A New Chapter

Chapter 10

"Hey mom?" I look out over my phone and focus on the kitchen door.

"Mom?!" I call louder this time.

"Yes darling?" She emerges from the kitchen covered in flour.

"Jesus. Did you bust a crack house?" I raise an amused eyebrow at the state she's in, trying not to laugh.

"Ha. Ha. You're absolutely hilarious."She drawls out before adding; "you should look in to a career around humour, you're bursting with talent."

She stands there for a moment before remembering why she came out in the first place; "What did you need?"

"Oh yeah! I just wanted to ask if you want to invite Miranda and Jake over for dinner sometime, for old times sake."

"Miranda and Jake Harper? I thought you and Jake don't get along anymore?" Mom questions with her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"We spent some time together when we skip- I mean in school the other day. We're good now." I cough a little to try  and cover my slip up.

"That's great news! I'll give Miranda a ring straight away!" She replies with an excited squel, before turning and going back to the kitchen.

"Hello Miranda?....I'm doing great thank you! How are you, Greg and Jake?.... oh terrific!..... I have some excellent news, the ship is back on course!.....yes!.....of course the bet is back on.... how about dinner at ours tonight? Amelia is having a sleepover with Ms McCall and her niece. Perfect see you then!"

Did my mother seriously just talk about Jake and I as a ship. My god, and a bet? What the hell is wrong with those woman I can't bel-

"Oh and Miranda-" my mothers voice is much closer this time and I look up to see her standing in the door way with a smirk on her face. This can't be good.

"-apparently our two trouble makers skipped class together." I guess she noticed my slip up after all.

~~

"Can you get the door Ashley!" Moms voice booms up throughout the house being slightly muffled by the sound of various pots and pans.

I take one last look in the mirror at my soft pink, knee length dress, complemented with a small gold chain but with my regular white vans. No way I'm wearing heels in my own home.

I pull out a few extra strands of hair from my messy bun before I sprint down the stairs taking two steps at a time.

When I open the door I'm greeted by Miranda; Jake's mother. Her dark brown hair is curled to perfection, going beautifully with her lilac blouse and dark jeans.

"Oh my, look at you Ashley! You've grown into such a beautiful young woman." She beams at me, pulling me into a bone crushing embrace.

"Hey Miranda, you look amazing as always. You don't look a day past twenty." I respond with a warm smile when we pull apart.

She was always like a second mother to me.

Mom shouts for Miranda to come and get some wine, leaving Jake and I at the door.

He looks great in his crisp white shirt with black skinny jeans. His hair slightly more tamed than usual.

"These are for you." He outstretches his arm to hand me a bouquet of pink carnations and white lilies. My favourite.

"You remembered?" I question him with an impressed smile, taking them from his grasp and giving them a quick smell.

"Of course I did. When we were ten you said that pink carnations and white lilies had to be the flowers that decorated the church when we got married in."