The Reject

Rainy days and bike rides

After a busy day at the bakery, and a short bike ride home in the rain, I ran inside the house, dashing up the stairs to get ready in under an hour before Ashton shows up.
I pealed off my sopping wet clothes and wrung out my hair. I danced around my room to some green day while drying myself off and changed into some grey leggings, large fuzzy socks and a cosy sweatshirt. I combed my fingers through my wavy hair and tied it up in a loose bun, and applied some light makeup.
I ran downstairs with 10 minutes to spare. I slid into the kitchen to find a snack and looked out the front window to see that neither Ethan or my mothers cars were in the driveway. I heard a small giggle come from the living room and I turned my head to see that Annabelle was still here watching Peppa Pig. "Annabelle? Who's supposed to be watching you today?" I asked. "You are! Mommy said there was a note on the fridge for you." She told me proudly.
I let out a small groan as I turned to the fridge reading the note.
I sat down on the couch with a huff. I checked my phone for the first time today since I forgot it at home this morning. I had about five texts from Ashton and two missed calls. I started to panic but was relieved once I had read them.

Mia :) : Hey. Are you awake? I can't sleep during storms, they give me anxiety. :(

Ash :D : Mia, are you okay?

Ash :D :Look, i'm really sorry I didn't respond last night. :/

Ash :D : Next time you should try calling me to wake me up :$

Ash :D : Hey I'm coming over soon, I hope you aren't mad at me..

Ash :D : Hey I'm here!

I leaped up from my spot on the couch and sauntered over to the door swinging it open to reveal a shivering Ashton holding an umbrella. "I was wondering if I would have to stand out here all day.." he said timidly. "I'm so sorry.. I just turned my phone on a minute ago.." I began but was cut off by an "I'm sorry too." and a sincere look in his eyes. "It's okay, thank you for caring about my silly fears.." I spoke shyly and he nodded. "Well, don't just stand there come inside! I'll get you a blanket. Go sit on the couch." I said breaking the tension. He said a quick"Thank you!" while his teeth chattered. He came in, left his umbrella and shoes at the front door and plopped down on the couch beside Annabelle within seconds while I went to the closet to fetch a towel for Ashton and a blanket big enough for all three of us.

When I came back I explained to Ashton that Ethan will be home at 6 to watch Annabelle and that my mother just left just after I came home on the job hunt. He was cool with it and told me that he saw the weather forecast for today and that it would probably stop raining around then. We decided to watch the rest of what Annabelle was watching and she insisted she sit in between us on the couch.
Once we were all warm and toasty, I decided to give Ashton a tour of the house. I started with the kitchen, then the living room,  etc. When we got to the library nook in between the flights of stairs to he was taken aback. "Mia! This is amazing!" He gasped. He carefully looked through the books and inspected the parlor guitars and ukes mounted on the wall. "We should hang out here more often!" He said speaking up after a few minutes. "More often? Ash, this is the first time you've been here!" I stated. "You can't prove that, maybe I have..and maybe I haven't. You wouldn't know, you just moved here!" he said slyly. "Oh so now my new friend Ash is a stalker..." I said giggling. He shoved me playfully and told me to shut up.

It was getting around 4:30 when Annabelle came and found us jamming out. I was playing guitar and Ashton drumming away on the shelves. "I'm hungry!" she exclaimed, interrupting our music. "What would you like for dinner Belle?" I sighed. A mischievous smile grew on her face and I knew what her exact answer would be. Before she could answer I interrupted with "-and no cake or candy!" She deflated and huffed crossing her arms. "What about grilled cheese?" Ashton chimed in. Annabelle's face lit up. "Yay! Grilled cheese!" She shouted jumping around in her tutu. "Okay, okay I'll go make some." I giggled. Before I was down the stairs Ashton whisper yelled "Remember to use real cheese!" "Will do!" I laughed.

As I was finishing up making lunch I heard giggling coming from the basement and assumed those two were having fun down there. I put all of our lunches on a tray and headed downstairs to find a tea party well underway. Annabelle had her tea set out and some of her stuffed animals were in the chairs around the table as well as a princess Annabelle and ..Ashton. I set the tray down on the table and put the last tiara on the table on my head. "Excuse me princesses, can I take a seat?" I giggled. I plopped down beside Ashton and we all ate our dinners and sipped our juice out of tiny tea cups. I heard the front door open and Ethan yell a friendly hello. Annabelle leaped up and ran up the stairs to greet him. "She's too cute" Ashton spoke up. "Are you saying she's the better looking sibling?" I asked curiously. "Well... I.. uhm.." he stuttered in distraught, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm just joking Ashton!" I said nudging his arm. "Mia?" he asked setting his tiara down. "Hmm?" I responded looking up at him. "I like when you call me Ash better.." he mumbled shyly. Butterflies erupted in my stomach and I did my best not to show how much I was falling for him. "I like it better too.." I stated, catching his gaze. We brought our plates upstairs and brought them to the kitchen. While I was putting them in the dishwasher, I saw a huge cheesy smile plastered to Ashton's face as he went to go meet Ethan. I could tell he was nervous underneath it all. When it was done, he walked back over smoothly like it was no big deal. I found it hilarious and started to cracked up.

We saw that it stopped raining and decided to go for a bike ride to the park downtown. On the way to get Ashton's bike, he kept pestering me and begging that we should get ice cream at the Boat House. I told him I felt it was too cold for ice cream and the place he had in mind probably isn't open in October. "Mia!! Have a heart will ya?" he complained sulking about with big puppy dog eyes. "Common, get on your bike Ash." I pleaded. He stayed put with his knees and head in his chest on his front steps. "I'm not going anywhere unless we can get ice cream.." he whimpered and started to quietly fake cry. I let out a sigh knowing I wouldn't win this battle. I started to giggle when he pretended to sob loudly and stomp his feet. "Okay, okay... i'll see what I can do about ice cream." I gave in. He abruptly stopped faking and lifted his head to meet my gaze. "Do you mean it?" he questioned. I nodded my head and his hazel eyes lit up. "Well let's get a move on then, times a wastin!" he shouted hopping on his bike and peddling down the street.

It was a bit of a ride downtown but it was fun racing Ashton through the streets. We biked around the trails in the park and stopped by the stream. Our bellies were full of ice-cream from the parlour a few streets down and we lay sprawled out in the cool grass, and looked up at the clouds. Our hands accidentally brushed and I looked over at his glistening face. His eyes were closed and his hair was slightly stuck to his forehead. He was so beautiful today. "Mia, I know your staring at me.." he stated, sounding annoyed by it. I quickly looked away and started to get up. My heart started to race.
He isn't supposed to know I like him, and think he's very attractive and he certainly isn't supposed to know how much I want to kiss him. 'Get a grip, he's just your friend' I thought to myself. "..I ... I'm sorry.. I uhm.." I started to stutter, feeling my face flush a little. He put a hand out for me to pull him up off the ground. He didn't let go of my hand and looked at me with concerned eyes. "Mia, I want you to know, you can tell me anything, okay? No matter how bad it is or how bad you think it is, you can tell me... because I know there's something you aren't telling me.." he said sincerely.
I had the biggest brain fart of all time. Not only did my heart skip a beat but my brain stopped and I was on auto pilot for a half a minute. " Ash, your right, there is something I'm not telling you. It's that - you have chocolate sauce on your face from earlier." Luckily I didn't spill the beans. I technically did tell the truth because there was a little bit on his face. I saw his eyes fade a little from their previous state of brightness. The glimmer of hope and happiness I always see in his eyes was no where to be found. He started to turn pink with embarrassment and refused to look at me until it was all gone. I could sense he knew there was a larger secret I was hiding from him.
It started to get dark and we decided to bike home. We didn't talk much on the way home. When we arrived at my house I asked if he wanted to stargaze on the roof with me. He refused and told me he was tuckered out.My heart sank. I thanked him for an awesome day and tried to give him a hug which he also refused to take. I slowly put my arms back down, trying to hide the feeling of rejection. Before he left I so badly  wanted to tell him that the same goes for him - that he can tell me anything no matter how bad it may be or seem. No words came out of my mouth. He hopped on his bike and peddling away not bothering to look up at me. When words and thoughts in my brain decided to co operate again, the only thing that came out was "What have I done.."