Tunes Of Betrayal: Temptations Playlist

Photographs & Memories

"Well hello there, sweetheart." Mrs. Williams greets me as she opens the door.

"Hello, Mrs. Williams." I smile warmly at the old woman. I don't know why her smile is so comforting right now. "How are you doing today?" I question as she steps aside to let me in.

"Marvelous, just marvelous." She smiles as shuffles towards the kitchen. "Lemonade sweetie?" She says from the kitchen.

"Uh, yes ma'am." I reply, following her into the kitchen. She hands me a glass of lemonade.

"Your friend is already out back." She nods her head towards the back door. I glance at the door and back to her. "The cute brunette from before." She clarifies.

"Ashley?"

"Mhm." She nods, sipping her lemonade.

"Thank you." I tell her.

Suddenly, I'm extremely nervous. My hands are sweaty as I make my way out the back door into the yard. I should be mad at her, right? I mean, she completely dropped off the face of the earth. I mean yes okay I ran out after our kiss, but that's a normal reaction.

Not calling, not texting, not sending smoke signals. Completely uncalled for. Albeit it's only been less than half a day... still ya know. She could have at least texted me or something. I mean is that too much to ask for?

The sound of Ashley's guitar gently playing pulls me towards the garden. I follow the music, not being able to hold in my smile. She was born to play music. I'm sure of that.

I find her sitting on a bench; strumming her guitar and humming quietly.

I tentatively make my way across the grass wiping the sweat that's collected on my hands and forehead. Why am I so nervous right now?

I clear my throat to get her attention and it causes her to mess up the tune. She stops strumming and looks up at with sad eyes. My heart breaks at the sight. Sighing regretfully, I move closer to her and she scoots back on the bench she's sitting on, almost falling backwards.

I stop my advances. Clearly the five feet between us is too close.

"Hey."

Really? That's what I start with?

Her raspy voice replies and I smile at the sound of it not realizing just how much I missed it. "Hi."

This is conversation is riveting to say the least.

"Where've you been?" I ask curiously because I want to know. I know you do too.

"You know…around." She answers vaguely, with a shrug.

"Yeah I've been there before." I roll my eyes and she lets out a pathetic chuckle.

"Don't do that." She orders.

Um do I look like a waitress? I take orders from no one.

Except for Lexy…and Madison…but that's it!

"Do what?" I cross my arms over my chest and stare at her. She doesn't have her gaze on me anymore.

"That thing you do…acting like everything's okay when it's not."

I do not do that!

"I wasn't and how would you know what I do and don't do? You've known me for like five seconds."

She finally looks into my eyes, she doesn't look angry, she looks more lost than anything.

"A lot can happen in five seconds." She answers staring into my eyes as she silently elaborates on her answers.