My Neighbor's Secret

Chapter 4: Ashton

Ashton

"Wanna play chicken?" I ask suddenly.

Rose smiles and yet again I look in awe at the beauty of it. Little rivulets of water snake down her face, neck and chest. The red of her bathing suit makes her even more tan, her hazel eyes glowing.

"Yeah why not," she shrugs nonchalantly.

Sam must have heard us, cause he whoops," me and Caroline vs you and Rose!"

We end up swimming deeper into the lake, until Sam and I are the only ones who can touch. Water hits my shoulders, the begging chill of it gone. Rose is treding in place next to me, so I go underwater and let her climb onto my shoulders. Sam does the same thing with Caroline, who has given up on trying to keep her hair dry.

Rose seems weightless on my shoulders, her arms horizontal to keep balance. The skin of her legs is smooth on mine. Abi yells go, and Rose leans forward to push Caroline. Sam has a good grip on her legs, just like me, and neither of the girls budge. Rose's laugh vibrates down my back.

Now the girls are pushing on each other's hands with enough force that sends Sam stumbling back. Rose looks yet balance and grabs onto my face so she doesn't fall backwards. Once she does That though, she apologizes.

"I almost won!" Caroline hits the top of Sam's head triumphantly.

I start walking foreword, holding onto Rose's calfs so she doesn't fall. Her stomach is pressed against the back of my head as she leans over me to push Caroline backwards.

Her arms fly as Sam stumbles and they crash into the water. I fall backwards on purpose," Ashton! Ahhhhh," Rose exclaims as she falls with me.
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Sam and I are on the sand while Rose and Caroline lay on one of the flat rocks on the other side of the lake, most likely sunbathing.

"It was like she told me her name and I felt completely obsessed with her," Sam explains," its weird. I feel drawn to her, but she's human."

I shrug, layout nag back onto the grass," it's how I feel with Rose. But I thought it wasn't possible to have a human mate."

Sam leans on his elbows," then they must not be."

I close my eyes at the blinding sun," but it doesn't make any sense, why would we be drawn to them if they weren't?"

When I look at the girls again, I see Ross standing. She's stretching her arms up, arching her back. The way she stands in from of the sun makes her look like a Silhouette with little rags of sun peeking through her wet hair.

Abi walks up to me, a little wet from sitting in the shallowest end of the lake,"ashey what time is it?" She asks.

Her blonde hair is only damp on the ends. I glance at my phone," it's 3."

Abi sits down best to me, doing the Same thing I am, leaning back on her elbows and tilting her face towards the sun. I focus on Caroline and Rose's conversation.

"Keegan told me about the senior party," Rose says," isn't it a bonfire?"

Caroline nods," yup. Only for the seniors."

"Tomorrow," Rose says.

"Tomorrow," Caroline says.

Sam nudges me," bonfire?"

"From what I got, I'm guessing ifs some party for the soon-to-be seniors. So us."

Sam runs a hand through his shaggy blonde hair," great." Sarcasm drips in his voice.

I hear one of the girls dive into their water, the other one follows, but instead of diving she slides into the water.

In a few seconds Rose is walking to her towel, water dripping from her hair and skin. Caroline follows, her hair as dry as possible.

"So there's this bonfire for the seniors and it's like social suicide for someone not to go in this tiny little town," Caroline explains," its thrown by last years seniors and you have to come."

"But it's the beginning of summer," Sam says incredulously.

"Last years seniors were weird," Rose says and then under her breath," and assholes."

Caroline heard it and snorted," can't argue with you there. Remember Carl?" Rose and Caroline seemed to have forgotten we just never here.

"Keegan's best friend? Yes! I can't even look at them. I still can't believe you dated him!" Rose is fully facing Caroline now.

"You dated Keegan!" Caroline exclaims.

"Because I too was scared to break up with him," Rose's whole aura has changed with this confession.

I tense, suddenly feeling very angry with this Keegan guy. Caroline's eyes go sad and she rubs Rose's shoulder," I know honey."

Rose clears her throat," Luke will be home at four, we should go back."

Something has changed in Rose, the look in her eye indicates it. Her frown does too. Rose wraps the towel around herself and starts to walk out of the clearing and into the path where we came from, Caroline grabs her clothes and Rose's while Sam and I put on our shirts. Abi takes my hand and we walk down the path.
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I'm ease dropping on the girls again.

"Mom isn't home tonight, it's only Luke, Ollie and I. You can spend the night if you want," Rose says to Caroline.

Before Caroline can answer, my mom comes running across the yard, waving her spatula around in her hand.

"Ashton!" She calls out, her apron strings flying," Sam!"

Rose and Caroline turn towards her, cracking smiles.

"Yes mom?" I ask, irritatedly.

"Are these the neighbors," she asks then looks at Rose," I know you! Your that pretty girl from the diner. Are you out neighbors?" My mom is talking a mile a minute.

Rose pauses, probably a little confused," thank you and yes I am. I'm Rose and this is my best friend Caroline," caroline smiles," you're Ash's mom right?" She blushes when she realized she has developed a nickname for me.

I smirk.

"Yes I am! Would you like to come over for dinner as a thanks for the plant?" My mom realizes what we are all wearing," you can change first though. Not wont be for another hour or so. And bring your family and you cute little friend too!" She obviously isn't taking no for an answer, already walking back into our new house.

Rose turns towards me, a little flustered.

"I'm sorry she's kind of-"

"We would love to come," Rose smiles and takes Caroline into her house.