Pure As Vodka

Scene 2

Science. That’s something I understand. Something I can easily talk about with my friends Abbie and Grace. And that’s what we do every Thursday night. Even now during the holidays.

Today we are at Abbie’s place, where we sit in the basement around a big table and do a summer project. While we’re doing the easy tasks, there is light chatter and I talk about my summer. So far there is not much to tell.

It’s nearly seven o’clock when we finally shut our heavy science books and go upstairs. Grace gives me a big hug before she rushes past me and runs up to an awaiting car. “See you next week!”

I give Abbie a big hug myself before I turn outside. The sun is nowhere to be seen. Instead dark clouds cover the sky and I can even hear a thunder in the distance.

“You better hurry up or you gonna get wet.” I shake my head and with a wave I’m out the door.

The wind hits me hard and I regret not taking my jacket with me.

It’s only a ten minute long walk home. But after only one block I can feel the first droplet fall. It’s soon accompanied with more and seconds later heavy rain is hitting my face.

I lift my book bag over my head to try and at least block some of the rain, but to no avail. I curse loudly before I start running.

A car horn startles me and I stop my jog for a moment to look around. A black car is stopping on the side of the street.

I can’t see inside so I just turn back around to continue my way home. The horn sounds again and this time it’s accompanied with a voice. “Caleigh! Jump in and I’ll drive you home!”

It’s Ashton who is leaning out the window and waving me over.

I can feel my face turning red already and suddenly I am glad about the bad weather so he can’t see it.

It’s still at least a 5 min walk home but I shake my head no.

Ashton has none of it. “Jump in! You are drenched already.”

A loud thunder makes me jump a little and I don’t have to think twice afterwards. I just jump in the car.

As soon as I’m in the secure warmth of the car I begin to shiver and I watch as Ashton turns on the heater as he switches the gear and continues driving down the road.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have a jacket in my car that I can borrow you I hope the heater will be enough.” I hear him say and look over at him just as he steals a glance at me.

I just wave my hand trying to be cool this time and not act like a retarded freak again.

“I-It’s okay, thank you.” I manage to get out nearly without stuttering. He shoots me his big goofy signature grin and I feel my cheeks grow red again. How can he trigger this warmth inside of me with just a simple smile?

It takes less than a minute to get to my house by car. So it’s just a short while before Ashton stops as close to my door as possible. I mutter a shy thank you and take a deep breath before jumping out and running to the front door.

I’m glad we have a little roof over the door so at least I’m protected from the rain while searching for my keys.

I rummage through my bag again and again but can’t find the little metal thing, which separates me from my warm house.

I try all my pockets and even take out my science book, pencil case, phone and my bottle of water. There is not much left inside my bag but I still can’t find my keys anywhere.

I try the bell but I know no one will answer since my parents won’t be home for another two hours. I think about what to do now but I really don’t fancy going all the way back to Abbie.

Frustration and slight panic rise in the pit of my stomach while I empty my bag completely and even turn it upside down. All I get from it is an old package of chewing gum.

A cold shiver runs down my spine. I cross my arms over my chest to try and keep myself at least a little warm.

“Caleigh? What are you still doing out here?”

I turn slightly to the left and there he is. Ashton is standing in front of his own door but unlike mine his is already unlocked and open.

I point to my bag and my scattered belongings around it. “I-I ca-an’t fi-ind my key-eys.”

I am not sure if I stutter because Ashton is looking at me or the general shivers shaking my body and my shattering teeth caused by the cold.

“Then come over. There is nobody at home anyways.” I am sure he is smiling his typical cheeky grin even though  I can’t see anything properly through the rain and my fogged up glasses.

I’m about to deny his offer when another loud booming thunder hits the ground only blocks away.

“Hurry up or you’ll get a cold by tonight!”

Ashton is right, I’ll only get sick if I decline. So I stuff my things back in my bag as quickly as possible and run over to him.

The warmth of the house feels good on my cold skin.

After taking off my shoes and putting them in a neat line next to Ashton’s I stand alone in the middle of the room feeling quite awkward since Ashton ran upstairs just moments ago. But I take the time alone he gave me and look around the room curiously.

The house is built nearly the same as ours and there are photos of a happy family on the wall. It seems like Asthon’s got a little brother and sister.

“Here.”

I turn around just in time to see a towel and T-Shirt flying in my direction. My none existent athletic side comes through as I try to catch it and miserably fail, which only adds some colour to my face.

Why he gave me a shirt I don’t know, so I just leave it, take the towel and start to try off my hair and face. I can feel him watching me and when I look up to hand him back the shirt and the by now wet towel he raises an eyebrow.

“I mean I don’t mind at all, but are you sure you don’t want to change your shirt?”

I look down on my shirt and promptly cross my hands in front of my chest. I didn’t notice my white shirt turned see-through and now my bra is showing, thanks to the rain.

My cheeks are burning and Ashton just laughs when I take the shirt back and follow his directions to the bathroom.

I lock the door behind me and just hit my head against the wall. I am gonna be dead before my parents come home tonight if it continues like that.

How did you like the chapter ?? What you thinking about Ashton and Caleigh ??
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xx i&s