The Checkered Writer

Chapter 2

The walk from the cafe to her grandparents house was short, but a cold night in London made it unbearable. Ashley longed to see her friends. She has only been gone a month, but she missed Bella, Maddy and Thomas more than a parent miss their child. Her grandparents were great, but she still longed for a familiar face.

Ashley's grandparents were inspiring people. They had travelled the world in their youth and settled in Australia to raise their kids. Ashley's grandmother was a spinner. She believed that natural fiber was the only fiber and insisted on spinning and knitting everything in the house. Ashley's bedroom sported all kinds of items that her grandmother had spun and knitted. Her bedspread, the rug and even her curtains were all woven together by her grandmother's capable hands. Her grandfather had always longed to return to England. He was a die hard brit. So when the kid's had grown up and moved away, they packed up shop and moved back to their beloved country. 

By the time Ashley arrived home it was getting close to midnight. She slipped inside, locked the door behind her, took off her coat and hung it on a hook. Shaking the cold air out of her hair she ventured into the living room to find her grandparents together on the lounge watching the late night news.

"What are you two still doing up?" Betty and Paul were usually tucked away in bed when Ashley arrived home from a long day of procrastinating.

"Thought we'd wait up to see you dear." Her grandmother looked at her expectantly, "So... any writing done today?"

"If you count wanting to rip up my draft manuscript, then yes."

"Ash"

"I don't know what's wrong with me! I've never had this problem before!"

Her grandfather took her hand and said, "It's okay honey. I'm sure your block won't last much longer."

"Thanks." She cleared her mind from her book, "Anything interesting happen in the world today."

"Unless you count celebrity gossip interesting, then no." Mitchell Chase's photo appeared again and the news reader started to recap his 'tragic' day.

Ashley rolled her eyes, 'That man is insane."

Her grandmother laughed, "Not usually the reaction he gets from girls."

"He's just so... so.. stuck up!"

The newsreader was droning on and on about how he got thrown out from that club, but mentioned other news that was still a shock to Ashley.

"Long term songwriter for the Checkered Shirts, Jackie Briggs, has also left the band due to an altercation with Chase. We now cross to James French for more details."

"Thanks Karen" the screen displayed James French wearing his trademark blue suit and black tie, with a women that Ashley presumed to be Jackie Briggs, "I'm here with the girl behind the band, Jackie Briggs. So tell me, Jackie, what it the reason for this sudden outburst?"

The girl smiled, "Well James, sometimes you can take boy out of the band, but you cannot take the band out of the boy. Mitchell Chase is out of control. I'm finally free of his remarks about me as a professional woman and free of his attempts to sleep with me."

James was clearly taken by surprise by what Jackie had said about Mitchell, "But surely you will miss working with the others? What about Mackenzie, Justin and Brad?"

"Obviously I will miss them. I made them who they are today. They will be nothing with out me. That is my revenge on Mitchell."

Ashley couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. Her grandparents giving her strange looks.

"I'm sorry! But come on, she's just as bad as he is." Ashley breathed, "Famous people."

"Just promise me this Ash, " Her grandmother met her eyes, "When your book is released and becomes the most popular book to ever grace the human condition, keep you head on. Don't let it get to you."

Ashley stood, kissed her forehead and said, "I will never be like that, I promise. Now let's turn off the MTV and get you both to bed."

Once she help her grandparents she retreated to her bedroom. Changing into her pajamas, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Her blonde hair was changing colour with the seasons. What used to be Australian summer white blonde and full of life was now golden strands just brushing past her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed against the cold and her lips in dire need of moisture. Her eyes were still the same as always. Even the chilly London air couldn't take away their bright blue shine.

She made a face at her reflection, "Please let tomorrow be a better day."

When she finally lay in bed, she was out cold in a matter of minutes; the pull of sleep had its hold on her.

Dreams plagued her during sleep. Fleeting images and memories of being back home, with her father and friends haunted her, pleased with the effect it was having on her. She awoke and checked the time. 2:26am, God. I've only been asleep for an hour, it feels like an eternity. 

She settled back down and was again invaded, but this time, she found the dream even more unsettling...

"Princess, you've been so lonely. I didn't know."  The princes face was covered by darkness and he cast a long shadow that toyed with the tips of her toes.

"Show yourself." She called, 'Please, I need to know who you are." She was searching frantically for his familiar face and cunning smile. Finally she found him.

"Show yourself to me." She held her breath while he stepped into the light. He had curly brown hair that still screamed boyish charm. Striking green eyes and a slim face. She smiled at him, Mitchell Chase's face covered the princes' like a mask.

"Hello princess."

"It's you." He took her in his arms and....