Sofia: Phoenix Rising - Fire Within! Book 1
Chapter Seven

Ash allows me to wander through his home aimlessly and I notice the lack of homey items throughout. They must still be in the process of unpacking; I think to myself as I continue to snoop. Walking through the living room, I replace myself wandering down a hall that can only lead to the bedrooms and bathroom, of course. One room has the door shut so I meander towards the open doors. I peek around the first door on the left to see that I am looking into Ash’s room. So, the other must be his parents’ room. I thought it would have the same general layout as my own house but just as a one story instead of two like ours. I was totally wrong in that assumption, no bay windows or alcove’s, just one large window facing the back yard and woods beyond.

His room is quite large but with the bare minimum in accessories, making the space appear even larger. I see a king size bed with grey sheets and a dark grey comforter. I marvel at the fact that he makes his bed! My philosophy is why make it when I am just going to be getting back into it later. A thought pops into my head and I am shocked at myself that it has. I wonder if his bed is as comfortable as it looks and… what it would feel like to be in the bed with him. My cheeks blaze red, causing heat to emanate from my skin and I can’t help smiling at myself.

Feeling a hand tap my shoulder just then, causes me to jump, startled and a meek squeak fall from my lips. I mean, I know it is just Ash but having him right behind me as the naughty thought had crossed my mind is simply embarrassing! Slowly I turn around to face him, praying at the same time that the color in my cheeks has faded or at least lessened enough that he won’t be suspicious as to why there is color to them. “Home sweet home,” he states with a lop-sided grin on his face.

“Are you guys still in the process of moving things in?”

Ash hesitates as though caught off guard by my question; “oh, yeah. Somehow a lot of our stuff seems to have been lost in shipping. My parents’ have been trying to sort out how this is possible and to locate it all.” I nod, his answer making perfect sense. He then asks if I would like to grab a drink with him and watch some T.V.

“Sure, why not! It’s not like I have any other options at the moment…” I chuckle but it is half-hearted, and my words trail off. We walk into his kitchen where he opens the fridge door, pulling out two sodas. He nods his head indicating we should go into the living room. I follow his lead and then stand awkwardly staring at the few pieces of furniture he has placed around the room. Do I sit next to him? Should I maybe sit in the chair or loveseat, ugh! Talk about dilemma.Finally, I tell myself to just ‘man up’ and take a seat next to him. I leave just enough space between us so as not to weird him out or feel awkward about sitting to close to him.

We sit in comfortable silence as he surfs the stations until he replaces some comedy show. It was a very funny movie on the station, and we watch it to nearly the end but then he says something funny to which I laugh and shove him in the arm. He grabs my hand as I go to slide it from his very muscular bicep and as he does so, a current of electricity runs the course of my body. I gasp looking at him, did he feel it too? I think so by the expression upon his face, confusion, shock, and wonder seem to flash across his sparkling blue eyes all at once. I jump from my seat claiming; “I have to go. Thanks for letting me hide out. I’m sure my parents are gone by now.” Ash seems to be sitting in stunned silence and I take that as my queue to dart from the room. I snag my keys from the kitchen table where I had placed them upon first entering the house and make my way through the garage entrance, slamming my fist on the door opener so that the garage door will rise up.

Hopping into my car, I back out of the garage and speed backward down their driveway and then over into my own spot at my house. I wanted nothing more than to go straight up to my room and think about what had just occurred. Just as I flop onto my bed though, my phone had other plans for me as it buzzed and chimed incessantly next to head. With a sigh I pick it up and begin to scroll through the text messages that I had missed while I was at Ash’s place.

All thoughts of Ash were put on the back burner as I begin to read:

Blake: Hey, it’s Blake, I noticed you left early. Text me back!

BTW, you never answered my question.

Wanna catch a movie on Friday?

Okay, guess I’ll take that as a no…

Lori: Um, hey butt. You could have told me you decided to ditch class. I would have come with.

Hello? Are you alright? You haven’t written me back. You’re making me start to worry.

Okay, now I’m trying to decide if I’m worried or angry that you haven’t written me back yet. Answer me, please!

Ugh, these two are gonna kill me. I write Blake back first, assuring him that I really do want to go out with him Friday night, that I had fallen asleep and didn’t hear my phone. I know, great way to start a relationship, by lying to him but I thought it was a safer answer than telling him I was hanging out with Ash at his house. Next, I write Lori telling her ‘I am fine’ and giving her the same excuse as well. I really just don’t want to deal with her drama at the moment though and sigh as I stare at the screen waiting for them to respond back to my messages.

Blake responds immediately back to me with an ’awesome! I’ll see you tomorrow then’. Sending a smiley face back, I see a message pop up from Lori.

Lori: About damn time, you are a bleeping turd! You know I don’t like to worry; it gives me wrinkles. 😊

Me: SMH, dramatic much? I’m tired though and am going back to sleep. I will see you tomorrow, okay?

Lori: Yeah, okay. Whatever. See you tomorrow.

Damn, that last text seems a little snippy to me, but I wasn’t really joking when I told her I was tired. I place my phone on my nightstand, hooking it up to its charger and then rolling onto my left side, I stare out my window until my eyes become too heavy to keep open.