Elemental

Chapter Four

We walked down the street, his footsteps in time with mine. We were walking at a slow pace, slower than I would usually go, but truthfully I was nervous about going to the party. What if no one wanted me there? 

"Ella, are you alright?" He asked, concern crosing his face.

"I wasn't invited, what if they don't want me there?" I regretted it the moment it came out. Ugh, I'm so cringey.

"They'll take one look at you Miss James, and they'll kick themselves for not inviting you."

"You sure?"

"If I saw someone that beautiful, I'd kiss them there and then" He frowned. "Not that I want to kiss ou right now. Nice one Ashton. Way to cock it up."

I laughed, uncontrollably, "You're so cute Ash." He smiled crookedly, and we walked the rest of the way in silence. 

We reached Benji's house, and all I could hear was music blaring, and I could see people dancing,. This didn't look like my kind of fun. Ash walked straight through the open front door, and pushed past the crowd. I grabbed his hand so I didn't get lost, and he intertwined our fingers together. I couldn't help but smile, it was nice to hold on to someone. He avigated his wat through the lounge, and into the kitchen. 

"What can I get you to drink?" He turned to me.

"I'l just have whatever you're having?"

"Beer it is then?"

"Sounds god." I'd never really drank much before, but I knew I could handle beer and wine. He handed me an opened bottle of Budweiser, and I took a swig. This stuff tasted pretty good. 

He then walked some more, back into the crowded lounge, and then he let go of my hand, "Shall we dance?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm up for it!" Then we danced. Well, I say danced, we just drank and moved around, four beers and a few songs later, I was exhausted. 

He bent his head over, and whispered in my ear, "You want to go outside?"

"That sounds good." He took my hand and grabbed two beers, then walked into the garden.

Benji's garden was beautiful. The green grass was illuminated by little lamps that outlined a small path, on each side there were flower beds, each full of dainty flowers of pinks, reds and blues. We strolled hand in hand do wn to the bottom of the garden, where there was wooden decking and a beautiful arh with roses wound round it, a little further on was a table, and two cushioned patio sofas. We walked over, and sat down. 

"I'm so glad you invited me." I smiled, and said softly.

"I'm more glad you came." He let go of my hand and held his bottle in two, he looked down.

I placed my hand on his arm, "Ash, are you okay?"

"Yeah. For once, I am more than okay. You just..." He paused for a long time.

"I what?" I said softly.

"You make everything so much better." He smiled sorrowfully. I squeezed his arm, not knowing how to react and what to say to that. "It's getting cold, we should go in before you catch a chill." He got up, and I followed him into the house. 

About an hour and a half later, the house started clearing, it was nearing midnight, and everyone had had a little too much to drink. Ash throughout the whole night never left my side, and introduced me to all his friends, and I introduced him to the few I had. Scarlett came and spoke to us, but she was too busy with Taylor. We decided to leave at about half twelve, before we were the last awkward few there.  

"I'll walk you home if you'd like?" Ash turned to me and said.

"You sure it's not too out of your way?" I said worried I was becoming a chore for him.

"I want to. I wouldn't care if your house was in Timbuktoo, I'd still walk you home."

"Okay, fine. Walk me home." I smiled widely. About three streets later, the temperature dropped, and I started shivering, "Fuck it's cold, isn't it?"

"Do you want my jacket?" He offered, sincerity shone through his voice. 

"I don't want you to get cold though."

"I'll be alright, wouldn't want you getting ill and missing school! What would I do without you?" He handed me his hoodie, and I put it on.

"I don't know, talk to the popular kids?"

"They've got nothing on you." He smiled. We walked and talked for a while, and then he asked, "What's your biggest dream?"

"Don't laugh okay. I've always dreamed that I'd win the Nobel Prize..."

"Wow. That's an impressive dream! Any idea how you're gonna do that."

"Dark matter."

"Well, good luck to you. When you thank everyone, include me." He winked, and I giggled.

"I'll be sure to do that. What's your dream then?"

"I don't have any dreams anymore..."

"What? Why?"

"I can't achieve them. So there's no point."

"Ashton Carter, I believe you are brilliant enough to achieve anything you want to, and I promise, it'll all be worth it." 

"Where have you been all my life?"

"Waiting for you." We laughed at the same time, and kept going till we reached my street. He walked me up the path, and we stopped at the door. Then the thunder cracked, and rain came plumeting down in thick, heavy, rapid drops. We took shelter on my porch. 

"I should get home, the rain'll only get heavier."

"You're welcome to come in, until it passes?"

"No, thank you for asking, but Alex will be wondering where I got to." 

"As long as you're sure!" He smiled, and hugged me, he let go a bit, and looked into my eyes. I could feel his breath on my skin, his eyes vividly green, and his lips were moist with rain. I could feel his heart beat quicken against my chest, and he leant in. Before I could even get my head around what I was sure was about to happen, he let go of me.

"I had a, um, really great time tonight." He ran his hands through his hair.

"Yeah, we should, do it again sometime?"

"Yeah, sure, sounds good." He started down the path.

"Text me to let me know you go thome okay?"

He laughed, "Yeah, okay!" Then he was gone. I unlocked the door and stepped into the house. I ran straight into my room. The night had been, eventful... I'd had a lot of beer, and I was almost kissed, and I had fun, at a party I was dreading to go to. I got changed for bed, and slipped on his hoodie. It smelt like him, and the rain. I wasn't too sure if I wanted to give it him back. 

Oh shit. I think I really like this guy.