My Trip with Ash

Chapter 1

I WAKE TO THE sound of birds chirping in the distance. I don't feel like moving, because I hope to fall back into REM. However I know that I need to be productive. Ugh, why can't I just force myself to be lazy, I think. I pull the blankets off my drowsy body and sit up rubbing my eyes. I look at my clock that lies on my dresser next to my plethora of Sketchbooks and stories. It reads, 9:34 am. I sigh and step out of bed. The sun is mocking me with it's presence, shining upon me even though I wish for the moons rays. The calm blue-ish yellow undertones that cover the roads at night, like a blanket of mystery. 

   I walk to the bathroom and pull off my clothes then turn on the faucet to test the water temperatures. I get it to a nice steamy, relaxing temperature then activate the shower by pulling the little pulley on the faucet. The shower springs to life and sprays my face with it's warm mist. It feels nice, perfect within my standards. Before I hop in I look at my body in the mirror. I'm thin, pale-ish and my jet black hair falls lazily over my green eyes from the sleep I had encountered not long ago. Once again, I wish for my bed.

   I shake my head knocking the hair farther over my eyes. Damn, why does my hair have to be so rude towards me in the mornings. I walk back over to my shower, stepping over the tub its attached to. The warm water engulfs my toes and sends goose bumps up my back. I shiver and lean forward letting the water run over my scalp and neck. I stand there for a while and just let it flow over me, like its my only source of life and i'm on the verge of a sinister death. I take advantage of the mornings warm water. 

   When I finally am awake enough to see properly, I reach over onto the little shelf in my shower that holds my soap and put a generous plop of body wash in my hand. I rub it over my body letting my skin absorb it and surrender its filth to its new ruler, Axe Apollo. When I rinse myself off I feel a little better, but I still have to wash my hair. I grab my shampoo and massage my scalp with the intoxicating smell of tea tree oil and blue berries. It's a custom shampoo that mom had bought me on her trip to the Amazon.

   When i'm sure my hair has no more suds in it I hop out of the shower and scrub my head with the towel. I let it get fluffy underneath the towel as it dries. I wrap the towel around my waist and walk to my room. My mother and father won't be back for another week or two. It's kind of nice to have some peace in the house hold. I've had enough of dad's screaming and mom's over obsessive cleaning. 

   I brush my hair out so its not knotted. My hair reaches my eyes and I am honestly in love with it's length. I look at the clock again, 10:28. Shit. I hurry and pull on a jade greed hoodie and black ripped skinny jeans. Afterwards, grabbing my book bag I run out the door to catch my bus. School starts at 11 am. And the bus should be here in two minutes sharp. I run towards the bus stop and don't stop till my lungs are burning. It feels almost as if fire is clawing its way up from the pit of my gut.

   My bus pulls up.. and then I see him. He sits in the same seat as always. In the back next to the only air conditioner. Ash. My heart twists a bit and the doors open. Me and a couple other kids step onto the bus and make our ways to our seats.

   As I sit, Ashton looks up from his phone and smiles. "Hello there Alex."

"Hey Ash," I set my book bag down beside me and squirm to get comfortable in my torturous leather seat. " How was your weekend?"

"It was okay I guess. Me and Elliot were at the zoo Saturday." He looks at me and shrugs. "Then a monkey scared Elliot so we left."

I chuckle softly, "What is it with Elliot and monkeys?"

"I think they remind him to much of his brothers." He smiles and chuckles as well. Elliot's brothers were total douches. And I wouldn't be surprised if it really was why he freaked out. 

"Probably." I put in my earbuds and lay my head back on the seat and Ash continues to text and like photos.

   I peek over at him and he does his signature little smirk, melting my heart. I feel heat tearing its way across my face as if I was stuck with a seat belt going at 30 miles an hour. I pull my hood up so he doesn't notice and close my eyes.

...

One day i'll tell him, when i'm sure it's the right time. One day. Not now. Not tomorrow. But one day.