The Piano || 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘣𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬

|41| No going back now.

Growing up, Ashley wasn't one to lie a lot. She never really saw the need for it; if someone wasn't happy with how she handled things or thought about something, that wasn't her problem. As a child, she'd rather stick her tongue out and find better friends than try to be someone else around them.

But she wasn't comfortable with Sadie coming to the trip. There wasn't even really a reason, but the way Jerry's sister was disregarding what Ashley had witnessed made her feel almost petty toward the younger woman. A "if she doesn't appreciate my experience, she shouldn't get to do it herself" kind of thing.

And so, she texted Sam that Jerry would think about it – but not that Sadie would like to be invited. The answer was a simple "OK :)" about half an hour later. Ashley had been setting up her stuff for a stream, making sure that the game and recording would work.

"He said there's only space for four persons," Ashley said, walking back to the living room. Sadie and Jerry were still there, watching a YouTube video. The rest went unspoken – "And I'd rather go alone with Jerry than with Sadie."

Sadie scowled. "Don't they have a bigger car?" she asked, and Ashley shrugged.

"They have the room reservations already," she lied. "It'd be next week." She turned to Jerry. "What do you say?"

"Hey, if I can't come, wouldn't it be unfair for him to go?" Sadie asked, looking at him accusingly. He bit his lip nervously.

"Come on now," Ashley sighed. "He's an adult. He can make his own decisions."

"And I'm his sister, I came here to take care of him!"

"Jeez, I can take care of him as well, and he can take care of himself. That's really not a problem." Ashley took out her phone as it buzzed again. This time, it was her alarm to start streaming soon. "You two can argue this out. I need to keep to my 'non-existent' schedule, as you so friendly pointed out."

"No, you're staying here, we need to talk about this," Sadie disagreed. Ashley crossed her arms and leaned against a wall.

"Okay," she said, "then talk."

"I just think it's unfair that you guys leave me alone like this, after all that I've done for you," Sadie shrugged.

"No one asked you to do it," the redhead said with a raised eyebrow. She seriously had better things to do than this. "It's only a few days. You're twenty-six years old, you can keep yourself busy for that long."

Sadie pouted. "Come on, don't be like that," she said, sounding whiny. "I could just sleep on the couch or something!"

"And get the guys in trouble? How nice of you," Ashley said sarcastically. "Now, if you don't mind, I still have work to do. I'm late for the stream already and can't use any of this discussion right now."

She turned around, ignoring Sadie's exclaim that she should wait, and walked back to her room.

Later, she texted Colby, asking if they could do it after next week so that Sadie wouldn't see through her lie. He seemed surprised that she wanted to go so soon, but after she insisted on it for a while, he gave in, saying he would look for reservations.

Then something she hadn't expected.

Colby
hey, jerry wouldn't have to be there the entire week. we
have other guests planned anyways. what do you think?

Ashley
you mean like the conjuring series? with different people
every day? i love that idea

Colby
yeah, pretty much :) do you want to ask him?

Ashley
i can, but his sister wants to come as well if he comes