Memories of You {Ender Inciarte}

Chapter Five

Tears started slipping down Aspen's cheek. She had been caught. It was all over. Matt had threatened her and she was paying the price for not taking it seriously. Now it was too late.

"Aspen?" The voice called up to her. Not Matt's voice. A voice she didn't expect.

"Ender?" She whispered, wiping the tears off of her face so he wouldn't see.

"Come out here!" He looked genuinely concerned, "What are you doing out here at 1:30 in the morning? And hiding in the slide?"

Aspen slowly climbed out of the slide, "I could ask you the same question..."

"Okay, I let my dog out to use the bathroom and he ran off and I can't find him. Your turn."

She nodded, "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk."

"In the slide?"

She nodded, "Yes. Okay. I'll see you later." Aspen turned away and silently cursed herself for her awkwardness. She just didn't know how to handle the situation.

Ender gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her in place. She flinched at the touch and her body tensed up. It wasn't the harsh grip of Matt, but it was still a reminder of the way he treated her.

Ender felt the tension and dropped her hand. It was not his intention to make her uncomfortable. "Let me walk you home."

Aspen rubbed the back of her neck nervously, "Thank you, Ender, but that really isn't necessary. I don't want to take up your time."

He smiled, "It's no inconvenience at all. I would honestly sleep better tonight knowing you got home safely."

Her heart fluttered at the sweetness of his words. She didn't know if it was genuine, but it sounded like it, and either way it was nice to her to feel like someone honestly cared about her well-being. However, she would have to be honest with him by allowing him to be chivalrous. "Really, Ender. It's fine."

"Ah, mi amiga, clearly you don't know me that well, I don't take no for an answer."

Aspen sighed, exasperated, and sat on a bench, resting her face in her hands.

Confusion washed over Ender. He had no idea that trying to be a gentleman and make sure she was safe would make her so agitated. "Aspen, I didn't mean to upset you..." he wasn't quite sure how to approach the situation.

"I can't go home." Her muffled voice spoke through her hands, "Matt broke in. I fled. That's the reason I'm here in the first place." Aspen was ashamed. Being associated with someone like Matt wasn't a good feeling, especially when you had chosen that association. She didn't even want to look up at Ender.

"Aspen..."

Keeping her head in her palms, she sighed again, "He's probably gone by now. I'll just go home."

"No." He firmly replied, "he won't be gone, and if is was, he'd come back." Ender paused and hesitated over his next words. He didn't want to make things awkward or put her in a situation where she felt uncomfortable, but he knew he couldn't just leave her.

Summoning up the courage, he finally spoke, "I know this is forward, but I have space at my place. You could stay just for tonight since it's late and figure out what you can do tomorrow. I have an extra bedroom. Chip sleeps there a lot, but I could force him to sleep with me tonight."

Aspen lifted her face from her hands and looks at him inquisitively, "Chip?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My dog." Ender paused, "Chipotle..."