Picking Up The Broken Pieces

05. AN UNEXPECTED VISIT ~

My eyes flew open at the sound of my fathers voice calling up the stairs.

"Ashley! You've got a visitor!"

My brows furrowed in confusion as I grabbed my phone from the night stand and turned it on. Saturday - 4pm. My frown creased further across my forehead as I read the words that were displayed boldly on my lock screen. 4pm?! How an earth had I slept until 4pm? And then it hit me. The events from the day before unraveled in my mind. The apartment. The late night drive home. I smile, and relax as my imagination takes over my thoughts and I begin to appreciate how lucky I am. However, my smile fades and I'm brought back to reality when my dad calls up the stairs for a second time, clearly irritated.

"Ashley, hurry up, we haven't got all day."

"Coming!" I shout back as I hop off the bed, slightly exasperated that after a month of staying cooped up in my room, I was going to have to face whoever it was. Just appreciate that people still care i mumble to myself as I walk past my mirror. I halt in shock remembering that only two minutes ago I'd been asleep in bed. My hair was tied in a 'bun' that had seemingly fallen out and now hung limply down the side of my face. I grabbed a hair band and shoved my hair into a high ponytail before descending down the stairs, to the front door.

It was my dad who I noticed first, stood talking to -

"J-josh?" I gasp. Taking a step back hoping that i was imagining the lad standing in front of me.

"No need to look too shocked sugar. I just wanted to stop by and check on you. It's been a while since I've seen you, I dropped you a few messages but you Never replied." I grimace, remembering the time I'd received numerous messages from him but being selfish enough not to reply.

"I- I'm sorry josh, things have been pretty hectic recently. I didn't intend to ignore you."

He takes a step forward, by which time my dads retreated to the kitchen, winking at me on the way. It's strange, considering I've not got around to telling my dad about josh. Not that it matters. We aren't official.... yet.

"Ash please. I understand this must be hard for you, I didn't exactly expect a reply." I smile at his words and lead him into the living room.

"It's nice of you to drop by, I've missed the company." And I meant every word of it. Before the death of mum, me and josh had been best friends, or should I say, he was my future boyfriend. We'd talked about dating a couple times, but neither of us wanted to make the first move in fear of ruining the friendship we already had.

"Sounds it, honestly though, how've you been?"
He sits down on the sofa beside me and kicks his feet up on the foot rest in front of him. The usual josh I smile to myself, never afraid to make himself at home.

"I suppose I've been on and off. Some days I'll be okay, and others I'll feel like shit." I chuckle to myself, wanting to make light of the situation. Before going on to ask;
"How is everyone at school though? I've not really spoken to anyone."

"Oh the usual." He smiles and turns to face me. "People are missing you. Jazz especially, I don't think I've heard her speak about anything else other than you since you walked out of class that day."
I frown and the reality hits me. I'd been pushing away and ignoring the people that meant the most to me whilst they were there trying to look out for me.

"It's sad really, I haven't even messaged her."
His eyes meet mine and I stare at him a few seconds before adding;
"I guess now that I feel able to see people, I'll have to go call her sometime."

"I think that'd be a good idea. She's none stop talking about you, partly the reason I decided to come over. I've missed you." He falters, before reaching out to grab my hand. My heart skips a beat at the touch of his warm skin against my hand. His fingers trace circles along my hand and a shiver goes up my spine.

"I've missed you too Josh. And I can only apologise for not contacting you." He squeezes my hand as he looks at me with an emotion that I can't quite read written across his face.

"Who wouldn't miss me?" He laughs, that beautiful, deep laugh that I'd missed out on hearing. I laugh along with him and lean in to rest my head on his shoulder.

"Trust you to say something like that josh." I chuckle.

"Oh I know, but seriously, you need to message Jazz. At least just to tell her you're okay." The serious tone in his voice returns.

"Oh alright. I suppose it's for the best."

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, his hand still gripping mine. I sigh and look up at him. He's smiling, appearing to be deep in thought. He notices me staring and looks down at me, amused.

"Oh I know I'm handsome, but staring is rude ya know" he smirks and I blush.

"Sure thing. Who said I was staring though?" I try and recover my embarrassment but my cheeks flush and I bury my head further into his shoulder.

"Awh we gone all shy now?" He says whilst tilting my chin up to face him once again. My heart hammers in my chest, if I'm not mistaken, this seems to be a tad bit flirty.
Before I have the chance to say something back, he leans forward and his lips brush mine. My heart almost explodes in my chest at the feeling of his soft lips, moving against mine. I unravel my hand from his and focus on wrapping both of my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
As we both become breathless, we pull apart from each other. A sheepish grin spreads across his face.

"You don't even know how long I've been wanting to do that for." He says breathlessly, and I blush.

"I mean, i could say the same." I giddily lean forward and peck his lips. He responds by gently grabbing the side of my face and kissing back. Difference is, the first kiss seemed to be full of hunger, this one I sense, is more passionate.  

He pulls back for a second smiling, I return his smile. In fact, the beam across my face seems to be stuck there.

"Ashley...." he says, sounding choked up with emotion.  His eyes are alive, more than I've ever seen them before. I start to wonder if mine have the same effect.

"Yes?" My voice is almost a whisper  and when he doesn't respond instantly, I worry that he hadn't  heard me. But after a few moments of silence, he speaks up.

"I er, know this is a difficult time for you. But I know that before any of this, we'd talked about getting together. I really fucking like you Ashley." If my face wasn't already blushed beforehand, it sure as hell was now.

Without even realising, the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them...
"I really like you too josh...."

"Then let's make this official....?"

~~~~~~~~~~

sooooo, what do you guys think? I realise that this chapter has become very long. And I know that josh haven't been mentioned in any of the previous chapters so it's a rather huge step forward....
butttt, what do you guys think?! Are Josh and Ashley a cute couple to be?

Lemme know I'm the comments.
Thank you again for your endless support :)

~HellNo19