After all this time
Ash:
I'm picking up the pieces of my life
Without you on my mind.
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Johnny:
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Both:
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
They finished, both out of breath. Ash peeked out of the edge of the shower curtain, "Johnny...can I ask what you're doing in here?"
He blushed and looked down embarrassed, "W-well...I heard you humming and didn't pay attention to the sound of the water running. Then I heard you sing and started singing along. I'm sorry I barged in."
Ash couldn't help but smile, "Well...if you're gonna be in here could you hand me that towel?" She turned the water off.
Johnny took the towel and handed it to her, sure to keep his eyes averted for her privacy, "So...why did you sing that song?"
"I don't know...it just came to my head while I was in here."
"You sang it very well. I think you actually sung it better than I did," he said, chuckling.
"No...we sung it better with both of us together. Could you turn around so I can get out and get dressed real quick?" she asked, to which he complied. She made quick work of getting dressed. "Okay you can turn around now," she said.
When he turned around, his heart raced seeing her in a red faded shirt and white skinny jeans, "W-wow...you look amazing."
She blushed then smiled, "Thank you. You can use the shower. I'll make breakfast and it'll be ready when you come down." Ash brushed back her quills then walked out to go to the kitchen.
Johnny got his clothes and other necessities then took his shower. After a while, he came down to see a plate of biscuits, a bowl of gravy, some scrambled eggs, as well as bananas and oranges. "Wow...you went all out," he said.
"Well...figured since there was more than just us two, we might as well cook at least enough for all of us," she said.
Once his father came out, they all started to eat. It was getting close to ten o'clock when they finished. Ash and Johnny said bye to his father then headed out to go to the theater. They didn't know what would happen when they walked in. As soon as they stepped foot inside, they saw everyone looking at them.
"So how did it go?" Buster asked.
"Did something happen last night?" Meena asked.
Ash and Johnny looked at each other before looking away, blushes on their faces. "Well..." Johnny started.
"Kinda...we ended up...having to sleep together..." Ash continued.
"In the same bed," Johnny finished.
"Anything else?" Rosita asked.
"Well we...um...you know...we sorta...kissed in front of my dad..."
Their eyes went wide, "You kissed?!"
"I-it was a stage kiss! We didn't really..." Ash trailed off.
"C-can we just get to practicing before the show tomorrow?" Johnny asked.
They all went to their own rehearsal spaces. Johnny ad Ash talked about how some lines were supposed to be sang and about their cues. They decided that Ash would sit on top of the piano in front of Johnny. That way, in order for the song to have the right feel of intimacy, they would make like singing it to each other. While they were practicing this, Meena and Rosita watched outside the soundproof glass.
"What? Ash isn't playing her guitar?" Meena asked, shocked.
"Johnny's playing the piano? What song are they doing?" Rosita asked.
"I don't know...they didn't tell me."
"This is going to be interesting," Rosita said, watching as the two touched foreheads while singing.
"Let's corner Ash after practice to get some details. There's more between those two than they want to admit. Johnny sure won't talk to us...but Ash will," Meena said, telling Rosita the plan on how to ask.