Pulling on comfortable pyjamas and a sweatshirt, I left my room and peeked down in the living room. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were sitting on the couch, talking to Erica and Ethan. I debated if I should go down or not for a minute. Every time I joined them, I felt like I was interrupting their personal conversations. After all, they do need their privacy. The fact that they let me stay in their house for three weeks is a big deal. Ethan was laughing about something while Erica shot him a disgusted look. Laughing, Ethan rested his head on the headrest and looked up. His eyes met mine and I felt the insides of my stomach do a little flip. Okay, what the hell was that? His laugh faded and he gave me a bright smile. I smiled back at him and walked down the stairs.
Mr. Wilson turned behind and said, "Ashley! Come, come, join us. We were just talking about the play. It was wonderful, don't you think so?"
I nodded enthusiastically and sat down next to Erica.
"I don't understand why Erica won't participate in such things," Mrs. Wilson said, shaking her head.
Erica rolled her eyes.
"Yes Erica, why won't you participate in such things?" Ethan asked innocently, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together.
"It's lame," Erica said, shooting him a look.
"Excuse me," I barged in. "What do you mean by 'it's lame'?"
Erica shrugged, "It's just lame."
"Oh please, you were the one who said that I was good on stage," I countered.
"That doesn't mean I want to be up there," she said with another one of her eye rolls.
"So, you're saying that the cool play we put up there is lame?" Ethan asked, raising his eyebrows.
"No," Erica said. "Can we just forget that I said that?"
I laughed as Mr. and Mrs. Wilson shook their head, chuckling.
"Anyway, the play was absolutely lovely," Mrs. Wilson said, getting back to the topic.
"Thank you," I said with a smile.
"You know, the two of you have great chemistry," Mr. Wilson said.
For some reason, my mind just floated off to the first conversation I had had with Ethan.
"Do you like Chemistry?"
"You mean this boring Chemistry with words?" He had continued before I could answer. "Or this sizzling chemistry between us?"
"I mean, the kiss felt very real, it wasn't like you were acting," Mr. Wilson added after a moment of silence.
I bit the insides of my lip and peeked at Ethan through my lashes. He was staring at me and he smiled. I felt myself blush a little.
"Thanks dad," he said, not taking his eyes of me.
Erica noticed this and raised her eyebrows at me. I shrugged and looked away.
"I'm going to go upstairs," Erica said, getting up. "I have some work to finish."
Erica gave a hug to Mrs. Wilson and started walking up.
I cleared my throat, "I'm going to go as well. Very tired."
"Sure, sweety. Good night," Mrs. Wilson said with a sweet smile.
"Night," I replied and started walking up.
I could feel Ethan's steady gaze on me. Looking at him, I gave him one last smile as he mouthed 'sweet dreams.'
Entering Erica's room, I collapsed on her bed.
"So, chemistry and all, huh?" Erica asked, writing something in her book.
I rolled my eyes, "Come on."
"What?" Erica asked, raising her eyebrows.
I shook my head and sighed, "Nothing."
"The past week has been quite happening for you, hasn't it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes!" I exclaimed. "First, I find out Jared is my step-brother! Then, the play and the, um, kiss. Then, Michael says he loves Abby."
"Michael what?" Erica asked, staring at me with wide eyes.
"Oh! I didn't get the time to tell you!" I said.
"Clearly," she responded.
"Michael loves Abby!" I exclaimed, sitting up straight with excitement.
Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
I nodded. Erica grinned, "When is he going to ask her out?"
"I don't know actually," I replied. "I don't think he will."
"What? Why?" she asked, shutting her book.
"Because he's a chicken," I responded, rolling my eyes.
"We have to convince him," Erica declared.
I nodded in agreement. "We do."
She grinned.
"We can go over to his house tomorrow," I suggested with a shrug.
She nodded, her bright blue eyes widening with excitement. For the first time, I noticed that Erica was genuinely excited about something.
"I'm going to go sleep," I said, getting up and yawning.
"Alright, good night," she said, opening her book again.
"Good night," I replied and left the room.
Entering my room, I didnt' bother turning on the light and just collapsed into bed. Pulling the comforter over my head, I let everything float out of my crammed brain.
Jared. What am I going to do? I got to miss quite a lot of school because of the rehearsals. So, avoiding Jared was easy but I'm going to have to face him sooner or later. Why is life so confusing? Everytime I think about Jared, my mind starts buzzing with questions. Is Jared older than me? Because if he isn't, then did dad already have a son when he was with us? Is he feeling the way I am? Especially since he was hitting on me and took me out for a very cute date. I just couldn't stop thinking when it came to Jared.
And the kiss with Ethan. Why did it have to be so consuming and passionate? The softness of his lips. The sweet, minty taste his lips left on mine. But none of that mattered much because I've never felt so right with anyone. His smile against my lips. His compliments. Visualizing his easy smile, his iridescent eyes, his muscular body; I felt myself smile and I knew I was in love with him.
*
"Wait, how are we going to talk to him about it again?" I asked, glancing at Michael's house.
"We're just going to talk to him casually and then steer the conversation towards Abby and somehow manage to convince him," Erica said, not helping at all.
When I didn't respond, she groaned, "Come on! It's just Michael, convincing him is going to be easy."
"Fine," I said, getting out of the car and shutting the door as Erica stepped out as well.
Stepping in front of the door, Erica ringed the doorbell twice. When there was no response for a moment, she ringed it again.
"Coming! Coming!"
My eyes widened, "Is that Jared?"
"I think so," Erica said.
"Bye!" I exclaimed and started walking away quickly.
"Ashley!" Erica yelled.
"Shut up!" I whispered.
"You know you can't always run away from the obstacles, learn to face them," she said.
The door opened and Michael stepped out. I sighed in relief, Jared wasn't there. I might have just mistaken Michael's voice for Jared's.
"Um, hi," Michael said, squinting.
"Hey," Erica and I said.
"You guys here for something?" he asked slowly.
Erica looked at me, "Um, no. We just came over to meet you! We were bored so we came over."
"Alright, um, come in," he said, stepping away from the front door.
Erica and I walked in with Michael behind us.
"Who is it?"
"Oh, Jared's here," Michael told us. "It's Ashley and Erica!" he yelled out to Jared.
What? No! Why? No matter how much I try to run away from him, he always seems to catch up. Maybe Erica was right, I should learn to face my obstacles. Maybe a simple conversation with Jared would be the solution to this awkwardness.
Jared looked at me and his smile faded.
"Hi," he said softly.
"Hi," I replied.
Erica looked at me and sighed.
"So, what's up?" Erica said, breaking the silence.
"Nothing much," Michael said, shrugging.
"Does Jared know about Abby?" Erica asked.
Jared nodded. "I haven't got a chance to meet her yet but I'm planning to go tonight."
"Great," I said. "Michael can go with you as well."
Michael shot me a look. I returned his look with a sweet smile.
"Speaking of Abby," Erica started, plopping a chip in her mouth. "I heard that Michael was going to ask her out."
"What?" Michael and I said.
I never said that. I didn't. I said he might.
Erica glared at me. What? What did I do?
"Um, yeah, you were, right Michael?" I inquired.
"No," he said quickly.
"Then you should," Erica said, shrugging.
"And why is that so?" Michael asked, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Because you like her," I blurted out.
Jared nodded. So, I guess he knew about it.
"Yeah!" Erica joined in. "Take her out on one of those cute dates with heart shaped cookies and stuff."
Michael rolled his eyes. "Are you five, Erica?"
"Hey!" Erica protested. "Just take her on a damn date, will you?"
"What if she says no?" Michael asked, leaning against the wall.
"She won't. Trust me," I insisted.
He chuckled, "You guys could have just said you came over to convince me to ask Abby out."
I gave him an innocent smile.
"Is that a yes?" Erica asked impatiently.
Michael smiled and nodded.
Well, that was easy.
A/N: So! Ashley finally lurrveesss Ethann! ;) Hehehe. What did you guys think of this chapter?? Comment and let me know!
Oh! By the way, do you guys like Michael and Abby? :)
Thanks for reading! <3