Tear Down The Stars Chapter 6
I hate to admit it to myself but I noticed that Ashley wasn't at school for the rest of the day. It's not like I was looking for her but I noticed and I couldn't help but wonder where she was and whether she was okay. I know that it sounds stupid that I may be worrying about her considering I was a little harsh this morning but I was annoyed and frustrated. Carmen is still avoiding me and Madison is keeps giving me a strange look like she is trying to read my thoughts. I don't say anything because we kind of have a silent agreement that we don't interact which is difficult considering she is dating my brother and she is always at my house. My Mom likes her and I get why because she is polite and charming and really makes an effort. I know that it's an act but we both play along for my mom's sake.
I find myself watching the hands on the clock ticking slowly and praying for them to move quicker. This is my last period and I have a lot to do after school. I need to go get the twins and then keep them entertained until one of their 'parents' make an appearance. This obviously means that I will more than likely see Ashley unless she resorts to hiding in her room like she did the first week or so that I worked there. Finally the bell rings and I am out there. Carmen walks straight past my car without even looking at me and it hurts and it's annoying because I haven't done anything wrong. I let it go because otherwise I'll be late for the twins.
I managed to get them in time and they were happy to see me, like they always are. I think that they are the only two people that I know that smile like that when they see me and it melts my heart. I let them out of the car and they dart towards the front door. They seem less disappointed than they did originally after realising that neither of their parents are home. Based on what little I know about Ashley they should get use to being disappointed by their parents as they get older. It makes me sad because from my childhood I remember being the centre of both of my parents worlds.
The twins head straight to the kitchen ready for a snack because that's their routine. I open the fridge and grab them some carrot sticks. I can't believe that they see this as a treat, guess Julia is doing something right.
"Okay you have these and then we can do some painting" I tell them already mentally preparing myself for the mess. I try and do different things with them every day so they don't get bored. These two are tough critics and people have received their marching orders before.
"Yayyyyy" They scream as they head off to the tv room. I grab myself a juice and look out of the window to the yard. I spot somebody in the pool and I literally feel my heart beat pick up. Ashley is pulling herself out of the pool and she looks amazing. Her body is so tight and tanned that it's impossible not to appreciate it. The sun is making the water glisten on her body and she looks breathe taking. I try to tear my eyes away because I know I should and I know that I have to but it's too late...I'm drawn in. I jump back as I hear some foot steps behind me making me avert my eyes from the girl in the pool.
"What you lookin at Spencey?" Taylor asks me and I smile obviously not preparing to tell him that I was actually perving on his older sister.
"Erm...Ashley's outside swimming" I tell him happy that I wasn't lying completely. I see his mind working and I know what's coming next.
"Can we go swim?" Taylor asks as I expected.
"Go finish your snacks and I'll ask Ashley if you can join her"
"She won't mind" Taylor counters with a smirk and I sort of know he's right but I also know that Ashley may be weird about me being there so I figure I should check. Taylor nods and runs off again. I head outside prepping myself not to stare and to pull myself together.
As I walk closer she spots me, she's sat on the side of the pool sipping on a bottle of water. She spots me and I see her expression change.
"Hey how you feeling?" I ask trying to be casual.
"Not bad" She doesn't look at me when she answers. She seems more interested in the ripples that her feet are making in the pool.
"You weren't at school" It's not a question, it's more of an observation.
"Yea I wasn't in the mood I guess" Still not looking at me.
"So the twins asked if they can get in the pool with you" I tell her and she smiles. She nods her head in the direction of the door and I see why she's smiling. The twins are already in their swim wear with their inflatables and they're heading towards the pool.
"You coming in?" Ashley asks me with a smile and it seems kinder and softer than normal.
"I'll just watch" I tell her because I can't be bothered to get changed plus I think that getting in that pool with Ashley will actually push over the edge of crazy.
"Not a choice Spencer" She tells me and as I look at her I realise that this is more of a warning because she has a devious look on her face.
"You wouldn't?" I semi tell her and warn but my words are wasted because her hands are on me and I feel hot. She shifts our position and pulls us into the pool. I don't feel the slightly cool water on my body, I don't hear the splash or the giggles from the twins because all I can focus on is her hands on my body and the way it feels. As the commotion stops I realise that we're still stood close and her hands are still on my waist. The look on Ashley's face tells me that she has also realised this and she lets go. I panic a little but can't help but smile at the fact that I'm now stood in the pool fully clothed.
"I can't believe you did that" I state as I push my hair back out of my face.
"I warned you" She giggles as she splashes me in the face. I immediately retaliate by splashing the water back at her and she giggles again. Her laugh is sweet and seems so natural. I call a time out and she stops but continues laughing. The twins had joined in the splashing and they stop as well.
"Okay you win..I give up" I announce throwing my hands in the air showing my defeat. They all laugh menacingly and I attempt to frown but I can't. The twins swim off and continue playing. I pull myself out of the pool because my clothes feel horrible. Ashley climbs out just after me and I keep my eyes at head height.
"I'll grab you a towel" She informs me as she heads towards the pool house. I got to stop her but she's already away so I let her. She comes back with a towel and hands it to me. I have to admit that I'm a bit freaked out by this side of her
"Thank you" I start trying to dry myself but I soon realise that it's pointless with me clothes plus they feel gross so I pull off my shirt. I notice that Ashley is looking at me in a way that she has never looked at me before and I kind of like it so I take off my pants as well. I have underwear on so I know that the twins won't even bat an eyelid plus they're playing quite happily. I cast my eyes back to Ashley who suddenly appears more interested in the sky and I smile because I think I can see her blushing. I wrap the small towel around me and grab my clothes so I can wash and dry them before I go home.
"Do you have some clothes I can borrow?" I ask her pulling her out of her trance like state.
"It's the least I can do I suppose" She tells me with a smile.
"Well it is all your fault that I'm wet" The words leave my mouth before I can stop them and I know that I'm bright red. I see Ashley nearly choke on the air as my bad choice of words make their way into brain. She doesn't say anything she just heads back inside and I'm assuming she's getting me some clothes. I can't believe that I just said something like that to Ashley, yes it was innocent but it made everything even more awkward. I have no idea how to pull back from that and I have no time to think of a game plan because Ashley is back. She's still in her bikini...great I'm blushing again and she's smiling.
"Thank you" Is all I can say as I take the clothes.
"Like you said I did get you all wet" She says this with an obvious giggle and it makes me laugh. It eases the moment and I don't feel so stupid any more, I'm sure that won't last long.
"Very funny. So I need to make the twins some dinner do you mind watching them?" I ask because I assume that she has some where better to be but then I remember that she's under house arrest.
"No problem" She smiles and I walk off to go get changed before I say something stupid or stare some more.
Dinners finally ready and Ashley even managed to get them out of the pool and showered which I'm amazed at. I still haven't mastered that skill but Ashley has a way with them and it's impressive considering how much time she spends trying to act unaffected. As if on cue they appear in the kitchen chatting some twin nonsense which is adorable and reminds me of Glen and I when we were younger.
"Erm Ashley I made some extra if you want some" I sound unsure because I am unsure. I'm unsure because it means spending more time with Ashley and it also means she could say no. She looks at me and then at the stir fry I've prepared then back to me.
"Sure" One worded acceptance is better than rejection I conclude. I hand out the plates and everybody starts eating. The twins are talking about some game they were playing and clearly don't want to involve us.
"So did you sort things out with your 'friend'?" Ashley asks me really exaggerating the word 'friend'.
"Why did you say 'friends' like that?" I reply adding air quotes to friends.
"I dunno...why are you changing the subject?" She challenges me and she's right I am changing the subject because I don't want to talk about Carmen. I also know exactly what Ashley meant when she asked about my 'friend'. She was implying that Carmen and I are more than friends.
"We are currently not talking and probably won't be for a while. Also to answer your unasked question we are just friends" I have no idea why I'm telling her this but I do and she smiles.
"I am sorry if I caused that" She seems genuine when she says this and I like it. I like that we are actually having a conversation.
"Not your fault so just forget it. Carmen will come around at some point but she's stubborn" I try to reassure because it isn't her fault that Carmen is ignoring me. Yes Ashley has been an ass in the past but I'm willing to move on and so should she.
"What you said earlier today at school was true you know" I can't believe she says this because I was out of line when I said. I was taking my anger out on her and I made a snap judgement about her based on a few conversations. I look at her directly in the eye and she is looking at me so intensely that I almost want to look away but I don't.
"Ugh God...I actually hate myself for saying this but it's not completely true Ashley and I'm sorry for saying it. I was annoyed at Carmen and I took it out on you because well, you were there" I actually do hate myself for saying this but I say it anyway.
"Spencey we finished" Taylor interrupts us before Ashley can reply and I want to shush them but I don't because they have no idea what we are talking about.
"Okay go do some drawing while we finish our food" I tell them and they leave without much questioning. I turn my attention back to Ashley and she suddenly finds her noodles very interesting.
"So why did you leave school today?" She looks surprised that I am trying to carry on the conversation.
"It was...well erm" Ashley's stuttering is interrupted by Julia announcing her arrival as she walks through the front door. Ashley stops talking, she stops looking at me, she stops eating and she leaves the room. I can't help but feel...I feel something and I'm not sure what but I don't like it. I try to shake the feeling as Julia enters the room, she looks at Ashley but no words are exchanged. The twins clearly heard their Mother's arrival and then come bounding into the room engulfing her with kisses and hugs.
"Mommy missed your two" She tells them and she means it.
"Spencer thank you so much for looking after them over night. I hope they weren't any trouble"
"They were perfect" I tell her honesty and she seems pleased.
"Well as it's Friday tomorrow you can take the day off. Go out and enjoy yourself or something. Here is your money for the week" She hands me an envelope full of cash.
"Mr Davies paid me for last night earlier" I inform her because I'm honest.
"Don't worry Honey you keep all the money you earned it after Ashley's behaviour last night or so I've heard" I immediately tense with the way she talks about Ashley and I can't help myself.
"There was no behaviour from Ashley Mrs Davies. She helped with the kids and nobody gives her enough credit" My words are my enemy today and I already regret my decision to stand up for somebody that I barely know.
"I didn't think that you two were friends" She informs like that would be the only reason to stick up for her.
"We're not" I mutter as I grab my bag. I give the twins a quick hug and head off to my normal life, at least for the weekend any way.