Chapter 7

I walked out of the building and headed for the parking lot to meet Ashley. I looked left and right because I had no idea, which way she was coming from. I always find it a bit awkward just waiting as everyone passes you, especially if you're not talking to anyone and you're just standing there.

I felt someone nudge me from my side and I turned to see Ashley. I took a gulp as she smiled at me and grabbed my hand pulling me to her car.

"Come on, I love giving hot girls rides," she said laughing at her own innuendo. I blushed profusely as I climbed into the car. The car ride to my house was comfortable but I didn't really know what to say. All of this is new to me but Ashley seems comfortable so that's good. We arrived to my house and I noticed Glen wasn't home yet.

"Aiden said they're having basketball tryouts today," came Ashley's voice behind me as I pushed open the door. So that was a bit creepy.

"How did you know I wanted to know where he was?" I asked her but she just shrugged. We walked into the kitchen and I grabbed us both a juice before heading in the dining room to start planning. I sat down next to Ashley at the dining room table. She pulled her chair in closer to the table, and ultimately closer to me too. Our knees were touching and I really couldn't concentrate on anything except for the fact that she was touching me.

"Ok so we should outline a basic plot right?" she asked.

"And we just have to make sure it has a basic theme of forbidden love. So what should the couple's names be? We need a boy and a girl," I started to take control.

"Wait what? Who says it has to be a boy and girl?" she asked leaning away from the table.

"Um," Ok so not very articulate but I really didn't have an answer for her. She continued to look at me unexpectedly but I just shrugged, "You're right. Ok so we just need names of two lovers."

"How about Alexis and Jolie?" she asked. I looked questioningly at her, "They just stuck out in my mind."

"Fine with me," Ok so two girls having a forbidden love. We could definitely work with this.

"So obviously we can make this deal with a social issue as well as the forbidden love. They meet, have a connection and start a romance but one isn't ready to show the world yet. Good so far?" she asked.

"Yeah and we need a conflict, so maybe they could get caught by a parent or friend and it forces them to be separated," she nodded scribbling furiously onto the paper, outlining our story.

"Should it be a happily ever after story or not?" she asked looking up from the paper. I thought about the question. Most likely everyone would have a happy ending, it's just the norm. But dealing with our characters and obviously them being both girls poses more issues. It might have a stronger impact with an unhappy ending, but I don't want to seem depressing. This is a hard question. I looked up at Ashley and saw her trademark smirk. Her soft chocolate eyes captivated mine and I realized I was staring. I cleared my throat, "Well, honestly it could go both ways. What do you think?"

"I think it would be better with them being separated, but with a chance of hope," she said not breaking eye contact. I felt the atmosphere in the room change as I nodded but she didn't write anything down, she just continued to stare at me and me at her. I watched her lick her lips and I gulped. I couldn't tell if I was breathing or not as I felt my body lean forward slightly. Ashley looked surprised for half a second before she too, started to lean in. She placed her arm on the back of my chair to support herself and I felt the heat from her being so close. I was just about to kiss her when I heard the front door open and I jumped backwards.

"Spence? Glen?" I heard my father's voice from the foyer. Why did he have to have such bad timing? I was so close.

"Hey Spence, and?" he asked as he came in to find Ashley and I sitting awkwardly together at the dining room table.

"Um, Ashley Mr. Carlin," she said shaking his hand. She looked slightly flustered but I couldn't really read her expression.

"We were just working on an English project," I said to my Dad and he just nodded.

"I'm going to start dinner Spence, will you be joining us Ashley?" he asked turning to her.

"I actually should be heading home, thank you though," she said packing her bags. Disappointment swept over me as she stood.

"Are you sure?" I asked as I followed her to the door. She turned and nodded but gave me a nose-crinkling smile. I grinned back knowing things were ok between us.

"Well, we should hang again or something," I suggested not so subtly. I felt a blush creep up on my face and the back of my neck. What is it with this girl that makes me so nervous?

"Well, I wasn't doing anything tomorrow, we can hang. Maybe we can go play a game of laser tag? I can show you some pointers because we both know that last win was total luck," she said cockily.

"You're insane. We won fair and square," I said pride creeping into my voice. My team is one of the best and everyone should know that.

"We'll see about that," she said grinning, "I'll pick you up around 10 tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah and then I'll show you how it's done in the arena," I said. She just laughed and waved goodbye as she climbed into her car. I watched as she pulled out of my driveway and I felt myself become giddy for tomorrow.