Cloudy Cover, Clear Contents

Chapter 10 - Banter?

Ash's POV

My eyes start to open as rays of sunshine stream onto my face. Attempting to stretch, one of my arms is unable to move. Looking over, I see a blonde haired girl hugging my left arm as if the world is about to end. "Astrid, I want my arm for today... Please!?". Her eyes flutter, showcasing her royal blue eyes, she reminds me of Serena.. just a quieter, nicer Serena. Her eyes make contact with me, a smile grows on her face. "Thanks brother, I slept really well" "Glad to hear, but my arm.. not so much". She notices her arms hugging onto mine, she lets go, but I decide to do one last thing. I reach over before she gets up and I wrap my two arms around her waist. I hide my face behind her back, while she swings her head from side to side trying to get a glimpse of me. I start to get up, and I bring her over with my embrace. Slowly she turns around and gives me a ginormous hug. "Don't worry Astrid, big brother is gonna be just fine today. Remember, Bonnie is going to come with after school" "I know, why can't we skip school?" "Because education will help us in the future" "Even learning about the Great Kantonian Empire of 2000 years ago?". Her lips curve up into a sly grin. "Okay, you got me there.. Come on, let's get school over with.. you'll be seeing something interesting". She let's go of my arm and makes her way to the bathroom. While she's taking a shower, I decide to call up a furniture makeover company. I set up an appointment for right afterschool and I make my way towards my bedroom. Astrid's wet hair leaves small wet stains on the carpet, but she's dressed in her school attire. "Not going to dry it today?" "I'll let it air dry, just like you brother!!". I give out a chuckle "Sounds good, your hair will probably look amazing compared to mine" "You're trying to be modest, be like your school self at home" "I do enough flirt stuff and what not, I don't want to continue that to here" "Okay!!". After taking my shower, making breakfast, spraying water on Bonnie to wake her up and receiving a return call from the makeover company; The three of us finally make our way towards school. But I have a little surprise for them, I stop walking as I see them get to the sidewalk. As they turn around, I see two faces of incertitude. I point to the garage and curiosity spreads onto their faces. They make their way back on the dark grey concrete "What is it bro? You've never shown the garage to me" "That's because the car in there is quite expensive.. I can't just open it whenever I want" "Why now then?" "Bring you to school in style, part of my plan with Serena". I enter a code on the side of the garage. The garage rumbles and slowly creeps up until the car is visible. I take a quick glance at the two, I see wide eyes. "That's right I have a convertible, and a nice on in fact" "Is that a Maserati?" "Good eyes Bonnie, it is. Cost me some money, 175,000 dollars. Of course I customized it. The wheels are custom, the inside was change to white, the outside was changed to blue, and there are other things" "It's amazing Ash!!" "Thanks Bonnie, how about we get going.. I know you two want to see everyone else's faces".

We quickly get into the convertible and make our way towards the school. Since we had enough time, I made a quick pit-stop at CCH and pick up some ice cream. My uncle Cilan notices the car outside "Decided to take her out?" "She needs some attention" "Make sure to treat her well, she's a beauty". After handing the cones to both Bonnie and Astrid; I restart the car and make my way to school. As I pass more and more people, I see and feel their gazes fall upon my car. I smirk as we get closer to the school. I notice a brown haired kid walking on the sidewalk causing me to slow down the car. "Yo Calem". His head swivels until he notices me "Ash? Is that a Maserati?" "Yeah!! Be careful man, judging books before reading is taboo". After we past him Bonnie pipes in "He doesn't have a clue, he's still scratching his head". I chuckle along with Astrid as we make our way into the school garage. "Do you have a parking spot brother?" "I do, it's on the third level" "That level is for special cars?" "And what kind of car do I have sis?" "I'll just shut up". While the car slowly treks up and around inside garage, I take one hand and I search for Astrid's head "Thanks for letting me win this time". I hear a pair of giggles from the backseat, I'm so lucky to have them.