ASHLEY

11

   Sorry I haven't been updating I've been feeling a little under the weather. I'm trying as best I can. By the way thanks for reading. I really do appreciate you!❤
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"Pick whatever you want. Don't be shy."

   "Shy? Oh believe me baby that's not a word in my vocabulary and since you're offering don't get mad at me when you see how much this adds up to." I turn my attention back on the rows and rows of candy. I never was the healthy eating type. That's why I'm so thick at the bottom. I gotta start working to flatten this stomach.

   Isaiah wraps his arm around my waist and I knock it off saying, "I don't know what you thought this was. Back up off me ol' dude." He responds by giving me a soured look. I drag my perfectly manicured fingers down the length of his soft, beautiful face. He reajust his glasses as I do so, staring me directly in my eyes, forcing me to absorb every inch of those beautiful chocolate orbs. "You have pretty eyes."

   "Hmm you don't think I know that?" He responds cockily. I nudge him with my shoulder then move to give the last at the counter my order of sweets.

   She ask me what I want. "I would like...a large Coke, a bag of skittles, popcorn with extra butter, two Snickers, and a bag of twizzlers," I turn to Isaiah, "and you want?"

   "I'll just get some nachos. You burning a hole in my pocket girl. You better be lucky I like you."

   I roll my eyes playfully. Isaiah is such a nice guy. When he talks to me he speaks with so much respect. He's such a gentleman and I love it. You can't find too many guys like that around.

   Isaiah is also good with keeping up the conversation. At first I thought that maybe he was going to be boring and that I was going to have to do most of the talking but as it turns out I don't have to. I learned that Isaiah plays safety for his schools football team. He showed me some of his highlights and I must say he's really good, fast too. He's been playing since he was nine. His best friends dad pushed him in to it and he just fell it love with it ever since. He's already gotten scholarships from different schools and he's excited about touring each and every one of them.

   I'm genuinely happy for him. I can just see his love for the sport all over his face. I even agreed to go to one of his games when he asked. Why not?

   After we collect our food we head into the theater and find ourselves a good seat. We made sure to come on a day that's not so packed so we could actually get to sit together and talk a little during the movie. I'll have you know I'm a big talker during movies. Its a good thing we picked a comedy movie. We find a seat all the way at the top and plop down. I place my feet up on the empty chair in front of me. We still have some time before the movie start.

   "So have you thought about college?"

   I shrug. "Of course but I'm not an athlete like you so I'm not getting too many full-ride scholarships to all these cool places. I think I want to stay close to home anyway. My aunt works a lot and I have to look after my little sister."

   "I understand but I still think you should choose based on what you want to do and everything else will work itself out. I mean look at me, I never would have imagined in a million years that I would be good enough at football to get offered any scholarships. You just never know."

   I stare at him, smiling. I love his optimism. He just seems so determined about everything. When he wants something he goes after it but he goes about it the right way. I tell him how right he is. He thanks me then turns to focus on the movie that's starting. I rest my head comfortably on his shoulder and he welcomes this small gesture.

   I turn to the movie, laughing when parts are funny, getting angry when the characters do the exact opposite of what I tell them. Of course I get yelled at by some people, an old woman with a cane in particular. She hacks at me but does a lot of talking through the movie herself.

   When the movie is over Isaiah ask if I want to go for a walk downtown. I agree. I love seeing how beautifully it's lit at night. I hold his sweaty hand as we walk through the streets. He seems a bit nervous. It doesn't bother me though. I think it's cute that he's all nervous.

   "I've been talking a lot about myself. I want to hear about you," Isaiah says as he finish telling me about how he got into football.

   I bite the inside of my cheek as I think of something to tell him. When nothing comes to mind I ask, "well what do you want to know?"

   "I don't know. Your childhood, favorite color, movie, um...something you're passionate about. Stuff like that."

   "Well my favorite color is blue. I love it in every shade. My favorite movie is Maze Runner. In a sucker for dystopian anything. There's not much to tell about my childhood. I had to grow up fast when my parents died."

   "I'm sorry to hear that."

   I shrug. Not knowing what to say to that. I've heard people tell me that ever since it happened but it has always been a real conversation ended for me.

   My attention is drawn to the bright neon lights around us. People pass us by. Some greet even greet us, which I always return. It starts to get late so we head back and Isaiah drops me off home. As we pull up to the driveway my eyes land on a familiar black car. "You got company," Isaiah says staying the obvious.

   I turn to him and smile. "I guess I do. Hey, I had fun tonight. When did you get to be such a gentleman?"

   He pops his imaginary collar. "Well that's because my mama would of beat my behind. Plus I got sisters so I'm suppose to show them how a man suppose to treat them ya know?"

   "Yeah." I plant a simple kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight." I wish getting out the car. I pull out my keys to let him know I'm good and that he can drive off but he still waits until I get to the door.

   "Hey," I hear a familiar voice shout. My heart rate picks up and by now I'm seething with anger.