Ashes of the Heart

Chapter One

Aspen

Gods She looks like an angel. Her smile is effortless and fleeting. I thought, maybe she would share some of that light with me. Even just for a second.

"If your soul is made of fire, let it burn."

The image of a forgotten room invades my thoughts; you cannot escape something that is burning. An angel would never spare time to pity a devil. So I turn my head, and I walk away.

Lilija

"My god do these pinch." I sigh, looking down at the five dollar heels I had forced my feet into no less than ten minutes ago. I haven't grown in a solid nine years, you'd think I would know my shoe size by now.

"Maybe you should've prepared for this better."

Jasper was right, of course. My tall, golden haired, blue eyed friend was the only person capable of keeping me in check. I was always waiting until the last minute to get ready. Mostly because I hated going out and being under prepared was an incredible excuse to cancel plans. But that's besides the point; I have an interview today and I should have prepared for it better. This was my chance to be an at home editor for my favourite author and I couldn't blow it.

I have been working at a bookstore in the area for a while now, it was only a temporary job though. So when my boss told me I had the chance to work as an editor for Aspen Kingsley, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only would I have my dream job, but I'd be working with my all time favourite author. Gods, I was hoping, beyond hope to land this job. I was certainly bright enough for it, I was always a straight A student even with a month long break from school. I was also plenty qualified, I graduated university with a degree in English after all.

I just hope my terrible people skills don't kill my chances. I absolutely had to have this job, no matter what.

"Lily, if you piss your pants the same way you did when you met my dad, it's okay, I came prepared." Jasper says with a sly smirk on his face as he holds up the horrific pair of green leggings I tried to throw out. He certainly knew how to start off a day..

"I am this close to decking you in the fucking head you toothpick." I snap, using my fingers to demonstrate exactly how much patience I had left before he finds himself wishing he'd kept his mouth shut.

"I know you're jealous of my face Lilija but you should contain yourself a bit more, it's unbecoming." He snarkily remarks, throwing a look at me that said 'try me.' If he was looking for a fight he was certainly doing a good job of getting one.

"It's your funeral," I grin, taking out the horrible red lipstick I keep in my book bag. Purely out of habit. I proceed to smear it all over his 'oh so beautiful' face. Heavily satisfied with my actions I goad, "Serves you right."

"For fucks sake Lily, you could've at least given me a bit of warning before transforming me into a deranged fucking clown." he replies, flipping his phone to selfie mode and assessing the damage.

It always surprises me how little Jasper reminds me of his father. It was almost to the point that they didn't look related. I mean, the man was almost a bear and Jasper... well Jasper was comparable to a sassy tree branch.

I do give him credit for his looks though, practically every time we go out he's mistaken for a model. If it weren't for his horrible personality he would've been a star by now.