The Jock & I

S i x

I always talked about how congested New York was, but that was based on stuff i'd seen in movies and on tv shows, but experiencing it for the first time in real life I learned these people weren't kidding.

Who would have thought that at 7:45 in the morning men would be out on the streets selling bags of nuts, and dog walkers would be running on a wild goose chase, after the seven leashes extending from their hands attached to seven large and small dogs of all different kinds. Who could forget joggers running along the sidewalk sweating like pigs while others like myself would have still been fast asleep at such early morning hours.

It took at least 15 minutes to actually get to the park, even though we lived a mere 5 minutes away, I should've known nothing in this city could be done in 30 minutes.

This was the second day in a row I had actually been out without members of my family strapped to my side.

I was beginning to develop more of a social life then Sam or Seth, this was newsworthy. I could see the headlines now all across America on local drug store shelves,

"Ashley Power's Gets a Life!"

All at once we reached an intersection with a crosswalk that allowed us to safely pass through busy streets to the other side of the road and then, I saw it.

Cobblestone roads and huge Sycamore Trees all paved way to a huge path where runners could run, joggers could jog, and dogs could be walked.

It was the epitome of my happiness right in the heart of New York City. The way that the early morning rising sun, bounced off the tree tops sheilding away the harsh heat creating the perfect balance between cooled night air and afternoon warm air, and the smell of flowers of all different kinds blooming on the large patches of grassed areas where frisbee would be played, picnics would be held, and laughter would be created.

"It's pretty great isn't it?"

Ashton half commented half questioned, although knowing it was great he was waiting to hear a reaction from me.

"It's amazing."

I spoke, practically speechless.

"This is why, New York's not so bad. This is what makes living here special."

Ashton smiled looking down at me, since his figure greatly towered over mine, it was like he knew that I was horrified at the thought of living in New York, it was almost as if he read my mind, and I felt my cheeks flush at the idea.

"How'd you know I hate New York?"

I dared to question.

"You don't strike me as the city type."

He meekly responded.

I guess he was right, I certainly was not the loud roaring, busting with people city type of girl, but was he implying that I struck him as some small desolated town unsocial weirdo?

"Maybe it's not as bad as I made it out to be."

I laughed shrugging my shoulders and staring down at the ground trying not to make direct eye contact.

That was definitely something I needed to work on. Talking to me was probably like talking to a brick wall, you got next to no reaction, and often times you were left staring into the distance as I turned my gaze away everytime I got embarassed or timid and ran out of things to say.

"I didn't like it here at first ether."

Ashton stated, shocking me to my core.

I guess I had just assumed Ashton had lived here his whole life. He seemed so adapted to the lifestyle, and the way his eyes beamed everytime he stepped out onto the city streets, I never would have guessed he once loaved this place.