Chapter One: I will always be here



Thunder crashed violently in the sky, as Ashley Pearson stepped off the bus in West Jefferson Ohio. Just as she stepped out of the bus the rain came pouring down hard on her immediately making her soaking wet. Tears rolled down her cheek for the thousandth time that day as she pulled the hood to her black New Found Glory hoodie down over her head. Underneath that hoodie she has on a short-sleeved light purple shirt, and some light blue pajama pants with monkey faces on it. The clothes she had been wearing ever since she ran away from home two days ago with nothing but ten dollars in her pocket. Ashley began to walk through the freezing cold rain following the instructions that her friend had given her. As she walked she could barely keep herself up because she had been walking most of the way from Arizona. When she was only an hour away from Ohio she used her ten dollars for the bus because that’s all she could afford. After an hour had gone by she finally reached the house her friend had given her instructions to. She knocked on the door and waited. As she stood there waiting her entire body grew weaker and weaker as she just can’t walk anymore. She’s so exhausted that she feels as if she could just faint right there. Suddenly the door opened, and a young girl who looked about 19 stood there in front of her. She’s about 5’7” and is dressed in a white wife beater and some blue denim shorts. Her light brown hair which reaches just a bit past her shoulders is pulled back into a pony tale and she can tell its her friend by the many tattoos and piercings.


“Nikki…” Ashley said softly, and then suddenly collapsed to the ground falling unconscious.


“Oh my god…Ashley?! KYLE COME QUICK!” She yelled into the house.


“Ashley? What?” Kyle asked all confused, and he got up and ran to the front door.


“Nik? What’s wrong?”


“Ashley is here! And she’s hurt! She just dropped to the ground and fell unconscious!” Nikki nearly shouted, as tears stream down her cheek.


“Shit…” Kyle cursed under his breath. “Nikki move!” She moved out of his way and he leaned over and picked Ashley up cradling her in his arms and he carried her inside. Nikki closed the door and followed her brother to the couch where he laid Ashley.


“She’s going to be fine. She just fainted. Greg go get a blanket.” Kyle said as he looks at Greg who has his arms wrapped around Nikki who just happens to be his ex-girlfriend and he’s trying his best to calm her down. Greg nodded and ran off to get a blanket. When he returned he handed it to Kyle, and Kyle covered Ashley up. As soon as he had her situated he looked at his sister who has completely lost it. He got up and went to her and he took her into his arms and hugged her tight.


“She’s going to be okay…its all right calm down. She just fainted that’s all…my guess is she’s probably been on her feet for too long.”


“Why do you think she’s here?” Greg asked softly, as he kneeled down by the couch and looked Ashley over. “She looks like she’s been traveling for days.”


“She asked for our address and I gave it to her…but I didn’t think she was going to show up tonight. Something must have gone wrong at home…she was always talking about running away and coming here.”


“Well when she wakes up we’ll ask her all about it.” Kyle replied.


“Do you think Mom and Kenny will allow her to stay here?” Nikki questioned, as she looks up at Kyle.


“Well we’ll soon find out. They’ll be home tomorrow. I’m sure they will, she’s not a criminal or anything.” Nikki nodded and then went over and kneeled beside Greg, and he took Ashley’s hand into hers and she sat there watching her sleep.


“Its okay Ashee… I’m here now…” She whispered softly. “I will always be here.”

Chapter Two: Never Going Back



After two hours of waiting, Ashley suddenly started stirring in her sleep.


“She’s moving!” Nikki announced, causing both Kyle and Greg to come back into the room. The two of them leaned over the couch and watched hoping Ashley will finally wake up. Seconds later she did open her eyes, and the first person she saw was Nikki—the only person she’s had her heart set on seeing since she had run away.


“Nikki…” She spoke softly.


“Hey you…” Nikki replied as she brushes Ashley’s dark brown hair, which reaches just to her shoulders and has two streaks of blue in it and is still a bit damp from the rain out of her face.


“You gave us quite a scare—are you okay?” Ashley shook her head in response.


“My head hurts…”


“Ky go get her some Ibuprofen.” Kyle did as she said and went off in search of some Ibuprofen.


“So what caused you to come all the way here?”


“I couldn’t handle being home anymore…” Ashley answered, as tears threatened to fall at the remind her why she had run away.


“Feel like talking about it?”


“Brandi and I got into another one of our huge fights…She’s always calling me names and looking down on me like I’m worthless…my mom completely ignores me unless I’m doing something wrong—she would rather me be perfect like her precious Brandi…I just felt as if I don’t belong there anymore…so I left. I couldn’t take it anymore. You were the only person I could think of turning to. I’m sorry I showed up so unexpected, but I didn’t know where else to go…”


“It’s okay…you’re welcome here anytime you want.” Kyle replied, as he hands Ashley two Ibuprofens and a can of dr pepper knowing that’s her favorite soda.


“How long have you been traveling here? You look like you’ve been traveling for days.” Nikki questioned.


“Two days. I walked most of the way...then when I was an hour away from Ohio I used the only money I had—which was ten dollars to ride the bus.”


“Jeez…no wonder you passed out.” Greg replied and Ashley looked up at him for the first time, than at Nikki with a puzzled look.


“That’s Greg.” Nikki explained.


“Oh…” The three of them were silent for a few minutes, until Ashley suddenly broke it.


“I am never going back.” She announced, while shaking her head and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “Never.”


“You don’t have to honey, you can stay here for as long as you want.” Nikki replied, while pulling her into a hug. Ashley sat up a little and returned her hug. She hugged her tightly.



“The guest room is being used by Greg right now. Both mine and his parents have gone out of town so he’s been staying here with us and spending time with Seth. But do you want to share my room? My bed is big enough for two.” Ashley nodded her head in response.


“All right. Come on I’ll show you the way.” She said while getting up from sitting on the floor. She took Ashley’s hands into hers and pulled her up from the couch gently and led her upstairs to her room where she helped her get settled in.

Chapter Three: Embarrassment




The next day Ashley opened her eyes and looked around the room. As soon as she did she found posters of GC, Simple Plan, NOFX, New Found Glory, Nirvana, and the sex pistols all over Nikki’s walls. Ashley rolled her eyes and shook her head while smiling. She looked over at the alarm clock to find that it reads 10:00. Suddenly Nikki walked in.



"Hey sleepy head--its about time you wake up. Seth has been excited to see you all morning!" She told Ashley with a huge grin on her face. Ashley chuckled a bit and sat up.



"Where is he?"



"Downstairs playing soccer with Greg." Ashley groaned at the mention of Greg.



"What?" She asked while laughing.



"You said the horrible G word." Nikki laughed.



"Hey be nice--he was worried about you last night."



"I'll try...but you know how much I dislike him."



"Yeah yeah, I know." The two of them sat in silence for a couple of minutes, than Ashley crawled out of bed. Nikki got up from sitting on the edge of it and the two of them left the room and headed downstairs. Once down there Nikki led her out into the backyard where Greg and Seth were kicking a soccer ball around. Just as the door had opened Seth stopped what he was doing and looked at it. He smiled really big at the sight of Ashley.



"AUNTIE ASHEEE!" He exclaimed, as if he’s known her all his life. Nikki laughed a bit at her son.



"HEY little dude, how are you??" Ashley asked, after giggling a little. Seth went running toward her, and Ashley got down on her knees and held her arms open just on time for him to go flying into them and he hugged her tight. Greg chuckled a bit as well.



"Mother like son. I bet if you hadn't fallen unconscious last night Nikki would've greeted you the same way."



"Of course!" Nikki replied, as she has a big grin on her face, and she too hugged Ashley as Seth still clung to her.



"I'm so happy you're here!"



"Me too--It’s been my dream to come here for so long--I had to get away from that place Nik, you have no idea. I needed you so much-- sometimes I even cried myself to sleep at night." Ashley replied, as tears threatened to fall.



"I know Ashee, I know, and I'm here now. I will always be here." She reassured her. Ashley let go of Seth and wrapped both of her arms around Nikki, and Nikki wrapped her arms around her in return allowing Ashley to rest her head against her shoulder.



"I love you--it feels good to have my best friend here in the same state." Ashley told her.



"I love you too."



"Is Auntie Ashee staying with us forever?" Seth asked, an obvious hopeful tone in his voice.



"I don’t know honey, she just might." Seth smiled really big.



"Daddy play!" Seth pleaded, than he stole the ball from him and took off kicking it down the yard. Greg chuckled a bit and went running after him.



"Well I think I need a shower..." Ashley announced. "But I didn’t bring any clothes..."



"You can borrow some of mine, than I’ll take you shopping later and buy you some clothes."



"Nik... you don’t have to do that. Don’t go spending money on me..."



"Well what are you going to do Ashee? You don’t have any money or clothes to wear?" Ashley sighed.



"Please let me buy you some clothes to wear. I don’t mind really..." Ashley looked at her friend for a couple of minutes.



"Okay... but I'm going to get a job--I don’t want to live off of you forever, and I'm going to need a way to pay you back."



"You don’t have to pay me back, but I can help you get a job."



"Where?"



"At my work with me-I'm a waitress."



"Okay."



"Anyway, you can go upstairs and shower if you'd like--wear any outfit you want I don't mind."



"Okay," Ashley replied, than she hugged her once more, and Nikki returned her hug.



"Thank you for letting me stay here."



"I'll do anything for you, and you know that." After a few seconds Ashley pulled away and went inside, and Nikki decided she'd join her son and Greg in a game of soccer. Ashley went upstairs and back into Nikki's room. She went to her closet and got out some clothes to wear. A white tank top and some black jeans. She went into the bathroom after placing the clothes onto the bed, and she began to take her shower.



~*~*~*~*~




20 minutes later Ashley got out of the shower and wrapped a clean towel around her. After doing this she opened the door to the bathroom and walked out. She went over and shut the bedroom door and locked it, than she went back to the bed where she had laid her clothes. She was about to take her towel off when suddenly the side door opened.



"Nikki can I borro--Oh shit ASHLEY I'm SO sorry I didn’t know you were getting dressed!" Kyle exclaimed, as he had immediately gone wide eyed at the sight of Ashley in a towel. He began to walk out.



"No, Ky wait--its okay." Kyle turned around and looked at her, as his face was bright red.



"How is it okay? I walked in on you changing...I should've knocked first." He replied nervously.



"Trust me-Its okay-I had the towel wrapped around me you didn’t see anything and I'm not mad." Ashley reassured him, and she couldn't help but laugh a bit.



"Okay..." Kyle replied, as he was still extremely embarrassed at what he had done.



"What is it that you wanted to borrow from Nikki?" Ashley asked. "Is it something I can maybe get for you? I'll be sure to tell her you borrowed it."



"Her Hoobastank CD--her CDs are right over there on the CD rack by her computer." Ashley went over to Nikki's computer and searched the CD rack. As she was looking for the CD she couldn't help but notice Kyle looking her over in the corner of her eye. She smiled to herself. As soon as she found the CD she brought it to him.



"Here you go-I’ll tell her you have it." She told him, her voice suddenly soft and quiet.



"Thanks." He replied, as he speaks to her in the same tone of voice, and he took the CD from her, as he caught a gaze of her light brown eyes as she stares into his Steele blue-almost gray eyes. After a few seconds he finally snapped back to reality.



"Well thanks..." He said again, while nervously raking his fingers through his dark brown hair, and he turned around and walked out of the room shutting the door behind him. Ashley stared after him for a few minutes, than she too suddenly snapped back to reality and began to finally get dressed. As soon as she did she went into the bathroom again and grabbed the brush that is lying on the counter, and the scrunchie she had in her hair the night before and she brushed her dark red hair, which reaches to the middle of her back up into a pony tale. After doing this she went downstairs and found Nikki drinking some water.



"Hey Ash," She greeted her.



"Hey."



"How are you feeling?"



"Fine."



"That’s good."



"Hey, I told Ky I would tell you that he came in your room earlier wanting to borrow your Hoobastank CD--I gave it to him."



"Okay cool. Are you ready to go to the mall now? I had my shower and everything this morning so we can leave now if you want."



"All right--sounds good."



"Just let me tell Greg I'm leaving so he can watch Seth."



"Kay." Ashley followed her out in the backyard where they found Greg and Seth sitting on the ground under a tree resting.



"Greg, Ash and I are going to the mall. Watch Seth okay? I'll be back later."



"Okay." He replied, and she went back inside with Ashley following. She grabbed her keys and the two of them walked out the door and over to her car. A Black Toyota Celica. She got into the drivers side, and Ashley got into the passengers seat. She started the engine and drove out of the drive way headed for the mall.



"What do you want to listen to?"



"Do you have Good Charlotte in here? I saw the case for it in your room."



"Yeah, I have 'Young and the Hopeless' in here." She answered, while pushing play on her stereo, and the intro began to play. She turned it up and they began to listen to the CD on the way to the mall--singing a long to some of the songs as they do.

Chapter Four: Insecure


As soon Ashley and Nikki arrived at the mall they got out of the car and went inside.


"Where do you want to go first?" Nikki asked while looking at Ashley.


"Hot Topic!" She immediately answered, as that was the first store she spotted. The two of them took off toward the store. Once inside Ashley began to look around, and so did Nikki deciding she was going to buy clothes for herself too.


"Wow Ash-this would look really awesome on you!" Nikki announced, as she suddenly saw some lime green and black slightly baggy bondage pants and a black racer back tank top with a lime green skull and crossbones on the top right.


"They're in your favorite color too."


"Ohh." Ashley looked for that outfit in her size. Once she found it she began to continue looking for more clothes. They spent a half n hour looking at clothes and then trying them on, than when they finished they bought the clothes that they liked the best, and fit them. Ashley ended up getting the outfit Nikki had suggested, and also a few others. A green plaid O-Ring buckle skirt with a black fishnet top, and some boots and fishnet stockings to wear with them, some really cool altered mind black and pink star legged pants and a couple of tee shirts that would match it, as well as a Tripp blue stitch skull pants, and a lot more cool outfits. Nikki ended up getting a blue plaid star stud mini skirt with a matching royal blue wrist band, and some dickies pink pinstripe pants.


"Nik...you really didn't have to buy me all of these clothes..." Ashley said, as the two of them left Hot Topic.


"I wanted to Ash, it was no problem trust me. You don’t have any money, it was the least I could do."


"But, you bought like a WHOLE new wardrobe for me, and hardly anything for yourself."


"Hon, I have a wardrobe full of really cool clothes. I'm good, trust me." Ashley sighed, as she still felt really bad. Nikki wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulders as the two of them walked through the mall carrying their bags.


"You've been through a lot hon, I just want you to be happier staying here."


"I am happier. I have you." Ashley insisted, as she rested her head against Nikki's shoulder as they walk. Suddenly they came across a tattoos and piercing store, and Ashley's eyes grew wide. Nikki noticed this and laughed.


"What?"


"I want a tattoo, and my belly button pierced--my mom would never let me do that when I was at home--and I'm 19!"


"Well come on! What are you waiting for?" Nikki replied, and dragged Ashley into the store.


"What kind of tattoo are you getting?" Nikki asked, as the two of them waited to be assisted.


"A gothic fairy on my right shoulder blade, a red rose on the lower part of my back, and a Chinese symbol on my left arm." As soon as it was Ashley's turn to be helped she was taken into a back room where a guy who looked like he was in his 20's did her tattoos and piercing. Nikki sat there by her friend’s side for support, though Ashley showed no sign of pain at all. As soon as she finished Nikki decided to get her belly pierced too. Once the guy finished doing Nikki's piercing they went back out to the front and Nikki paid for everything, than we went looking in more stores.


~*~*~*~


Later on that day Nikki and Ashley walked into Nikki's house with their hands full of bags to find Kyle, Greg, and some other guy sitting with them in the living room on the couch. Nikki groaned.


"Who is that?" Ashley asked softly, as she noticed the unknown guy who has dark blonde hair, and hazel blue eyes. Hes about 5'10, and is a really skinny and lanky looking person.


"Nathan," Nikki answered Ashley quietly so only she could hear her, and scowled at the mention of his name.


"Oh." Ashley replied, the disgusted tone being obvious in her voice. Nathan is one of Kyle's best friends, and Nikki used to have a huge crush on him. When her and Ashley used to only talk to each other over the Internet she used to talk about him all the time, and about how great he was. Finally Ashley and their friend Stephanie talked her into going for it. They all thought he liked her too because they had kissed a couple of times, and he was always flirting with her. One day she kissed him before going to bed, than the next day she caught him kissing another girl. She immediately ran home pissed. Nathan apologized to her, but then decided to say 'I was tired of waiting around for you to make a move'. Ever since that day she’s hated him. Ashley especially hates him, and would do anything to kick his ass for doing what he had done to her best friend.


"Hey Nik, Hey Ash--think you bought enough stuff?" Greg asked, while eyeing the bags in the two girls' hands.


"Hello Ashley--Nice to finally meet you in person." Nathan spoke up. Ashley glared at him.


"You don't expect me to feel the same way, right?" She asked him coldly, and he raised his eyebrow. Kyle and Greg just laughed.


"Ohh you got told." Kyle laughed.


"Dude shut up." Nathan scowled. Ashley shot him a glare, before smiling sweetly at Kyle and then looking at Nikki.


"Nik, do you have any dr pepper?"


"Yeah, go help yourself." Nikki nodded toward the kitchen. Ashley went into the kitchen to get her dr pepper.


"So, where is mom and Kenny? I thought they were supposed to be back by now." Nikki questioned, while looking at Kyle who was smiling from ear to ear.


"They called and said that they were staying two extra nights." Kyle explained.


"Cool--than why don’t we do something tonight?"


"Like what?" Kyle asked, while raising his eyebrow curiously. Suddenly Ashley walked back into the room.


"Yeah like what?" She questioned, as she had over heard the entire thing. Before Nikki could answer her cell phone suddenly rang. She looked down at the caller ID and realized that it was Stephanie.


"Ohh its Stephee."


"OH tell her I said hi!" Ashley replied, as she now has a big smile on her face. Nikki turned on her phone and put it to her ear.


"What’s up Steph?"


"Hey Nik, was bored and seeing that you aren't on the Internet I thought Id call you." Stephanie explained.


"Ah cool--Guess what"


"What?"


"Ash says hi"


"How are you talking to Ashley?"


"She’s here at my house."


"Say WHAT?" everyone heard her ask, and Ashley giggled a little bit.


"Yeah, she’s here at my house. She was having a hard time at home and thought she'd run away and come stay with me."


"You're kidding me right?"


"No I'm serious. She’s right here." Nikki replied, than she placed the phone to Ashley's ear.


"Ash say Hi."


"Hi Stephee."


"Oooh HEY Ashee!" Nikki took her phone back.


"See?"


"Okay, so she is there. No wonder you two aren't on the internet!"


"Nope--we just got back from spending the entire day at the mall--now we're trying to decide what to do. My parents are out of town, and we have nothing to do."


"Go to a club or something."


"We can't--I have Seth, and Greg would want to come so I can't leave him with him."


"Ah-yeah that’s a problem." Nikki thought for a couple of minutes.


"OH I have an idea! Stephee is it possible that you can be on the next flight to Ohio, tonight?"


"TONIGHT?"


"Yeah--So you can come hang out with us at my house--we can hang around the pool and swim and stuff."


"Yeah I guess its possible--I don’t have work tomorrow."


"Cool--I’ll help you pay for the ticket if you want--I know they're extremely expensive."


"Nah its okay I've got it--Is it okay if I bring a friend?"


"Depends on who this friend is."


"John"


"Ohh yeah bring him." Nikki smirked, as she now had a plan and she looked at Ashley with a huge grin on her face.


"Whaaat?" Ashley asked suspiciously. Nikki didn’t answer.


"So anyway, I've gotta go Steph, I will see ya later tonight."


"Okay, see ya." Stephanie replied, and Nikki hung up. She looked at Ashley once more, and just as she expected Ashley began to whine.


"Nikkiiiii tell meeeeee" Nikki laughed.


"Steph is bringing John with her. You're going to help me hook them up."


"Yup Yup, of course." Ashley replied. Nikki suddenly looked at Greg.


"Where is Seth?"


"Upstairs taking a nap."


"How long ago did he fall asleep?"


"Like ten minutes before you two got home."


"Ash, come with me to check on him, than we can continue making plans for tonight." Nikki said to Ashley, as she grabs her arm and pulls her upstairs with her. Once up there Nikki went down the hall to Seth's room and she peeked in to find him lying on his bed un covered.


"Aww" She said quietly, than she went all the way in there and Ashley followed. Nikki went over to him and covered him up, before leaning down and kissing the top of his head. Feeling his mother's touch, Seth suddenly opened his eyes.


"Momma?"


"Shhh, baby go back to sleep." Nikki answered quietly, and she sat next to him on the bed and sat there playing with his hair for a few minutes. After a few minutes he again closed his eyes and was soon asleep. Nikki carefully got up and followed Ashley out of the room and they went into Nikki's room shutting the door behind them. Ashley went and laid on Nikki's bed, and Nikki went and lay next to her.


"Nikki...."


"Huh?"


"Can I ask you a question?"


"You can ask me anything--what’s up?" Nikki replied, while looking at Ashley curiously.


"What does Kyle think of me?" Nikki suddenly smiled, as she was waiting for this to happen. When the two of them only talked over the Internet, Ashley sometimes talked to Kyle, and Nikki could sense some attraction between the two of them. Kyle was always REALLY happy after talking to her, and Ashley was constantly telling NIkki to tell him she says hi, and was always getting really excited at the mention of his name. She also saw the smile Ashley had given him earlier after she had told Nathan off.


"He thinks you're a really cool person."


"Are you sure?"


"Yeah, he even told me so awhile back ago."


"What’s that supposed to mean? That he thinks I'm a really cool person?" Nikki laughed and rolled her eyes.


"That’s Kyle's definition of having a crush on you, hon, and I know you've had one on him for quite some time so why don’t you go for it?"


"I don’t know...I guess its just kind of weird... I've never had a crush on someone who felt the same way--How do you even know he really feels the same way?" Ashley asked, a worried tone in her voice.


"Ashley, I know my brother." Nikki laughed.


"Well...what’s so great about me? Why would he have a crush on me?" Ashley asked, suddenly becoming insecure as she’s always been. Nikki sighed.


"Because maybe you're an AMAZING person? You're the nicest, sweetest, person I know and you've got a REALLY great personality. What’s not to like?"


"I don’t know... I just never had a crush on anyone who liked me back.... its kind of scary. I've been hurt SO many times Nikki, SO many times. Every time I think I finally find someone I can be happy with he ends up moving, or switching schools, or being extremely mean to me and tells me he doesn’t want to ever talk to me anymore and then calls me mellow dramatic, or doesn’t feel the same way about me.... or they just don’t even know I am alive."


"Ash...Kyle isn't like Matt Larson, Dustin, Bryce, or Matt Williams. I know he wouldn't do any of that stuff to you, and I know he has feelings for you. Trust me, he’s not going to break your heart like all those fucked up losers did." Nikki replied, as she knew exactly every single guy Ashley described without even having to be told the names.


"I guess...." Ashley sighed.


"Just give him a chance...who knows, maybe you'll discover the love of your life and will be happy for the rest of your life."


"I'll try...but it scares me Nikki.... it really does, feeling this way about someone...."


"I know it does, but it’s going to be okay I promise. If he does anything mean to you I'll kick his ass--simple as that." Ashley couldn’t help but smile a bit, as she lay down all the way and stared up at the ceiling.


"I'll try..."

Chapter Five: A Best Friends Comfort



Ashley and Nikki lay there making plans for later on that night mostly concentrating on how to hook John and Stephanie up. They know exactly what they're going to do. After an hour of talking and making plans the two girls grew quiet as they lay sideways on Nikki's bed. Nikki lost in deep thought on their mission, and Ashley day dreaming about Kyle. 'Could Nikki be right? Will I find happiness in Kyle?' She quietly thought to herself. She lay there quietly thinking about it for a while, until she soon grew tired and drifted off into a deep slumber.


"Ash should we go grocery shopping for tonight?" Nikki suddenly asked, as she was unaware that her friend had fallen asleep while daydreaming of her brother. When Ashley didn't answer she became confused.


"Ashley?" She asked, and sat up and looked at her to find her in a deep sleep.


"Aww," Nikki laughed, than she grabbed the big blanket on her bed and covered Ashley up with it before crawling out of bed carefully and going downstairs.


"Where is Ashley at?" Kyle asked curiously when he only saw Nikki come downstairs.


"Who cares?" Nathan scowled. Kyle shot him a glare and punched him hard in the arm.


"OW!" Nathan nearly shouted in agony.


"Shut up there are some people trying to take a nap!" Nikki demanded, as she looks at Nathan in so much anger.


"She fell asleep while we were making plans for tonight." She answered Kyle's question.


"Oh."


“Yeah, I guess she’s all worn out from shopping."


"I don’t blame her--You two were gone all day."


"We were having a lot of fun--I'm just happy to see her happy."


"So...what’s the deal with her? I know she ran away because she wasn't happy at home, but what made her so unhappy enough to run?" Greg asked, as he was slightly confused about the whole thing. The only people who fully understood were Nikki and Kyle.


"They treat her really badly at home she was really miserable living there. Her sister Brandi who is 14 years old was always looking down on her, was always calling her names, and yelling and screaming at her. She was always saying how Ashley never does any thing but lay around when really Ashley tries the best she can to help out. She does really good things but no matter what Brandi still manages to bring her down. She was always coming to me on the internet crying and telling me all about it, and each time Brandi treated her like shit the more her self esteem began to shrink. Her stepfather Charles was always yelling at her too. Nothing she ever did seemed to be right to him. To her it seemed like he thought she was just a piece of garbage lying around that never did anything right, and was only there for him to yell at. Each time he lectured her, she began to feel more worthless and stupid. Her mother on the other hand just didn’t know or understand her. Ashley was always trying SO hard to get her attention. She would do everything she could think of to get her mother's attention, even if it meant her yelling at her. She would rebel on doing her chores, fight with her about mostly everything. She spends all the time in the world with her sisters, but never spends time with her. Ashley spent most of her time trying to reach for her than anything else, but didn’t know how. It was almost like not even having a mother. The only time she paid attention to her was if she was in trouble or crying."


"Man... That really sucks..." Greg replied, as he now had more respect for Ashley. He never really got a long with her because Ashley strongly dislikes him for what he had done to Nikki when they were together. When they were together he was always so controlling and mean. He would get jealous if Nikki was hanging out with Matt--one of her best friends. One time he got so jealous he almost hit her, but realized what he was doing and immediately apologized. Ever since then Nikki was scared of him. She immediately broke up with him after that. Now he's just around for his son--Nikki and Greg get a long a lot better than they did right after the break up--he was always begging for her to give him another chance, and she would refuse--every time he tried something with her she would get really angry at him and they would start fighting. She used to really hate him, but now they get a long a lot better.


"Yeah it does... Ashley may seem very out going and stuff, but that’s just because to her it feels like she’s known all of us forever, so seeing us for the first time was like seeing a family member that she hasn't seen in forever, but really she’s an extremely shy person and will get really quiet around people she doesn’t know--mostly around the guys she has a crush on. She also has a really low self-esteem--that’s why she’s so shy. Her family is what made her that way. She’s a really nice and sweet person--She’s nice to mostly everyone unless they give her a reason not to be." Nikki explained, the last part looking at Nathan with a glare, and Nathan scowled.


"She doesn't like Greg either, don’t look at me!"


"But she has a lot more respect for him than you."


"Just because she cares about Seth and knows he needs his father!"


"Yeah? Well I believe it was YOU who got bitched at earlier when you tried to talk to her, NOT Greg. She hasn't said one rude remark to Greg since she’s been here, or given him evil glares."


"Whatever." Nathan replied.


"Dah STOP arguing, will you??" Kyle asked while becoming annoyed.


"If you didn’t invite him over here, you know this wouldn't happen." Kyle rolled his eyes, but decided not to argue back.


"Anyway I was thinking some of us should run to the store and get a bunch of soda and junk food for tonight. We're about out of dr pepper--Ash will die without her dr pepper. Who is going to run to the store for me? I want to be here for when Ash wakes up."


"I want to stay here," Kyle announced.


"I'll go--just give me a list of all the stuff you all want." Greg replied.


"I'll go with him." Nathan added. Nikki made up a list of all the sodas and junk food that we should have with help from the others, than handed it to Greg.


"Here is a helpful hint on your part--Ash will be pissed if you forget the Hershey bars--they're her favorite."


"I'll definitely keep that in mind." Greg replied, and then got up from the couch and followed Nathan out the door. Nikki sat next to Kyle on the couch and stole the remote from him and turned the channel.


"Heyyy! I was watching that!" Kyle protested. Nikki smiled sweetly at him.


"Not anymore." She switched the TV to 7th Heaven, which she claims to be ‘HER show’, and began to watch it. Kyle scowled and got up and went into the kitchen to get some dr pepper. Just as he was walking back from the kitchen they heard Ashley screaming from upstairs.


"NO! NO! PLEASE STOP YELLING AT ME! I DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG! I SWEAR I DIDN'T! NO NO!" she screamed, as she was crying. Nikki jumped up from the couch and Kyle dropped the dr pepper in his hand and followed her as she flew up the stairs in a panic. Once they finally reached Nikki's room they realized Ashley was only having a nightmare. Her entire face drenched in sweat, as she was still half asleep screaming and crying. Nikki sat on the bed and took Ashley gently into her arms and began to gently rub her back.


"Ashley Shhh its okay its only a nightmare honey--You're all right. Wake up hon." Nikki soothed gently. Ashley clung to her best friend for dear life, as she finally opened her eyes, but she did not stop crying. She buried her face in Nikki's shoulder. Kyle sat on the other side of Ashley, as he never looked so concerned in his entire life. His heart broke into a thousand little pieces as he saw Ashley hurt this bad, and he wants to make it go away so bad but doesn't know how.


"Its okay sweetie...You're all right. Tell me all about it--what happened?" Nikki asked, as Ashley's crying soon quieted down. Ashley sat there wrapped in Nikki's arms sniffling, as she was still very frightened at what took place in her nightmare. Kyle suddenly took her hand into his and gently rubbed it with his finger causing Ashley to look at him.


"Its okay...you're going to be all right. Nikki and I are here--please tell us what happened?" Kyle begged, as he had so much gentleness in his voice. Ashley calmed down almost immediately at the sound of his soft soothing voice and she spoke very softly.


"Charles was yelling and screaming at me...I ran and hid in my room and held the door closed tight--He kept pounding on it and trying to get in, and he kept yelling and screaming, and he wouldn't stop." Ashley explained, as she began to sob uncontrollably.


"Oh honey..." Nikki replied softly, and she hugged Ashley tighter. Ashley held onto her tight, as she still held firmly onto Kyle's hand not wanting him to let go. His touch was so gentle towards her and she loved it.


"It wasn't real--it was only a nightmare. Charles is in Arizona, and you're here in Ohio where he can never yell at you again. You're going to be okay I promise. As long as you're here with me, I'm going to make sure you're always happy--I promise you. All I want is for you to be happy." Nikki said gently, as she brushes Ashley's damp dark red hair from her face and looked into her frightened teary brown eyes.


"Its gonna be okay." Nikki repeated. Ashley who was now calm and relaxed closed her eyes, as she lay her head on Nikki's shoulder and felt so thankful to have her best friend near. All she’s ever wanted was her best friend's comfort. She can't even count how many times she’s wished this--because of how many times Ashley has dreamed of Nikki holding her and telling her everything was going to be all right, she began to fear it wasn't real. Just to make sure she hugged Nikki tighter, and held onto Kyle's hand tighter just to make sure they don’t disappear. She would die if she woke up to find it was just a dream.

Chapter Six: Been down that Road Before


"Momma? whats wrong with Auntie Ashee?" Seth asked, as he walked into the room. He had heard all of the yelling from down the hall in his room.

"She had a nightmare honey, she'll be okay." Seth crawled onto the bed and sat in Kyle's lap where he stared at Ashley in so much sadness.

"Ashee scareded?" He asked, as he has so much concern in his voice. Ashley couldn't help but smile a little bit, as she always thought Seth was one of the cutest little boys shes ever seen.

"Not anymore."

"Are you sure?" He asked worriedly.

"Very sure." Ashley reassured him. "Besides, how could I be scared when i've got a brave little boy like you in here to protect me?" Seth smiled really big, and Kyle chuckled a bit.

"Momma and Daddy fight all the bad guys away for me, I could do the same for you if I tried..."

"Awww," Nikki laughed.

"Aww thanks kiddo, I appreciate that a lot." Ashley replied, and she leaned down and kissed his cheek, and Seth beamed proudly. The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes, Nikki still with her arms wrapped around Ashley, and Kyle hadn't let go of her hand the entire time that he had taken a hold of it.

"Where is Daddy at Momma, did he go home?" Seth asked sadly.

"No baby, he just ran to the store really quick. He will be back."

"Why'd he go to the store?"

"He had to pick up a few things--we're having a small party tonight." Seth's eyes lit up in excitement.

"What kind of party?"

"A pool party." Seth grinned really big now.

"I wanna swim, do I gets to swim Momma?"

"Of course," She replied, while laughing at his excitement. Nikki thought for a couple of minutes, than she looked down at me.

"Why don't you change into some of your new clothes Ash? The ones you're wearing now are all sweaty and gross from that nightmare you had."

"I was planning on it."

"All right, than we'll leave you alone to do that." Kyle replied, while getting up from the bed. Nikki let go of me and got up too, and she took Seth from Kyle's arms and into her own hugging him tight, while kissing his forehead. The two of them left the room shutting the door behind them.

"Momma can I watch Finding Nemo?" Seth asked, as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Uh huh." She answered, and went and sat Seth on the couch before putting Finding Nemo in the DVD player.

"You like Ashley, dont you Seth?" Nikki asked, as she turns and looks at Seth with a small smile on her face.

"Yes, lots momma. Shes pretty!" Kyle who was busy cleaning up his Dr Pepper mess, but was still listening laughed a bit.

"That she is buddy, that she is." Seth beamed proudly, than he turned and looked at the TV to watch his favorite disney movie ever. Nikki followed her brother into the kitchen with a big smile on her face. As soon as Kyle tossed his empty dr pepper can into the trash and got out a new one he looked at Nikki, and noticed the smile. He raised his eyebrow.

"What?"

"Do YOU like Ashley, Kyle?"

"She's a really great friend." Kyle nodded.

"But you like her more than that."

"Noo..."

"Yesss. You agreed that she was pretty."

"So I can't think shes pretty without just being friends with her?"

"Oh come on Kyle," She laughed. "I know you better than that."

"So what if I do?" Kyle asked, as he blushed a little. "Shes your best friend."

"So? What does that have anything to do with it?"

"Wouldn't you feel weird about me liking your best friend that way?"

"Actually Id be pretty used to it by now."

"Whats that supposed to mean?"

"Ever stop to think that she might feel the same way?"

"She DOES?" Kyle asked, with a sudden hopeful tone in his voice.

"Look into her eyes when she looks at you, Kyle, than you tell me. Look into her heart--you'll be surprised at what you see there." Nikki hinted.

"Hi Ashee!" The two siblings heard Seth greet cheerfully in the other room.

"Hey there buddy," Ashley replied.

"You wanna watch Finding Nemo with me??" Seth asked, with a hopeful tone in his voice.

"Maybe in a while sweetie--I'm gonna go hang out with Nikki and Kyle for awhile."

"Okay," Seth replied, and Ashley went into the kitchen where Nikki and Kyle were at, and had heard the entire thing.

"Hey Ash, I knew that outfit would look great on you." Nikki said, as she has a big smile on her face. Ashley smiled in return. Shes wearing her lime green and black slightly baggy bondage pants and a black racerback tanktop with a lime green skull and crossbones on the top right.

"Wow Ash, you look nice." Kyle added, as he turned and looked at her.

"Thanks." She replied softly, than she went and got a dr pepper from the refridgerator. Kyle noticed how she suddenly got shy, and he smiled a little bit. He remembers Nikki saying earlier that she gets really shy and quiet around the guys she has a crush on. Nikki exchanged her brother an 'I told you so' look, before getting a dr pepper out for herself too.

"So Ash, I told Greg to make sure he didn't forget your hershey bars--I told him you might kill him if he did." Ashley laughed a little bit.

"Ah yes--his ass will be grass. I all ready dont like him enough as it is, if he forgets my hersey bars, he'll be in the dog house for sure." Kyle chuckled a bit.

"I'm just surprised you haven't insulted him all day. Thats pretty impressive."

"I promised Nikki id try to be nice."

"Ah, I see." The three of them were silent for a couple of minutes, until Kyle suddenly broke it again.

"Well its good to see you smiling again-are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, much better."

"Good to hear." Suddenly Greg and Nathan entered the kitchen with a bunch of bags in their hands.

"Hey Greg," Nikki greeted, completely ignoring Nathan.

"Hey." Greg replied, while placing the bags in his hand down on the counter. Nathan did the same thing.

"Hi Nikki," Nathan added, feeling left out that he didnt get a greeting.

"Eh." Nikki replied, while starting to go through the bags to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Ashley giggled a bit, as she was sitting on the counter. She found that very amusing. Kyle only smiled and shook his head.

"Greg suddenly found the pack of hersey bars from the bag--he had gotten a pack instead of just one candy bar. He handed it to Ashley.

"Here you go Ash-enough to last you a life time."

"Wow, pretty impressive Gregory--Thank you." She replied, while smiling sweetly at him, as she knew he doesn't like to be called Gregory. Greg smiled at her, than he turned his back on her and growled quietly to himself, as he continued to help Nikki. Nikki stifled a laugh.

"When is your other friend supposed to be here?" Greg asked.

"I dont know--I can't call her because shes probably on the plane--She'll call when she gets to the airport."

"Should be in a half n hour or so--She lives in Minnesota right?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah."

"Well you got off the phone with her like four hours ago--She started to get ready right away right?"

"Probably."

"Than it should be a half n hour from now or sooner." Nikki was silent for a few minutes before replying.

"Ky, do you think I should invite Matt over?"

"If you feel that you want to." Kyle shrugged. Nikki looked at me.

"What do you think Ash?"

"Well Id kind of like to meet him." Nikki thought for a couple of minutes, and nodded.

"I'll be right back--I'm gonna go over there instead of calling him." She announced.

"Kay" I replied, and she left the kitchen and started toward the front door.

"Where you goin Momma?" we suddenly heard Seth ask.

"I'll be right back sweetie--i'm just going next door to Matt's house."

"Oh okay."

"Ash," Kyle suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Ashley asked, while looking at him in a daze as shes sitting on the counter backed up against the wall hugging her legs to her chest.

"Wanna come help me pick some music out to listen to?"

"Sure!"

All right come on then." She jumped down from the counter and he took her hand in his and led her out of the kitchen. Greg and Nathan exchanged looks, and waited till the door closed behind Kyle and Ashley before they started their teasing.

"Someone is falling hard," Nathan laughed.

"Yeah, but I dont blame him. She makes him smile like theres no tomorrow." Nathan nodded his agreement.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Kyle kept a hold of Ashley's hand as they walked into the living room where Seth is still sitting there watching his movie.

"Now will you watch Finding Nemo wid me Ashee?" Seth asked hopefully.

"Aww, I know I promised you I would, but I'm hanging out with Kyle right now okay? I promise I will watch the movie with you later--or maybe i'll play a game with you in the pool later. Is that okay?" Seth smiled.

"Okay." he agreed. Kyle lead Ashley up the stairs now.

"You're really good with him--he likes you a lot you know." Kyle told Ashley, as he looks down at her and smiles.

"Yeah I know," Ashley answered, while laughing a bit. "I have two little brothers back at home--one of them is just a year older than he is, and the other is the exact same age. I loved and adored them so much. I haven't seen them in over a year though..." Ashley explained sadly.

"How come?" Kyle asked curiously, as he led her into his room and got out his CDs.

"Its a very long and depressing story..." Ashley answered, as she has a sad tone in her voice. Kyle went and sat on his bed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I have time if you want to talk about it."

"You would sit here and listen to me talk about my problems?" Ashley asked, as she couldnt help but smile a little bit.

"Thats what friends are for, right? To be here when you need someone to lean on?" Ashley shrugged.

"I guess."

"Come here," He replied, while motioning for her to sit next to him. She took the offer and sat next to him on the bed. He took her hand in his like he had done earlier when she was crying, and he gently rubbed his finger over it as he looks into her light brown eyes to find so much pain and heartache in them.

"What happened with you and your father? it seems like it really hurt you...."

"It does....considering he didnt want anything to do with me." Ashley answered, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Kyle didnt reply he only sat there looking at her with so much concern in his eyes.

"I used to love my dad so much. I used to want to ALWAYS spend time with him when I was little. I would call him up on the phone and ask him if we could go see a movie, or go to the park, or to the discovery zone, which was an in door amusement park pretty much. We would do all sorts of things together. But then I got a little older and I got tired of being passed back and fourth like a fucking yo-yo. I wanted both of my parents at the sametime, so when I was at my dads everything would be fine one minute, than the next I would start screaming and crying for my mom. He wouldn't let me call her though, because he didnt want her to come pick me up--it was HIS weekend. He also didnt want to see her either. As I got older I stopped wanting to go over there all together. He would call me and say 'Ashley I'm coming to pick you up, its my weekend. I want you to be ready." and I would say "Um, dad I dont want to come over this weekend.' Back then I was afraid to say no to him. He would say to me 'Ashley its my weekend I'm coming to get you.' So I said 'Fine' and hung up, but then I told my mom that I didnt want to go but hes making me. When he got to my house I remember standing out in the parking lot for a half n hour as my parents faught over me. Eventually my dad would win and I would have to go with him. I hated going with him, because he forced me to. He soon re-married to this evil bitch and he started spending less time with me. I would sit on his couch and watch TV all day long and would be bored. He started to sence I was bored, so he talked me into playing soccer. I wasn't too thrilled about it but I figured Id do it anyway so Id have something to do with him. the first year I played soccer he was my assistant coach and the second time he was the real coach. that ended up being a nightmare, because all I was ever tyring to do is impress him it seemed like. I was really bad at soccer to begin with and didn't even want to play but I did it to make him happy for me. But it seemed like he was never happy for me. I was always sitting on the bench. When I did finally get to play I was standing near a goal--little did I know I was standing near the other teams goal. All I wanted to do was score a goal so I could for once make the team happy, and for once make my dad proud of me, so I kicked the ball into the wrong goal. The entire team was laughing at me, including my dad. I was so pissed that I just felt like kicking the ball at his head. After that I was tired of wasting my time on trying to impress him, and I was tired of playing soccer when I was totally bad at it, so I quit. I was also completely scarred for life after that and refused to play sports-even in PE at school I refused. I was always afraid of being laughed at. After I quit soccer I also started to rebel on going over to his house. He always seemd to manage to get his way though, and I grew to hate him so much. Soon he stopped calling me to come over as much, only on birthdays and holidays, or family events. Now that I'm 18 I wasnt afraid to say no to him anymore. When he called me a week before thanks giving he said 'why dont you ask your mom what time you're having dinner over there on thanks giving--i'm going to pick you up and take you to Grandmas.' I told him "First of all, my mom isn't here. Second of all, I dont want to spend thanks giving iwth you this year. ' and he says 'Oh you don't?" and sounded pissed and I said 'Nope.' 'So you just want us to count you out this thanks giving?' and my reply was 'Isn't that what you've been doing this entire fucking year??' and hung up on him. Every holiday after that I refused to answer the phone, and he refused to pay child support after that. I haven't spoken to him since thanks giving, and he refuses to pay child support and even said he didnt want anything to do with me. I was so upset when I found this out that I went into a deep depression. I locked myself in my room for two weeks and cried. I refused to come out." Ashley explained the entire story the best that she could remember it.

"I can relate to you on that kind of....my dad never wanted anything to do with me either, unless it was because I had done something wrong...he was abusive, and was always beating on me and Nikki...me the most--I always managed to get it WAY worse than her..." Kyle replied, as tears formed in his eyes at his own problem. Ashley took both of his hands in hers and scooted closer to him.

"I know...Nikki told me." Ashley replied, as she turns his hands over looking at the cuts on his wrists when he had tried to kill himself--Remembering Nikki had told her about her one time walking in on him when he was about to kill himself, because of the pain and horror he had gone through with his father. Ashley gently rubbed her fingers over the cuts, as she looks into his eyes.

"I have them too... i've been down that road." She informed him, while showing him hers. "My step father and Brandi yelling and screaming at me, my mom never paying attention to me or spending time with me, my dad, my low self esteem....the anger I had from all of that....I took it all out on myself." Kyle looked into her teary light brown eyes, as he tucks a strand of her dark red hair back behind her ear.

"Do you still cut? Do you still do this to yourself?" He asked gently.

"No...but I often come REALLY close to doing it....when I am really upset and hurt about something, the razor it just starts calling for me....and I fight against it SO hard. I've gotten a lot stronger, but its still REALLY hard..."

"Don't do it. Stay strong okay? Nikki and I are here, you dont ever have to be hurt or upset again." He reassured me. "Its not worth it. You dont deserve this. If you wont stop for yourself, do it for me...please?"

"I promise i'll try..." Kyle looked into her eyes for a few minutes, as he gently caresses her cheek with his finger, than he pulled her in for a hug. The two of them hugged for a few minutes, than when they pulled away they sat in silence for awhile, until he suddenly broke it.

"Anyway...we should probably get back down there before they start sending search parties." He said with a small smile on his face, and Ashley giggled a bit. "Yes, because this house is just SO big--one of us are just able to get lost REAL easily." He chuckled a bit, while grabbing his CD case.

"Well, you just never know." He then opened up his Cd case and began to look through it.

"What CD should we listen to?" He asked. Ashley began to look through the CDs too.

"How about Hoobastank?" She asked, while looking up at him.

"Sounds good to me." He agreed, and grabbed the CD. He put the rest away, than he got up and took her hand in his and he pulled her up from the bed. Keeping a hold of her hand he lead her back downstairs to let everyone know they're still alive.

Chapter Seven:


"Where have you two been this entire time?" Nikki questioned, as Ashley and Kyle come down the stairs still holding hands. She raised her eyebrow in curiousity.

"Looking at CDs." Ashley answered, while shrugging her shoulders. She suddenly saw a really tall guy who looks to be about 6'0. Hes got dark brown, almost black hair and really light brown eyes. Hes muscular, but not big time muscular. Hes sitting on the couch next to Nikki. Nikki noticed Ashley looking at him, and suddenly remembered hes there.

"Ashley this is my best friend Matt--You've met him over the internet so he shouldn't be too much of a stranger. Matt thats Ashley--Do you really need an introduction?"

"Ha, no. Everyone has heard of the famous Ashley around here." Ashley smiled a bit.

"Famous huh?" Ashley asked in disbelief.

"Well as much as Nik talked about you, you'd think so."

"Heh, I'm not that special." Ashley replied, as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Yes you're!" Kyle and Nikki both said at the sametime.

"Very special." Kyle repeated. "Low self esteems are unexceptable in this house for now on, I forbid it." He demanded lightly.

"Heh, guess I better leave then huh?"

"No, because we offer rehabilitation." He answered with a small smile on his face, and Ashley couldn't help but giggle. Nikki smiled and shook her head. Ashley subconciously kept a hold of Kyle's hand as she went and sat on a couch, and he sat next to her.

"So what CD did you two decide on?" Greg asked.

"Hoobastank," Kyle answered and since Seth isn't watching his movie anymore Kyle got up and went and put the CD in.

"Ashley picked it out actaully." He corrected, as he comes back and sits next to Ashley again. Without thinking he again took her hand into his, and he laced his fingers with his.

"Ashee." Seth suddenly said, as hes sitting in Greg's lap drawing on a piece of paper.

"Yeah buddy?" Ashley asked, as she smiles sweetly at him.

"How do you spell 'Ashee'?"

"A-s-h-e-e," Ashley answered, spelling it out to him slowly as he wrote it down on paper the best that he could. He then continued to draw.

"What are you drawing Seth?" Nikki asked curiously.

"A picture for Ashee-its a surprise."

"Awww," Nikki replied, while looking at Ashley and smiling. they sat around talking for awhile, than Seth crawled down from Greg's lap and went and crawled into Ashley's lap instead.

"Look at what I made you Ashee." He said, while holding his drawing out to her. She took the drawing and turned it over to see a very colorful picture of him and Ashley standing together holding hands. To her surprise they actually weren't stick figures, and Greg had helped him write To Ashee, Love Seth on it.

"Awww Seth thats a very beautiful drawing. Thank you." Seth smiled proudly, and Ashley pulled him into a hug.

"You're very sweet."

"I wanna see! Ashley can I see?" Nikki asked, as she was extremely hyper now. Ashley passed the drawing over to Nikki having to reach over Matt to do so.

"Awww Seth, this is very nice of you." Seth beamed proudly at his mothers compliment. Suddenly Nikki's cell phone rang and she turned it on.

"Hey Steph where are you?"

"We just arrived at the airport."

"Okay Ash and I, and possibly some others will come pick you up so just hang out for awhile."

"Okay cool."

"Bye Stephee."

"Bye." Nikki hung up the phone and looked at everyone.

"Who all is coming with me?"

"Me!" I answered.

"Well yeah I figured." Nikki answered, as she smiled and rolled her eyes. Ashley giggled.

"Who else is going besides my giggling friend over there?"

"I love it when she giggles, and yeah I'm coming." Kyle replied, as he wraps Ash in his arms and hugs her tight.

"Why don't we all just go?" Matt asked.

"Not all is going to fit hon," Nikki answered. "One more person is all we can fit."

"I'll go," Greg replied.

"We can't leave Matt and Nathan here alone, they'll kill each other." Nikki laughed.

"Nah, I'll just go home and come back when you guys come back." Matt replied.

"All right sounds good to me." Nikki replied, as she got up and picked Seth up.

"You're coming with baby." Seth smiled and rested his head against her shoulder.

"Ash come with me to get my keys upstairs." Nikki said.

"Okay," Ashley replied, knowing Nikki wants to talk to her about something in private. She followd her upstairs to her room.

"So whats going on with you and Ky, are you a couple now or something?"

"No so far just friends."

"Doesn't look like it," Nikki laughed. "Whats with you two always holding hands?" Ashley shrugged.

"Sometimes I dont even realize I'm holding his hand. Its okay with you right? I mean he is your little brother and all."

"yeah I'm okay with it. You're in love I wouldn't ruin that for you. You're a cute couple. Besides, its not like you're having sex or anything." Nikki replied, as she grabs her keys and follows Ashley back downstairs as she still has Seth in her arms. Once downstairs they found Greg and Kyle waiting outside by the car. The two guys immediatly grew quiet when Nikki and Ashley walked out the door, which means they were talking about either Ashley or Nikki. Most likely Ashley and Kyle, considering thats everybodys favorite topic lately. Nikki handed Seth to Greg.

"Buckle Seth up for me please." Greg did as she requested and sat Seth in the middle seat and helped him with his seat belt. As soon as he did that he sat next to him, and kyle and Ashley sat in the front seat with Nikki.

"Nikki, Nikki, Nikki!" Ashley suddenly said in excitement. Nikki laughed, as did Kyle.

"Too much Dr Pepper Ash." Kyle said.

"Ashee, Ashee, Ashee!" Nikki replied, mocking her best friends excitement.

"Can we blast some music pleeeeeeeease its so QUIET in here." Nikki laughed and turned on the stereo, causing Good Charlotte to come out of the speakers, and she turned it up loud.

"Yay!" Ashley exclaimed, while excitedly bouncing around in her seat, and Seth laughed in the backseat. Kyle shook his head smiling.

"Okay, who put WHAT in her Dr Pepper?"

"Well you never know with Nathan man, he could've done some sweet little revenge when no one was looking." Greg answered in the back seat.

"Oh man," Kyle laughed.

"Nah, I dont think he did. Shes naturally like this. She can often get REALLY hyper when shes around people that she knows she can be herself with." Nikki explained. Everyone was silent as they listened to Good Charlotte, and Ashley quietly head banged to the music every now and then, really enjoying herself. Suddenly they got backed up in traffic, and people next to them began to stare. Kyle laughed.

"Ash, people are staring at you."

"Oh really?" She asked, while stopping what shes doing. Nikki laughed.

"Uh-Oh....this aint good." Ashley looked out the window and saw an old lady giving her weird looks.

"Haha," Ashley laughed, than she crawled into Kyle's lap as hes sitting next to the window.

"Uh-Oh," Nikki said again. Ashley suddenly pressed her nose to the window and made a goofy face, and the lady next to them scowled in disgust.

"Hehe YEAH! How does it feel to have someone giving you dirty looks!" Ashley laughed. She stuck her tongue out at the old lady, and the old lady rolled down her window in disgust.

"You Stupid Punk!" She yelled out the window, sending Nikki, Greg, Kyle, and Ashley into a fit of laughter. Ashley gave her the finger, and suddenly Nikki got to move up one.

"Bout time we got rid of that up-tight lady, Geez." Ashley said, and Kyle laughed.

"You're crazy Ash." Ashley smiled sweetly at him.

"Thank you, I take that as a compliment." She then looked out the window again as she remains sitting in Kyle's lap and noticed they're now next to a really hot guy around his 20's.

"Oohhh now this is what I'm talking about--Try to stay next to him the entire time, Nik hes gorgous!" Nikki laughed.

"I'll see what I can do hon."

"He looks more like a pretty-boy to me--He looks like he should be in one of those boy-bands." Kyle replied in disgust.

"You've got a problem with boy bands mister?" Ashley asked, while looking at Kyle with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes I do." He answered, while bravely looking into the eyes of the one he loves.

"Don't go dissing my Backstreet Boys, sir, or you'll be in the dogee house." Kyle laughed.

"I'll never understand how you and Nik can like all these rock bands, and dress all hardcore punk/gothic, and still manage to like the Backstreet Boys."

"Well let me explain, if you're so confused--You shouldn't diss something unless you understand what you're dissing." Kyle chuckled a bit.

"Okay, Go ahead, explain it to me."

"I've loved and adored the Backstreet Boys for six years. They've been a big impact on my life, and have helped me get through MANY things, and you know what some of those MANY things are, so I dont feel that I should repeat it. They've also been a big inspiration on my writing--without them, I dont think I would be the writer that I am today. When I'm hurt, sad, or upset or all of the above or whatever I turn their music on and it immediatly washes away all of my pain. The Backstreet Boys have been there for me when no one else was. Yeah, I'm a really hardcore punk/gothic person, and I love the Backstreet Boys. I dont care. I dont care what people think. Because I feel that being punk or gothic isn't just about the music you listen to. You don't have to listen to JUST punk rock to be a punk, I listen to all different kinds of music--I love music. Its a big part of my life. I'll listen to Rock, Punk Rock, Some heavy metal stuff, Pop, country, hell I even listen to Jazz when i'm bored enough! to me, Punk isn't just about the music. Its about whats in YOUR heart, what YOU believe in. Not caring what other people think of you, and not caring about what the trends are, or being popular. All you care about is being YOURSELF, dressing the way YOU want to dress, having YOUR OWN style and fighting for what you believe in. Thats what punk really is. To me, no one is a poser. If you have the ability to love music, to fight for what you believe in, than you're a punk." Kyle didnt reply, he only stared into Ashley's light brown eyes with so much love in his own.

"Now go ahead. Make fun of me for liking boy bands--lets see what you've got--i'm waiting. Lets hear it. Because in the end I REALLY don't care." Kyle still didnt say anything.

"Thats what I thought."

"Damn Ash...You should be on a debate team with that topic--you'd kick ass." Greg said from the back seat. Ashley smiled.

"Yeah I agree." Kyle nodded. "And no, I'm not going to make fun of you. Why anyone would make fun of you is beyond me." Kyle added, his voice being real gentle and soft when he did. He placed his hand to Ashley's cheek and gently caressed it, as he looks into her light brown eyes. Ashley stared back into his dark blue eyes for a couple of minutes, than she looked out the window again as she remained in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist as shes now sitting with her back turned on him, and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Anyway, I thought you got really quiet and shy around the guys you have a crush on." Kyle spoke after a few minutes of silence.

"I do," Ashley replied, while looking back at him, once again looking into his eyes that she finds herself getting lost in, ever so easily.

"You didnt act like it earlier--you announced pretty boldy that the dude in the car next to us was gorgous."

"Just because I think hes gorgous, doesn't mean I had a crush on him--I don't even know the guy. I was messing around."

"Oh," Kyle replied, and everyone in the car can now tell he was extremely jealous earlier, and that is why he made fun of him. Inculding Ashley could tell. Ashley leaned back against his chest as shes sitting in his lap still, and she rested the back of her head against his shoulder. She took his arms and wrapped them more around her waist, and she looked up at him. She again stared into his beautiful eyes for a few minutes, and as she did she found the jealousy in them. She looked back out the window, and couldn't help but smile to herself. Shes never had anyone be jealous over her before and it felt good. She now knew for sure that Kyle likes her and thats all shes wanted to know all day.

Chapter Eight:


They soon arrived at the airport and Nikki parked the car in the parking lot. Everyone got out of the car, Greg cradling a sleeping Seth who had fallen asleep during the quiet that they had after Kyle had gotten jealous.

"Two naps in one day....its going to be REALLY hard to get him to sleep tonight you know." Nikki informed Greg, as everyone walks toward the entrance of the airport.

"Yeah I know," Greg sighed. "I'll do it so you don't have to okay?" He asked, while looking at her as they walk side by side ahead of Kyle and Ashley.

"Thanks." She replied. Greg nodded his responce, and went to wrap an arm around her but she stepped away.

"No. I'm being nice to you--why would you want to ruin it?" Greg sighed, as he wrapped both of his arms around Seth and kissed the top of his head as he holds him close. He loves Nikki, he really does, and hes sorry for what he had done. Hes really sorry, and he would do anything to prove it to her. All he wants is for the two of them to be together--not just for them, but for Seth too. He knows Seth gets upset sometimes that he can only have one parent at a time sometimes, and it just tears his heart in two that he has to suffer through that. But he also knows its his own fault. If he hadn't been so controlling with Nikki they would still be together. If he hadnt' been so jealous all the time, and hadn't raised his hand and almost hit her, they would still be together. He understands perfectly why she wont let him near her. He understands its his fault. But he couldn't help it. He loves her. The only reason he acted so jealous is because he loves her, and he was afraid of losing her. As soon as we got inside the airport we got in the elevator and Kyle pressed floor two. Once up there we began to walk around, as Nikki took out her cell phone and began to dial Steph's number.

"Hey Steph, we're at the airport--sorry it took so long, we got stuck in traffic. Where are you?" Nikki asked into the phone.

~*~*~*~*~


"Hey," Ashley said softly, as she went up beside kyle who was leaning against the railing looking down at the many people on floor one, but he wasn't even paying attention to them. He was staring off into a daze, that was suddenly interrupted when he heard Ashley's voice. He looked at her with a soft and gentle look.

"Hey," He replied.

"Whats the matter? You look like you have a lot on your mind." She asked, while scooting closer to him and wrapping her arm around him.

"Nothing...just thinking about stuff. Its not important."

"Oh..." She replied, while looking at him with so much concern in her eyes. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm here you know..." Kyle shook his head in responce.

"Like I said, its not important." He replied, and then walked away. Greg who was near by and listening saw the hurt in Ashley's eyes as Kyle sort of snapped at her, and he went over to him.

"Hey... whats your problem? Thats the first time i've seen you snap at her all day you're usually very gentle with her."

"I didn't mean to..." Kyle sighed, as he rakes his fingers through his dark brown hair before sitting down in a near by chair. Greg sat next to him.

"I just have a lot on my mind...kind of have a headache from it. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time..."

"Whats on your mind? It obviously is important, so dont tell me its not. I won't leave you alone until you tell me." Greg demanded lightly. Kyle sighed and looked away for a few minutes, not saying a word.

"Is it Ashley?" Greg asked. Kyle suddenly looked at him again, and he nodded.

"You got pretty jealous earlier when she said that dude in the other car was hot, huh." Kyle shrugged.

"Why would I get jealous of a loser like him? She doesn't even know him!"

"Kyle." Greg replied, knowing him better than that. Kyle sighed and nodded.

"Big time jealous."

"Why? like you said, She doesn't even know him."

"Because I want her to think I'M the one thats hot, not some stranger. I like her Greg, if you know me so well you would know that!" Greg chuckled a bit.

"Do you really think I didn't know that?" Kyle shrugged his responce. "EVERYONE knows that. Everyone's known that even when you just talked to her over the internet. She makes you happy--she makes you smile like theres no tomorrow. No one EVER sees you smile like that unless shes mentioned, or around, or something. Its extremely obvious, and you know what? She feels the same way, so why don't you just tell her how you feel?"

"How do you know she feels the same way? How do you know she doesn't just like me as a friend."

"Oh come on, you're being a huge blonde right now. THATS even MORE obvious than you!" Greg laughed. "Have you looked into her eyes lately? Have you not been paying attention to how she acts around you? Before you took her up to your room to look at CDs earlier and became REALLY close with her she was acting VERY Shy and quiet around you, and you know she gets shy and quiet around the guys she loves. She didnt get shy and quiet around the dude in the car, Shes certainly not shy and quiet around Me or Nathan. Only YOU. She also only giggles at the things YOU say, and she hasn't left your side at all until now when you snapped at her. How many more clues do you need? She also sat in your lap the ENTIRE ride here when she didnt even have to, she did it just so she could be closer to you." Kyle didnt reply, he only looked down at the ground.

"Don't worry dude, you've got her. Now all you have to do is tell her how you feel. Unless of course you want to sit here and feel sorry for yourself than you can do that too. But if I were you I would choose to tell her, because you deserve her she makes you happy, and she deserves you because if you haven't noticed YOU make her happy too, and according to Nikki that doesnt happen very often. Shes a great girl and deserves all the happiness in the world, and thats coming from someone she doesnt like too well. Think about it." Greg added, than he got up and walked away carrying Seth as he went over to Nikki who had just got off the phone with Stephanie.

"Kyle come on, I know where they're at!" Nikki called to her brother. Kyle got up and went over to Nikki, Greg, and Ashley, but he trailed behind them, as he was just thinking about what Greg had said. Ashley walked up next to Nikki being extremely hurt that Kyle had snapped at her.

"Hey Ash...whats wrong? why aren't you walking with Ky?" Nikki asked all confused. Ashley didnt reply, all she did was wrap her arm around Nikki's waist and rest her head against her shoulder. Nikki can tell shes been hurt, and was sensing its Kyle who had done it. She looked back at her brother with a not very friendly look, and mouthed 'What the hell did you do to her' to him. He didnt reply, all he did was look down at the ground concentrating on the lines in the carpet.

"Before you yell at him, I think you better listen to the facts." Greg warned. Nikki didn't reply she only wrapped both of her arms around Ashley, as she looks down at her.

"Whats the matter hon? Did Kyle do something to upset you?" Ashley nodded, as tears roll down her cheek.

"What? Tell me."

"He snapped at me." Ashley sniffled. Nikki thought for a couple of minutes, than she stopped.

"Greg, they're waiting by Gate B109. You take Ash and go find them."

"I want to stay with you--I dont want to go with him." Ashley whined.

"Ash, you know what Steph looks like. Please go with him, I want to talk to Kyle alone for a few minutes." Nikki explained. Ashley sighed, and turned to follow Greg to B109. Greg kept his distance from her respecting the fact that she didn't want to be near him. Once they arrived at Gate B109 Ashley immediatly saw Stephanie sitting next to a guy about her age. Hes got short spikey brown hair, and brown eyes, and hes about 5'11. Ashley assumes that its John.

"STEPHEEE!" Ashley exclaimed in excitement, as she went running toward her.

"ASHEEEE!" Stephanie replied, as she got up and opened her arms just on time for Ashley to come flying into them and hug her tight. Stephanie returned her hug.

"Its SO Good to see you in person!" Stephanie said with a big smile on her face, as she hugs her friend tight.

"Yeah I know, its great." Once Ashley pulled away she looked at John.

"And you must be John. Hello John, I'm Ashley." She introduced herself.

"Hey Ash, its nice to meet you--Steph talks about you A LOT." Ashley smiled a little bit.

"All good things I hope?"

"Theres nothing bad to say about you Ashee." Stephanie replied.

"Sure there is." Ashley insisted. Stephanie scowled.

"Now stop it. You know thats not true." Ashley stuck her tongue out at Stephanie, and Stephanie did the same.

"Anyway, where is Nikki?"

"Talking to the asshole known as her brother."

"Jim?"

"No, Kyle." Ashley answered, while crossing her arms in anger. Stephanie raised her eyebrow.

"The 'Beautiful' Kyle that you never stop talking about?"

"Yup."

"Um...okay... what happened?"

"kyle had a headache and a lot on his mind and accidentally snapped at her and it upset her pretty bad." Greg explained.

"Oh..." Stephanie replied, while looking at Greg being confused on who he is.

"Oh, and thats ass face Greg." Ashley Introduced. She was in a far too bad of a mood to be nice to him anymore.

"Yes, I am ass face Greg--Its nice to meet you." Greg said. He didnt mind that Ashley had called him that. He knows its because shes extremely upset at the moment. Stephanie laughed a bit.

"Nice to meet you too Greg. Awwww, and that must be Seth." Stephanie said, as she suddenly noticed Seth still sleeping as Greg cradled him.

"Yeah, he fell asleep in the car on the way here, and has been out ever since."

"Awww." Suddenly Nikki and Kyle walked up to them, and Ashley looked away from Kyle stubbornly, as he looked at her.

"Hey Stephee!" Nikki said cheerfully, and she pulled her friend into a hug.

"Nikkiiiii!" stephanie replied in the same cheerful mood, as she returned her hug.

"How are you?"

"Pretty good--you?"

"Same, except I had just got done yelling at my brother, but you know, whats new?" Nikki smiled. Stephanie laughed a bit.

"Yeah, I heard what happened from a very upset Ashley, and from Greg."

"Ah."

"Yeah."

"Anyway, do you have bags that we need to get?"

"Yeah the both of us do."

"Okay cool. Lets go get them then." The six of them began to walk to the baggage claim. Once there Stephanie and John began to look for their bags, and Ashley went and leaned up against the wall, as a tear rolled down her cheek. She crossed her arms, and still wasn't very happy at all. Kyle snapping at her had torn her heart out and ripped it in two. Kyle who noticed this looked at her for a couple of minutes, and he saw the tears causing his heart to melt. He really didnt mean to snap at her. He sighed, than he went over to her. Nikki saw this happening and began to watch closely. Ashley saw him coming and was about to walk away, but Kyle grabbed her gently by the hand.

"Ashley please." He said softly, than he pulled her back and gently pushed her back up against the wall. She looked down as even more tears roll down her cheek.

"Haven't you hurt me enough? or do you think I need to be yelled at even more? You know, thats kind of what I came here to get away from if you didnt quite understand that."

"I'm not going to yell at you again...I just want to apologize. Will you let me apologize? Please?" Ashley didn't reply, she only continued to look down at the ground. He looked at her for a couple of minutes, than he placed his finger to her chin, and gently tilted her head back so shes looking him in the eyes. He looked into her teary brown eyes with so much love in his own.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you. I didn't mean to. I just had a headache and a lot on my mind and you just happened to be there at the wrong place and the wrong time. I didn't mean to take it out on you, and I promise to god I will never do it again. Will you please forgive me?" She looked deep into his dark blue eyes and just as always got lost in them. She can't help but give into him, she cares about him too much to stay mad at him for very long. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close, and he wrapped his arms around her in return and hugged her tight. She rested her head against his chest. After awhile she looked up at him as she still holds him close and he wiped the tears away with his finger. He smiled gently at her causing her to smile in return.

"Come on lets go join the others," He said softly. He kept her wrapped in his arms as he brought her back to the group. As soon as John and Stephanie had their bags everyone went back down to the first floor, and out to Nikki's car. Nikki opened the back trunk, and Stephanie and John put their bags in there.

"Ash, you're going to have to sit in Kyle's lap. Theres not enough room in the car for everyone to have their own seat." Nikki explained.

"Okay," Ashley replied not having a problem with that at all.

"Steph, wanna sit in the front?" Nikki asked.

"Yeah." Stephanie answered, and she crawled into the middle seat in the front. Greg buckled Seth who was now awake in the back seat, and then him and John crawled in the back on both sides of him. Kyle sat in the front passengers seat next to Stephanie, and he took Ashley's hand in his and gently pulled her into his lap. He shut the door, and she curled up in his embrace resting her head against his chest. He put his seat belt on the both of them. Kyle rested his chin on her shoulder as he stared out the window just thinking about things. Ashley remained silent the whole ride back to the house, as she was just happy to have Kyle holding her close. She just wants to be near him, thats the only thing that makes her happy. By the time they arrived at the house it was 6:30.

"What should we do about dinner, Ky?" Nikki asked, as everyone walked into the house, including Matt who had saw them pulling into the drive way and come out of his house. They walked in to find Nathan sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Why dont we order a pizza?" Kyle suggested.

"Okay."

"Momma can we go swimmin now?" Seth asked hopefully. Nikki smiled a bit.

"Ask your daddy if he'll take you." Seth looked up at Greg as hes holding him.

"Daddy?"

"Of course buddy. Come on lets go get your swim suit on." He replied, as he carried him up the stairs. Seth smiled happily, as he rested his head against Greg's shoulder.

"So... Seth is yours and Greg's kid?" John asked Nikki curiously. Nikki nodded her responce.

"Yeah, I had him when I was 13...hes five years old." She answered, while being afraid he would be like a lot of people and immediatly not like her after he finds out about Seth.

"Well thats cool...I just thought he was your brother at first."

"Yeah... a lot of people do."

"I want to go swimming too." Ashley suddenly spoke, after what seemed like an hour.

"Okay--I'll join you all in awhile, I'm just going to order the pizza." Nikki replied. Ashley let go of Kyle's hand and went upstairs to change into her new bathing suit that she had bought at the mall earlier that day. A lime green bikinni.

"Come on Steph and John--I'll show you to your guys' rooms if you want to get changed into your swim suits too." Nikki said, while leading them up the stairs. Kyle followed them, but went into his own room to change into his swim suit. By the time Ashley came downstairs she was wearing her bikinni, and everyone else was outside wearing swim suits and ready to swim. Kyle was all ready in the water, as well as Seth and Greg.

"Ashee you promised me you'd play a game with me when we went swimmin later." Seth reminded Ashley.

"Thats right I did. What do you want to play?" Ashley asked, as she got into the water. She spent a half n hour playing with Seth like she had promised, than when the pizza came everyone got out of the water.

"Here Ash, sit down. I'll get you your pizza for you." Kyle said gently. He took her hand and brought her to the lounge chair and helped her sit down.

"Ky, you dont have to you know..." Ashley replied.

"I want to. Its the least I can do after breaking your heart earlier. What kind of pizza do you like? Cheese or Pepperoni?"

"Pepperoni."

"One or two?"

"One please." Kyle went into the house, and soon everyone came out here but him.

"Hey Ash, aren't you hungry? How come you aren't getting any pizza?" Stephanie asked, while sitting next to me on the lounge chair.

"Ky insisted on getting it for me."

"Aww thats sweet of him." Ashley nodded. Nikki went and sat on the other side of Ashley, and the three girls began a conversation. Soon Kyle came out with two plates in his hand and two dr peppers. He went and handed Ashley her pizza and dr pepper.

"Thank you," She said, while looking up at him and smiling a little bit.

"Your welcome." He replied, than he went and sat with Greg, Nathan, Matt, and John.

"So are you and Ashley dating, Kyle?" John asked curiously.

"No, not yet."

"Sure looks like it though, doesn't it." Nathan replied, as hes got a grin on his face. John nodded his responce.

"He likes her, and she likes him, but nothing other than friends has happened between them so far." Greg explained.

"Ah, I see."


~*~*~*~*~


"So, Steph, how was your trip from Minnesota to Ohio with Johnny boy over there?" Nikki asked, as she helped Seth open his soda because he was having troubles.

"It was okay--He slept half the way, than we played uno the rest of the way--nothing special."

"Ah, well you two aren't leaving Ohio without him asking you out." Ashley insisted.

"I see, and just how do you plan on getting him to do that?" Stephanie asked, with a small smile on her face.

"You just watch--it'll happen." Nikki laughed. Ashley finished up eating her pizza, than she sat there listening to Stephanie and Nikki talk, as she sits there hugging her legs close to her chest with her chin rested on her knee. She sat there listening for awhile, than she noticed Kyle get up from his chair and get into the water. Ashley sat there watching him swim for awhile as she has a dazed expression on her face. After awhile Nikki and Steph noticed she wasn't talking and looked at her.

"Ash? Whats wrong?" Nikki asked.

"Nothing." Ashley answered, while not even looking at her.

"Obviously its something if you aren't talking." Stephanie replied. Nikki followed Ashley's gaze, and suddenly noticed she was staring at Kyle longingly. She laughed a bit.

"Ah I see."

"What?" Stephanie asked all confused. Nikki motioned for Stephanie to look toward the pool. Stephanie did as she said and saw Kyle leaning against the wall that seperated the hot tub and the swimming pool, and hes just staring off into space.

"Oohh," stephanie laughed. Nikki shook her head smiling.

"Hon, why don't you just go talk to him?" Ashley looked at Nikki suddenly. "Unless you like to sit here and stare at him and wish you were with him." Ashley looked at him for a couple of minutes, than she got up went and got in the pool. She swam up beside Kyle, and he looked at her curiously.

"Hey..."

"Hey." He replied.

"Whats on your mind?"

"Nothing..."

"Come on Ky...tell me." Ashley begged. "Its killing me that I dont know." Kyle looked at her for a couple of minutes, than he took her hand and swam behind the corner where no one else can hear them, but they can see them.

"I guess I'm just kind of jealous....thats all."

"Jealous of what?" Ashley asked softly.

"The guy that you announced was gorgous in the other car earlier...." Kyle answered.

"Why would you be jealous of him? I don't understand...."

"Because I like you Ashley....A LOT." Kyle finally confessed. "Okay? I like you...and it kills me so much knowing that you think someone else other than me is gorgous--a complete stranger."

"Aww...Kyle..." Ashley replied softly.

"See, I knew I shouldn't have told you, I knew you dont feel the same way." Kyle replied, an angered tone in his voice. He started to swim away, but Ashley grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

"Kyle wait." He looked at her curiously, and she gently pushed his back up against the wall.

"First of all, that dude in the car that I announced was gorgous, I didnt even have a clue who he was. Second of all, hes around 25 or 26 years old--I'm 18--thats WAY older than me. I was just messing around. Third of all, and most importantly, if you haven't noticed the only one I find gorgous around here is you." Ashley explained, the last part in a very soft tone. "You have nothing to be jealous about. My heart belongs to you Kyle, I'm just waiting for you to claim it. Weather you claim it or not...that part is completely up to you. So if you like me, what are you waiting for?" Kyle looked at her for a couple of minutes, than he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close. He placed his hand to her cheek gently caressing it, as he looks into her light brown eyes with so much love in his own. He stood there staring into her eyes for a few minutes, than he leaned down and captured her lips with his in a gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and returned his kiss making it deeper.

"Dude, you guys, look at Kyle and Ashley." Matt said quietly, as they had joined Nikki and Stephanie. Everyone looked where Ashley and Kyle are, and saw them sharing their first kiss.

"Aww..." Stephanie said smiling.

"Its about damn time!" Nikki replied. "Geez." Everyone laughed at Nikki's comment, than they went back to eating their pizza and pretending they hadn't seen anything at all.

Chapter Nine: Never Underestimate a short person


After what seemed like ten minutes that Ashley pulled away from Kyle's kiss, She smiled up at him sweetly. He chuckled a bit, as he rested his forehead against hers, and wraps his arms around her waist pulling her close.

"What are you smiling for?" He asked her.

"I don't know....you just really make me happy." She answered softly, as she shrugs her shoulders. He smiled too, as she told him that.

"Good. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I'm glad I cause it." Ashley brought a hand up and began to gently rake her fingers through his wet dark brown hair, as she stares into his beautiful blue eyes that she loves so much. She placed her hand to his cheek and brought his lips down on hers for another soft kiss before again looking into his eyes.

"You deserve happiness too."

"Well you keep being as beautiful and sweet as you're, and i'll be forever happy." Ashley smiled even bigger at what he said, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he had moved into the deeper part of the water where she can't feel the ground, but he can, considering hes 5'11 and shes only 5'0.

"Whats the matter? can't touch the ground anymore baby?" He teased.

"You're a meanie." She pouted. He laughed at her pouting and placed gentle kisses on her forehead.

"I'm kidding honey, don't be sad." She smirked, as she now had an evil plot, and he noticed the evil look in her eyes right away.

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing baby, why would I be up to something?"

"I dont know...you tell me." She shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm not up to anything Ky, don't worry." He looked into her eyes for a couple of minutes not being sure if he can believe that.

"....Okay." She again brought his lips down on hers for a passionate kiss. He moaned softly at the intense kiss she was giving him, and immediatly relaxed forgetting about the evil look in his girlfriends eyes. Just as soon as she pulled away she playfully dunked him under water.

"Hey!" He whined, once he had come up and Ashley just giggled.

"Thats it, you're going to pay for that!" As soon as she saw that he was serious, Ashley screamed and began to swim away from him, and he went after her. Nikki who had saw the entire thing laughed.

"Run Ashee!" Ashley soon reached the side of the pool and she tried jumping up, but since the side walk is wet she only slipped back into the pool. Kyle was catching up to her and almost grabbed her, but suddenly someone grabbed a hold of her hands and pulled her out of the water. She looked up to see it was Greg. As soon as Greg put her down on the ground Ashley continued to run not caring if it was Greg who had helped her up. At this point she was just thankful he was on her side. Kyle Jumped out of the pool having an easier time than Ashley, and continued to run after her. He chased her around the pool once not catching her at all, than she ran into the house after grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her and he grabbed a towel too and went in after her. Nikki shook her head smiling as she looked at everyone else.

"Those two are crazy."

"Yeah--the perfect couple." Matt laughed.

~*~*~*~*~

Ashley who was still running from Kyle ran up the stairs and into Nikki's room. She was about to shut the door, but Kyle dove into the room before she could. Ashley screamed, and went running toward the side door where his room is at, but he grabbed her hand. She screamed once more. He was about to pick her up, but she dropped to the ground and crawled under his legs.

"Hey!" Kyle whined once more, and Ashley just giggled and jumped to her feet and started running again. He turned around and went after her.

"Never under estimate a short person!" She said, as she still ran. She ran into Kyle's room and he caught up to her. He picked her up and playfully threw her onto the bed sending her into a fit of laughter. She was about to jump up from the bed, but he gently pushed her back down and crawled on top of her so hes stradling her. He grabbed one of his pillows and began to playfully hit her with it. She just laughed hysterically. When he finally stopped he took her hands and brought them up above her head and laid them out on the bed lacing her fingers with his, as he stared down at her in victory.

"Now what were you saying?" He asked, as he leaned down and kissed her lips gently, before staring into her light brown eyes once more.

"Never under estimate a short person." She answered, while bravely looking up at him.

"Nah, I believe you were saying Kyle is the greatest, and you just adore him so much." Ashley giggled.

"But baby, that would be lying." She teased. He narrowed his eyes, and she just laughed once more.

"You'll pay for that too!" He demanded playfully, than he got up and picked her up over his shoulder and he carried her down the stairs, as she hangs upside down over his shoulder. Once he had her outside everyone looked at them.

"Help! Nikki! Your brother is torturing me!" Nikki just laughed, and Kyle went to the edge of the pool where the deep end is, and he threw Ashley into the water, her screaming the entire way in, until she hit the water and went underneith. Once she came up Kyle was the one laughing now. Ashley scowled, and splashed him with water. She went to the side of the pool and tried getting up but again the side walk is wet, and she slipped back in.

"Kyle heeelp," She whined. He chuckled a bit.

"Awww poor baby." He replied, than he held out his hands to her. She took a hold of them and he pulled her back out of the water and wrapped her in his arms as she was now shivering.

"Cold..." She pouted. He brought her over to the lounge chair she was sitting on earlier with Stephanie and Nikki, and he grabbed her towel she was using earlier and wrapped it around her.

"That better?" He asked gently. She nodded, and he kissed her lips gently before helping her sit in the empty spot on the lounge chair next to Nikki.

"I'll be right back--I'm going to get the sour cream and onion chips. Do you want your hershey bars?" Ashley nodded her responce.

"Ky, bring the recess peanut butter cups too please." Nikki replied.

"Bring the entire bag of junk food." Nathan added.

"And baby, dont forget my dr pepper." Ashley said sweetly. Kyle laughed.

"What am I everyone's slave?"

"No, just mine." Ashley teased causing everyone to laugh.

"Haha, funny." Kyle replied.

"And you just threw me into the pool too, therefore you've been bad. You shall be severely punished." Kyle smiled and shook his head, than he went inside the house. He returned a few minutes later with the bag of junk food and Ashley's dr pepper. He went and sat behind Ashley allowing her to scoot back and sit between his legs. He put the bag down in the middle of everyone and handed Ashley her dr pepper. Nathan handed her the box of hershey bars as well. Ashley leaned back against Kyle's chest, and rested the back of her head against his shoulder as she looks up at him.

"So I'm your slave huh?" He asked, while smirking a bit.

"Yes, and you've been bad. You shall be punished severely." He chuckled a bit and she placed his hand to his cheek.

"VERY severely." She said softly, than she brought his lips down on hers for a very deep kiss.

"Well so far I'm liking your punishment." He laughed. She smiled up at him, than she looked at everyone else to discover Greg gone.

"Where is Gregory?" She asked curiously.

"He just went to put Seth to bed." Nikki answered. "It might be awhile because he had two naps today."

"Ah I see."

"Ash--since when did you have tattoos and a belly button ring? When I talked to you on the internet a few days ago you were saying that you only had your ears pierced." Stephanie asked curiously, as she had just noticed Ashley's tattoos and belly button ring. Ashley smiled.

"I just got them today when Nik and I went shopping at the mall."

"Ohhh thats awesome. I like the chinese symbol. Its kinda like mine--mine means family, what does yours mean?" Stephanie asked curiously.

"Yeah Ash, what does it mean? I was wondering the same thing." Nikki asked.

"Its Kyle's name." Ashley answered, while looking up at him, as hes tracing the outline of it with his finger. He suddenly looked at her.

"Really?" Kyle asked, with a small smile on his face.

"Mm hmm."

"Awww," Stephanie replied.

"I also have a rose on my back." Ashley added, as she leans forward so everyone can see.

"Yup yup, I saw that earlier." Kyle replied. "And a gothic fairy on her right shoulder blade." suddenly Greg came back outside sighing in relief, and everyone looked at him.

"That kid is NEVER having two naps in one day again." Greg demanded, and Nikki just laughed.

"Have troubles?"

"Oh yeah--the kid was full of energy."

"But hes asleep now?"

"Yeah, finally."

"Good." Ashley suddenly noticed Nathan walking toward the door to the house and he was near the pool. She grinned evilly and Stephanie noticed this.

"Ash? What are you up to? I know that look..."

"Shhh" Ashley said, while placing her finger to her lips, than she got up and slowly began to sneak up on Nathan.

"Uh Oh..." Nikki laughed, knowing exactly what she was going to do. As soon as she was right behind Nathan, he suddenly heard foot steps. Ashley became aware of this. Nathan turned around to see who it was, and Ashley swiftly moved behind him again as if she was his shadow. Nathan looked at everyone with a raised eyebrow, and everyone tried there very hardest to keep a straight face. He studied everyone carefully, and suddenly noticed Ashley was missing.

"Where is Ashley?" he asked suspiciously.

"She went inside." Nikki answered, covering for her friend.

"Nuh uh... I would've seen her pass me by..."

"You just weren't paying attention then, because she is inside." Kyle replied. Nathan looked at everyone suspiciously still.

"What is she doing inside?"

"Going to the bathroom. Would you like a full description of what she was doing in the bathroom too? cause you'll have to wait till she comes back out for that." Nikki replied, as she has an annoyed tone in her voice. Nathan gave Nikki a dirty look, and she shot one right back, than he went to turn around to go inside again, and just as he was turning around Ashley suddenly shoved him into the pool, and he screamed the whole way in until he went under water, sending everyone into a fit of laughter. Nathan came up spitting out water, and he looked at Ashley who was giggling uncontrollably.

"You BRAT, I had my clothes on and everything!" He said in so much anger. Ashley laughed.

"Awww poor THING, you got your CLOTHES all wet. Cry me a river and build me a fricken bridge to get over it."

"Oh...thats it. You're SO dead!" he threatend, and wasn't playing around either. He jumped out of the pool. Ashley who didnt see any sign that he was messing around became frightend. She quickly ran over to Kyle.

"Kyle help!" She begged, and flew into his arms. He wrapped protective arms around her as he knew Nathan wasn't playing.

"Dude, chill out. It was just a joke!" Kyle demanded.

"NO! I won't chill out! I'm sick of that bitch giving me dirty looks every chance she gets, calling me names and saying REALLY mean things about me, I'm sick of her doing all this stuff and getting away with it, yet I can't do anything back because she gets all sensitive! I'm sick of it!" Nathan yelled.

"Oh, No you did NOT just call her a bitch." Nikki replied, as anger and rage was slowly building up inside her.

"YEAH I did! and I meant every word of it! What are you going to do about it??" Nikki started to get up and go after him, but both Greg and Matt held her back down.

"You better fucking shut up and apologize to Ashley Nathan, or I'll release Nikki!" Greg demanded. "And you know damn straight that she can kick your ass! Shes done it before, and you KNOW she won't hold back on doing it again!"

"Dude, Greg, why are you even defending her?? She treats you the same way!"

"Because, I don't let it bother me thats why! You obviously dont know what shes been through but I do, and I understand why she gets sensitive like that. Maybe you should get to know her before you blow up on her like that. She was just messing around, can't you take a fucking joke?? Shes a sweet and innocent girl and never means any harm, and if you took the time to get to know her you'd know that! She may not like me and treats me like shit, but I'm not going to beat the crap out of someone who is much smaller than I am, and doesn't even mean any harm. THINK about it." Nathan growled, as he was so frustrated and angry, and he stormed into the house slamming the door shut.

"Oohh if he wakes my baby up, I swear to god..." Nikki threatened.

"Nikki, calm down." Stephanie replied, while taking her hand into hers. Nikki took a few deep breaths trying to control her anger, and when she finally did calm down she looked at Greg with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Greg asked curiously.

"That was very sweet of you... what you said about Ashley..." She informed him, as she looks at him smiling now. Greg smiled a little bit and shrugged his shoulders.

"Did you really mean all that? or were you just saying that to be the peace maker?"

"I meant it all..." Greg answered, as he looks over at Ashley who is wrapped in Kyle's arms and has her head rested against his shoulder. She looked at him in so much confusion. She is incredibly mean and nasty towards him--why does he care about her? She wondered to herself. After awhile she looked up at Kyle, and he looked down at her.

"You okay baby?" He asked gently. Ashley nodded her responce, and he leaned down and kissed her lips gently. He wrapped her towel around her as he has her cradled in his lap, and she again rested her head against his shoulder. Everyone sat around talking for awhile, than they all got in the pool and began to swim again.

Chapter Ten:


"I'm bored," Ashley pouted, as she swims up behind Kyle and wraps her arms around him from behind, as he stands there talking to Greg. Kyle smiled a bit and took her hands wrapping them more around his waist, and she rested her head against his back.

"Why is miss Ashee bored?" he asked.

"Because theres nothing to do." She answered simply. Greg chuckled a bit.

"Good reason to be bored." Suddenly Nikki went up behind Greg and wrapped her arms around his neck resting her chin on his shoulder, as she stands behind him too. Shes liking how he is right now. The sweet and gentle Greg that she once knew. The way he was when she used to love him--before he became controlling and jealous. Greg turned his head a bit and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You're in the deep part that even I can't stand in--I need you to keep me up." She lied. Greg believed her, but Stephanie and I immediatly saw right through that lie. She wants to be near Greg. I looked at her all confused and she gave me a 'dont ask' look. I did as she said and left her alone about it planning to ask her later when Greg isn't around. I wrapped my arms more around Kyle and kissed his shoulder before resting my chin on it. He turned his head a bit and smiled.

"Comfortable?"

"Yes very."

"Dude, lets do a chicken fight!" Nikki suddenly said, after thinking for a bit, and she crawled up onto Greg's shoulders.

"Yeah!" Ashley replied in excitement, as she was glad to have finally found entertainment. She tried climbing up onto Kyle's shoulders but couldn't because she was so much shorter than him. Kyle chuckled a bit.

"Hold on shortee let me help you."

"Hey, don't make me dunk you again!" Ashley threatend. He laughed once more.

"I won't baby, I'm just playing. I'm gonna go under water and you can get on my shoulders all right?"

"Kay." He went under water, and as planned Ashley sat on his shoulders and he came back up.

"Yay!" Ashley said happily, and Nikki laughed.

"Wow, this should be entertaining. Best Friends going against each other." John laughed.

"Yup-don't worry you and Stephee will be next." Nikki replied.

"Yeah, and if its against you, you're going on Matt's shoulders. I'm afraid i'm gonna need a rest after this." Greg replied.

"Steph, tell us when to go." Kyle said, as he moved us closer to Greg and Nikki.

"Okay... Go." She replied, and Ashley immediatly grabbed Nikki's hands and tried her very hardest to knock her off of Greg's shoulders, but Nikki being the strong athlete put a lot of strength on Ashley. She almost knocked her over, but Ashley caught herself, and kyle also caught her fall.

"No! No! You AREN'T gonna win this!" Ashley demanded and put all of her strength into pushing Nikki. After a few struggling and almost falling off, Nikki suddenly fell backwards screaming on her way into the water.

"Awww man!" Greg whined.

"YEAH! Go me!" Ashley cheered in so much excitement, and Kyle laughed.

"Damn Ash--you beat Nikki--Miss strong and agressive basketball player." Ashley smiled proudly, and Nikki just laughed and shook her head.

"Steph, John, and Matt's turn." She said, as she swam over to Matt and climbed up onto his shoulders. Stephanie got up onto John's shoulders, and they played their game. After a lot of struggling, Stephanie finally ended up in the water, and Nikki won.

"YEAH! I'm the best!" Nikki cheered. Stephanie stuck her tongue out at Nikki, and Nikki did the same in return. Nikki crawled down from Matt's shoulders. Ashley who was now wrapped in Kyle's arms as hes still standing where she can't feel the ground, turned around to face him and she wrapped her legs around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Tired?" Kyle asked curiously, as he noticed her yawn.

"No, its still early." Ashley insisted. Kyle looked into her light brown eyes and found sleepyness in them. He chuckled a bit.

"Okay miss anti-sleep." Ashley stuck her tongue out at him. Kyle smirked and leaned down capturing her lips with his in a deep kiss, as she had her tongue sticking out. Ashley giggled between kisses, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Once he pulled away he smiled down at her.

"Don't stick your tongue out unless you intend to use it." Not replying to what he said, Ashely placed her hand to his cheek and again brought his lips down on hers for an intense kiss. Kyle moaned softly against her lips and pulled her closer, as he returned her kiss.

"Ew, get a room !" Nikki whined. Ashley pulled away from Kyle and looked at Nikki smiling.

"Thats incredibly disgusting. I believe I am scarred for life--my best friend and my little brother making out in the pool." Kyle smirked and kissed Ashley's cheek before resting his forehead against hers, and Nikki went back to her conversation with Stephanie and John.

"Anyway, why are you fighting against sleep baby?" Kyle asked gently, as he rakes his fingers through her wet dark red hair. Ashley looked into his eyes for a couple of minutes before answering.

"I don't like to sleep," She answered, as she shrugs her shoulders.

"Why?"

"I just don't..." Kyle raised his eyebrow in curiousity.

"Why?"

"I just don't like to sleep...okay?" Ashley asked, as tears threatened to fall.

"Come on Ash....tell me..."

"No." Ashley answered sternly.

"I bet if I asked Nikki she would be able to tell me everything." Ashley who was becoming frustrated pushed Kyle away and she swam over to the hot tub and crawled into it, and she began to pout. Kyle sighed. Nikki who had saw the entire thing was now confused.

"What did you do now, Kyle?"

"Nothing!"

"Obviously you did something, if shes crying again!" Nikki snapped.

"All I did was ask her why she was fighting against sleep! Is there a law against being concerned for your girlfriend??"

"It is when you ask her personal questions that she isn't comfortable talking about!" Nikki replied, with so much anger in her voice, than she swam over to the hot tub and crawled in and she went and hugged Ashley.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm NOT tired!" Ashley demanded. "I WON'T sleep, I WON'T." she snapped, as she began to cry. Nikki hugged her tightly and rested her chin on top of her head, as she holds her close.

"Calm down sweetie, no one is forcing you to sleep. Kyle didn't know it was this personal, he didnt mean to upset you." Nikki soothed. She stood there hugging her until she had finally calmed down. Kyle stood there thinking for a couple of minutes then he went and crawled into the hot tub and Ashley looked at him sniffling, as she was still very upset. He offered her his arms. She looked at him for a couple of minutes, than she accepted the offer and walked into his open arms, allowing him to wrap them around her.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know. Please forgive me." He apologized. Ashley didnt reply, she only hugged him tighter and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me...but I am concerned for you, and if you ever do want to talk about it i'm here." she stood there thinking for a couple of minutes, as the two of them stood in silence, than she suddenly broke it.

"Every time I go to sleep I always have a nightmare. You know the kind that grips your heart in fear and won't let go..."

"Nightmares of your step father?" Ashley nodded.

"And sometimes of other things... like being raped..." She added. "Earlier today was not the first time i've woken up screaming and crying from a nightmare--usually no one is around to comfort me like you and Nikki were. Sleeping is one of the scariest things in the world to me--if I can help it I try to do everything I can to avoid it. The night time is when I do most of my writing, because if I'm writing it gives me something to do and distracts me from sleeping." Kyle looked into her light brown eyes for a couple of minutes with so much concern, as he tucks a strand of her wet hair back behind her ear.

"You could get very sick from doing that to yourself..."

"I know, but I dont know what else to do. Sleeping frightens me more than anything. I'll end up waking up screaming and crying, it never fails." Kyle didn't reply, he only kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. He sat down on the step of the hot tub and he pulled Ashley into his lap and the two of them sat there talking. Nikki went and hung out with everyone else. After awhile Kyle got out, and Ashley followed. He took her hand and brought her over to the lounge chair everyone was sitting down on earlier, and he helped her sit down, before sitting down in front of her. Ashley hugged her legs close to her chest, and pulled her towel around her. Kyle did the same with his own towel, and they again sat there continuing to talk. Soon everyone got bored of swimming and got out.

"Its getting late...we should probably all go inside now." Matt announced. Everyone agreed and gathered up everything before going inside.


~*~*~*~*~


As soon as Ashley changed into her pajamas instead of her bathing suit she came out of the bathroom to find Nikki all ready in her pajamas and lying in her bed with the light off. It was 1:30 in the morning, and everyone was getting ready for bed. Matt and Nathan downstairs using the two couches as their bed. Matt being too lazy to go home, even though he only lives Next door. After a half n hour had gone by and as Nikki was sleeping Kyle suddenly peeked his head in. Ashley who was just lying there staring up at the ceiling looked at him and smiled a little bit.

"Come lay with me for awhile baby." He whispered. She slowly got out of bed trying her hardest not to wake Nikki up and she went over to Kyle. He took her hand and pulled her into his room shutting the door behind him.

"Honey, Nikki would have a fit if she found out we were sleeping together..." Ashley warned.

"Just lay with me for awhile--you can sneak back in before she wakes up and she'll never even know. Besides, its not like we're going to have sex." Kyle replied, as he pulls her over to his bed. Ashley crawled under the covers with him, and he lay down. She lay next to him resting her head against his shoulder.

"Right?" He asked, as he looks down at her.

"I'm 18 years old baby, there is no way."

"Exactly, and I'm 17. I'm not about to get a girl pregnant at 17. I just thought we'd lay together and Id keep you company since theres no way you're going to sleep tonight." Ashley didnt reply she only snuggled close to him and he rested his forehead against hers. The two of them lay in bed talking for awhile, than as Kyle hoped Ashley fell asleep around 3:30. He held her close to him and watched her sleep, as he gently rakes his fingers through her hair. He lay there watching her sleep until 4:30 in the morning, then he picked her up cradling her and he carried her back into Nikki's room. once in there he carefully lay Ashley in the empty space next to Nikki, and he covered her up before kissing her forhead and leaving the room. He went back to his bed and crawled into it, and he was out in not even a minute.

~*~*~*~*~


The next day around 10:30 Kyle went into Nikki's room to find Ashley still lying in bed, but now she was awake. She smiled at the sight of him, causing him to smile in return.

"Good morning beautiful, how did you sleep?" he asked gently, as he went and crawled into bed with her. He lay on his side and wrapped his arm around her.

"Surprisingly well," Ashley answered, and Kyle kissed her lips gently. "I guess i'm going to have to fall asleep in your bed every night, because being close to you just brings a peaceful side to me..." Kyle smiled, as he looks down at her and gently rakes his fingers through her hair.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, very. Why?" Ashley asked curiously.

"I made you a special breakfast."

"Really?" Ashley smiled up at him. He nodded, and once again kissed her lips gently, than he got up. He took Ashley into his arms so hes cradling her and he carried her downstairs and into the kitchen. He placed Ashley in a chair at the table where there was a plate all ready made.

"I found out what you like for breakfast from Nikki and decided I would fix it for you." Kyle explained. He had made bacon, eggs, hasbrowns, and toast knowing its Ashley's favorite.

"Aww....Kyle...." Ashley softly, and she looked up at him. She placed her hand to his cheek and brought his lips down on hers for a passionate kiss, and he returned it.

"Thank you, you're so sweet." Kyle smiled, and he went and sat in the chair across from her where his own plate is at, and the two of them ate breakfast alone together.

"Where is Nikki?"

"She went on her run early this morning, than she came back had a quick shower and had to go to work. She said she'd pick you up an application and bring it home for you."

"Ooh okay. Where is everyone else?"

"Greg, John, Nathan, and Stephanie all went somewhere--I have no clue where and when they will be back."

"Oh." Kyle placed his hand on top of Ashley's as its rested on the table, and the two sat talking as they ate. As soon as they finished eating Kyle did the dishes really quick, and Ashley ran upstairs to take a shower and get dressed.


~*~*~*~ Later on that day ~*~*~*~


Its now 2:30 in the afternoon, and Nikki and everyone had finally gotten back after Kyle and Ashley had spent the entire day alone together, and everyone was now sitting in the living room with nothing to do.

"I'm bored," Ashley whined, as shes lying on the couch with her head in Kyle's lap.

"Me too," Stephanie added.

"Momma," Seth said, as hes sitting on the floor playing with his cars.

"Yeah baby?" Nikki asked.

"Can we go to dee park?" Nikki suddenly smiled.

"Does everyone want to go with me and Seth to the park? That should make you all un bored."

"ME! I DO!" Ashley raised her hand in excitement, as if she was Seth's age, and Seth laughed at her. Ashley smiled sweetly at him. Nikki got up and picked Seth up from the floor, and she kissed his forehead.

"Your auntie Ashee is crazy." She whispered to him, as she carried him out the door with everyone following.

"I HEARD that!" Ashley replied, and Nikki just laughed. As soon as everyone got to the park Nikki put Seth down and as soon as she did he took off toward the playground. Kyle who was back behind talking to Greg, Nathan, Matt, and John went up to Ashley and took her hand into his. She looked up at him.

"Come swing with me." He said gently, and he lead her toward the swings that no one was on. The park was surprisingly empty today--There was only two other kids there, and a mother. Kyle sat on a swing, and he pulled Ashley into his lap so her back is turned on him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin against her shoulder, and he began to slowly swing back and fourth. Ashley rested the back of her head against his shoulder and looked up at him. The two swung in silence for a few minutes, until he suddenly broke it.

"If you could have three wishes come true--only three, what would they be?" Ashley thought for a couple of minutes before answering.

"To get one of my books published and loved by many people, To meet the Backstreet Boys--preferably Nick Carter but all of them would be cool too and give each and every one of them a hug and tell them how much they mean to me, and my mom...I would really like to know that my mom loves me, because it really seems like she doesn't. You know...it would really make me happy if she just for once took the time to get to know me... and spend time with me..." Ashley answered. When she had told him her third wish a single tear rolled down her cheek. She thought for a couple of minutes.

"Why?" She asked, while looking up at him.

"Just wondering." He answered, as he has a mysterious look in his eyes. Ashley noticed this right away and knows hes up to something.

"Whats your favorite flower?" he suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Red roses." She answered, and again rested the back of her head against his shoulder. She closed her eyes and relaxed as he swung on the swing, and held her close to him.

Chapter Eleven: Sand Castles ‘N’ Secrets


"If you could eat dinner with three famous people--only three, who would you pick?"

"Benji Madden, Nick Carter, and AJ Mclean."

"Why?"

"Because, Benji Madden is HOT, You should know why I want to have dinner with Nick by now, and AJ McLean, who is also a member of the Backstreet Boys, because I've always looked up to him a little more than all of the other Backstreet Boys, because hes been through a lot like I have but stayed strong and got through it no matter how hard it was and I don't know its weird but if I had the choice to pick a new father to replace the dead beat one that I have now Id pick him because i've always thought of him as the father I never had. I write fanfiction about him being my father all the time. I have a whole fathers day series of me and him. He just makes fathers day a lot less deperessing."

"If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?" Kyle asked, as he looks down at Ashley who is still in his lap as they sit together on the swing.

"I'm already where I want to be." Ashley answered, as she looks up at him, her eyes meeting with his.

"In Ohio."

"Theres no other place you would like to travel to?" Kyle asked, as he raised his eyebrow.

"Not unless I get to take you and Nikki with me. Otherwise, I would rather stay right here. I've dreamed of running away to Ohio for a long ass time. I got tired of dreaming it and of people telling me its never going to happen that I decided I was going to make it happen. Even if I had to leave everything I own behind and walk here. I'm right where I want to be, in your arms and in the same state as my best friend, and no one is going to take that away from me now." Kyle didn't reply, he only leaned down and began to place soft kisses on the back of her neck. Ashley closed her eyes in relaxation not wanting him to stop.

"How come you're asking me so many questions? I feel like I'm being interviewed for a magazine or something."

"Just trying to get to know my girlfriend a little more." He answered, as he didnt stop his gentle kisses.

"Do you think my mom is worried about me and misses me?" Ashley asked, after a few minutes of silence, and she looked up at Kyle, who had stopped and rested his chin against her shoulder once more. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, and hugged her tight.

"Whats there not to miss?"

"A lot..."

"Thats bullshit." Kyle replied. "If your mother isn't crying her eyes out, and wondering where you're right now, than she sure as hell doesn't understand what shes missing out on. If I were her, I wouldn't let you go in a million years. You're the most amazing person I ever met. You're beautiful, you're smart, you have dreams that you dont ever let go of and you fight until they've come true, you don't care what people think of you and aren't afraid to be yourself, You're the most caring person I know--you're nice to just about everyone unless they give you a reason not to be. You're a very fun person to be around, especially when you get all hyper and stuff like the other day in the car. You put a smile on my face all the time, sometimes without even trying. Greg says that you're the only one who can get me to smile the way I do. You're extremely sweet, and are a lot of times VERY sensitive, you can be very shy I know that for a fact, but if your mother doesn't miss that then shes crazy, because I wouldn't give that up for the world."

"The thing is my mom has never gotten to know that side of me.... I may be all hyper and not afraid to fight for what I believe in around you guys, because you make me feel like I can be myself around you guys. My family is another story. When I'm at home i'm a whole different person. I'm shy not just around the guys I have a crush on, but around everyone. I'm really quiet, and barely talk to anyone, I hide away in my room and sit on my computer all day long and do nothing but talk to Nikki, Stephanie, and all of my other internet friends and work on my writing. Thats all I ever did at home. I didnt have a life unless it revolved around writing, the computer, and friends. I was constantly fighting with my sisters, because they constantly complained about me never doing anything but sitting around on my computer, which is bullshit, because when it came to chores I tried my very hardest to do them and get praised for it, but in the end I still managed to get bitched at. Nothing I ever did seemed to be right, and they made me feel really stupid. So I started rebelling on them. I started to refuse to do them because if I did, it didnt matter, I would still get bitched at either way. My family didn't understand that if they gave me my own list of what I needed to do, and completely left me alone the entire day, and not constantly be telling me what I need to do, or how to do it every second of the fucking day I would get it all done. Maybe not right away, but by the end of the day it would get done. I always get stuff done when I'm not constantly being bothered about it. But they didn't understand that, and my mom kept taking my computer away from me, and every time they took my computer away from me I got more and more depressed, because the computer was the only thing that made me happy. I'm not a computer nerd or anything, like I was often mistakend to be at home, it just makes me happy. It was my only connection to my friends, and it was how I got my writing done, and it was how people read what I wrote. Thats where I went to express my feelings, because to me, it felt like I wasn't allowed to do it outloud with my family, because all that would happen is that I would get yelled and screamed at. So instead of my family, I went crying to my internet friends. They became my family who I turned to for everything--So when I got that taken away I of course would start crying, and would lay in my bed and stare at the wall doing nothing until I got it back. I was a very depressed and angered person living at home. I hated everyone who didn't understand me, and who didnt take the time to understand me. It seemed like the only person in this entire world who fully understood me was Nikki. If Nikki wasn't online I was depressed, and when my sisters, or my step father yelled and screamed at me, and constantly bitched at me for every little thing I did and made me cry--which was pretty much all the time, I would go to Nikki, and if Nikki wasn't there I would put my away message up and sit there and wait for Nikki to log on even if it took her all day. It seemed like all I ever did was try to get my mom's attention, even if she yelled at me, of course it upset me even more, but at least I got her attention for the entire minute she was screaming at me. She is always spending time with my sisters, you know she goes shopping with them every single day. She asks me if I want to go, but I hate shopping with them, because its always for my little sisters never for me, or for food and thats boring. I wanted to spend time with just HER, me and her alone and if we went shopping fine, as long as its not for food or for my sisters but for stuff that I like to do. Or to a movie, or something I didnt care. I just wanted my mothers attention, I just wanted her to take the time to get to know me. But it never happened, so I got even more miserable and hated being there. My step father always scared me to death, I was always hiding from him in my room. Sometimes if I got scared enough Id hide in my closet--but that was only if him and my mom were fighting, because he always got so angry, loud, and really mean and I was always afraid he was going to turn abusive. I've never liked him, not even when my mom was just dating him I didnt like him. Everything was fine until he came a long, because I got a long just fine with my mom and with my sisters and always spent time with them, than he came a long and they completely lost me. Thats when I started drifting away. My family made me so fucking miserable I couldn't stand being there, and I wanted Nikki so much, with a strong passion I wanted my best friend. So I ran to her..."

"Well maybe now that you're gone they'll finally see just how much you mean to them and wish they never treated you that way."

"Maybe..." Ashley said softly. The two of them sat there in silence for a few minutes, than he suddenly broke it.

"Want to go see what everyone else is up to?" Ashley nodded her responce. Kyle leaned down and kissed her lips one last time, and she returned it. Once he pulled away she got up from his lap and looked over at everyone else. Nikki, Greg, Matt, Nathan, Stephanie, and John are all standing around talking as they watch Seth play. Nikki in a deep conversation with Stephanie about something. Ashley smiled evilly, and Kyle noticed this right away.

"Now what are you up to?" He asked, as he smiled a bit. Ashley put her finger to her lips silently telling him to be quiet, than she took off running toward the group. Everyone noticed her coming but Nikki, and she silently told them to be quiet too. They did as she said, and she ran up behind Nikki and jumped onto her back, and Nikki screamed in horror at first, but soon calmed down when she heard Ashley giggling. Nikki sighed in relief.

"Jesus Christ Ash you scared me....." Nikki said, and then laughed a long with everyone else.

"Hehe," Ashley replied, as she hugged her friend tight as she remains on her back clinging to her tight.

"You're a pain in the ass," Nikki laughed.

"Awww but I loooove you." Ashley replied, as she again hugs her friend tight.

"I love you too, but you're still a pain in the ass." Ashley jumped down from Nikki's back and looked at Kyle who had come up to the group laughing.

"You've gotta watch out for her. She just comes out of no where."

"Yeah no kidding," Nikki replied.

"Hehe thats cause I'm the spawn of trouble."

"Ashee," Seth suddenly said, as hes sitting in the sand. Everyone looked at Seth including Ashley to find him building a sand castle.

"Yeah buddy?" Ashley asked, as she smiles sweetly at him.

"Will you play with me?"

"Oh but of course!" Ashley answered, as she goes and sits with him in the sand.

"What'cha building here?"

"A sand castle."

"Wow, it looks really awesome!" Seth smiled really big, and continued to make it. Ashley sat watching him for a couple of minutes, than when he finished he looked up at her smiling proudly.

"Wow, thats really neat kiddo. You're very good at that."

"Can you help me write my name in the sand, so every body will know that I made it?"

"Uh huh." Ashley answered, and she gently took Seth's hand into hers and took his finger and began to write his name next to the sand castle.

"Now you write your name."

"But I didn't make it Seth, you did."

"But I likes your name. Its purty."

"Awww" Nikki who was listening the entire time said. Ashley blushed.

"Aww, Seth you're a sweetheart." Ashley said, as she smiled a little, than she stuck her finger in the sand and wrote her name next to his. Ashley sat there thinking for a couple of minutes, as she hugs her legs close to her chest, than she noticed his bucket sitting there.

"Hey Seth, you want to see something really cool that would look good with your sand castle?" Seth nodded excitedly, and Ashley reached over and grabbed the shovel and she began to dig a mote around the sand castle. As soon as she did she grabbed the bucket and looked up at Kyle.

"Kyle"

"Yeah baby?"

"Will you do me a favor?"

"Mm hmm"

"Take this bucket and go fill it up with water please?" He did as she asked and took the bucket from her hand, and he jogged over to the nearest drinking fountain and he filled the bucket to top with water. After he did that he went back and handed it to her.

"Thanks"

"Your welcome baby." Ashley turned back to Seth and his sand castle, and she carefully poured the water into the mote being careful not to ruin the castle in the process. As soon as she finished she looked at Seth.

"See, its a mote--now its just like a real castle." Seth's mouth dropped, and Ashley laughed.

"It looks like the ones in story books!"

"Yeah, you did a really good job at making it."

"Look Momma! look!" Seth said, as he was overly excited. Nikki turned and looked at Seth's castle. "Look what Auntie Ashee helped me make!"

"Wow baby, thats really neat." Nikki replied, as she went and sat next to Ashley and looked at Seth's 'masterpiece' She reached over and ruffled his hair.

"You're a real artist kid." She said, as she kisses the top of his head, and Seth smiled really big. Seth crawled over to Nikki and into her lap, and he rested his head against her shoulder as he hugs her tight. She wrapped her arms around him in return and again kissed the top of his head, before gently raking her fingers through his hair.

"I love you Momma." He told her.

"I love you too baby." He closed his eyes and was asleep in not even a minute. Nikki laughed quietly.

"Poor Kid--must've been warned out from all the fun."

"Hes so sweet, I love him to death--you have a great little boy Nikki." Ashley replied, as she brushes his brown hair, which is kind of getting long out of his face.

"I know it." Nikki replied, as she hugs him tight. "Hes the best gift in the world, I dont think I could ever trade him in for anything." She added, as she rests her forehead against his. Ashley smiled a little bit, as she watches her best friend with her son. She truely is one of the best mommy's out there. She may have had him at a REALLY young age and Ashley knows she wishes she could've waited till she was old enough to have a kid, Ashley knows she feels really bad about herself because a lot of people at school spread rumors around about her and was quick to judge about her, and many called her a slut, but she loves Seth more than anything. Hes her pride and joy, and hes her only reason shes still alive today. Hes the only thing keeping her going. She used to let what people said about her get to her, and a lot of other things get to her, and she too has attempted suicide. She too used to used to cut. But she knows that she could never leave her little boy behind, nor can she leave her friends behind either, and she definately isn't a slut. If people would take the time to get to know her, they would realize that. She is one of the most amazing people out there, and Ashley feels lucky to have a great friend like her. Everyone should be Nikki's friend, because she truely is amazing. They hung out at the park for a little while longer, than Nikki suggested that they should get Seth home and in bed where he can finish his nap. As soon as they got there Nikki carried him upstairs and put him in his bed, than she came back down here to find everyone lying around in the living room. Ashley with her head rested in Kyle's lap as he sits on the couch, Greg lying face down on the floor, Nathan curled up in a chair, and Stephanie curled up in another chair, and John sitting on the couch. Nikki laughed a bit.

"What did Seth start a new trend? is it nap time now?" She then went and sat next to John on the couch.

"Guess so," John laughed.

"Nik, I'm using your laptop." Kyle announced, as he all ready has the lap top turned on and is using it. Nikki nodded her responce, as she turned on the TV and flipped through the channels.

"Nikki," Kyle said, as soon as he knew Ashley was asleep.

"Yeah?"

"Whats Ashley's favorite Backstreet Boys song? like her all time favorite, do you know?" Nikki thought for a couple of minutes.

"No...I surprisingly don't. She favors a lot of them. Why?"

"She likes Drowning and Shape Of My Heart the best--Shape Of My Heart reminds her of AJ and the hard times hes been through, and she just really loves Drowning." Stephanie answered. "She told me once."

"Thanks," Kyle replied.

"Why?" Nikki asked again, as she looks at her brother curiously.

"Just curious." Nikki raised her eyebrow at him in suspicion.

"Okayyyyy," She replied, as she knows her brother is up to something.

"Whats her website address?"

"Whhhhyyyy?" Nikki asked.

"I want to read her stories."

"Why? they're all fanfiction about the Backstreet Boys....you're a guy."

"Doesn't she have original writing?"

"Well yeah...but I'm not sure if shes okay with you reading them...."

"Well why not? If she gets them published one day the entire world is going to read them, and she has them posted on the internet where billions of people she doesn't even know reads them. Why would it bother her if I did?"

"Well...because you're her boyfriend, and your opinion is really important to her....and I think she would want to have a say in it...I just think it would be more better if you waited till she was awake to give you the permission."

"Okay..." Kyle sighed.

"Besides, theres this one original story on there that is very personal, and if she found out you read it without asking her first she'd be extremely nervous and scared of what you would think about it."

"But Ashley doesn't care what people think of her."

"Trust me, She'll care about that."

"Billions of other people have read it, why would my opinion be different from the others?"

"Because....this story is kind of special...it reveals some secrets that you in particular might need permission to know."

"But hes her boyfriend...they aren't really secrets anymore." Stephanie spoke up, as she knew what story shes talking about.

"But still, it has her true feelings expressed in it... and she hasn't even told them to him in person yet."

"Oh yeah, huh."

"You know, I surprisingly understood that..." Greg who is still lying on the floor and was listening the entire time spoke up, and he looked at Stephanie and Nikki like they were crazy.

"Good--than you can explain it to me now!" Kyle, who was obviously confused replied.

"Sorry dude--but only Ash is allowed to tell you what they meant." Kyle sighed in frustration, and he went back to what he was doing on the computer. Soon Stephanie fell asleep, and when Nikki saw that she had finally did she looked at John who was sitting there watching TV.

"Hey John?"

"Yeah?" John asked, as he looked away from the TV and at her.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Kyle and Greg were now looking at Nikki curiously. Nikki thought for a couple of minutes before speaking, and John sat there waiting patiently.

"What do you think of Stephanie?"

"Shes a really good friend...Shes really cool to hang around." Nikki sat there thinking for a couple of minutes before replying, and a now very curious John looked back at the TV.

"Have you ever thought of her as more than just a friend?"

"Yeah..." John answered nervously. "Why?"

"Just wondering...I've just seen the way you two are around each other, and have been thinking that you two would make a really cute couple."

"Really?" John asked, as he sounded just a little too excited there.

"Yeah"

"Does she feel the same way and tell you to ask me or something?"

"No, she didn't tell me to ask you. But, if you feel that way about her why don't you go for it?"

"I dont know...I guess I've just been really nervous about it... nervous that she would turn me down."

"Turn YOU down? John, why in the hell would she do that? You're a great guy, and Knowing Steph--the way she talks about you and stuff, I have a strong feeling she might feel the same way. But only you can find that out. You have to tell her how you feel."

"I can't just tell her how I feel...I'll die of nervousness..." Ashley who had woken up a little after Stephanie had fallen asleep and was just lying in Kyle's lap listening suddenly sat up, and everyone looked at her.

"Hey baby," Kyle was the first to say, and he leaned over and kissed her lips gently. She returned his kiss, than she looked at Nikki and John. Nikki gave Ashley a look.

"John" Ashley spoke up.

"huh?" John asked, while looking at her.

"Stephanie likes you, trust me. You have nothing to worry about, shes yours. All you have to do is make the move."

"How do you know she likes me? Has she told you?"

"No... but I'm one of her best friends, I can see it in her eyes."

"I don't know..." John replied. Ashley thought for a couple of minutes.

"Well, what if you took her out to dinner tonight, you know just as best friends at first and do something really fun to calm yourself down, than take her some place quiet and romantic, than reveal your feelings?"

"That could work...but where is somewhere that I can take her?" Nikki thought for a couple of minutes.

"Even better--what if Ashley, Kyle, Greg, and I make you two dinner? We can set the table for two and light candles, and play soft music in the background, and make it all romantic for you two. You can take her out for awhile as we set it up. Than when you come back you can have dinner and we'll all hide out upstairs and leave you two completely alone and pretend to be gone, and you can tell her after dinner." John smiled a little bit, as he liked Nikki's idea.

"Okay. But still, where would I take her?"

"Theres a carnival that just came to town, just right down the street. You can take her to that if you want."

"Okay," John agreed. Everyone was silent for a few minutes, than suddenly Kyle broke it.

"Ashley?"

"Yeah?"

"can I have the link to your website?"

"Why?" Ashley asked, as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I want to read your stories."

"But they're fanfiction baby...do you really want to read my fantasies about the Backstreet Boys and Good Charlotte?"

"But you also write original fiction, right?"

"Oh...well...yeah."

"Well can't I read those?" Ashley looked at him for a couple of minutes just thinking.

"Can you wait till I finish them till you read them? They're kind of special...."

"Okay," Kyle agreed. Ashley can tell he really wants to read one of her stories. She thought for a couple of minutes, than she got up and went upstairs. A few minutes later she returned with the backpack she was wearing when she first arrived.

"I managed to pack a few of my notebooks... I have some short original stories in here that you can read....will that make you happy?" Kyle nodded his repsonce, and Ashley pulled out her notebook. She quickly looked through it making sure she hadn't written 'I love Kyle' a long the sides or the fronts or the backs when she was bored.

"What are you looking for?" Kyle asked curiously.

"Just making sure its presentable." Ashley answered, than she handed it to him. He closed the laptop and put it down beside him, and he opened the notebook and began to read the story in it. Ashley wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, as she rested her head against his shoulder, and read it with him as he did.

Chapter Twelve: You Don't Miss Me


"So what do you want us to make you and Stephanie for dinner tonight?" Nikki asked John, as everyone was still lying around in the living room and Stephanie was still asleep.

"Hmm, how about spaghetti?"

"I'm not sure if we have that, but I can check. If not I will run to the store real quick if someone will come with me." Nikki answered, as she looks around at everyone. Kyle is lying on the couch finishing up on reading one of Ashley's novels, as hes been reading it all day, and shes snuggled close to him and has her head rested against his chest as shes reading it too. Greg is still lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling and Seth was now awake and sitting a few feet away from him on the floor playing with his cars. Stephanie is still curled up in a chair, as well as Nathan in another chair, and Matt had come over and is sitting on the same couch as Nikki and John.

"I'll go with you--I'm bored." Greg answered, as he sits up from lying on the floor.

"Okay...anyone else?" Nikki asked, and half begged, as she didn't want to be left alone with Greg.

"I'll go." Matt answered, as he knew Nikki didnt want to be alone with Greg.

"Thanks Matt. Anyone else?"

"Can I go Momma?" Seth asked with a hopeful tone in his voice. This is the most his momma and daddy have spent time together in years, and hes loving it.

"Of course you can baby." Nikki answered, as she gets up and goes to scoop Seth up into her arms. She went into the kitchen and checked the cupboards and the refridgerator. Seeing that they didnt have any spaghetti pasta, or spaghetti sauce she walked back out here.

"All right, we dont have the pasta, or the sauce we definately need to do some shopping." Greg got up from lying on the floor, and Matt got up from sitting on the couch.

"Ash are you coming?" She asked, as she looks over at Ashley as shes still lying on the couch next to Kyle.

"No thanks Nik, I've got a tummy ache and just want to stay here."

"Okay," Nikki replied. "When are you two going to leave?" Nikki asked John.

"As soon as I wake her up and ask her if she wants to go. She'll probably want to get ready first since shes been sleeping all afternoon, but after that we'll leave."

"Okay cool. Have her back by 9:30--you'll have a late dinner, is that okay?" John nodded his responce, and Nikki grabbed her keys and walked out the door with Matt and Greg following her. John went over to a sleeping Stephanie, and he knealed down on the floor in front of the chair and gently shook her awake.

"Stephee wake up." He said gently. She opened her eyes and looked at him, her grayish blue eyes meeting with his brown ones.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey Johnny, you better have a good reason for waking me." She teased, as she smiles up at him. He chuckled a bit.

"Yeah I do. Nik was telling me that theres a carnival that just came into town--I was wondering if you wanted to go--just you and me?" Stephanie looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You asking me out mister?"

"Maybe, are you saying yes?"

"Mm hmm--just let me go upstairs to change and stuff."

"Okay." She got up from the chair and her and John went upstairs.

"Kyle," Nathan suddenly spoke after what seemed like hours that he had been quiet.

"Hmm?" Kyle asked, as he didnt look away from Ashley's notebook.

"I'm going home for awhile--I might be back later."

"Okay cool." Kyle replied, as he still didnt look away from Ashley's notebook. Nathan got up and walked out of the house shutting the door behind him. Kyle finished up on reading the last page, than he closed the notebook and looked down at Ashley and smiled. She smiled back.

"You like?" She asked, a nervous tone in her voice.

"Yes I liked it a lot, baby. Have you ever thought about getting it published?"

"Is it really that good? I just wrote it one day when I was bored... it took me not even a day to finish it."

"Its very good. You're an amazing author, and I can't wait to read the orignal story on your site that you won't let me read." Ashley smiled up at him.

"You can read it when I'm finished. I promise." She replied, and she placed her hand to his cheek and brought his lips down on hers for a gentle kiss.

"Now whats this I hear about a stomach ache?" He asked, as he gets up and stradles Ashley's hips as shes lying on the couch. He leaned down and kissed her lips once more, before leaving a trail of kisses down her jaw and to her neck. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes in complete comfort, as she rakes her fingers through his dark brown hair.

"It hurts very much," She answered him softly.

"Why? Why is my baby hurting?" He asked, as he didnt stop his kisses.

"For personal reasons."

"Ah, I see." He understood. He captured her lips with his in a passionate kiss, and she moaned softly against his mouth, as she pulls him closer.

"Doctor Kyle is just going to have to take care of you," he announced once he pulled away.

"Is that so?" Ashley questioned, while giggling a bit.

"Mm hmm." He got up from the couch and took Ashley into his arms so hes cradling her. She wrapped her arms around his neck resting her head against his shoulder and he began to carry her up the stairs. Once up there he brought her into his room shutting the door behind him and locking it. He gently lay her on the bed and again stradled her hips. He took her hands into his and lay them out above her head lacing her fingers with his, before leaning down and placing gentle kisses on her neck once more, as he began to un button her shirt. As soon as he had it unbuttoned he grabbed the blanket and pulled it up and over their heads. She took a hold of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head, before gently rubbing her hands over his back. He again captured her lips with his but this time the kiss being more intence and she moaned softly against his mouth.

~*~*~*~*~


"Momma, Momma, can I have some of those??" Seth begged, as he pointed toward some M&M's, as they were walking toward the candy. Nikki laughed a bit at her overly excited five year old.

"Yes, yes, you may have one bag of M&M's that is it."

"Yay!" Seth replied, and grabbed one pack of M&Ms, and she reached for his hand. He took a hold of it and let her bring him into the isle that the spaghetti sauce is in. Matt and Greg had wondered off when they spotted the magazine isle. Suddenly, as Nikki was walking around holding Seth's hand he noticed the toy section, and his eyes suddenly grew big.

"Momma"

"Hmm?" Nikki asked, as she looked for the certain jar of sauce that she wanted.

"Can we go look at the toys PLEASE? I saw this REALLY neat car!" he begged.

"Not now baby." She answered, as she was fully concentrated on what she was doing, and didn't even hear what his request was.

"But Momma!" He whined.

"Seth, please." She begged. Seth scowled, as he stood there looking at his mother with an angered expression on his face. Suddenly Greg and Matt came back and Greg wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Get what you need yet?" he asked curiously. Nikki moved away from his embrace.

"Not yet. We need to go get the Spaghetti pasta and the garlic bread--then we'll have everything." Nikki answered, as she didnt realize Seth had let go of her hand. He looked at his momma, daddy, and Matt really quick with a daring expression on his face. Should he go look at the toys by himself? If he hurried, he could go look at the neat car that he saw, and be back here before they went looking for more stuff. Seth stood there thinking for a couple of minutes, than he quickly walked away un noticed, and hurried to the toys he saw. As soon as Nikki found the sauce she was looking for she walked off carrying it assuming Greg has a hold of Seth. Greg and Matt followed not realizing Seth wasn't with them, and they went into the next isle they needed to go to.

~*~*~*~*~


Seth stood there in awe, as he stood there holding the huge bright yellow remote control monster truck in his hand. It was a VERY awesome toy, and he knew he just HAD to have it. He thought for a couple of minutes, than he went back to the isle he last left Nikki, Matt, and Greg in only to find them not there. He looked around to find many people in the isle, but none of them were his Momma, Daddy, or Godfather.

"Momma??" Seth called. Many of the women looked at the little boy, but when they saw it wasn't their little boy they went back to what they were doing. Seth walked into the next isle hoping they'd be in that one, but they were still no where in sight. Seth began to worry, as he went into the next isle. When he saw them not in that isle he became terrified, as he was now all alone. 'What if they had left the store without me' he thought to himself. Tears welled up in his brown eyes at the thought, and he dropped his toy and began to scream and cry. Many people heard him, but they passed him by as if he was not even there.


~*~*~*~*~


Nikki, Greg, and Matt suddenly came across the bakery, and Nikki watched as the man behind the counter placed fresh cookies on the free cookie tray.

"Seth, sweetie, do you want a cookie?" Nikki asked. When she got no responce she became very confused.

"Seth?" She asked, then she looked down and when she didnt see her son right next to her she looked at Greg. When she saw he didn't have him, and neither did Matt, and the two were busy messing around she began to panic.

"GREG!" She nearly shouted, startling the both of them.

"WHAT?!?" Greg asked.

"WHERES MY BABY??"

"I thought you had him!"

"No I don't, hes GONE!" Nikki demanded, as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I want my baby Greg, WHERE is he???"

"I dont know, Nik, don't panic hes gotta be around here somewhere!" Suddenly they heard a little boy screaming and crying bloody murder in the distance. Knowing it had to be Seth, Nikki took off running to where she heard the cries coming from, and Greg and Matt were right behind her. The crying led her all the way onto the other side of the store, and when she got there she found Seth sitting in the cereal isle screaming and crying his little eyes out.

"SETH BABY! Oh my god!" Nikki said, than she ran toward him. Once she reached him she knealed down on the floor and took him into her arms hugging him tight, as she kisses his forehead.

"Oh baby, its okay. Momma's here, everything is alright." Nikki soothed, as he clung to her tight and cried on her shoulder. She gently rubbed his back, as she placed soft kisses on his forehead every few seconds.

"Shhhh, baby its alright. I'm here. I will never leave you alone again like that I promise." She got up from the floor as she holds him, and he wrapped his legs around her waist and continued to hug her tight, as his crying soon turned into sniffling, and Greg went and wrapped his arms around the both of them, as he kisses the top of seth's head.

"How did he get left behind in the first place?" Matt suddenly asked.

"I don't know...one minute I had a hold of his hand then the next minute he let go, and I just assumed Greg had him this entire time." Nikki explained.

"I thought you had him." Greg replied.

"Seth, what happened how did you get lost?" Nikki asked, as she looks into Seth's frightened teary brown eyes.

"I saw a really cool toy momma...." Seth answered softly, as he was still sniffling. "I wanted to look at it...I thought that if I hurried and looked at it, and then hurried back to you, you would still be there, but when I went back to where you were before you weren't--I was scareded that you had lefted me here by myself." Nikki thought for a couple of minutes, than she suddenly remembered him saying something about toys.

"Baby, you need to tell me the next time you wonder off like that. You had us so scared."

"I'm sorry momma." Seth apologizied, as he had a sad tone in his voice.

"And Seth, we would never leave you here at the store by yourself. EVER, because we both love you SO much." Greg added, as he raked his fingers through Seth's hair, and kissed his forehead. Seth wrapped an arm around his daddy, as he still had a hold of Nikki too, pulling him closer to him and Nikki, and he hugged them both tightly being so thankful he still had them. After a few minutes Nikki handed Seth over to Greg.

"Where is this toy you saw baby?" Nikki asked curiously.

"Right there on the floor--I was gonna take it to you and see if you would gets it for me." Seth answered, as he pointed to the floor where he was crying at. Nikki reached over and picked up the monster truck from the floor, and she looked at the price tag on it. Seeing that wasn't too bad of a price she looked at Seth, as Greg held him close to him.

"If I get this toy for you Seth, do you promise to tell me the next time you want to go looking at something, and NOT wonder off?"

"Yes Momma." Nikki looked into his eyes, and when she knew he meant his promise she nodded her responce.

"Okay, come on then. Lets get what we need then get home." Nikki said, as she walked back to the bakery, and Greg and Matt followed. Once there Seth smelled the chocolate chip cookies.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah buddy?"

"Can I have a cookie?" Greg looked at Nikki for her approval. Nikki nodded her approval, and Greg took Seth over to the free cookies tray and let him get one.


~*~*~*~*~*~

Ashley and Kyle suddenly pulled away after a 30 minute make out session, and he looked into her light brown eyes, as he rakes his fingers through her hair.

"Feeling better?" He asked softly, as she places her hand to his cheek and gently caresses it.

"Mm hmm--you know how to make everything right." Kyle smiled a little bit at her comment and he rested his head against the same pillow shes using, and he began to gently rub her stomach, as her shirt was unbuttoned, and she only had a bra and a pair of jeans on. He continued to look in her eyes.

"You're so beauiful," He informed her. Ashley shook her head in disagreement.

"No i'm not..." Kyle raised his eyebrow.

"Now why would you say something like that?"

"Because its true."

"Thats a bunch of bullshit. You could be miss america if you wanted to." Ashley giggled a little bit.

"Whatever baby, you're just saying that because you're my boyfriend and know you'll be in BIG trouble if you say any different."

"Thats not true." Kyle answered, as he tucks a strand of her hair back behind her ear.

"No matter what you say, you're very beautiful. Just ask anyone." Ashley decided not to argue anymore, even though she knows shes not beautiful, and she rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, as she felt so comfortable being in his arms, and him rubbing her stomach like that. He rested his forehead against hers, and just held her close. He knows her self esteem is below zero, and it will take a lot for her to believe him. But hes willing to wait a life time till she does, because he loves her and knows hes going to be with her forever. He just doesn't know how to tell her he loves her. He just feels lucky that he accomplished the very hard step of being her boyfriend. Suddenly Ashley heard a familiar tune next door.

"Is that my cell phone??" Ashley asked all confused, as it suddenly regristered in her mind that it was the ring 'Girls and Boys' by Good Charlotte.

"But who would be calling my cell phone?" She then crawled out of bed taking the blanket with her and she wrapped it around her body, before going into Nikki's room. She dug through her backpack until she found her cell phone. She looked at the caller ID to see that it was her home number.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed.

"What? who is it?" Kyle asked, as concern filled his voice, and he went up behind Ashley wrapping his arms around her waist, and he began to place soft kisses on the back of her neck.

"Its my family..."

"Well answer it." Ashley looked at the ringing phone in her hand for a couple of minutes, than she finally turned it on.

"Hello?" She asked into the phone.

"Where the hell have you been???" Ashley's mother exclaimed into the phone, as she sounds like shes been crying.

"Ooh, Suddenly you care!" Ashley replied, as she leans back into Kyle's arms.

"Whats that supposed to mean??"

"Well, considering it took you like FOUR days to call me to see where I am at, it doesn't seem like you even give a damn."

"Of course I do Ashley, where are you??"

"NO YOU DON'T!" Ashley screamed into the phone, as she broke into tears. "YOU'VE NEVER CARED! And anyway, WHY does it matter? I'm NOT coming home!"

"It does too matter, honey, we miss you! Now tell me where you're!"

"Thats BULLSHIT! You don't miss me at all! because if you missed me you would've called me sooner then this! I'm NOT telling you where I am mom, and I am NOT coming home either! I'm happy where I am at, I am FINALLY happy so why don't you just leave me alone??" Ashley replied, then she turned her phone off and threw it across the room in anger. She grabbed one of her converse shoes that are lying on the floor, and she violently threw it against the wall.

"AHHHHH I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!" She screamed, as she fell to the floor crying. Kyle dropped to his knees and went to take her into his arms, but she forcefully pushed him away.

"LET ME BE!" She yelled.

"Baby its me, Kyle! Come here, calm down! Its okay." Kyle demanded lightly, than he scooted himself over to her, and he pulled her into his lap so hes cradling her. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight, and she buried her face in his shoulder where she continued to cry.

Chapter Thirteen: Depression




“OHH I wanna go on that ride, Johnny Pleeeease PLEASE?” Stephanie begged, as she points to a really neat roller coaster that takes you upside down several times, as she was extremely hyper. John looked at the roller coaster in horror, as he had just got done eating ice cream.


“But Stephee, I just ate.” John pouted.


“Please Johnny PLEEEASE?” She pleaded, as she looks into his dark brown eyes ever so sweetly. He gazed into her stormy blue eyes, causing his heart to immediately melt. He loves her so much, and knows he could NEVER say no to her.

“Okaaay, Okay we’re going.” He gave in.

“YAY!” Stephanie exclaimed, as she takes a hold of his hand and pulls him over to the long line that they have to wait in.


~*~*~*~


Meanwhile back at the house, Nikki, Greg, and Matt walked in—Nikki and Matt carrying several groceries in their hands, and Greg carrying a still very frightened Seth who won’t let him put him down for anything. Just as they were walking in, Kyle was coming down the stairs carrying a still very upset Ashley. Her legs are wrapped around his waist, and her arms around his neck, as her head is rested against his shoulder and she’s holding onto him very tight. Tears stream down her cheeks, but she’s not crying anymore.

“Ashee what’s the matter??” Nikki asked, as she immediately noticed the tears, and Kyle followed the three of them into the kitchen. Nikki put her bags down on the counter and looked at Kyle for answers seeing Ashley was still way too upset to answer.


“Her mom called her cell phone earlier wondering where she was at, but Ashley refused to tell her. Apparently she told Ashley that she misses her, but Ashley didn’t believe her. They argued about it for a little while, then Ashley hung up on her. She was so upset she threw her phone across the room, then threw her converse shoe against the wall and screamed ‘I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU SO MUCH’ and dropped to the floor crying. This was 30 minutes ago, but no matter how hard I try I can’t get her to cheer up. She just sat there in my lap the entire time with a blank expression on her face.” Kyle explained.


“Awww Ashee…” Nikki said softly, and she went and wrapped her arms around both Kyle, and Ashley as Kyle continues to hold her. She rested her forehead against Ashley’s and looked into her teary brown eyes to find so much sadness and pain in them. Ashley wrapped her arms around Nikki in return.


“She doesn’t miss me…she would’ve called sooner! She doesn’t miss me at all!” Ashley cried. Nikki didn’t know what to say, she only hugged Ashley even tighter.


“Shhhh sweetie its okay, calm down. Everything is going to turn out fine, I promise.” Nikki said gently. After a couple of minutes Ashley soon calmed down, but she was still very upset.


“I want my chocolate,” She announced softly. Nikki looked at Greg giving him a look and nodding toward the pantry. He went and got Ashley’s Hershey bars out of it, and he brought it to her. She took it from him and took out a Hershey’s bar.

“Ky why don’t you go lay her down? She needs to relax. Maybe she’ll want to watch TV.”


“Kay,” Kyle replied, and he carried Ashley into the living room, and he went and lay on the couch with her still wrapped in his arms. He pulled the blanket up on them both, and he grabbed the remote and handed it to her. She began to flip through the channels and she soon came across the family channel where the Backstreet Boys are performing a very old home coming concert in Orlando. Ashley has seen it a billion times, but she doesn’t care. She loves her Backstreet Boys. Kyle couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.


“Well what do you know, its your Backstreet Boys—They really are always there when you need them.” Ashley looked up at Kyle not saying a word and he looked into her still teary eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently, and she returned it.


“Only you could get me to sit here and watch the Backstreet Boys with you.” He said sweetly. She couldn’t help but smile, but only a little bit, and she snuggled close to him, as she looks back at the TV. She turned it up a bit and was immediately zoned out, as she stares at the TV in complete comfort. She loves her Backstreet Boys.


~*~*~*~


“So what are we doing about dinner?” Greg asked, as he still holds Seth, who still won’t let him put him down.
“I was thinking about sending you to get us all KFC.”


“Why me?” Greg pouted.


“Because A. I said so; B. Matthew is busy helping and C. Kyle is busy cheering Ashley up.”


“Why can’t I help you, and Matt goes to get KFC?” Greg asked, as he wraps his arms around Nikki, and kisses the back of her neck. Nikki took Seth from him, and then she shoved him violently to the floor.


“Because Matt isn’t constantly hitting on me!”


“I can’t believe you shoved me in front of our son!” Greg scowled.


“He’s seen worse, get over it!” Nikki replied, as she rolls her eyes, than she kissed Seth’s forehead. Seth rested his head against Nikki’s shoulder. He yawned and closed his eyes.


“No baby, stay awake. You already had your nap today.” Nikki said to Seth, as she gently shook his shoulder.


“Tired Momma,” Seth whined.


“Here, why don’t you go with daddy and he can keep you entertained?” Nikki replied, as she passes him over to Greg. Greg grabbed the keys to his car, and carried Seth out of the kitchen, and out to his car. Nikki looked at Matt and sighed.


“I’m getting sick and tired of him…I want to beat the crap out of him, I do.”


“I know,” Matt replied sympathetically, and Nikki wrapped an arm around his him, and rested her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her in return, and pulled her close. After a few minutes she pulled away and went into the living room with him following, to find Ashley asleep in Kyle’s arms.


“Matt”


“Yeah Ky?”


“Will you help me please? I want to get up, but I’m afraid I’ll wake her up.” Matt went to Kyle and he gently took Ashley into his arms cradling her, and Kyle got up. Matt gently lay her back down on the couch, and he covered her up with the blanket.


“Did she cry herself to sleep?” Nikki asked Kyle.


“No, the Backstreet Boys were just on TV doing a concert—It was like the last 20 minutes of it, and they sung her to sleep.


“Awww…” Kyle stood there thinking for a couple of minutes, then he went upstairs and into Nikki’s room. He went to where Ashley had thrown her cell phone and he picked it up. He went to the phone book directory and he searched for her home phone number. Once he found it he grabbed a pen and he wrote the number on a piece of paper. After doing this he went into his own room deciding he was going to listen to some music, and he decided on the CD switchfoot.


~*~*~*~

John and Stephanie had just gotten off the roller coaster, and John felt sick to his stomach, but Stephanie on the other hand who was still extremely hyper had an excited expression on her face.

“That was great!”


“Oh yeah, I’m just impressed I kept my food down.” John laughed. He looked at the love of his life who was standing next to him as she has a smile on her face from ear to ear, and he chuckled a bit.


“What ride now? Pleeeease pick a mellow one.” He pleaded. Stephanie looked around, and suddenly she noticed the Farris wheel and she again smiled really big. The thought of being on a Farris wheel with John made her heart skip rapidly.


“Farris wheel!”


“Okay, not so bad.” He nodded, and she took his hand and together they walked to the Farris wheel.


~*~*~*~


Suddenly Ashley opened her eyes after she had been sleeping for an hour, and she looked around the room to see what’s going on. Nikki and Matt were sitting on the other couch, Nikki scooted close to him, and her head is rested against her shoulder. Ashley smiled a little bit, as she was happy to see their friendship was getting patched up again, because recently it had taken a huge fall when Matt broke his promise, and went snooping through one of her journals that she strictly told him not to read. That journal happened to be the one where she revealed all her suicide temptations. He panicked, and was also pissed off that she didn’t tell him—her best friend, and he told her parents. They freaked out and sent her to her aunt and uncle in Kentucky for a while. Her aunt is a teacher, and was supposedly supposed to make her see that suicide isn’t an answer. Needless to say, Nikki was extremely pissed and wanted to beat the crap out of him so bad. At the time they just happened to be dating, and needless to say, they were a very cute couple. But Mat ruined that when he broke his promise and read her journal without permission. He promised her secrets were safe with him. She thought she could trust him, but after he did that for a while she didn’t know if she ever could again, and was extremely hurt, and she wouldn’t even talk to him. But its starting to get better now, and Ashley is beyond glad. She sticks with the opinion she had from the very beginning. They’re the cutest couple, and she knows in time they’ll work things out, because they were meant to be. Nikki noticed Ashley stirring in the corner of her eye, and she stopped in mid-sentence and looked at her. She smiled when she saw her smiling.


“Hey Ashee, how are you feeling?”


“Better,” Ashley lied.


“That’s good.”


“Where is Kyle?”


“He went upstairs—I have no idea what he is up to.”


“Oh, okay.”


“Do you want to help me get Stephanie and John’s dinner started? Its 8:00 we really need to get things going.”


“Sure,” Ashley nodded she got up from lying on the couch with her blankets wrapped around her.


“KYLE!” Nikki shouted.


“WHAT??”


“Bring the candles down here!” She replied, then she looked at Matt.

“Will you do me a favor Matt?”


“Mm hmm, anything.”


“Go upstairs and get the CD I burned a while back of go. It has all of the slow romantic country songs that Stephanie likes on it.”


“Okay,” Matt replied, and went upstairs, as Kyle was coming down with several candles in his hands. He gave them to Nikki, and she sat them all on the coffee table for later.


“Thanks.”


“Mm hmm,” He replied, than he looked at Ashley who was standing there gazing at him in awe, as he doesn’t have a shirt on. In her eyes he is always going to be very sexy to her—no matter what his sister says. He smiled at her sweetly, causing her to smile in return. He went over to her and wrapped her in his arms pulling her body closer to him.


“Hey baby girl—feeling better?”


“Yes a little.”


“Good—It saddens me when you’re sad.” Ashley placed her hand to his cheek and brought his lips down on hers for a passionate kiss, then she pulled away and followed Nikki into the kitchen to help with dinner like she said she would. Kyle followed her in there.


“What are we doing about our dinner?” Kyle asked, as he wraps his arms around Ashley from behind and kisses the back of her neck.


“Greg went to get us KFC about an hour ago—I have no idea where he is but he has my baby, so he better hurry back.” Nikki answered, as she was extremely aggravated with her ex-boyfriend.


“Damn, he needs to hurry his ass up, I’m hungry.” Kyle whined. “Just watching you make this spaghetti is making me hungry.”


“Blame Greg, not me.’’

“Doesn’t it make you hungry just watching her, Ash?”


“No…not really. I’m not all that hungry.”


“How could you not be hungry? You haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.” Kyle questioned.


“I’m just not hungry.” Ashley shrugged. Kyle looked into Ashley’s eyes for answers, and Nikki also looked at her, as she does stuff. Both of them can tell Ashley is still depressed, but trying to hide her feelings. Ashley gently pushed Kyle away and moved on the other side of Nikki, as she wanted some time alone.


“Want me to do anything?” Kyle sighed.


“Yeah, set the table for two, and put candles around the house.” Nikki answered. Kyle did as she said, and once he was out of the kitchen Nikki looked at Ashley.


“All right he’s gone. Start talking.”


“I don’t know what you mean.”


“Yeah, that’s a load of bullshit. Why aren’t you eating?”



“I told you I’m not hungry.”


“Ashley.”


“Well I’m NOT!” She snapped, as she was becoming upset again, and she tired so hard to fight back the tears.


“You’re suffering through depression, and you’re hiding your feelings. You won’t let Kyle, who you care SO much about near you. What’s going on honey? You know you can tell me, I’m your best friend.”


“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Ashley replied, as she breaks into tears. “Okay?? I REALLY don’t!” She said, and then she ran from the kitchen. Kyle and Matt looked at her as she ran up the stairs crying. She went into Nikki’s room and the next thing they heard was the door slam shut. Kyle sighed, as it was breaking his heart into a billion little pieces because he didn’t know what was wrong with the girl he loves more then life itself. He wants to make it better, but he doesn’t know how. If she won’t let Nikki help even, its must be really bad.

Chapter Fourteen: Somewhere I belong



Nikki continued to make spaghetti deciding to give Ashley sometime to calm down, then when the spaghetti was done and everything was ready for Stephanie and John she walked out into the living room to see Greg just walking in with Seth.


“Where have you been?? I know for a fact it doesn’t take two hours to get KFC!”

“I took Seth to the park first. You told me to keep him awake, so I did.”

“Oh…”

“Well the most important thing is he’s back. Lets eat!” Kyle replied, as he takes the bag of KFC away from Greg.

“Where are we going to eat? We aren’t supposed to ‘be here’. Steph and John will be back in five minutes.” Nikki asked.

“Upstairs in my room.” Kyle answered, as he starts up the stairs after grabbing a bunch of paper plates and silverware. “And y’all better hurry-cause I’m going to eat it all if you don’t!” He added. Everyone followed Kyle upstairs and into his room, and he sat the bag of KFC down on the bed. Suddenly, while glancing toward Nikki’s room he remembered Ashley, and went next door to check on her. Once in the room he found Ashley lying in bed staring at the wall. Kyle went around to the side she’s facing and crawled into bed with her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and caught a falling tear with his finger, as he looks into her light brown eyes.

“Come on baby, please tell me what’s wrong with you.” He pleaded. “Its bothering me that I don’t know.” Ashley wrapped her arm around him in return and he rested his forehead against hers.

“I guess the argument my mom and I had really got to me…It really hurts that she didn’t call me after all this time I’ve been gone until now, and then try to tell me that she misses me—she didn’t even sound like she meant it.” Ashley explained, as she was still sniffling from when she was crying.

“I’m tired of spending my entire life trying to reach her. You know all I’ve ever wanted was to know she cared—I just want her to tell me she loves me, because she doesn’t say it enough, and maybe for once in the first time since I was like eight years old she could spend time with me—only me not my sisters too. Like it used to be before they were born. The last time she spent time with me was when Brandi was a baby, and I don’t think Courtney was even born yet—I don’t remember that much, but she took me to see the Santa Claus in theaters, and I remember having so much fun…now all she does is yell and scream at me, and takes my computer away from me. She barely knows me I’m like a complete stranger to her, and she doesn’t take the time to know me. If she would stop screaming at me for just one minute and open her eyes she would understand that I ignore everything she tells me to do, fight with her about everything, hide out in my room and never come out, and run away from home, because I only want her attention but don’t know any other way to get it. Sometimes I felt so fucking invisible. Sometimes I would yell and scream how I feel, and it still didn’t get through to them, so I would start crying because everything I tried to say came out wrong. My sisters would always tell me I’m stupid and ugly, and soon I started to believe it. Do you understand what its like to feel like your family doesn’t love you? Or out of place? Lost, confused, to be told you’re stupid all the time? Invisible, scared, and alone… one can only be treated that way for so long until she’s completely lost it. I’m in a hole so deep and I don’t know how to get out of it.”

“I want to help you find your way out of that hole so bad baby that it hurts. I’m trying to help you, I want to help you, but I don’t know how. Tell me what I need to do baby, because I will do it in a heartbeat. I want to make you happy, because it depresses me when you’re depressed.”

“Just be here for me…always let me know you care…I just want to find a place where I know I’m needed, where I’m wanted. Somewhere I belong…” Kyle looked into her teary brown eyes for a couple of minutes, as he rakes his fingers through her hair.

“I just want to find a place where I can be happy, a place where I’m allowed to be myself at and not feel so misunderstood. A place where I don’t have to scream in order to get someone to listen to me.”

“You’re needed and wanted here…always. I need you, and I want you, and I know for a fact Nikki needs you. You make her just as happy as she makes you, and you can always say what you need to say around here, her and I both are always anxious to listen.” He explained, as he pushes some of her hair from her face.

“And you don’t even have to raise your voice to get it out either. Just be yourself. No one will ever make you feel stupid around here, and if they do you just let me know. I’ll hang them over a burning fire by their toes and threaten to let them burn unless they apologize.” He teased, and Ashley couldn’t help but giggle a little, causing him to smile.

“I love it when you giggle, and I love it even more when you smile.” She smiled into his eyes before wrapping her arms tight around him, and burying her face in his neck. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

“Now will you come eat, please? Even if its just a little bit I just don’t want you to starve to death.”

“Kay,” She answered softly. He got out of bed and helped her up too and he kept a hold of her hand as he leads her into his room where everyone was eating.

“Hi Ashee, feeling better?” Nikki asked hopefully. Ashley nodded her response and she went and sat next to her and she wrapped her arms around her resting her head against her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around her in return.

“I’m sorry about earlier…” Ashley apologized softly. “You were only being my best friend I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

“Its okay hon don’t apologize. You’re depressed I understand that. But I’m here for you if you ever need me, and you know that.”

“I know…that’s why I came all the way here from Arizona just to be with you.”

“Ash what all do you want?” Kyle asked as he grabs two paper plates.

“Its okay Ky, I can do it…”

“No just relax. What do you want?”

“Mac N Cheese, a drum stick, and mashed potatoes with gravy and a biscuit.” Kyle put everything she asked for on a plate and handed it to her, then he began to make his own plate.

“Is Steph and John here now?” Ashley asked curiously.

“Yeah, I hear Bryan Adams playing in the stereo down there.” Matt answered. Ashley smiled a little bit.

“I hope Johnny tells her tonight, she’s only been in love with the dude for 8 years now.”

“Jeez, THAT long??” Greg asked, in shock, and Ashley nodded in response.


~*~*~*~*~



“Johnny?” Stephanie asked, as John helped her sit in a chair at the table, as she’s hugging the light blue teddy bear he had won for her at the fair close to her.

“Hmm?”

“Why are you being so sweet?” She asked suspiciously, as he puts her plate of spaghetti down in front of her and grabs his own and sits in the chair across from her. The entire house was dark and lit with candles as they had walked in and he put the CD on. He placed his hand on top of hers as its rested on the table.

“I just wanted to spend the night alone with you, and make it a night you’d never forget, that’s all.” She smiled a little bit, as she looks into his eyes curiously. She knows Nikki and Ashley put him up to this, and she knows he’s up to something. They sat there talking about anything and everything as they ate their dinner.


~*~*~*~*~*~



After Nikki, Kyle, Greg, Matt, Ashley, and Seth had finished eating, Seth lightly tugged on Nikki’s shirt.

“Momma”

“Yeah baby?”

“I tired.” Nikki nodded her response.

“I can tell. Come on baby lets go get you ready for bed.” Nikki scooped Seth into her arms and took him into his room.

“Greg, Matt, want to play poker?” Kyle suggested, as he grabbed his deck of cards and went and sat behind Ashley, so she’s sitting between his legs. She scooted back into his chest, resting the back of her head against his shoulder.

“Yeah,” Greg and Matt agreed, and they all sat in a circle on Kyle’s bed and began to play cards. Nikki got Seth in his pajamas, sang him to sleep, then she went back to Kyle’s room. She saw the guy’s playing cards and thought for a couple of minutes, before going into her room. When she returned she had her nail polish.

“Ash, want to paint your nails?”

“Yeah!” Ashley answered, as she smiles really big.

“Dude, Nik, don’t make my room smell like that!” Kyle whined. Nikki stuck her tongue out at him before sitting on the bed joining the circle, and she sat next to Matt, placing her box of nail polish between her and Ashley. Ashley grabbed one of her black nail polishes and began to paint her nails. Kyle chuckled a bit.

“You and black I swear…” Ashley smiled up at him.

“Black is beautiful.”

“Mm well so are you,” He replied, as he leans down and kisses her lips softly. She smiled a little bit and shook her head in disagreement before continuing to paint her nails, and Kyle went his turn in the game.

“Hey Ash,” Nikki spoke after a few minutes of silence. She’s in the middle of painting her nails pink and black, and Ashley is in the process of painting her toes black.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to go to the mall with me tomorrow? I was thinking, you Stephanie and me could go, and we could have a girls night out.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Ashley answered.

“Yeah and in the morning you spend time with me.” Kyle replied, as he wraps his arms around Ashley’s waist and he began to place soft kisses on her neck, as he also pays attention to the game. Ashley who wasn’t doing anything anymore except waiting for her toes to dry rested the back of her head against his shoulder closing her eyes in relaxation. She loves it when Kyle kisses her neck.

“What do you have planned mister? You know I like to sleep in until 11:00.” She reminded him.

“It’s a surprise.” He answered mysteriously, and she smiled a little bit and looked up at him, as he plays his game still. Ashley sat there just thinking for a while, then she grabbed the black nail polish again, and took Kyle’s hand into hers and she began to paint his nails for him. He chuckled a bit.

“Baby I need that hand to play poker.” He pouted.

“Awww but Ky you look good with black nail polish,” Ashley pouted back. She quickly painted his nails for him as the other guys were doing their turn, and she managed to finish just on time for him to do his turn again.


~*~*~*~*~


Stephanie and John had finished eating dinner a half n hour ago, and were now just sitting there lost in deep conversation when suddenly Stephanie’s favorite song ‘Little Moments’ by Brad paisley came on the stereo. Knowing this is her favorite song he took her hand in his and got up. He then helped her up.

“Come dance with me,” He said softly, and he lead her over near the couches, and closer to the stereo, before wrapping her in his arms. He rested his forehead against hers as they began to dance to the song. He stared into her stormy blue eyes for a long time, as he has his hand on her cheek gently caressing it, then suddenly he absent-mindedly leaned down and captured her lips with his in a gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss making it deeper. When he pulled away he again looked into her eyes, and she gazed into his dark brown ones in so much love in her own, before placing her hand to his cheek and again pulling his lips down on hers this time kissing him much more passionately. Once they pulled away Stephanie broke the silence between them.

John…what’s going on?” She asked, as not only were billions of mixed emotions were running through her, as the only man she’s ever loved for the past eight years finally kissed her, but she was extremely confused.

“We need to talk Steph,” He said nervously, as he takes her hand into his and leads her over to the couch and sits down. He sat there thinking for a couple of minutes, and then he finally spoke.

“I’m just going to come right out and say it. I’m in love with you Steph…I have been for eight years, but have been too afraid to tell you in fear that you wouldn’t feel the same way. Nikki and Ashley helped me plan this romantic evening, because I wanted to tell you how I feel. I want to be more then friends…but if you don’t feel the same way I understand.” He explained. Stephanie sat there looking at him as tears stream down her cheek. It felt so good to hear him say that. She’s wanted to hear those words from him for so long it almost doesn’t seem real. Not replying to what he said, Stephanie pulled his lips down on hers kissing him deeply, and he returned it, as he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close to him. Once she pulled away she again looked into his eyes.

“I love you too,” She told him softly, as tears roll down her cheek. “I always have.” Not saying a word he pulled her into his lap and again captured her lips with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as she felt his tongue at her lips begging for entrance, she graciously opened up allowing it to venture into her mouth, and she moaned softly as the kiss became deeper.


~*~*~*~*~


“You guys guess what!” Ashley exclaimed, as she ran into Kyle’s room and shut the door.

“What?” Nikki, Matt, and Kyle asked at the same time.

“Johnny told her! They kissed!!” She announced, as she was so happy for her friend.

“Yay! Its about time!” Nikki replied.

“I was lying on my stomach on the stairs peeking through the bars and they never knew I was there.”

“Ohh,” Nikki replied.

“It was so romantic,” Ashley gushed, and Kyle chuckled a bit, as he and the guys were no longer playing cards.

“Come here my little eavesdropper.” He said, as he holds his arms out to her, and she went and crawled onto the bed. He pulled her into his lap making her sit sideways. He placed his hand to her cheek gently caressing it as he rests his forehead against hers, and he made it so their lips were just inches apart.

“Was it as romantic as it was when you and I got together?”

“Never,” Ashley answered softly, as she kisses his lips deeply.

“You were the most romantic guy in the world.” She added, before kissing him again. He smirked at her answer, as he gently rakes his fingers through her hair.

“Good.”

“You’re the best boyfriend in the entire world—Every girl should wish they had you. Id probably have to fight them all away—Id kill anyone who tried to steal you away.”

“No one will steal me away from you. No one could ever take your place. You have nothing to worry about. I’m forever yours.”

“I didn’t share my toys when I was in Pre School—I sure as hell am not going to share now either.” He chuckled a bit, and Ashley rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, and he sat there talking to everyone else.

Chapter Fifteen: Kyle’s Surprise

*The Next Day*


Kyle walked into Nikki’s room at 11:30 to find Ashley lying in bed still asleep. He went and crawled into bed with her, and he leaned down and began to gently kiss her neck, as he wraps his arms around her, knowing she loves it when he does that. Feeling Kyle’s kisses Ashley moaned softly and opened her eyes, as she wraps her arms around him.

“Mm Hey baby, what’s with the wakeup call?” She asked, as she smiles.

“Its 11:30 and I want you to wake up.” He answered, before placing his lips against hers for a passionate kiss. Once he pulled away he looked into her light brown eyes, as he gently caresses her cheek.

“I’ve got a surprise for you.” Ashley smiled up at him.

“I love your surprises.”

“You get dressed and I’m going to get some things ready so we can leave. Deal?”

“Mm hmm.” He kissed her one last time, and then he got up and left the room. She crawled out of bed and began to decide on what to wear. She soon decided on her Tripp blue stitch skull pants, and a light blue halter-top. She went into the bathroom and got dressed, then she pulled her dark burgundy hair back into a messy pony tale, before putting on some black eyeliner and black mascara. She put her black converse shoes on, and attached some chains to her pants, before going downstairs. Once down there she found Stephanie, John, and Matt there.

“HEY Ashee you look nice this morning!” Stephanie said loudly, so Kyle Nikki, and Greg heard her in the kitchen.

“Hey Stephee-thanks.” She replied, as her friend pulled her into a hug. “Where is Kyle?”

“He’s in the kitchen.”

“Okay.” Ashley started toward the kitchen, but Stephanie pulled her back.

“You can’t go in there.”

“Whhhy?”

“They have stuff in there that you can’t see.” Suddenly Kyle came out of the kitchen.

“Hey sweetheart, you’re looking beautiful as always.” He greeted her, as he went over to her. He kissed her lips gently.

“Ky, baby, what are you up to?”

“I’m going to make you feel better-because I can just see it in your eyes that you’re still not at all happy, and are just hiding it. You’re still hurting over last night and it’s clearly obvious so I’m going to fix that.” He explained. He kissed her once more, then he brought his hand from behind his back and he has a black bandana in it.

“I’m going to need to blindfold you. There’s things you can’t see yet.” He explained, before placing it over Ashley’s eyes and tying it. He took her hand and took her into the kitchen with him where Nikki and Greg had the stuff ready. Nikki carried it outside to Kyle’s car with help from Greg, and Kyle picked Ashley up and cradled her, as he carried her out to the car too. He opened the door to the passenger’s side and placed her in it. He helped her with her seatbelt, and then he shut the door.

“Did you pack everything?” Kyle double-checked with Nikki.

“Yeah, and Greg put blankets in the back seat.”

“Okay thanks.” Nikki nodded her response, and Kyle went around to the driver’s side and got in. He started the engine and drove out of the driveway.

“Kyle?” Ashley asked.

“Yeah baby?”

“Please tell me where you’re taking me, it’s driving me crazy.” Kyle chuckled a bit.

“But then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“But” Ashley whined.

“Shhh that’s enough out of you. No peeking we’ll be there in a few minutes.” He replied, as he reaches over and takes her hand into his, and he laced his fingers with hers. 10 minutes later when he finally reached his destination he parked his car and reached over pulling Ashley into his arms. He got out, as he cradles her, and he carried her somewhere and sat her down in what felt like grass.

“Stay right here. I’ll be right back. No peeking.” He explained.

“Okay,” Ashley replied, and he went back to his car. He got out all of the stuff and brought it over to Ashley. He spread out the blanket that Greg had put in the car, and he lifted Ashley and sat her on it. After doing that he set everything up.

“Okay, you can look now.” He said when he had finished. Ashley pulled off the blindfold to see that they’re at the lake, and they’re sitting under a tree. Next to her is a bag full of food and she’s sitting on a blanket. She looked at him curiously.

“I thought you and I should have a picnic this afternoon—just the two of us, and maybe also swim in the lake. What do you think?” Ashley smiled a little bit, causing him to smile, and she crawled into his lap straddling him. He reached over and got something from the bag, and he brought it around in front of her. She looked down to see that it’s a red rose.

“I went to the store earlier today and got you a few things.”

“Oh Kyle, its beautiful,” Ashley gushed, as she takes the rose in her hand and smells it. He smiled a little and kissed her forehead.

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“There’s something else in that bag for you, why don’t you look?” She did as he suggested and reached over for the bag. She opened it up and looked inside to see a velvet box in there. She took it out and looked at him curiously, before opening it up discovering a really beautiful silver bracelet with five little charms on it. They’re little hearts and fairies.

“Ooh Kyle, its pretty!” She said softly, as she looks up at him with tears forming in her eyes. He took the bracelet and helped her put it on.

“Once every month I will give you a new charm to add to it.” She then wrapped her arms tightly around him and rested her head against his shoulder.

“You’re the best boyfriend in the world.”

“Well I’m glad, because you deserve the best.”

“What did you bring me for lunch?” She asked, as she began to look through the bag again.

“Nikki said you liked turkey sandwiches with lettuce, cheese, and mustard. I made you that and I also brought sour cream and onion chips and cheetos. Ashley kissed his cheek and pulled out two bags of sandwiches and the chips.

“Which one is mine?”

“They’re both the same.” Ashley took one of the sandwiches and began to eat it, and he did the same with his. As soon as they finished eating he put the trash in the bag.

“Want to go swimming?”

“Ky, I don’t have my bathing suit.”

“Its okay.” I raised my eyebrow up at him.

“I saw you in your bra yesterday when we were making out, what’s the big deal if you swim in it?”

“This is a public lake baby,” Ashley laughed.

“No one ever comes here. I come here every now and then to think. That’s why I brought you here, so we could be completely alone.” Ashley didn’t reply she only wrapped her arms around his neck, and he leaned down and captured her lips with his in a passionate kiss. She moaned softly and returned it, as she snakes her tongue into his mouth. He took a hold of the hem of her shirt and he began to pull it up her body. Once he did he pulled away from their kiss only long enough to pull her shirt up and over her head. He dropped it on the blanket, before gently making her lay back on the blanket and he leaned down and began to blow raspberries on her neck sending her into a fit of laughter.

“Kyle stooooooop that tickles!” She exclaimed as she laughs hysterically.

“Ooh it tickles huh?” He asked, as he didn’t stop.

“Yessssss,”

“Ooh well in that case!” he replied, as he playfully takes her hands into his, and he spread them out from side to side, pinning them to the blanket he laced his fingers with hers and leaned down and began to blow raspberries on her stomach this time, causing her to laugh harder.

“S-S S-TOOOP that T-T TICKLEEEES!” She begged, as she couldn’t stop laughing. When he finally stopped he looked up at her and he chuckled a bit at the look on her face, before leaning down and kissing her lips softly.

“I got you smiling—at least I know my goal was accomplished.” She smiled up at him, before placing her hand to his cheek and pulling his lips down onto hers for a much more intense kiss then before.

“Damn baby…” He moaned between kisses. His kisses soon traveled down to her neck and he kissed her gently there, as she takes a hold of the hem of his shirt and pulled it up his body, and he pulled away looking into her light brown eyes allowing her to pull the shirt over his head. He took it and dropped it on the ground before wrapping his arms around her once more. He again looked into her light brown eyes with so much love in his own as he rakes his fingers through her hair. He lay there watching her for a few minutes, then when he suddenly came back to reality he remembered they were supposed to be going swimming.

“Come on, let’s swim.” He said softly, as he gets up from lying next to her, and he took her hands and helped her up. He kept a hold of her hand as the two of them walked over to the lake. She kneeled down and stuck her foot in the lake seeing if it’s cold or not.

“Is it cold?” Kyle questioned.

“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me.” She answered, as she playfully takes a hold of his foot, causing him to fall into the lake, him screaming the whole way in. Once he came up he was spitting out water, and had a very shocked look on his face. Ashley laughed hysterically at the look on his face, and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Payback is a bitch, isn’t it baby?”

“Ooh yeah,” He replied, as he takes her foot and pulls her in as well and she screamed in horror on her way in, as she totally wasn’t expecting that. When she came up she too had a shocked look on her face, and it was his turn to laugh.

“Yes, payback is a really big bitch.” He nodded. She smirked and moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and she stared into his dark blue eyes.

“Yes well, I guess we’re even then huh?”

“Yup.” He answered, as he rests his forehead against hers. She stared into his eyes for a few minutes.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but going over there just seems a lot more fun!” She said, while pointing to the other side of the lake, before going under water. She pretended to be swimming away, but really grabbed his foot, and she pulled him under water, his eyes growing big on his way in. She came up from under the water smiling evilly, as she waited for him to come up. When he didn’t she raised her eyebrow. When he didn’t come up after 10 seconds she really began to panic.

“Kyle?” She asked. “KYLE!! You can COME UP NOW!!” She demanded, as tears started to form, and she was beginning to get really scared, as a whole two minutes and 10 seconds had gone by and he still didn’t come up.

“BOO!” Kyle exclaimed from behind her, as he jumped up from under the water, and Ashley screamed in horror, sending him into a fit of laughter.

“That was SO not funny! That was SO not funny at all!” She insisted, and he just kept laughing. When he had calmed down he swam over to her and took her into his arms smiling sweetly at her, and she just scowled, as she was pissed. For the first time ever, she was pissed off at him. He noticed the tears streaming down her cheek from earlier, and he became serious.

“Baby…are you crying? I was just playing…”

“Yeah well of course I didn’t know that!” Ashley replied, as even more tears stream down her cheek, and she pushed him away.

“How could you not know that? We were both joking around. You pushed me into the lake, I pulled you in, and then you went under water and pulled me under. We were both playing around.”

“Yeah, well sometimes pranks can go just a LITTLE too far, especially when you don’t make it really clear that you’re just messing around! I REALLY thought that you were drowning Kyle, you didn’t even hint to me that it was just a prank, it seemed real!” Ashley replied, as it was clearly obvious that it really did frighten her a lot.

“I’m sorry sweetheart…I thought you knew I was playing.” He said softly, as he again wrapped her in his arms, and he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m right here, I’m okay I didn’t drown.” Ashley suddenly smiled, as she couldn’t keep a straight face any longer, and she broke into a fit of laughter. Kyle raised his eyebrow in confusion, and then suddenly caught on that she was just messing with him-again.

“Hahaha I got you! I got you SO good!”

“Shit Ashley that was evil!” He laughed. “You’re pure evil! I thought I was really in trouble.” Ashley laughed again.

“And you AREN’T evil? Those WERE real tears you know, at one point I did believe you were drowning.” He chuckled a bit, and then wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close once more.

“I guess you’ve met your match huh? I can be just as evil when it comes to pranks.”

“Yeah I guess so,” She smiled up at him, as she was glad to have changed the mood from serious to playful, because she knows how Nikki can be protective of her little brother sometimes, and she respects that. Its her best friends little brother. She knew if they kept making out like that they would’ve gone a little too far and made a huge mistake, because she was getting really into it. Not only would Nikki be extremely pissed, but Ashley and Kyle both were also WAY to young to be dealing with what could happen in result. Ashley wrapped her arms more around him and rested her head against his shoulder.

“Nikki tells me that’s all you ever did to your sister when you were living at home…pull pranks on her constantly.”

“Oh, hell yeah! She was so easy to pull pranks on it was great. I mostly did it for punishment though. When she pissed me off—which was well, all the time I would turn right back around and get her back for it.”

“Give her what she deserves, right?”

“Exactly.” Kyle kissed Ashley’s forehead and pulled away from their hug, and they continued to play games as they swam. They swam for about an hour, then Ashley started to get cold, and it was clearly obvious.

“Cold…” She pouted, as she stood there shivering. Kyle who was a few feet away swam over to her, and he wrapped her in his arms pulling her close.

“Come on, lets get out then.” He said gently, as he led her toward the side of the lake. Once there he helped her out of the water, then he too got out. He took her hand and the two of them went over to the blanket. Ashley sat down on it and sat there shivering.

“Did you bring t-t t-owls?”

“No, sorry sweetie, but here this will work.” He answered, as he grabs part of the blanket and wraps it around her as the two of them sit on it. She scooted closer to him and wrapped it around him too, and they both soon became warm. He lay back on the blanket, causing her to do the same, and he turned on his side to face her, as he wraps his arm around her waist and rests his forehead against hers. He lay there playing with her hair, as he stares into her light brown eyes and he just lay there watching her, as that’s what he loved to do best. He loves everything about her, even when she’s just lying there doing nothing, or not even saying anything he falls more in love with her if that’s possible. The two of them lay there together for a long time like that; not saying a word until she suddenly grew tired and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep. She used to never be able to sleep-she would be tired, but she would refuse and fight against it in fear of having a nightmare and waking up screaming. But it’s different when Kyle is near. Even when he isn’t near, and he’s on her mind it brings a peaceful feeling to her, and sleeping just suddenly doesn’t seem so scary anymore. She never seems to understand why though. That’s the part that confuses her. He lay there watching her sleep for a while, then he suddenly heard the tune ‘Girls and Boys’ by Good Charlotte, and knew right away that its Ashley’s cell phone. He reached into Ashley’s pocket, as she’s in such a deep sleep and didn’t hear it and he looked at the caller ID, and it said ‘Home’ on it.

“Shit…” he whispered, than he looked at Ashley. He thought for a couple of minutes, than he turned on the phone. He’s been dying to have a talk with Ashley’s mother for a while anyway. The thought of calling her has even crossed his mind several times, which is why he had written her home number down. He wants to know how anyone in his or her right mind could ever upset someone like Ashley so much to the point where she is afraid to even go home. How anyone would push her to the point where she would do crazy stuff like walk the whole way from Arizona to Ohio just to get away from them. How anyone could ignore someone as sweet and caring as Ashley-not to mention her OWN mother.

“Hello?” He asked into the phone.

“Who is this??” Came Ashley’s mother’s voice.

“I’m Kyle. A friend of Ashley’s-- Who is this?”

“Ashley’s mother. Let me talk to her.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“She’s my daughter, I HAVE a right to talk to her!”

“Why? Just to start another fight with her and upset her some more?”

“I’m not going to start a fight with her, I just want to talk to her.”

“About what?”

“Why is this any of your business?”

“Because, unlike you, I actually care about her and don’t want her to hurt anymore. It took me a long time just to calm her down from the LAST fight you had.”
“Let me talk to her.”

“I told you, I couldn’t do that. She doesn’t want to talk to you anyway.”

“WHY wouldn’t she want to talk to me?? Who are you? You probably kidnapped her and are holding her against her will or something!”

“I didn’t KIDNAP her, she came to me! I told you, I’m a friend of hers.”

“That’s bullshit, because I know all of Ashley’s friends, and NONE of them go by the name Kyle.”

“Maybe you don’t know me, because I was a friend from the Internet and she just never TALKED about me. No, I didn’t kidnap her-don’t worry she’s fine. She’s in Ohio with me—I’m not holding her against her will, she WANTS to be here.”

“If she went to you, how could she have gotten there? She doesn’t have any money!”

“She walked here!”

“Oh yeah whatever. From Arizona to Ohio?”

“Yeah, sounds crazy doesn’t it? Well it’s the truth! Feeling unwanted and out of place from your family can make you do extreme things!”

“What do you mean unwanted? She’s wanted here!”

“Oh yeah? Well you all have a funny way of showing it!”

“What’s that supposed to mean??”

“The only reason Ashley ran away in the first place was because she felt so unwanted and out of place there! When was the last time you paid attention to your daughter, Mrs. Allen?”

“Well—“

“Eight years old!” Kyle interrupted before she could answer. “You took her to see Santa Claus in theaters when she was eight years old. She’s changed a lot since then, have you even noticed? Do you know what’s going on in her life? Do you know what she’s feeling? I bet you I know more than you do! When was the last time you ever stopped to listen to what she had to say? I bet if you did, it would surprise you how amazing she is. How could you let yourself shut her out of your life like this? Haven’t you ever stopped to think that she MAYBE just might be trying to reach you but doesn’t know how? Ever stop to think that she just might want to spend time with you? You alone? Maybe you should stop and think about things, because you really don’t know your daughter at all. If you did, you would know that over the past few months she’s felt unwanted, alone, miserable, scared, invisible, and many other things and ever since she lived at home with you she didn’t have anyone to turn to. She only wanted someone to hold her close and tell her everything was all right, and to listen to what she had to say. Someone who would hold her close and tell her they loved her. That someone she wanted was you, but were you ever there with open arms? No! You weren’t! Ashley is an amazing person; she’s the most sweetest and caring person I know. She’s nice to just about anyone who gives her a reason to be. She’s really fun to be around, and I don’t understand how anyone could let that go, especially her mother. If Ashley were my daughter, I wouldn’t let her go for the world. But that’s just me. There are a lot of things your daughter is going through right now, and you don’t even know half of it, because you don’t care. She ran away, because she needed to find a place where someone actually cared, and she found that place. Ashley doesn’t want to talk to you, because every time she does she becomes very miserable, and I’m not about to let that happen again. Even if she were awake right now, I sure as hell wouldn’t let her talk to you.” Kyle said, than he turned off the phone. As soon as he did he looked over at Ashley to find her still lying on the blanket asleep. He put her cell phone back in her pocket where it was before, than he lay down wrapping her in his arms. He lay there watching her sleep for a few minutes, than he brushed some of her hair from her face and leaned down and kissed her lips gently being sure not to wake her up. After doing that he lay back and rested his forehead against hers, and he lay there continuing to watch her as she slept feeling somewhat accomplished. He wants to make all of Ashley’s dreams come true, and he knows one of them is to be close with her mother. He hopes that the guilt trip he just put her on will do its wonders, because then he will have made one of her dreams come true and can concentrate on the others. All he wants is for her to be happy, and if that takes a lifetime to happen, then he’s willing to wait that long.

Chapter Sixteen: You can’t leave me


Ashley opened her eyes, suddenly who knows how many hours later and she found Kyle’s beautiful blue ones staring down at her as he remains beside her with his arms wrapped tight around her. She smiled up at him, causing him to smile in return.

“Hey you, did you lay here and watch me this entire time?”

“Mm hmm.”

“God you must be bored,” Ashley laughed.

“Ha No, that’s where you’re mistaken darling!” He said in a rich accent, as he crawls on top of Ashley so he’s straddling her and he leaned down and began to blow raspberries on her neck once again causing her to scream and then laugh hysterically.

“Kyle Stooooooop!” She whined, as she couldn’t stop laughing once he did stop he chuckled a bit as she lay there looking up at him with a big smile on her face.

“You dork! That tickles!” She whined, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t stop smiling and Kyle laughed at that. She wrapped her arms around his neck placing her hand at the back of his head gently pushing his lips down onto hers for a soft kiss. He returned her kiss sliding his tongue into her mouth he made the kiss deeper. Once they pulled away minutes later he lay his head down on her chest as she lay there playing with his hair, and she looked up at the once clear blue sky that had turned dark and gray sometime while she was asleep, and it was getting pretty windy out too.

“Damn…where did the sun go so fast?” she asked curiously, and he too looked up at the sky as he rests his head against her shoulder.

“It became that way a little after you fell asleep. It’s going to start raining soon, we should probably pack up and go home.”

“I don’t wanna,” Ashley whined. He chuckled a bit.

“What? Would you rather stay here in the rain?”

“Why not? Rain is beautiful.”

“I thought black was beautiful.”

“Yes, and so is rain.”

“Why? What do you find so beautiful about the rain?” He asked curiously.

“Everything… the rain drops that make a soft and peaceful whispery sound, the feel of it when it cascades down over your face, the lightning in the sky I LOVE watching the lightning, the thunder, its just so beautiful. The feel of the cool breezy wind blowing on you… If the sun went away and never came back, and the sky was ALWAYS gray it wouldn’t bother me one bit. At home…when it rained which wasn’t very often cause it was the icky desert, but when it rained I would go outside and just stand there for hours as it did soaking wet and it would wash all of my pain and worries away, and for once I was happy. Sometimes If I was upset enough I would stand out there in the rain and cry the entire time. Rain is the most beautiful thing ever.” Kyle didn’t reply he only rested his forehead against hers, as he looks into her light brown eyes, and he pulled the blanket up on them covering everything but their heads, and he lay there gently tickling her arm, as its rested against his chest.

“Its also fun to get caught in it with the one that you…” She trailed off in mid sentence. She thought for a couple of seconds before going on “Care so strongly about. I never got to experience that though…Since I was always stuck at home in Arizona and you’re the first boyfriend I’ve ever had my entire life.”

“Then you know what? We’re going to get caught in the rain together just for you.” He replied, as he tucks a strand of her hair back behind her ear, and she smiled up at him causing him to smile in return.

“You’re so beautiful when you smile.” He informed her.

“Is that so?”

“Mm hmm.”

“So what about when I’m not smiling?” She asked, as she tries her very hardest not to smile, but it didn’t work out too well and he just laughed.

“You’re just as beautiful, but I like it best when you do smile.”

“Me too.” She replied softly. “And only you have ever been able to make me do that.”

“Well at least I know my goal has been accomplished then.”


~*~*~*~


“Dude, they’ve been gone all day almost—its like 4:30 and they’re still not back.” Nikki announced, as she enters the living room after being in the kitchen, and she has a smile on her face.

“They must be having a lot of fun.” Stephanie replied.

“Yeah—well Id like to know what kind of fun. That’s my little brother and best friend we’re talking about here.” Nikki replied, as she sits next to Stephanie on the couch as everyone was in the living room. Matt chuckled a bit.

“Protective much?”

“Maybe…”

“I’m sure they’re only just swimming or sitting there talking or something. Don’t worry so much. Its Ashee we’re talking about here, and you know how she is.” Stephanie reassured.

“Yeah I know exactly how she is-Madly in love with my brother. Who knows what’s on her mind.”

“She may be madly in love with him, but you know she’s not one to do anything she’ll regret later. I know for a fact she’s not planning to be a mother anytime soon, and I know for a fact she doesn’t plan on having sex till she’s 25 and married, and old enough to have the responsibility of being a mother. She’s the most innocent person I know. If we all went to a party and all decided to drink SHE would be the one driving us home because she would refuse to have anything to do with alcohol, and you know that. She’s your best friend, and you know she would never do anything against your wishes.”

“Yeah I know…its just that this is the first time they’ve spent the entire day alone together without me around and my best friend dating my little brother is still kind of weird for me, and you’ve SEEN how close those two are they’re inseparable.”

“Yeah I’ve seen how close those two are, and they’re the cutest couple ever. I’ve never seen two people so in love before as much as they’re. He’s so good to her and is always trying to find every way possible to make her happy and it works. He DOES make her happy, and when was Ashley ever happy before Kyle?”

“Never…”

“Exactly. She’s happy with him and isn’t that what you’ve wanted all a long? Was for her to be happy?”

“Yeah more then ever.”

“Ashee isn’t looking for sex hon, she’s just looking for someone who will love her, and from what it looks like I think she’s finally found that someone.” Nikki didn’t reply she only rested her head against Stephanie’s shoulder as the two of them sat side by side on the couch.

“Looks like they’ll be home soon anyway—Its getting ready to storm soon.” John announced, as he’ standing near the window.

“Heh nuh uh—Ashley loves the rain.” Nikki replied.

“Oh.”

“Well…whenever they do come back Stephee, Ashley and I made plans for the three of us to go to the mall later tonight—sort of a girls night out. Since Greg took my baby to his house I’m going to need something to do.”

“Okay cool,” Stephanie smiled.


~*~*~*~*~

“I’m going to put the stuff in the car—it’s starting to sprinkle.” Kyle told Ashley.

“Kay.” Kyle got up from lying on the blanket next to her and he gathered up all of her stuff. The bag of food and wrappers, and her rose he had given her and he took it all to the car. He opened the door to the backseat and put it in there, and then he shut it just as it started to pour. He turned to find Ashley standing up now. She had been ever since he walked back to the car. He went over to her and wrapped her in his arms.

“Happy? We be soaked now.” Ashley smirked as she wraps her arms around his waist and pulls him closer.

“You’re such a whiner.” She laughed.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Well what about you? Miss ticklish?” He asked, before starting to tickle her and Ashley began to laugh hysterically.

“Stooop,” She whined. “You’re gonna give me a tummy ache because of how much you tickle me.”

“Awww,” He replied in a teasing way, then he picked her up over his shoulder and he carried her over to the lake leaning her over threatening to throw her in.

“AHH Kyle no! Please no!” She begged, as she clung to him. He laughed.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t?”

“Cause you care about meeee?”

“Id still care about you even if I threw you in,” he laughed, as he again moved her toward the water. She screamed and clung to him tighter.

“If you throw me in there I swear to god I will pull you in with me!” He suddenly put her down, as he didn’t feel like getting more wet then he already was and she smiled and pushed him into the lake, as he didn’t even see it coming. When he came up he had an extremely shocked look on his face.

“Ohh you evil person you!” he said, as Ashley stood there giggling to no end at her evilness.

“That’s it! You’re going to pay for that!” He threatened, and then he jumped out of the water and dove toward her. Ashley screamed, turned around and began to run away from him as he chased her around the area. She ran toward a tree with a low branch and grabbed onto it pulling herself up, then she climbed the next branch and out of his reach.

“Oh like I can’t climb trees too!” he laughed. Ashley stuck her tongue out at him.

“Come get me.” She challenged.

“I wouldn’t challenge me if I were you baby, Cause I really will come get you!” He warned playfully.

“Try it.” She replied with no fear in her at all.

“Alright, here I come” He replied, as he started to climb up the branch. Seeing as how the branch was wet from the rain he lost his grip of the tree and fell to the ground landing on his back.

“Oooow,” He whined, and Ashley laughed.

“Oh yeah baby, you really got me!” He scowled and stood up from the ground, and then he grabbed onto the branch again and pulled himself up managing to not fall this time. As soon as he did she climbed up to the branch above her and smiled sweetly down at him.

“You can keep going as high as you want honey, but sooner or later you’re going to run out of branches.” He warned, before climbing up to the branch above him and right underneath her. She climbed up two branches more, and he followed her. When he was right underneath her before she could go any higher he managed to grab onto her foot, and she screamed in horror and hugged the tree branch. He laughed.

“Come here.”

“No-I aint going in that lake.” She insisted.

“I’m not going to throw you in the lake.”

“Liar.”

“I promise you I’m not.”

“Uh huh-I know better than that.”

“Baby I swear to you I’m not going to throw you in the lake. I just want to hold you.” She looked down at him as he still held onto her foot, and she looked into his blue eyes and discovered he was telling the truth. She let go of the tree and let him pull her down into his arms and he leaned against the branch as he cradles her.

“You’re evil you know that?” He asked, as he looks down at her.

“Yup-proud of it.” she smiled up at him, and he laughed. Suddenly they saw a crack of lightning and seconds later thunder crashed causing Ashley to hold onto Kyle tighter, as she didn’t see that coming. He chuckled a bit.

“Awww baby you scared?” He asked, as he holds her closer.

“No…just didn’t expect that.”

“Hmm well we need to get out of this tree—this isn’t exactly the safest place when there’s lightning.” Ashley nodded her agreement and moved out of his lap, and he began to climb down and Ashley followed trying her very hardest not to slip as it was harder to go down then it was to go up. Once Kyle reached the ground he stood there watching carefully, as Ashley is still a few branches away. Suddenly she lost grip of the branch as her hand slipped and she screamed, as she fell.

“KYLE!” Before she could hit the ground Kyle dove toward her and caught her landing on his ass on the ground in the process. She clung to him for dear life as he sat there holding her.

“You’re okay, I’ve got you.” Not replying she rested her head against his shoulder.

“Wanna go home now.” She pouted, as she was freezing cold and a little shaken from her fall. He got up cradling her as he carried her to his car. He carried her to the passenger’s side, opened the door and sat her in her seat before shutting the door again and going around to his side. Once he was in the car he reached into the back and grabbed the blanket and he wrapped her in it as she had scooted into the middle to be close to him. She rested her head against his shoulder and sat there shivering and he started to drive home after turning Good Charlotte on for her. He had borrowed Nikki’s CD. Once back to the house the two of them got out and he took her hand and brought her inside.

“Hey Ashee, Hey Ky did you two have fun??” Nikki asked.

“Yeah lots,” Ashley managed to smile even though she couldn’t stop shivering.

“Go get into some dry clothes sweetheart, I’ll make a fire in the fireplace and some hot chocolate. Kay?”

“Kay.” He kissed her cheek before letting go of her hand and she went upstairs as she was still wrapped in her blanket.

“What’s wrong with her? She looks frightened.” Nikki questioned Kyle worriedly as soon as she heard her bedroom door shut.

“We were messing around and I chased her up into a tree. She kept climbing higher to get away from me and I went after her. When we finally got to the top she let me take her into my arms but then we saw lightning and then heard thunder and remembered we weren’t exactly in the safest place so we started to climb down. I made it to the bottom, but she wasn’t even half way down yet because she was having a hard time. She lost grip of a branch and fell and almost hit the ground but I caught her just before she did. She’s a little shaken by the incident.”

“Awww…” Stephanie replied.

“But other then that she’s fine right?” Nikki asked.

“Yeah.”

“Did your surprise cheer her up any?” Kyle smiled a little bit now.

“Mm hmm—I haven’t seen her smile so much like she had done today. She was laughing and stuff like her mother never even called her yesterday.”

“Good,” Nikki smiled. Kyle nodded and went over to the fireplace. He got some wood and put it in there, and then he lit the fire and got it ready for when Ashley comes down. After doing that he went into the kitchen and everyone followed. He made him and Ashley some hot chocolate and everyone else made themselves some too. By the time he had walked into the living room with both their hot chocolate, Ashley came downstairs dressed in a white tank top and some black shorts.

“Come here,” He said gently. She went over to him as he was standing near the fireplace, and he sat down Indian style. He took her hand and pulled her into his lap and he again wrapped her in their blanket. He handed her, her hot chocolate and they looked at everyone else who was now sitting in the same spots they were in earlier.

“Nikki”

“Yeah honey?”

“We going to the mall still?”

“Yeah of course. Not till a little later though.”

“Okay.” they were all silent for a few minutes, and then Ashley again broke it.

“Where is Seth and Gregory?” She asked all confused.

“Greg took Seth to his house.”

“Ohh okay.”

“Yeah, I got tired of Greg being around, he was driving me crazy so he took Seth to his house with him.”

“Cool.”

“So anyway lets see this bracelet Kyle wouldn’t let us see until you did!” Nikki replied, as she got up and went over to Ashley and Kyle, and she sat in front of them on the floor. Ashley held her wrist out to Nikki trying to hide the fear in her eyes. She hated for people to see her wrists because it shamed her at what she had done to herself, but Nikki noticed the look of fear in her eyes right away. She gently took Ashley's hand and looked at the bracelet.

“Ohh pretty.” She said, as she examines the little charms on it, and Ashley couldn't help but smile though she now felt extremely bad. Nikki gently rubbed the scars on her wrists.

"I know," She said softly, before taking Ashley into a hug. "Its okay." Ashley returned her hug just being thankful to have her friend near. After a while she pulled away and Ashley rested her head against Kyle's shoulder and everyone sat around talking for a while. Ashley sat there listening the entire time until she soon again fell asleep in Kyle's arms.

"She’s sleeping Ky," Matt who had been watching Ashley for quite sometime announced. Kyle looked down at Ashley and he shook his head smiling.

"Figures...this is her second nap today. She sleeps A LOT..."

"Because she’s depressed. You tend to sleep a lot when you're depressed." Nikki replied.

"Well at least she’s not fighting against it anymore." Stephanie replied.

"Nik," Kyle said, as he looks at Nikki who is still sitting next to him and Ashley.

"Yeah?"

"Can I use your laptop again?"

"Mm hmm."

"John"

"Yeah?"

"Toss me that pillow please." John grabbed the pillow next to him and threw it to Kyle. Kyle caught it and sat it on the floor next to him, before gently lying Ashley down with her head rested on it and he covered her up with her blanket and got up and went upstairs to Nikki's room to get her laptop. Once up there he grabbed it and hurried back downstairs and he went and sat in his place next to Ashley again. He turned the laptop on.

"How come you've been borrowing my computer so much?" Nikki asked suspiciously.

"No reason." Kyle shrugged. Nikki raised her eyebrow at him.

"Really, no reason at all. I've just been bored and thought I would look around online a bit."

'Hmmm..." Nikki replied, as she was now onto Kyle. She knows he’s up to something. She got up and went to sit on the other side of Stephanie as Stephanie sits there wrapped in John's arms. As soon as Nikki had gotten up and left Kyle looked back at the computer and typed in 'Backstreet.net'. The website he had found in a search engine the other day.

~*~*~*~


Later on that day Ashley woke up and looked around to find everyone still sitting around talking, and Kyle still sitting there on Nikki’s laptop. She sat up and scooted closer to him. Seeing this he clicked out of the Backstreet Boys website that he’s on just as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder.

“What’cha doing baby?”

“Nothing, just checking my e-mail.” She kissed his cheek and she looked around at everyone else.

“Hey Ashee you’re finally awake!” Nikki greeted as she looked up from the notebook her and Stephanie are taking turns writing in. They’re working on their Backstreet Boys fanfic that they’ve been co-writing together over the Internet.

“Hey,” Ashley replied, and she got up and went over and sat on the other side of Nikki.

“What’cha two writing?” She asked curiously.

“We’re working on our story that we’ve been co-writing together over the Internet.”

“Ohh.”

“Yup.”

“When are we going to the mall?” Stephanie questioned.

“How about in a half n hour from now?” Nikki asked, as she looks at her watch to see that it reads 5:30.

“Okay.” Right after Stephanie had said that thunder crashed violently in the sky outside and a second later they saw a flash of lightning that lit the entire sky. Ashley smiled really big.

“Dude that’s awesome.” Nikki shook her head smiling.

“You and storms I swear.”

“They’re COOL.” Ashley insisted. She sat there watching them write their story for a while until she grew extremely bored.

“Well I’m going to go upstairs and change into some clothes that I can wear to the mall.”

“Okay,” Nikki replied. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Ashley went upstairs and into Nikki’s room and she got out some clothes to wear before going into the bathroom. Once in there she shut the door and began to change. As soon as she did she was wearing a white Metallica Tee shirt that has short sleeves and long black fishnet sleeves attached to it. She has on her green plaid o-ring skirt, and she’s wearing fishnet stockings and some black boots. She brushed her burgundy hair, which is still a little damp from the rain and fixed her black eyeliner and mascara. After doing this she went back into Nikki’s room and spotted her cell phone lying on the floor from when she was changing earlier—it must have fallen out of her pocket. She leaned over and picked it up and she went to missed calls. When she did she found ‘Home-12:00 PM’ Ashley raised her eyebrow, as she remembers that’s when she was sleeping earlier during her first nap and was with Kyle. She went to the top of the stairs holding her phone.

“Kyle”

“Yeah baby?” he asked, as he looks up from the laptop and at her.

“It says on my phone that my mom called earlier while you and I were at the lake and it says it was during the time I was sleeping. Do you know anything about this?”

“Oh…yeah she did call…” Kyle answered, as he looks at Ashley cautiously, and Nikki looked at her brother curiously.

“Why didn’t you tell me that she did?”

“It slipped my mind?” Ashley looked at him suspiciously for a couple of minutes, and then she went to answered calls. She went down the list and saw ‘Home-12:00’ on the list.

“Oh. Well do you mind telling me what she said when you answered it? Or did that slip your mind too?” she asked, the tone being obvious in her voice that she is pissed.

“Its not important.”

“Kyle…”

“Its NOT important.” He said, trying his very hardest to stay calm.

“Its bad enough that you talked to my mother behind my back, but now you aren’t even going to tell me what was said???”

“No I’m NOT! Because I don’t want you to get upset damnit, OKAY?? I worked my ass off on cheering you up and I’m not about to let her ruin it AGAIN.” Ashley looked at him in so much hatred for a couple of minutes, then she stormed off into Nikki’s room and she slammed the door shut and was pissed. She wouldn’t care too much about him talking to her if he didn’t make it such a big secret about what was said. She grabbed her converse shoe and she threw it at the door in anger before going into the bathroom and slamming that door shut.


“She’s throwing and slamming things around…she’s really pissed…” Stephanie said worriedly.

“And did I just hear two doors slam? She’s in the bathroom…the bathroom and angry…” Nikki added as she was getting kind of scared.

“What’s the big deal about her being in the bathroom when she’s angry?” John asked all confused.

“My razor is lying out in the open where she can see it…” Nikki answered. “She tends to take the anger all out on herself…”

“No…she PROMISED me she wouldn’t do that anymore!” Kyle demanded in anger mixed with fear and he jumped up and ran upstairs. Once up there he opened the door and went into Nikki’s room.

“Ashley! What are you doing in that bathroom?”

“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Ashley answered, as her eyes suddenly fixed upon Nikki’s razor. She took it in her hand and sat on the floor leaning against the bathtub and she stared at the razor in fascination. It was her old friend, the thing she used to turn to for everything. She wouldn’t cut herself now of course, because she promised both Kyle and Nikki she was done doing that. But she just wants to hold it for a while. Hold it and look at it. It made her sane in ever way. It was her only comfort.

“Nothing my ass! Open the door now!” He demanded.

“NO! Go away I hate you!”

“No you don’t!”

“Yes I DO! I hate liars, and most of all I hate people who keep secrets from me, ESPECIALLY when it’s my boyfriend!”

“Its FOR your own good!” He replied, as he sighs and rests his head against the door.

“I don’t want you to be upset anymore baby, please you don’t understand how much it hurts me when you’re upset.”

“JUST GO AWAY! I want to be alone!” Ashley begged.

“Well if you want to be alone, WHY don’t you go back home? You’ll be alone ALL YOU WANT!” Kyle yelled, as he was now extremely frustrated.

“Kyle Johnson don’t you DARE say that!” Nikki demanded, as she stands in the doorway of her bedroom.

“FINE Maybe I will go home if that’s what you want!” Ashley said, as tears rolled down her cheek and suddenly the door opened. She went over to the closet and got all of her clothes down from the side Nikki had let her have and she went and laid it out on the bed and began to fold them all up.

“No baby, I don’t want you to go home.” Kyle sighed.

“Yeah, which is why you just told me to go home?” Ashley asked, as she looks at him with tears streaming down her cheek, and so much hurt in her eyes. “Fine with me, I’ll go home. If it hurts you so much that I am upset you would think that’d be the LAST place you would want me to go.” She added, before she looked back down at the clothes that she was in the middle of folding up. Kyle thought for a couple of minutes, and then he went over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She didn’t say a word or struggle to get away she only put the now folded up shirt that took her forever to fold up cause she was upset into her bag. He took her hand before she could fold anything else up.

“Kyle please go away,” She begged, as she broke into tears for the first time. “Let me pack alone. I’ll be out of here in a half n hour then you can be happy.”

“I don’t want you to go baby, I really don’t. Happy is the last thing I would be if you leave.”

“Then why did you tell me to go home?” She asked while sniffling.

“Because I’m an asshole, and I say things I don’t mean when I am frustrated.” He answered gently, as he turns her around to face him. He caught a falling tear as he looks into her light brown eyes.

“I mean this though…you mean the world to me, and it would kill me more then you could ever know if you leave. Don’t go back there honey, they treat you like shit and that’s the last thing you need.”

“I don’t want to be alone anymore…” She answered, while still sniffling, as it was clearly obvious that she was still upset.

“Don’t leave me all alone Kyle,” she begged, and he wrapped her tight in his arms making her rest her head against his chest.

“I’m right here baby you’re never alone. Ever.” She wrapped her arms around him in return and hugged him tighter as she was afraid to lose him. He kissed her forehead and returned her hug. Once he pulled away he sat on the bed and pulled her into his lap so she’s sitting side ways and she rested her head against his shoulder, as he takes her hands into his and turns them over to look at her wrists. He gently rubbed his fingers over the cuts being thankful that there weren’t any new ones. Nikki who had gone into the bathroom a few seconds before suddenly noticed her razor lying on the floor and her eyes widened in fear.

“Ashley Elaine!” She yelled, and Ashley held onto Kyle tight. She came out of the bathroom with her razor in her hand.

“What was this doing on the floor?? Why did you have it??”

“I wanted to hold it Nikki…that’s all…” Ashley sniffled.

“Why?”

“Because I needed to.”

“Why?”

“It kept me sane…” Nikki looked at her for a couple of minutes, then she went over and sat next to Kyle on the bed.

“Let me see your wrists.”

“No.”

“ASHLEY”

“NO! I don’t like it for people to see them and you KNOW that!”

“I’m your best friend!”

“I don’t care I don’t want you to see it!” Ashley cried. “I feel ashamed for people to have to see it!”

“She didn’t cut herself Nikki, relax.” Kyle finally spoke up. “I looked.”

“I don’t want you to even be holding it.” Nikki demanded lightly.

“I HAVE TO Nikki it makes me feel better!” Ashley pleaded desperately.

“NO! There are different ways for you to feel better! You have ME if you need comfort come to ME and I will be your comfort I will keep you sane. ME I will do it! I just don’t want to lose you!” Nikki yelled, as tears roll down her own cheek. “THAT’S what I am here for that’s what you came here for, so you could be close to ME and I could HELP you. You don’t need a stupid razor that doesn’t solve ANYTHING.” She added, as she throws the razor across the room and Ashley flinched as it hit the wall and she looked over at it longingly. Nikki pulled Ashley into her own arms and she hugged her tight. Ashley buried her face in Nikki’s shoulder and cried even harder. Nikki gently rubbed her back as tears roll down her own cheek and she held Ashley close to her in fear that if she didn’t she would lose her.

“I love you Ashley, I really do. I’m your best friend and you know I’m here for you. You don’t need that razor for comfort you can always come to me and you know I will make it all better. Let me be your comfort, let me be the one that keeps you sane. Let me be your anti cut. Please Ashley I just don’t want to lose my best friend. You don’t know how hard it was for me when you were in Arizona and I was here knowing that you were hurting yourself and there was nothing I could do. There was no one there to stop you. I would cry ALL the time, and you know me, you know I don’t cry. But YOU made me cry because you mean EVERYTHING to me. You’re important to me and goddamnit you can’t leave me here all alone!”

“I’m sorry,” Ashley apologized, as she hugs Nikki tighter and continued to cry. “I’m really sorry.” Nikki didn’t reply, she only sat there holding her friend close and when she had finally calmed down Nikki looked down at her to find Ashley already looking up at her.

“I love you too,” Ashley told her, and again rested her head against her shoulder. Nikki just sat there watching her for a few minutes then she broke the silence in the room, as she grabs a tissue and wipes away the tears.

“Come on, let’s go to the mall. We need to get your mind off of things.”

“Okay…” Ashley replied, and the three of them got up Ashley grabbing her cell phone from the floor and putting it in her pocket and the three of them went downstairs.

(Authors Note: Review Please! and I will reward you with the next chapter =)

Chapter Seventeen: You Don't Know Her

As soon as Nikki, Kyle, and Ashley had gotten downstairs everyone looked at them. They had heard the entire thing because Nikki’s bedroom door was open and they were being kind of loud.

“Steph, come on we’re going to the mall now. Ash needs to clear her mind.”

“Okay.” Ashley wrapped her arms around Kyle and looked into his dark blue eyes as left over tears still stream from her own. He gently wiped them away with his fingers as he leans down and kisses her lips softly, before again looking into her light brown eyes.

“You’re going to be okay,” he promised. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Okay.” He kissed her one last time, and then she turned to see Nikki standing at the door waiting, as Stephanie was already outside. She went over to Nikki and Nikki wrapped a protective arm around her as the two of them went outside together shutting the door behind them. They hurried over to the car as they were getting soaked from the rain as it was still pouring. They all got in and Nikki looked at Ashley.

“What do you want to listen to?”

“Good Charlotte.”

“That’s in Kyle’s car…sorry honey…”

“New Found Glory?”

“I do have that.” Nikki nodded, and she pushed play and turned the stereo blaring loud knowing Ashley likes it best that way. Ashley rested her head against the window and stared out at it and she watched the rain. Just watching the rain made her feel a little better but not much. The pain she felt when Kyle had told her to go back home still hurt really bad. She could feel it in her stomach and the pain just won’t go away. Tears rolled down her cheek at the thought of Kyle wanting her to leave. The thought of him not loving her the way she loves him. She needs Kyle to love her she needs that more than anything. But she didn’t want him to tell her. Not unless when he does tell her that he loves her, he really means it. She wants to feel the love he has for her when he holds her close. She wants to be able to look in his eyes and see all his love for her in them. That’s when she wants to hear him say he loves her. Nikki noticed the tears but didn’t say anything. She knows Ashley is hurting and it pained her so much that her best friend was hurting. She wishes there was something she could do.

~*~*~*~


As soon as Nikki’s car had disappeared and was way out of Kyle’s eyesight he went back inside the house where Matt and John were still sitting. Before he shut the door he noticed Nathan hurrying up the front porch with an umbrella over his head. Kyle waited for him to go into the house, and as soon as he did he shut the door behind him.

“Hey Nathan what are you doing here?” Kyle asked curiously.

“I was bored and just thought Id come over to see what you all were up to.”

“Oh.”

“Where are the girls?” Nathan asked curiously.

“They went to the mall. They thought they would have a girls night out since Greg took Seth and Nikki had nothing to do, and Ashley needed to clear her mind.”

“Ah I see.” Kyle went back to his spot on the floor where he had left the laptop and he sat down pulling it back into his lap. He un minimized the Backstreet Boys website he’s on and continued what he was doing.

“You know…Nikki asked you a good question earlier that’s been making me wonder too. Why HAVE you been borrowing her laptop lately? What have you been doing? Cause I know you don’t have an e-mail that was a lie when you told Ashley you were checking it. You’ve been very secretive lately.” Matt interrogated Kyle. Kyle looked up at him.

“Nothing,” Kyle answered, while shaking his head, and he looked back down at the website.

“Kyle…”

“Its nothing I swear.” Matt only continued to look at Kyle not believing that for a second.

“Yeah okay whatever.” Kyle sighed and looked at Matt. He looked at him for a couple of minutes before answering his question.

“Okay, okay fine… yeah I have been up to something lately. I’m working on a surprise for Ashley.”

“What kind of surprise?” John asked curiously.

“I’ve been looking on all kinds of Backstreet Boys websites lately. I’m trying to find them… One of her biggest dreams are to meet them, give them all a hug and tell them how much they’ve helped her. It’s really important; you can tell it is just by looking into her eyes when she talks about them, and they really do help her. They’re always there for her when she needs them, and they calm her down really easily I’ve witnessed it. I want to be the one to make it happen for her. I know it’s an extreme thing but if I keep trying I think I can find them. They aren’t on tour right now so its really hard its not like I can just look up their tour dates and see where they’re, but I’m hoping to find something.”

“Wow—that’s really cool of you Ky…” Matt said, while looking at Kyle with a small smile on his face. Kyle nodded his response.

“I’ll do anything to make her happy.” Matt sat there watching Kyle as he goes back to looking at websites. He thought for a couple of minutes, then he suddenly again broke the silence in the room.

“You love her Ky…don’t you?” Kyle again looked at Matt. He looked at him for a couple seconds hesitating on his answer, and then he nodded.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Have you told her?”

“Not yet…I’m waiting for the right time.”


~*~*~*~*~


As soon as Ashley, Stephanie, and Nikki arrived at the mall they went inside and looked around.

“Where should we go first?” Stephanie asked curiously, as she looks around at all of the many different stores.

“I don’t know. Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere is fine.” Stephanie and Nikki both looked at Ashley, and Ashley shrugged her shoulders. It was clearly obvious that she was still a little upset.

“Hmm…” Nikki thought. They began to walk around looking at the stores as they passed them by when suddenly they came across the tattoo store.

“Ooh lets go in there!” Stephanie said, while grabbing both of her friends by the arms and pulling them in there.

“What tattoo are you planning on getting?” Nikki questioned, as they waited to be assisted.

“A flaming blue rose with my siblings names ‘Natalie’, ‘Justin’, and ‘Brooke’ on the petals.”

“Ohh cool.” Nikki grinned. Once Stephanie got her turn Nikki and Ashley stuck by her side for support. Once the tattoo artist finished she had her new tattoo on her right shoulder.

“Wow Stephee that’s really neat!” Ashley exclaimed, as she and Nikki examined her tattoo as they now stand outside the tattoo store. Stephanie beamed proudly. She has wanted this tattoo for sometime.

“Where to next?” Stephanie asked. The three girls looked around for a few minutes, until Nikki suddenly spotted Lane Bryant.

“Lets go to Lane Bryant,” She answered, as she leads Ashley and Stephanie into the store. Nikki and Stephanie immediately found clothes they liked and began looking at them, trying them on and asking for each other’s opinions, but Ashley wanted nothing to do with it. None of the clothes interested her at the moment. She loves Lane Bryant but today it didn’t seem to interest her. She sat in a chair and watched her friends until they finished and had brought what clothes they had wanted. As they were walking through the mall looking for another store to go into they suddenly came across the food court.

“Ohh those ice creams cones look really good!” Stephanie announced, as she watched a kid walk by with a strawberry ice cream cone from dairy queen.

“Lets get some,” Nikki replied.

“Okay,” Stephanie replied, and the three of us stood in line.

“Ashee do you want any?” Nikki asked.

“Don’t have money.”

“That’s okay its on me.”

“Nikki…”

“Your job interview is next week. I managed to talk my boss into giving you a chance.”

“Okay…but if I get the job as soon as I receive my first pay check it goes straight to you!” Nikki didn’t reply she only wrapped her arm around Ashley’s shoulders and pulled her close.

“Cheer up Ashley please? You’re making me sad.” Ashley didn’t reply she only rested her head against Nikki’s shoulder.

“Now what kind of ice cream do you want?”

“An orange Julius.”

“Okay.” As soon as it was their turn in line they ordered their ice cream, then they went looking for a table. As soon as they found one they sat down.

“Ashee what’s bothering you?” Stephanie asked, as she noticed Ashley was still upset. “Its not still about earlier is it?” Ashley shrugged her shoulders.

“I think it is,” Nikki replied.

“I just can’t get what Kyle said to me to go away… you know when he told me to go home.” Ashley replied, as a single tear rolls down her cheek.

“Oh honey you know he didn’t mean it.” Nikki replied, as she sets her blizzard down on the table and hugs Ashley.

“I know that’s what he said, but you don’t understand. Him telling me that scared me more then anything the thought of him hating me and wanting me to go home scares me. I need for him to love me it would kill me more then anything if he didn’t. You and him both are the only things that make me happy and I don’t want to lose that.” Ashley explained, while crying now.

“You aren’t going to lose us. Ashee you’re my best friend and I’m always going to be here for you I love you. You make me happy just as much as I do to you and nothing will ever change that. I promise.” Nikki reassured her. She grabbed a napkin and dried Ashley’s tears.

“Now as for Kyle, no one knows my brother as much as I do and I can assure you that you mean a great deal to him. He may be an ass face and say things he doesn’t mean sometimes, but I know you mean the world to him okay? Don’t you ever forget that.”

“Kay…” Nikki looked at Ashley for a couple of minutes, than she again hugged her. When she finally calmed down Nikki pulled away.

“Now cheer up before you make ME cry!” Nikki said, and playfully pushed Ashley. Ashley smiled a little bit and pushed Nikki back.

“Its good to show emotion once in a while—maybe if you didn’t keep it all in you wouldn’t be so angry all the time.”

“Yeah well I hate showing emotion.”

“Yes we know,” Stephanie replied.

“Except anger—I’ll express that with no problem.”

“Yeah we know that one too,” Stephanie laughed.

~*~*~*~*~

“Lets go outside and play basketball,” Nathan who is bored requested.

“In the rain?” John laughed.

“Yeah why not?”

“Three words for you Nathan: Lightning is dangerous!” Matt replied.

“Yeah well so is being on the Internet but that doesn’t stop Kyle.”

“Love will do crazy things to you sometimes.” John laughed.

“Yup. If I get struck by lightning I can tell Ashley it was all for her.” Kyle joked. Nathan rolled his eyes, obviously sickened by the way Kyle can’t stop talking or thinking about Ashley.

“Well then if you all won’t go outside then lets play poker.”

“I don’t wanna.” Matt replied, as he yawned sleepily. “I’m tired.”

“John what about you?”

“Its not fun with just two people.”

“Kyle?”

“I’m busy.” Nathan sighed in frustration.

“Can you not take a break?”

“This is really important Nate. If I can find these guys and get them to agree to meet Ashley she’ll finally be happy. That’s my main goal right now—to make her happy.”

“Are you kidding me? NOTHING can make the spoiled little bitch happy! Seriously she acts like she’s two!” Nathan snapped, as he couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s gotten into you?” Matt asked Nathan, as he looks at him with a slightly pissed off expression on his face.

“I’m sick of it! Ever since she moved in with you guys everything has been about her! Even when she’s not around all you do is talk about her! If we went one day where everyone’s life didn’t revolve around her I think I might fall down dead!”

“You’re just jealous because she likes everyone but you! You just hate her because she pulled one harmless prank on you!” John replied.

“She doesn’t only hate me! She hates Greg too!”

“At least she can get a long with him better.” Kyle replied.

“Whatever Kyle you’re wasting your time. She’s a spoiled little bitch and nothing makes her happy.”

“DON’T talk about her like that you don’t know her!” Kyle snapped, as he was now becoming pissed.

“I don’t have to know her! I don’t have to get to know her to know that shes a mellow dramatic bitch who can NEVER be happy!”

“She’s SUFFERING through depression, obviously you don’t understand what that’s like! I know that she just needs to feel loved and cared for and in time she will be happy! She’s spent so many years alone and you don’t understand what that’s like! I do because unlike you I listen to her! And unlike you, I know what its like to feel neglected and unappreciated by a parent!”

“Whatever. You’re making the biggest mistake of your life. Don’t come crying to me when you find out that she’s just using you.” Nathan replied, than he got up, grabbed his umbrella and left the house slamming the door behind him. Kyle sighed in frustration and looked at Matt, and Matt only sighed.

“Ignore him—He’s just being jealous.”

“Yeah well that worries me. He went after Ash once what are the chances that he does it again? I was there to protect her that time what if she’s not that lucky the second time around? She’s so sweet and innocent…she wouldn’t know how to fight back.” Matt shrugged not really knowing what to say.

Authors Note: All righty, So I apologize for the long wait for an update people...how long has it been? months? Well Anywho, I finally have the inspiration to keep going and have finally written another chapter --with a lot of help and support from Nikki. Thanks Babe! Your awesome! I hope you all enjoy.





Chapter Eighteen:




"So where should we go now?" Stephanie asked, as the three girls are now once again walking through the mall as they had finished their ice cream.


"Torrid!" Ashley exclaimed in excitement, which made Nikki laugh. She is happy her friend is back to her normal hyper self. Torrid is Ashley's absolute favorite store to shop at next to Hot Topic.


"Okay, Torrid it is." Nikki answered with a small smile on her face.


"Yay," Ashley replied happily.


"I'll meet you two in there. I'm going to stop at this shoe store first." Stephanie replied.


"Okay," Ashley said, and than followed Nikki into Torrid and Stephanie went the other way to the shoe store she had seen.



~*~*~*~



"Alright I need a break," Kyle announced to no one in particular as he shuts off the laptop. He got up from sitting on the floor and suddenly decided he needs a drink. He went into the kitchen for a dr pepper.


"Why don't we play video games?" Matt suggested.


"Okay cool," Kyle agreed, and the two of them set up the game system putting in the game 'Need For Speed Underground'.


"John do you want to play?"


"No thanks--Maybe the next game.


"Okay," Kyle replied, as he sits on the couch with his game controller. Matt sat on the floor leaning against the couch. Kyle got the orange and black Toyota Celica and Matt made a silver Mazda Rx-7. The two began racing and Kyle kicked Matt's ass four times in a row and then Matt finally won because Kyle totaled his car; he had hit an oncoming truck.


"Ah ha I finally won!" Matt cheered in victory, as he looks at Kyle with a cheesy smirk. Kyle rolled his eyes.


"Yeah cause I totaled my car, loser!"


"I still won!" Matt scowled.


"John do you want to go now?"



"Yeah," John nodded and Kyle handed him his controller.


"Good luck Matt you're gonna need it." Kyle laughed, as he got up and headed toward the kitchen.


"Dude shut up!" Matt growled, before beginning his race with John. Kyle only continued to laugh as he disappeared into the kitchen.



~*~*~*~

Mean while back at the mall, Nikki and Ashley spent 10 minutes in Torrid, than they decided to go looking for Stephanie, as she had never met up with them in Torrid like she said she would. As soon as they got there they went into the shoe store to discover Stephanie trying on some black and pink adias.

“Whoa, Steph, those are cool shoes.” Nikki commented, and Stephanie looked at her smiling.

“You really think so?”

“Yeah and they’re a very purtyful color too.” Ashley added.

“Good, than I’m getting them.” Stephanie replied after thinking for a few minutes and she got up, took her shoes off, put them in a box and she went off to pay for them after changing back into her old shoes. When Stephanie had bought her new shoes the three of them went looking in other stores. They spent a few hours more, than they decided they’d head home.

“Hey guys!” Ashley said cheerfully as she was the first one to enter the house, Nikki and Stephanie behind her.

“Hey Ash, Its good to see you smiling.” John replied with a small smile on his face. Ashley smiled really big as she watched him pull Stephanie into a passionate kiss. She then remembered her own boyfriend and looked at Kyle to find him sitting in a chair with the leg rest up.

“Kyyyle I want a greeting like thaaat!” She whined with a jealous tone. Kyle chuckled a bit.


“Well come here then,” he said while holding his arms out to her. She smiled and went and crawled into his lap. He placed his hand to her cheek gently caressing it as he looks into her light brown eyes with so much love in his own.

“It is VERY nice to see you smiling,” he repeated, than he brought his lips down on hers for a gentle kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned it making it deeper. When he pulled away she rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.


“Did you have fun at the mall?”


“Mm hmm.”


“Did you buy anything?”


“No, Nikki bought me an orange Julius, but I wouldn’t let her buy me anything else.”


“Ooh.”


“Well I’m hungry,” Matt announced after a few minutes of silence as Nikki sits next to him and he has his arm wrapped around her.


“Yeah, why don’t we order some pizza or something?” Stephanie suggested.


“I’ll do it,” Kyle announced, but than looked down at Ashley to discover her sitting sideways in his lap with her legs dangling over the arm rest of the chair and her head rested against his shoulder and she looks like she could fall asleep there. He chuckled a bit.


“You aren’t going to let me up, are you?”


“Not unless you intend on taking me with you.” She smirked. John who is near the phone laughed and shook his head and he reached over and picked up the cordless phone.


“Here Ky, catch.” He said. Kyle looked at him just on time to see him throw the phone toward him. Kyle caught it and he turned on the phone and dialed the nearest pizza place and ordered pizza to be delivered. When he hung up he wrapped both arms around Ashley again and kissed her lips gently.


“You’re so spoiled you know that?”


“Only because you make me that way baby.” She smiled up at him sweetly. He chuckled a bit and shook his head, than he rested his forehead against hers and placed his hand to her leg and gently rubbed it as she wears her green and black plaid skirt and fishnet stockings and she still has her legs dangling over the arm rest. She closed her eyes in relaxation. Everyone was silent for a while until suddenly thunder crashed and a few seconds later lightning struck causing the entire sky to light up and Ashley suddenly looked excited.


“Yay!” She exclaimed happily and Stephanie laughed.


“Kyyyle I want to go out there pleeeeeease?”


“Again? It’s storming out baby.”


“Just underneath the porch. I want to sit and watch the lightning. Pleeeeeease?”


“Okay, okay we’ll go out there.” He replied before she could do anymore begging and he got up, put her down and took her hand and he led her out into the front yard. Everyone else got up and went with them. Kyle led her over to the railing of the porch and she leaned against it as he remained behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin against her shoulder and she leaned back comfortably against his chest.


"Where the hell is Greg?? He’s supposed to have my baby back by now!" Nikki exclaimed on her way outside, as she suddenly realized its almost 11:00--way past Seth's bed time, which is 9:30.


"Hey Nik, calm down. He probably fell asleep again." Kyle assured her.


"Whatever, you know he’s lying EVERYTIME he uses that excuse. That dumbass..." Nikki let out a low growl as she leaned up against Matt who was leaning on the railing. Matt draped an arm around her and kissed her temple.


"He'll be back, Greg would never let him get hurt." Ashley sighed looking at her best friend. Nikki always was stressed over something, and it seemed like she was a 45 year old woman going through menopause. Kyle wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck softly.


"What'cha thinkin' baby?" Ashley shook her head in response not wanting to talk about it. Her not telling him only made him even more concerned than ever. He turned her around to face him and gently tilted her head back so she’s looking him in the eyes.


"What’s wrong?"


"Nothing."


"Really? I bet if I asked Nikki she'd tell me there was something bothering you."


"Why don't you just leave everyone out of it?" Kyle gave Ashley a look of frustration.


"I don’t want to talk about it alright? Drop it." She snapped quietly, than she gently pushed him away and went over to the railing and jumped up onto it so she’s sitting inches away from Matt. Kyle sighed and went over to her wrapping her arms around her waist and he whispered into her ear.


"I'm sorry." Not replying Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck and she rested her chin on his shoulder and just sat there listening to the different discussions going on and Kyle kissed her forehead.


"You've got to be kidding me! God damnit! The fucker needs to learn
how to answer his fucking PHONE!" Again Nikki shouted angrily, closing her cell phone and pulling away from Matt.

"C'mon babe, you need to calm down. Greg probably has a good excuse." Matt pulled her back into him by her waist and rested his chin on her head. Then the sound of crunching gravel was heard and two headlights shined through the heavy rain onto the house. Greg climbed out of the car with no coat on went to the other side to grab Seth. He seemed to be fussing because he was tired. As he hurried to bring Seth out of the rain, his pace slowed as he saw the furious eyes of Nikki. She didn't say a word to Greg as he took Seth into the house and changed him into his pajamas and put him to bed.

"Nik, I really don't think you need to make a big deal about this." Kyle said to his older sister, but bit his lip when she gave him an icy glare.

"Don't tell me to not make a big deal outta this, it's a HUGE deal. How many times has Greg done this, huh? HOW MANY?! I'm sick and tired of him being an irresponsible parent!" Then Greg appeared from the house, not looking at Nikki.

"Hey look, I'm sorry Nikki--"

"SORRY?! You're SORRY! How wonderful Greg, because that just changes EVERYTHING!" Nikki laughed bitterly. Greg sighed.


"We both fell asleep when we were watching IT. You have no reason to freak out."


"OH, I have NO reason. There's a fucking thing called a PHONE GREG!"



"I'm sorry, I didn't think about it." he replied, running a hand through his hair. Nikki rolled her eyes,



"And why in the hell did you let him watch IT?! You know he can't watch any movie about clowns! He's going to have nightmares! Are you fucking STUPID?!"


"Well I'm sorry I can't be the fucking perfect parent like you NIKKI! Since you don't seem to make any FUCKING MISTAKES!" Nikki pushed Greg up against the railing on the other side of the porch



"You better just shut your fucking mouth before I do it for you!"



"Oh you will huh? I fucking dare you…” Greg glared down at her, his eyes turning dark and Nikki stumbled back. Matt stepped in and pushed Nikki behind him. "Don't you fucking touch her, EVER! Just get the fuck outta here before you do something you're gonna regret." Before anyone else could make a move, Nikki took off into the rain and into the woods behind her house.


“See, NOW look what you did! Why don’t you just go home before you screw anything else up?!” Matt shouted at him, and then took off running into the woods after her. Greg growled in low angered tone before punching his fist into a near by wall in anger and he ran to his car, got in, slammed the door shut and he started the car and drove out of the driveway and down the road nosily. Ashley started toward the woods but Kyle pulled her to him by her waist.


“What do you think you’re doing?”


“I want to go see if Nik is okay.”


“No, just let Matt take care of it. Who knows how far into the woods she’s run off to. You could get yourself lost.”



That is all. What do you think? Let me know and I will give you a cookie ;)

Chapter Nineteen


“Nicole STOP you’re going to get yourself killed!” Matt shouted after Nikki as he chases after her through the dark vacant woods. The rain is pouring down hard on top of them, the sounds of angry thunder could be heard all around them every few seconds and lightning could be seen lighting up the entire sky. It’s so cold outside that he can see his breath in the air when he speaks. The trees that surround them are shaking violently in the wind and are very much capable of falling over.


“Oh I could only be so lucky!” She shouted back through tears, as she does not stop running.


“Goddamnit don’t you DARE talk like that!”


“I’ll talk ANYWAY I want to talk, Matthew and there’s NOTHING you can do to stop me!” Nikki growled, as she finally stopped and she turned and looked at him with an icy glare. “Dying would be a WHOLE lot better then staying on this earth and having to deal with that fucking asshole at home!”


“You don’t mean what you are saying. Please, just come here and I will take you home.” He replied, trying his very hardest to stay calm.


“No! I am NOT going anywhere I JUST want to be left alone!”


“Think about what you are doing Nik! Think about it. Think about Seth do you really want to leave him?” Suddenly Matt noticed the tree she’s standing next to crack.


“Nikki MOVE!” He shouted with a horrified expression on his face.


“FUCK OFF Matthew!” She shouted, as she didn’t notice what is happening to the tree. She is much too upset to even notice.


“NOW Damnit I don’t want to lose you!” He shouted back in so much anger and tears streamed down his cheek. Suddenly lightning struck the tree and it began to fall over just as he expected.


“Nikki!” He shouted and then went running toward her. She finally looked at the tree and suddenly screamed in horror and he dove toward her and pushed her out of the way causing her to fall back onto the ground with him landing on top of her and he sheltered her just as the tree had landed a few inches away from them--just barely missing them. Nikki held onto Matt tight and just broke down into tears and cried harder then she already was, and he lay there just holding her and letting her cry.



~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile back at the house, the pizza man finally arrived with the pizza and Kyle paid him while John grabbed the boxes of pizza and brought them inside with Stephanie and Ashley following. After Kyle had paid the guy he went inside too shutting the door behind him.


“Do you think Nik is okay? They’ve been gone for a really long time.” Ashley asked worriedly as she sits on the floor in the living room.


“I’m sure she is baby, Matt wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. He loves her.” Kyle reassured her as he walks in there with his hands full of paper plates. Ashley didn’t reply, she only folded her arms and sat there staring at the floor with a very bad feeling in her stomach.


“Ashee Ky is right, please don’t worry so much.” Stephanie spoke up.


“She is my best friend. It is in my job description to worry.” Stephanie sighed as she sat across from Ashley sitting on the floor too wrapped in John’s arms as she sits between his legs. She hates it that her best friend worries so much. She worries A LOT, but mostly when it comes to Nikki. It’s amazing she doesn’t get herself sick from worrying so much. Kyle grabbed two paper plates and he got both his and Ashley’s pizza before going and sitting next to her. He handed her, her plate and then wrapped an arm around her allowing her to scoot closer to him and rest her head against his shoulder. She sat there with her plate in her lap just staring down at her pizza in silence. She is in no mood to eat. Not when she knows her friend is out there in the storm doing god knows what. After fifteen minutes had gone by the front door opened and everyone looked at it to see Matt walk in with his arm wrapped around Nikki who has tears rolling down her cheek still—the both of them sopping wet from the rain. Nikki went upstairs to change into dry clothes and Matt took off his shirt and walked into the living room as everyone still looks at him with concerned looks.


“Is she all right?” John was the first to ask.


“Not really…” Matt sighed. “She just barely got hit by a tree but luckily I have fast reflexes…”


“Oh god…” Ashley replied softly and Kyle looked down at her and gently rubbed his hand over her arm and he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Matt grabbed two paper plates and he got him and Nikki both some pizza, then he went upstairs. As soon as he got up there he knocked softly on her door.


“Come in…” Nikki answered softly, and Matt opened the door and walked in to find her lying across her bed now wearing dry clothes. He went and sat next to her handing her, her plate and she sat up and scooted closer to him before lying her head in his lap and she placed her plate in her lap and looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.


“I’m sorry…” she apologized and Matt shook his head.


“Don’t be…you were upset.” Not replying she continued to lay there gazing up into his light brown eyes, and she can’t help but get lost in them.


“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked gently and she shook her head.


“I don’t feel like talking Mattie…just sit here with me for a while please?” Matt nodded and the two of them sat there eating their pizza together in silence. Nikki still lying there with her head in his lap and her plate against her legs. After an hour had gone by a soft knock was heard at the door. Nikki and Matt both looked at it just as it opened and Ashley and Kyle peeked their heads in.


“Can we come in?” Ashley asked softly.


“Of course Ashee,” Nikki replied and Ashley walked in pulling Kyle with her as she has a hold of his hand.


“Are you okay?” She asked, as the two of them sit down on the bed too.


“I’ll live,” Nikki answered and she sat up and wrapped her arms around Ashley and she hugged her gently.


“Stop worrying all right? You could give yourself an ulcer for worrying as much as you do you know.”


“I wasn’t worrying that much…”


“Yeah that’s a bunch of bull,” Kyle spoke up. “Both John and Stephanie as my witness you WERE worrying that much.” Not replying Ashley lay back in Kyle’s arms and he wrapped his arms around her and leaned down and kissed her lips gently and she returned it. When he pulled away she snuggled comfortably against his chest. Nikki who is done eating her pizza sat her plate down and she reached over and grabbed her laptop, turned it on and began to check her mail and stuff.


“Speaking of John and Stephanie, where are they?” Matt questioned curiously.


“They decided to go to bed early. They were being all lovey dovey so I don’t even want to know what they’re up to.”


“Oh,” Matt laughed.


“DUDE!” Nikki suddenly exclaimed, causing everybody to look at her.


“What?” Ashley asked curiously.


“WARPED is coming here in a week from now! A WEEK!”


“Whoa! We HAVE to go to that!” Ashley demanded with wide eyes, as she has never been to a warped concert in her life—her mom would never let her.


“Yeah definitely! We’ve gotta take Ashee to her first warped concert!” Nikki agreed.


“You’ve never been to one, Ash?” Matt asked in shock.


“No…” Ashley scowled. “My Mom would never let me.”


“Why not?” Kyle questioned curiously.


“I don’t know… I guess she was worried about me getting trampled on or something…” Kyle suddenly wrapped Ashley tight in his arms.


“I’ll protect you baby—no one can trample you when I’m there. Nope. I’ll kick their Asses if they even lay a hand on ya.” Ashley smiled up at him.


“Yes I know that’s why I like you so much…I feel safe with you.”


“Nik, try to get tickets online.” Kyle replied.


“Okay,” Nikki said and did just that and Ashley closed her eyes in relaxation as she could fall asleep right there in Kyle’s arms if she had the chance. He’s so comfortable and that’s one of the many reasons why she loves him—he’s just as comfortable as a teddy bear.


Review please and I will forever be your friend.

Chapter Twenty:


“NOOO! Momma HELP! THEY’RE going to GETS me! HELP!” Seth’s frightened voice was suddenly heard from in the other room and just a few seconds later, Nikki’s bedroom door opened and a frightened five year old came flying into the room. He looked around frantically for his Momma as tears stream from his eyes and when he saw her he flung himself into her arms, clung to her tight and cried. A very concerned Nikki wrapped her arms tight around Seth and held him close and she gently rubbed his back.


“Seth baby calm down, who is going to get you?”


“CLOWNS! Lots of them! They’re OUTS to get me!” Nikki sighed now knowing Seth was having a nightmare because of the movie his irresponsible father had let him watch earlier.


“Baby that was just a dream, there are no clowns out to get you I promise.” She reassured him gently.


“Yes there is Momma!” he insisted. “They in my room.”


“If there were clowns in this house buddy I would surely scare them off. There’s no way Id let them harm you.” Matt spoke up and Seth looked at him with watery eyes and an unsure look on his face.


“They sneaky.”


“Come on Seth, I will show you that there aren’t any clowns in your room.” Nikki replied, and she got up still holding Seth and she carried him into his room. When she got in there he held onto her tight and rested his head against her shoulder. She turned on the light.


“See? No scary clowns in here.”


“Under bed.” Nikki carried him over to his bed, put him down and then got down on her knees and looked under his bed.


“Nope. There is nothing under here except for your Chuck Taylors. See for yourself.” Seth slowly crouched onto the floor and he cautiously peeked under the bed. When he saw nothing he looked at her.


“See? Your room is perfectly safe. Now why don’t you try to go back to sleep?”


“Kay…” He replied with an unsure look on his face. She picked him up and laid him back in bed. She was about to cover him up but was suddenly stopped.


“NO!!”


“What?? What’s wrong now?”


“Wants Auntie Ashee to tuck me in.” Nikki rolled her eyes but was smiling as she went and peeked her head out in the hall.


“Auntie Ashee you are needed in here!”


“Coming!” Ashley replied, and a few seconds later Ashley came into the room pulling Kyle a long.


“What’s up?”


“Seth wants you to tuck him in.”


“Ooh okay I would love to.” Ashley replied while smiling sweetly at Seth and he smiled back. She went over to him and covered him up.


“Will you stay in here and make scary clowns go away when they come back?” Seth begged with a frightened expression on his face.


“Aww, kiddo you’ll be just fine I promise.”


“Nuh uh,” Seth disagreed and he shook his head.


“Yeah huh. Cause your Uncle Kyle is here and so is Matt and no clown would EVER go near them.”


“Yeah buddy I’ll be watching. If they come near you I’ll fight them away.” Kyle reassured.


“You promise?”


“Of course. No clown will even set foot outside your bedroom door or I’ll tell Kyle to hang them over a boiling pot by their toes and we’ll all watch them scream and we won’t let them go until they promise never to bother you again.” Ashley told him and Seth smiled really big at this.


“Really??”


“Uh huh. So why don’t you get some sleep now okay? And we’ll wake you up if its time for clown stew.”


“Okay,” Seth replied happily and Ashley smiled and recovered him up and then she stood up from sitting on her knees. Nikki kissed Seth’s forehead.


“Good night baby.”


“Good night Momma,” Seth said softly and not even a second later he was asleep. Nikki, Kyle, and Ashley all walked out of the room turning the light off behind them and they shut the door just a crack.


“Clown Stew…where do you come up with that stuff?” Kyle laughed. Ashley smiled and shrugged.


“It got the kid to sleep, didn’t it?”


“Well yeah, but you just got one weird imagination, babe.”


“She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.” Nikki replied as she wraps her arm around her best friend and the two of them went in her room to find Matt sitting in there on Nikki’s lap top.


“Did you buy the tickets, Nik?” Ashley asked as the three of them joined Matt on the bed.


“Yes, but its late now. We should start getting ready for bed and stuff. Ash since Greg went home do you want to move into the guest room now?”


“Yes I do.”


“Okay, I’ll help you move your stuff in there.” Nikki replied, and the two of them gathered all of Ashley’s stuff up. Kyle went in his room and Matt walked up behind Nikki, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the top of her head.


“I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning okay?”


“Are you sure? Its storming out.”


“Its just right next door, I’ll survive.”


“Okay…” She said and then turned around in his arms and she hugged him tight. He returned the hug. The two of them stood there together for a few minutes just hugging, then when he finally pulled away he left the room and Nikki looked at Ashley to find her standing there all ready looking at her and smiling.


“What?” She questioned, while raising her eyebrow.


“Nothing,” Ashley answered while shaking her head as she still has a huge ass smile on her face.


“Yeah right.”


“What? Can’t I smile without being interrogated about it?” Ashley laughed.


“I know you, Ash.”


“And I know you too! Glad we got that out in the open! Phew! I feel SO much better now!” Nikki shook her head smiling.


“Smart-ass.”


“That’s me!” Ashley said cheerfully as she grabs a pile of her clothes and hurries off into the guest room.


“Hey! Come back you, you never answered my question!” Nikki called after her. She grabbed a pile of Ashley’s stuff and took off running after her. She could hear Ashley laughing from in the other room. When she got in the room she found it empty but the pile of clothes Ashley had is lying in the middle of the bed so she knows she’s in there somewhere.


“Okay, where are you hiding?” She asked and began to search the room for her. She checked under the bed first, and when she didn’t find her there, she went to the closet, opened it up and began to look in there. Ashley smirked and came out from hiding behind the door and she quietly snuck up behind Nikki. When Nikki didn’t find her in the closet she turned around.


“BOO!” Ashley shouted, and Nikki screamed in horror and jumped back and Ashley laughed hysterically.


“Oh that was SO not cool!” Nikki laughed and Ashley smiled sweetly.


“I thought it was funny.”


“Yeah, Yeah.” Nikki replied. “Lets just continue getting you moved in here, eh?” The two of them spent the next ten minutes moving Ashley’s stuff into her new room and when they finished Nikki went into her own and Ashley shut the door and began to get ready for bed.



~*~*~*~



Kyle who had gone into his room along time ago laid in his bed for a half n hour looking in a car magazine and he kept an eye on the crack underneath Nikki’s door where her light shined through. When the light finally turned off he waited a few minutes until he was sure she was asleep, then he got up and walked out of his room and down the hall to Ashley’s new room. He saw the door open just a crack and knocked quietly before peeking in. Ashley who is lying in her bed writing in her notebook looked up at him and smiled at his appearance. He smiled back.


“I thought you could use some company,” He announced, as he walked in the room shutting the door behind him.


“What if Nikki catches you in here?”


“I waited till I saw her turn her light off. Besides, I’ll go back in my room after you fall asleep.” He explained, and he went over to the empty side of her bed. She held the covers up and he crawled in bed and wrapped her gently in his arms. She rested her head against his chest and snuggled close to him.


“So I heard you were being a smart-ass. What were you smiling about huh?” Ashley smirked.


“I was watching Matt and Nikki hug. I think they are the cutest couple ever even if they aren’t together anymore. He makes her happy, have you noticed? Like REALLY happy.”


“I have, and even though she’s sworn up and down that she will never take him back I don’t believe it for a second.”


“I think tonight’s incident has brought them closer together and maybe, just MAYBE something might happen between them sometime soon. That’s what I was smiling about… when I saw how close they are together it got my hopes up. Id give anything to see her happy again.” Kyle smiled and kissed Ashley’s forehead and he hugged her close.


“What about you? You haven’t been very happy lately yourself.” Ashley shrugged.


“Nikki’s happiness is more important than mine. That’s all I care about.” Kyle looked into her light brown eyes for a couple of minutes, then he pulled the blanket over their heads, and rolled over so he’s lying on top of her with her wrapped in his arms and he leaned down and began to place soft kisses on her neck. Ashley tilted her head back giving him better access as she wraps her arms around him in return.


“Well your happiness is what I care about,” He informed her between kisses. “I don’t care if it takes me a lifetime I’m going to do everything I can to make you happy.”


“Just being here with you makes me happy all by itself, you have no idea.” Kyle rested his forehead against hers and gazed into her light brown eyes for a couple of minutes before bringing is lips down on hers in a soft kiss and she returned it making it deeper.



~*~*~*~


The next day Ashley awoke around 10:00 to find Kyle no longer beside her. He had snuck back into his room early in the morning before the sun was even up. She lay there looking around the room for a while trying to wake up, and when she finally did she crawled out of bed and got dressed into a black over sized t-shirt that says The Ramone’s in red letters and she tied it with a scrunchie so it wasn’t so long on her. She put on a matching red skirt and she brushed her hair real quick before going downstairs. When she got down there she found Nikki and Stephanie down there a long with two other people who she assumes are her parents who had finally come home.


“Hey…” Ashley spoke nervously as she didn’t expect to find them home today. She would have made herself look a bit nicer.


“Hey Ashee, sleep well?” Nikki asked as she can sense her friend’s nervousness. She got up and went to hug her.


“Yeah,” Ashley answered while never taking her eyes off of Nikki’s parents who never took their eyes off her either. Nikki turned and looked at them.


“Ash, this is my Mom and Step Dad, Caslyn and Kenny. Mom, Kenny this is my best friend Ashley.” She introduced.


There you go! Hope you enjoyed! Review and you'll get a cookie!