Things Can Change In The Blink Of An Eye.(Now in Editing)

Chapter 5: Singing Really Has A Voice

As dinner continues with Ashton talking about his day at the record store(apparently it can be incredibly hectic), I can feel my mind begin to race. Nervousness seeming to fill me up like oxygen. I'm not all that into performing in front of others(except the twins of course) so I have no idea what force compelled me to suggest a duet. It was unlike me.

I wonder what the two would say about my guitar playing. I probably suck at singing, the only people who have ever heard me sing is my family. Your family is supposed to be nice about that type of stuff.

In fact, if it wasn't for my mom I probably would have never discovered my love for music. She used to sing to me every day. Whether she was doing laundry or putting me to bed, her enchanting voice would fill the house. I remember dad would sometimes join in and sing with us too, that is,before he became the drunken murderer of the family.

As I finish sipping the very last of my chowder, I excuse myself from the table. I push my chair out from the table, stand, and dash out of the apartment before running down the hall to my apartment.

I struggle with my keys, trying to find the one to the door and curse as I drop them to the floor. I pick them up, successfully find my key and throw open the door. I open up my 'closet' and push aside the clothes to reveal my guitar case.I pull out my case before making my way back to Ash's and Destiny's place.

I knock on the door sort of quickly, and Destiny opens the door to greet me beckon me inside. I oblige with a smile to her and make my way to the living room to set up.

Once I enter the living room, I see the boys watching Spongebob Squarepants on the tv. Ashton was nowhere in sight.

I sit down on a nearby chair, the boys still absorbed in that yellow sponge with pants, and begin to tune my guitar. When I have finally finished, I notice the tv is now shut off and the boys are on the floor watching me with fascination and Destiny is on the couch looking at me with a kind smile.

I grin shyly "Any requests?" Before anyone can answer my question I add "Preferably, no love songs!"

"House That Built Me!" Brice says excitedly, Troy nodding in agreement.

I smile and say "Okay." I begin to play the beginning notes of the song, feeling the beat take over my fingers and mind.

"I know they say," I begin to sing softly "you can't go home again..."

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By the time I finish, the boys are jumping and applauding like they always do. Destiny, however, has her mouth gaping open in what looks to be shock. Was I that bad?

"I didn't think I was that bad." I say blushing furiously.

"Bad? No way!" She says smiling slightly and looking like she can't grasp the right words "You have..."

"The most amazing voice I've ever heard." I hear someone behind me speak breathlessly. I turn to see Ashton behind me, guitar case in his left hand and his sky blue eyes show me that he is in complete and utter awe.

"What he said." Destiny says laughing.

I go from blushing Crimson to maroon as I look down at the ground. Why does he make me blush so easily??? How is he able to do that with just the words he speaks? I mentally slap myself in the head to try and stop those thoughts but am slightly unsuccessful.

"Your probably better than me!" I say looking up at him.

He raises an eyebrow, incredibly amused "Is that a challenge?" He dares, a smirk playing a little on his face.

I play along, getting cocky "I just think that nobody can be worse than me!" I say giving him a cocky grin.

He sits next to me and puts his guitar into place upon his chest. He raises his eyebrow to state he is questioning me "What would you like me to sing then?"

"Play 'Can't Fight This Feeling'." I say feeling my face light up, the song is what my mom used to sing me to sleep with whenever I had nightmares.

He nods and begins to play the opening. I watch carefully as his fingers delicately play each note in the beginning of the song before he begins to sing, soft and heart-warming.

"I can't fight this feeling any longer," he sang softly "And yet I'm sill afraid to let it flow." He glances at me as he sang that line and I feel butterflies fly through my stomach as he did. It felt like he was actually speaking to me.

The rest of the song is a complete and utter blur. But one thing is positive, his voice is that of an angel's. Kinda like my mother, my guardian angel.

"Your amazing!" I exclaim, smiling widely. He grins happily at my compliment.

"Thanks.."

"You sounded like an ang.." I stop and go red "Like a..a... professional." I stutter out.

He goes red as well, letting me know he knew what I had intended to say. He stares down at his Adidas "Thanks..."

"Duet! Duet!" The boys and Destiny chant. Ashton and I laugh at their enthusiasm, glad to have an excuse to get out of our embarrassing and awkward situation.

"Well," he says, a new found confidence in his voice though his cheeks were still red "We did promise them a performance."

I nod and turn toward our audience of three "What do you guys want us to sing?"

"Don't Rush! By Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill!" Destiny says proudly

"Well I don't know it the well.." I start but Ashton stops me.

"Just watch my hands and by the time the second verse comes after the chorus you should get it." he says with a sincere smile that makes me want to melt but at the same time kick my own ass for being so weak against his clueless advances.

I nod and keep my eyes on his fingers as he begins. We play the full song together, a few times I miss the chords but pick right back up. I don't mean to, but I found myself looking at his concentrated face and when he notices, I turn away and pretend I hadn't been looking at him.

When we finish singing, I find myself staring into his blue sapphire eyes, they aren't close but they should be with the effect I felt from them. He seems to be staring into my soul, trying to read my thoughts and figure me out. He also seems confused, like he can't figure out why he is attracted to me. Before anything more can happen I turn my head away and start to put away my guitar.

When I finish I stand up and look at the wall clock. "Well, we have to leave. The boys have to go to school again tomorrow and they have to go to bed. I say, making my brothers groan complainingly. They both get up and grumble as we head out the front door. "Thanks for dinn..

"Wait!" Ashton calls lifting his guitar over his shoulders and placing it in its case before coming after me. "Do you want to hang out tomorrow?"

I smile sadly "While that does sound fun,I can't. I start my new job tomorrow. I'm sorry." His head drops in sadness and he heads back toward the coach, scratching the back of his neck"But I can hang out the day after tomorrow!"

He turns around, a smile splayed across his face and nods "12:00, alright?" He says

"Noon? Why that early?." I ask curiously as my brothers and I start down the hall, Ashton poking his head out his own door.

"The earlier we leave the more stuff we can do." he explains "if that's okay.."

"That's fine." I say unlocking the door and rushing the boys inside. I give him a wave."Night!"

Before he can answer back, I shut the door behind me. I change the boys into their nightclothes and tuck them in. Singing their lullaby(tonight's selection:'Haven't Met You Yet' by Michael Bublé) then close the door quietly behind me, change into my night clothes,before I lie down on my 'bed'. Unfortunately I am kept up by the issues running wild in my head.

I already have enough issues in my life. I don't need another relationship that would either destroy my life here, end up breaking my heart, and possibly cracking the rest of my sanity.

I turn over and sigh. Then again, Ash was very attractive and he seemed kind. Besides he has a little trust issues himself. He would probably get where I'm coming from.

I shake my head in confusion and let out a soft frustrated noise. Why the hell does my life have to be way too complicated!