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Chapter23~Ashlynn

"...And then, my dad brought up from the basement a large wrapped present. I was praying that it was an acoustic guitar, but I tried to convince myself it wasn't so I wouldn't be disappointed. But sure enough, it was. I was so excited I started to jump up and down. I played that thing until my fingers bled and my siblings told me to be quiet. I have always had a passion for music but now that I had the guitar, I could make my own music. And that's pretty much how my career started."

Ryan was listening intently. "What about your amazing songs? When did you start writing those?"

"Probably in the 7th grade... My friend and I would write lyrics on index cards during class and the teacher didn't seem to notice. Soon, the lyrics turned into complete songs, and I realized how much I love to write them. I've been writing songs ever since."

"Where do you get your inspiration from? Like, some of the things you've written about are so deep I would love to hear what inspired some of your songs." He took a bite of froyo.

"Well, to be honest, most of the things I've written about have never actually happened to me. I have always found it easier and more successful to write about something I've never experienced, even though that doesn't make any sense at all. The songs I have written about myself are absolutely awful."

"Can I hear one of them?"

"What?! Noooooooo no no no..."

"Oh come on, I'm sure they're not that bad..."

"Yes. They are. They most definitely are."

"Finnnnneeee." He pouted his lower lip.

"The puppy dog face doesn't work on me." I chuckled.

"Aw man!" He laughed.

"Enough about me. When did you first start playing guitar?" I asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Probably when I was eight. Maybe nine... No, I was definitely eight." He decided. "My dad taught me how to play. He was in a band back in high school and they were offered a record deal. They ended up declining the offer because they didn't really want to be famous. But now, he's passed on his talents to me."

"What about you, do you want to play guitar for a living? Or do you have something else in mind?"

"Well... I just finished up my senior year at Bridgewater High and I'm going to Ohio State in the fall. As of now, I want to go into sports medicine but I'm sure I'll change my major at least 10 times." He laughed.

We had been sitting at a table in the back corner of 'Fran's Froyo' for about an hour now. Phil was sitting across the room from us in case I got recognized. We had to leave the mall earlier than we planned because someone spotted us.

We chatted for a little more until he had to get going.

"I'm so glad we got to do this. I really had fun." He said shyly.

"Me too. Just think, if you become our new bass player, we can hang out whenever we want." I smiled.

"Then I'd be living the dream."

Just before he walked away to his car, he turned back around and kissed me. It was just like the one earlier, only it lasted a few seconds longer.

As I walked back to the Rover, I felt like I was floating. I had a stupid smile stuck on face my the whole ride and when I reached the suite.

After I unlocked the door and pushed it open, my smile immediately disappeared. 'Oh great. Here we go.' Hunter was sitting on the couch and staring at the door like he was waiting for me.