She is beautiful. Never in my life have I seen a woman so gorgeous. I stare at her like I'm in a trance. I must be, because it's impossible to look away. Her red lips. Her soft closed eyes. He long blonde hair. Her hips. Her hands in the red sparkly...
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Something felt off.
This week had been so chaotic, and so had the week before it. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, tension, and exhaustion. I can see it's taking a toll on Ashely. She feels stressed and the dark circle under her eyes look like heavy weights she needs to lift. The way her shoulders sag just a little more each night, the way she forces her usual smile even when she thinks no one is watching. She is tired, overwhelmed. And yet, she still carries herself with that effortless grace that makes her seem untouchable to everyone else.
I am tired too, but my exhaustion is different. I am used to it. Training for the army made sure of that. Tired, sore, drained—it's just a part of the job now. It makes you tired and sore and sometimes I wonder if its really worth it. If all of this is worth it. Joining the army. Fighting the Nazis. Acting like everything is normal. Still being here. Is it really all worth it? But as soon as I see Ashley's smile, I immediately feel ashamed for even thinking that. She is the light I have right now. The only thing I enjoy. It feels like paradise when I'm with her. My heaven. My everything. Even though I only met her only weeks ago it feels like we have known each other for decades maybe even centuries. I don't think I could ever get tired of her.
The sunlight cuts through the window, warming my face as I blink awake. Saturday. The only day that doesn't feel rushed. I can feel Ashley's presence next to me. She is still asleep, her breathing slow and steady, her golden hair sprawled across the pillow. I can't help myself—I reach for her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close.
She groans softly in protest, her voice thick with sleep.
I think about yesterday. It had been a weird day. I feel angry when I think of Noah. That asshole thinks he owns everything. He wanted to get with Ashley only because she could help his career. I'm glad I beat him up, but I also feel a little guilty. I don't think I would have been able to stop if Ashley hadn't stepped in.
I pull her even tighter against me. "Michaaaeeeel" Ashley groans. God, I love the way she says my name.
"You're breaking every bone in my body" she groans again. I chuckle. "Sorry."
I loosen my grip a bit. I nuzzle my face into the crook of her neck. I inhale deeply. I want to be as close to her as possible. Her long hair tickles against my bare chest. I gently kiss her neck. She hums low still caught between sleep and wakefulness. I smile. She looks so peaceful like this. So unbothered. So beautiful. So gorgeous. So amazing. And she's all mine. It's hard to believe that someone like her could even be close to me and now she's sleeping in my arms and letting me kiss her neck. God, I love her so much. She will be the death of me, but honestly, I don't mind it.
The day goes on. Ashley is working her ass off at the club while I hang out with James and Steven. We talk, laugh, and have a good time. But my mind keeps drifting back to her.
20 minutes before the nightclub opens, I excuse myself from James and Steven and sneak into the club through the backdoor like I've done many times at this point. The dressing room area is a mess—performers rushing around, makeup powders dusting the air, the faint scent of perfume and cigarette smoke lingering in the hall. I make my way through the crowd of performers getting ready for the evening.
