Accidental Always

Chapter 5

Ashley saw Tadashi a few times over the next few weeks, mostly in the halls between classes, or in passing in the halls going back to their labs. Just the little conversations they would have, laughing over stupid things, or even the simple thought of him made her smile, giving her an exhilarated, tingly feeling. She didn't know what it was.

A couple weeks later, Ashley was trying to walk to school, before the storm threatening overhead broke. Ashley preferred to walk, and it helped her save the money that she earned from her part time job at a little cafe/bookstore, for school and other living expenses.

Besides, she had a coat. The only problem was that this morning, Ashley had forgotten her gloves at home, and she really didn't want to have to go back and get them, only to be stuck in the rain.

Esme, the woman who owned the bookstore, had turned out to be the wife of the older gentleman who had driven Ashley to the school her first day. His name was Sammy, and she had become good acquaintances with both of them during her time at work.

"Ashley, school doesn't start for at least two hours, why do you need to be there so early?" Esme asked, as Ashley had headed out the door that morning, after helping Esme shelve the newest shipment of books.

"I'll be fine, besides, I think I'm really close to finishing my equations for the cellular acceleration formula." Ashley had told her, but now, she was wishing just the tiniest bit that she had taken Esme's advice. Thunder boomed, flashes of lightning lighting up the sky. Ashley started walking faster, fixing her scarf, shoving her hands in her coat pockets.

It began to sprinkle, Ashley still blocks away from the school. Shoot.

Walking faster, she adjusted the straps on her backpack, and started to jog. But, unfortunately, that didn't work, and by the time Ashley had gone no more than two blocks, the 'sprinkle' had turned into a downpour, and she was completely soaked.

Suppressing a shiver, Ashley slowed her jog to a fast walk, keeping her head down to avoid getting rain into her eyes.

So cold so cold so cold so cold so cold----

Her foot slipped, skidding on the slick pavement, and she let out a little scream. And she would've fallen flat on her backside, if it weren't for the strong atm that caught Ashley at the last minute, steadying her.

"Hey are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm---"

Glancing up, she was met by a pair of warm brown eyes.

"Tadashi! Hi!"

In that instant, Ashley totally forgot about how dripping wet and cold she was.

"Hey Ashley." He paused, looking over her with concern. "What are you doing out in the rain? Your freezing!"

"I-um---"

Not even letting her answer,Tadashi took her wrist, and pulled Ashley inside the little cafe on the corner. It was pretty early, it didn't look like the cafe was even open yet, but the little shop was well lit and cozy, ready for customers.

Helping Ashley shrug off her wet coat, Tadashi had her sit down at a corner table by a small space heater. Ashley couldn't resist letting out a happy sigh as she held her freezing hands over the heater, scooting her chair closer.

Tadashi entered the room again with a towel and two cups of cocoa. Ashley gratefully accepted the towel, attempting to dry her hair, as Tadashi set the two cups on the table.

"Thanks." Putting the towel down on the chair beside her, Ashley took a sip of the cocoa. Her eyes widened. "Wow. That's....really good."

Tadashi smiled at her expression. "Yeah, it's my Aunt Cass's recipe. So.....what were you doing out in the storm?"

"Um....going to school?"

"But school doesn't start for two hours."

Ashley repeated what she'd told Esme that morning, about how close she thought she was getting with her formula compounds.

"Hm.....well, it's still raining," Tadashi glanced or the window, "so why don't I drive you in an hour when class starts."

Ashley opened and closed her mouth, trying to think of something to say, but came up speechless. Tadashi was attempting to not smile.

"Okay....sure."

The hours pleasantly flew by, the pair laughing and talking about their projects and other things,Tadashi telling her about his family. Ashley had completely lost track of the time, that is until a woman entered the cafe through the back room. She stopped suddenly when she saw them.

"Oh, hello."

The woman had short, medium brown hair with dark streaks, warm hazel eyes, and appeared to be somewhere in her early thirties.

"Aunt Cass this is Ashley. She got caught in the rainstorm."

Ashley gave a somewhat timid smile. "Hi."

A light went on in the older woman's eyes. "So you're Ashley!"

'So you're Ashley?' Tadashi's talked about me before?

Throwing a glance in his direction, Ashley saw that his cheeks were turning a rosy color.

Wait a second, is he blushing? He's so cute when he's blushing.

Shut up.

She managed a smile. "That's me."

Aunt Cass smiled brightly. "I'm glad to meet the person my nephew has talked so much about. You're a beautiful girl Ashley."

Now Ashley's face was the one burning. "Oh....uh...thank you." She wasn't really sure how to accept the compliment, as she'd never really been told that before.

Aunt Cass glanced at the clock. Her eyes widened. "Tadashi! You two are going to be late if you don't head out the door right now!"