Tangled Strings

Chapter 8

Ashley

After being escorted down to the hall I walked towards the kitchen and Bryan went to watch TV with Meghan. I glanced at the clock, it was 8 o'clock. An hour later Mrs. Harding would come home. I think maybe she has boarded the flight. So I lay out the table and check if anything is left out. Nope. And it's just 8.13 pm. Lots of time, so I pick out a Coke from the fridge and stroll towards the sofa where Bryan and Meghan were sitting. I sat beside Meghan on the other side and took a sip from the Coke.

It suddenly clicked me that I didn't bring anything for the others. Meghan wouldn't drink a Coke because of her singing practices but Bryan would want one as I did. So I stood up as soon as I sat down and was about to move when Bryan stopped me.

"Where are you going?"

"To bring you a Coke." I said sounding foolish.

"I don't need it. Sit here."

"But I thought you would want it—"

"Sshh...!!" Meghan hushed us.

"If I'd want to drink I'll share with you." he said but in a lower voice now.

"Okay." I sat down now beside Bryan where he was gesturing me to.

Meghan was watching Animax, a Japanese cartoon named Kamisama Kiss was playing on the screen. It seemed interesting, although I couldn't understand what they were saying because it was Japanese but the subtitles were a great help. A girl named Nanami was living in a shrine with a fox as her helper or shinshi as they say it. The fox's name was Tomoe. He wasn't exactly a fox but a man with fox ears and a tail. He was sooo cute. And the anime was actually interesting. I was so engrossed in watching TV that I didn't know when Bryan took the can from my hand. I realised it when he was placing it back.

After some time the episode ended. It seemed too soon. I stretched myself and my eye caught the clock. It was 9:10 pm. Suddenly the doorbell rang. Bryan went out to open the door and came back with a smiling Mary Harding. It was so nice to see her.

"Welcome home, Mary!" I echoed from behind and came out running to hug Bryan's mother. She was so warm like Bryan himself.

"Oh thank you, darling! Now where is my little Meghan?" she called out, and instantly Meghan jumped from behind her with a boo.

"Oh my goodness, Meghan! You startle me so often." Meghan came out and jumped in her arms like a baby. Mary kissed and embraced her. Bryan's mother was a healthy person and not to mention those curves. She had awesome body curves. Bryan looked a lot like her but her eyes, they matched Meghan's. She was just carrying one suitcase and a handbag, nothing else, but she looked weary. Travelling could do this to you. But her cause of weariness wasn't just travelling. Losing people but still putting on a brave smile for close ones is more tiring. Life is full of bad choices, but even so we shouldn't regret it. It's upsetting to know you've made a bad choice but you should accept it.

We all were very hungry and by the time we marched to the table it was 10:30 pm. Having dinner with the Hardings was the best thing. Talking over dinner, passing silly comments along with dishes and staring at Bryan and exchanging  suppressed smiles at each other. Nothing could match a dinner with the Hardings.

After the dessert, Mary presented us with certain gifts. I mean, there wasn't any need to get those but she had bought them with emotions and also they were so pretty. She had bought Bryan a jeans jacket. It was a cool one and it suited him just fine. Next up was Meghan's skirt. It was a pleated one with white background and cherry blossoms printed on it. A pretty one. And then she pulled out a frilly top. Green coloured with three layers of frills.

"Is it for me?" I asked, surprised, when she offered me to take it.

"Yes, darling! Of course it wouldn't fit Meghan, and my Bryan doesn't like wearing these girly things."

"Yeah! Thanks." and we grinned.

**********

As the guest room was all messed up, I were to sleep in Meghan's room and she with her mother. Meghan's room was all pink, be it the walls, bed or anything and everything. Mine wasn't as large as this one but it was quite a fine one.

I changed into Bryan's clothes and looked at myself in the mirror. Those clothes were way too big for my thin and sleek body but there wasn't any choice. No chance would I fit in Meghan's clothes and I wasn't going to wear any of Mary's night gowns. So I just got in bed wearing an oversized T-shirt and pulled up the blankets to cover my head. In no time, I was fast asleep.

The next thing I know was that I was screaming at the top of my voice, not knowing what was happening. The whole world was in a blur as I opened my eyes. I was still screaming, but now sitting in an upright position with my eyes tightly closed and my hands over my ears. I felt someone touch my shoulders and shake me. I removed my hands from over my ears and I heard a very familiar voice. Bryan. I threw open my eyes but I was still shaking from the fear of the nightmare. I was offered a glass of water which I drank with shaking hands and trembling lips.

The bed creaked as Bryan sat beside me. The only sound that could be heard was of my sobbing. Suddenly I felt my head against a rigid surface. Bryan had enclosed me in a hug. Now that my head was resting on his chest, he ran his hand through my hair. I felt warm and it comforted me. Bryan comforted me. It wasn't something usual he did, so I was a bit shocked at first. But thinking about it, it was what I exactly needed at the moment. He was so warm and I could hold on to him like forever. Suddenly butterflies started flying in my stomach and there was a lump in my throat.

"It's okay. Are you okay?" he whispered in my ears which tingled my sensations.

I nodded and took a deep breath as Bryan pulled me out of the everlasting hug.

"Was it the dream?" he asked again.

I nodded a yes.

"Do you want me to stay for a while?"

Again I nodded.

"Okay."

I replied with a forced smile.

After a moment's pause he got up from the bed and made me lie on it.

"Yeah. There you go. Warm and cozy." he said as he tucked the blanket to my sides.

"Umm... Do you want me to keep talking to you or you want to be, you know, silent?" he asked sheepishly.

"I think talking would be good." I said forcing out every syllable because if the lump in my throat.

Bryan started talking about our childhood days and how we used to play with each other and then fight over petty things. I would beat Bryan when he teasingly called me names like Old Aunt Ash or sometimes he would call me Grumpy. He laughed and his voice echoed in the stillness. 'Quite fascinating voice you got there, young lad.' I thought to myself. I may even have muttered it because instantly Bryan asked me, "What?" I shrugged and motioned him to go on. I smiled at his efforts to make my comfortable and suddenly Bryan's story stopped. He got up from the revolving chair he was sitting on and leaned over me. He removed the hair from my forehead and kissed it. I felt blood rushing to my cheeks and I felt flushed. His warm breath lingering on my cold forehead was like fire meeting ice. I melted in that kiss just like the ice. Not knowing how to react I turned away my gaze and when at last my eyes met his, I saw an evil smirk playing along his lips.

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A/N How was it? Did you like it? Please say yes!!

And the best part?? When he kisses Ashley!! I loved the moment!!

Stay tuned to know more about Bryan and Ashley!!

PS- Dedication to the amazing writer of How To Fall In Love... I just love her book, it's damn good! <3

Till then adios, amigos!!

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Love,
Anshara.❤