Time felt like it went by quickly, because between the few days between Christmas and New Years, Mr. Dinkleberry extended my shift from 9-5 to 7:30-9. Mine and Ashley shifts now collided, so he usually dropped me off in the morning and took me home when he got off at 9. I wouldn't really have cared about the working hours, exept for the fact that I only had one 30 minute break at noon, and I walsn't allowed to leave the Bean for lunch. On top of it all, I was still getting paid the same as I had been, which, as I had recently found out, was less than Ashley was.
The Bean was open on New Years Eve, but luckly was closing at it's usualy time of 9. I was sweeping the floors when Mr. Dinkleberry finally came out of his office. Being New Years I decided that there was no better time than to confront him about my wages, yet again.
"Mr. Dinkleberry," I stopped him when he was halfway to the front door. "I was wondering, since, you know, I work from 7:30 to 9, not to mention I'm the one to open the doors, and to close them, that maybe I should have a tiny little pay raise." I smiled as sweetly as I could, which usually got me most things I wanted. He sneered.
"Nothing is wrong with what you are being paid now. Don't bother me with it again."
"But-"
"I said enough, Cumberland!" He snapped. I quickly drew back, nodding my head.
"Yes, sir. I won't mention it again!"
"Good. You can close up in five minutes. I have to leave." He ordered, and then left. Ashley quickly came out from the back.
"What did he say to you? Why was he yelling?"
"He still won't give me a raise, and with all the work I do around here."
"Still?" He made his way over to me and took the broom. "Where is he? I'm going to talk to him myself!"
"He's already left." I took the broom back and continued sweeping. "It'll be fine. I don't want you to get into trouble because of this."
"I don't care. If he's doing this to you, I want to help fix it. I will talk to him when he go back to work Monday."
"Monday? Don't you mean tomarrow?"
"See! This is what I mean! He's working you to death!" He took the broom away again.
"Lets just not talk about it! We can think about tonight."
"Fine, but don't think I'm going to forget about it." He put away the broom as I grabbed the keys to the door.
"I don't want to talk about it." He opened the door for him after he grabbed my purse. I took it with a jerk. We then both fell into a silence that stayed that way until we got into the car.
From there he took me to a nice restruant. Apparently he had made reservations for us weeks in advanced, just so we could get in. It was nice. I had some fresh fish and he some fancily prepared chicken. Before arriving at my house, we stopped and bought a not exactly cheap, but not expensive, wine. He protested about getting it at first, but I talked him into it. I didn't drink because the last time I had I didn't like it much, but maybe my tastes had changed.
"Awl, look at the love birds." Ms. Madge croaked when we entered the appartment. Ashley, who had gotten used to Ms. Madge's outburst, smiled.
"Hello,"
"Got some bubbley in there?" She questioned when she saw the bag of wine.
"Yeah,"
"Oh, well, don't get to crazy," She winked. I rolled my eyes as I led Ashley to the stairs.
When we entered my appartment, I dropped my purse and coat in the door way and went straight to the couch, collapsing on it. It had to be atlease 11:30. Ashley followed me and sat down.
"You tired?" He laughed, kissing me.
"Yeah, a little. But I'll be able to make it until midnight. It's only, what, 25 more minutes."
"20." Ashley corrected, checking his watch.
"Oh, good. Can we open the wine?" I asked. Ashley nodded and pulled the bottle from it's brown paper bag. "I don't have any wineglasses. I guess normal glasses will do." I got up and went into the kitchen. As I closed my cupboard after getting out two glasses, I heard a loud pop, assuring me that Ashley had opened it. I returned and he smiled.
"Here," I handed him the glasses and he filled them up. I excitedly took a big gulp. My grin quickly fell.
"Ew...." I moaned, setting it back down onto the coffee table.
"Ha, you don't like it?" He laughed.
"No. I knew there was a reason I didn't drink."
"Me too." He put his down also. We both started laughing. Ashley checked his watch again.
"It's 5 until midnight." He informed. I smiled.
"Told you I could make it." I chuckled and scooted closer to him.
"You know, they say it's good luck to kiss your true love on the stroke of mignight on new years."
"Really? Well, I need to find him, don't I?" I joked.
"So, what's you're resolution?"
"To stop keeping secrets" I cuddled up against him. He stiffened and looked down at me.
"What?"
"To stop keeping secrets." I repeated.
"What are you keeping from me?" He questioned. He didn't really sound mad, just curious. His voice was very soft. I took a deep breath.
"Ash, I don't know how to tell you this, but-" I was suddenly interupted by a loud beeping. We both jumped, realizing it was Ashley's watch. He looked down at it.
"Hold that thought," He stopped his watch and kissed me. We continued kissing for a couple seconds, his stuble tickling my chin. Finally, he pulled away. "I love you,"
"I love you too." We hugged and then he looked back down at me.
"So, what were you saying."
"Oh, I don't really know how to tell you this, but, Ashley... I'm a witch."
