By eleven in the evening, we arrived at the Nelson's resthouse somewhere in Denver, Colorado. We unloaded our things and changed our clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were still outside making fire and preparing for dinner. They prefer camp fire dinner than dine-in when having summer vacation there. Donny and Johnny share with the same room while there little sister and Ashley share with one. Topher and I are sharing rooms too.
During dinner, we ate burgers, barbecues and s'mores. We have hot choco and milk as beverages. While eating, Mrs. Nelson is telling stories about her life and the her children's when they were young. She even told us the most embarassing moment of Ashley during her childhood.
"Mum, do you even need to tell the that?" Ashley asked embarassingly.
"Of course, honey," Mrs. Nelson answered. "They're your friends. They need to know every single detail about you."
After our dinner, I sat by the lake, watching the night sky. It was full moon that night and the breeze was very calming. Ashley suddenly accompanied me. She sat beside me, very close to me.
"What's up?" I aksed her.
"Nothing. I just figured that I need a fresh air by the lake and talk to you," She said.
I was flattered that time. I became silent for a while.
"Ash, I'm just curious. What are uhm..." I just realised what I'm saying.
"What?" She asked.
"What are the qulities your looking for your guy?" I asked.
"Why'd you asked?" she asked back intriguingly.
"Nothing, I'm just wondering because you're pretty and yet you do not have a boyfriend yet," I answered.
She became silent and smiled at me.
"You think I'm petty? Thanks," I can see her blush even if its a little bit dark. "I don't know. I think I'm scared to love again."
"Again? Why?" I was puzzled that time.
"When we were in the sophomore year, I met this boy whom I loved so much, I thought he would be the one, but one day, I saw him..." she cut her story and shed her tear.
"It's okay if you don't want to finish," I said. "But don't you think not all boys are like the guy you loved?"
"I don't know," she started cying.
I went closer to her and hugged her. She hugged back, but hers was tighter than mine.
"You know Ash? If I'm gonna be your man, I guarantee your 100% satisfaction," I cheered her up.
"Yeah right," she said.
We spend a lot of time under the moonlight. We talked about our college days. Then, I felt that Ashley is sleepy. I pulled her and put her head on my shoulder. When she fell asleep, I carried her and brought her to their room. I knocked and her little sister opened the door. I put her on the bed and kissed her forehead. Suddenly, I just realised what I did. Her sister looked at me but I just smiled.
When the morning came, we ate our breakfast. It's just me, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson who are awake yet.
"How's your sleep my dear?" Mrs. Nelson asked.
"Well, it's comfy and cozy," I answered with a smile.
"We can see that in your smile," Mr. Nelson laughed.
Where in the middle of our conversation and suddenly, somebody covered my eyes. I heard the laugh of Ashley.
"Good morning, Nate," she smiled and kissed me on my cheeks.
Of course I would blush for that. I mean, who wouldn't blush if you got kissed by your crush?
"Good morning, Ash," I greeted back.
"What a smile," her father asked as they kissed each other. "What made it that big?"
"Nothing," she answered.
"Ashley, honey, why don't you wake up your sister," Mrs. Nelson said.
Ashley entered their room and woke Hailey.
"Wake up Hailey!" she said. "I got something to tell you."
"What now?" I heard them from outside their room.
When I started hearing the murmurs in the tune of Ashley's voice, I sneaked up in their room and tried not to be noticed.
"I have something to tell you," Ashley told her sister. "Last night was a perfect one."
"I know. Our dinner was great, right?" Hailey, her sister replied.
"Yeah our dinner was great but I'm not talking about that," she said. "Last night, Nate and I were by the lake. I pretended that I was sleeping when he brought me here. You know what's the best part?"
"He kissed you?" Hailey guessed.
"You're right," she smiled.
I knew she wasn't really sleeping that time. But that was really flattering when your crush has a secret crush on you. Suddenly, I heard someone is going outside. So I went to our room and tried not to be noticed.
After our breakfast, I followed Ashley on the balcony. She sat on the stairs alone and I sat beside her.
"So, what's up?" she asked when she saw me.
"Nothing. I just figured that I need a fresh air here on the balcony and talk to you," I said.
""I think those words were familiar," she looked at me and smiled.
"Well, I just want to bring back the memories of your perfect night," I joked.
"You heard that earlier?" she asked.
"Not clearly," I answered.
She blushed and said, "That was embarrassing."
"Don't be, 'coz I feel the same way as you felt last night," she looked again at me and I smiled. "That's why I've decided to ask you this..."
I wasn't able to finish because something noisy interrupted us. Donny and Johnny then came and made me wet with their water guns.
"Oh, I'm sorry about those boys," she laughed. "Now where were we?"
"Hey guys, let's go swimming," Mr. Nelson just then suggested while pulling us to the lake.
I cannot stop because Mr. Nelson's force is just that strong until he pushed me and Ashley in the lake. Now, all I feel is wetness and coldness. But I can also feel that Ashley is holding my arms.
(to be continued...)
