More Than Friends: A #Mashley Fan-Fic

Fires and Sleepovers

Ashley's POV:

The meeting was finally over. Thank god. As I get into my car to leave, I grimace as I review how the meeting went and how awkward and clueless I appeared to be. I kept fixing my skirt and stuttering whenever I spoke, but Mitch was right. I did feel a lot better now that it was over and done with. Now I could go back into my tiny hotel room and relax for a bit. 

When I get to my hotel, I drop all my things and start to go through some of the paperwork they had given me. I sort out my ID, my new license, and my credit cards to put in my wallet. Once everything is sorted out, I plop down on my bed and pull out my phone to check my social media sites. I had been on for all but five minutes when I heard a scream and the sound of an alarm go off. I recognized it immediately as a fire alarm and gathered up all my stuff, including my suitcases and paperwork, and bolt out the door. In the hallway, it was absolute chaos. People were fleeing from their rooms, some carrying baggage, others empty-handed, all heading for an exit. I faintly smell the stench of smoke that indicated there indeed was a fire, and this was not a drill. Arms full, I head for the stairs and scale them in mere seconds.

The entrance was flooded with people going in and firefighters going out. My heart is racing as I push past all the people until I was finally free, and I was breathing clean air again. Exhausted, I walk over into an unoccupied corner and collapse with my stuff. After catching my breath, I look up to view the damage. There was a huge, hungry plume of smoke, charging out of a window on the floor above mine. I saw firefighters standing below it, aiming their hoses and putting it out. The sight scared me, and I hugged my bags in search of comfort. Across the street, there was a news reporter and camera-man catching the entire thing on tape. I turn away, not wanting to be seen. Just as I turn, I hear a loud CRASH as the building before me crumbles on the floor with the fire. I jump back in fright and let silent tears run down my cheeks as I pray that no one had been hurt. My breathing was fast, and I knew I was hyperventilating. I knew in the back of my mind that I should move, get out and go, far, far away, but I couldn't. All I could do was sit there and rock back and forth on my knees, in shock and fear.

What felt like hours but were only a few minutes later, I was snapped back into reality by a person, coming from behind, gripping my shoulders and turning me around to face them. It was Mitch. At the sight of his face, I burrow into his chest and begin crying again, repainting the dry tears on my face.

"I-I w-was s-s-o scared! I-it w-was s-s-o awful!" I cry into him.

"I know," he coos. "You're safe now, Ashley. You're here with me, and I'm not going to let anything hurt you." he hugs me tighter, and we sit there until Mitch nudges me lightly to get up. I let him lead me, not speaking. He takes up all my bags except for the one slung across my arm and we walk a distance to get to his car. He puts all my bags into the back and I sit in the front next to him. We start driving, I'm not sure where. I wear a blank expression on my face, not having the strength to cry, and he takes my hand and squeezes it. He holds it there for as long as he can until he has to use two hands to drive. His show of affection almost makes me feel better, though although the pain was decreased, it was not completely gone.

When we arrive at the house, Mitch once again takes up all my bags in his arms and leads me into the house. He drops everything at the stairs, and seems to look at the couch, but then thinks better of it and brings me upstairs to his room. Once inside, he pries the bag that was clung to my side and sits me down on the bed. He gives me a blanket and I pull it over myself as he starts to leave. I feel a strong pang of fear in my chest, not wanting to stay here alone.

"Mitch!" I call softly, blushing slightly. He turns around cautiously, and I see a look of worry in his eyes. I can see how worried he must've been when he found out about the fire, though I'm not sure how he did hear about it.

"C-can you stay?" I ask tentatively. "I-I just don't want to be here alone. You don't have to I-" I'm cut off before I can finish, for he's already at my side, shushing me.

"No, no, I don't mind. I can understand you wouldn't want to be here alone. I mean, this room is absolutely hideous. I don't like being in here at night either. It starts to smell." he says, sitting on the bed beside me. I give a little laugh and rest against him as he settles down. He hesitates at first, but then wraps his arms around me in a tight embrace. With his warmth encasing me, I'm able to relax and drift off to sleep, his scent and touch filling me, putting me at rest.

Mitch's POV:

I look down at the girl beneath me. It's Ashley, of course, with her tear-stained eyes closed, in a peaceful sleep. When I heard on the news that her hotel had been set on fire, I panicked and headed straight there to make sure she was okay. When I arrived, I found her curled up in a ball with a look of pure shock on her face, and it broke my heart. Now, looking down at her, I realized that I wasn't laying here with her because I was her friend, it was because I loved her. I never really believed in love, I especially didn't think it would happen to me, yet here I am, and here she is, looking as beautiful as ever. I kiss her softly on the head, and she stirs slightly, burrowing deeper into my chest. It's dark out now, and I think we've been sleeping for about two hours, since I've only just woke up. I know she must be exhausted, so I don't check the time, afraid to wake her. I settle back into a comfortable position and drift back off to sleep, her even breathing as my lullaby.

Ashley's POV:

When I wake up, I feel Mitch's strong arms holding me, protecting me from dangers as he said he would. Much to my surprise, I had a dreamless sleep, and I can't help but think that Mitch's presence had something to do with it. I look up at his face, so peaceful and caring. I'm deeply touched at what he did for me, because I know no one else would've, and I could have been sitting there forever. He was my hero, my knight in shining armor that saved me, and I kissed his chest softly and whispered thank you to it. He didn't stir, and I was glad. I wanted to stay there just a little longer, take in the moment that I knew would never happen again. The thought made me sad as I realized I loved him again, but this time I had more hope of him loving me back. He did care, wasn't this proof enough?

I did get to stay there for a bit, but only a few minutes until he stirred and woke. I pretend to be asleep, and feel him stroke my hair softly once or twice. I then pretend to be stirred, and open my eyes to see him smiling down on me.

"Morning." he says, sleep still in his voice. I smile back.

"Morning." I say. He stretches awkwardly, and we get up, saying nothing. When we walk downstairs, everyone but Jerome and Adam are surprised to see me.

"Why...hello, Ashley." Tyler says, raising his eyebrow first at me, and then at Mitch. Quentin and Brice were wearing the same expression.

"Morning." Mitch says, acting as if nothing was wrong. I just waved, saying nothing at all, as usual. We stood there for a second, silence enveloping the room. It was Mitch, of course, who broke the silence.

"Well, I'm going to get me some coffeé." he says, moving past everyone in his way to get to their coffee machine.

"Ashley, you want any?" he asks, looking back.

"No," I say, finding the courage to speak with everyone looking at me. "I don't like coffeé, remember?" He puts his hands up in mock surrender and I suppress a smile. Adam then moves over to me and smiles a warm greeting.

"How are you doing this morning?" he asks, a look of concern in his eyes.

"I'm alright," I say. "Still alive, breathing." The rest of the group besides Mitch and Jerome looks at us, confusion growing.

"Okay," Tyler says. "I can't take it anymore. You guys are acting like you're in on something we don't know. Let up, will you? Sharing is caring." I laugh a little along with the others, but then frown when I realize that I have to explain how I got here, and that's a memory I wasn't ready to revisit. Brice notices and is about to say something, but I interrupt him before he can begin.

"I'm going to go brush my teeth. My bags are all here, right Mitch?" Mitch turns around, and I realize his hands were drawn into fists. He loosens them, and nods. I walk away a little hurriedly, grab my toothbrush from my bag, and rush into the bathroom where I sit down to breathe.