The Game We Play

Chapter Six

Ash walked into her room and grabbed some clean clothes from her dresser. She decided she'd take a quick shower before getting dressed, so she trekked back downstairs to make sure Maia was awake before she did so. She walked back into the living room and shook her friend's shoulders, lightly at first, then a little faster. 

"Hu- gwah... I don't have your money sir... I don't like to sell to frogs..." Maia babbled, still not quite awake.

"Maia your mom is making breakfast! Get up and get dressed." Ash said as she shook her friend even harder.

"Okay okay- just stop shaking me." Maia said groggily. 

Ash smiled before turning and heading for the bathroom. She opened the door without thinking to knock and made eye contact with Charlie for three long seconds before shrieking and slamming the door. 

"KNOCK NEXT TIME!" Charlie screeched. 

"Maybe tell us you're here first! How was I supposed to know there was anyone who could possibly here today!?" Ash yelled back, flustered.

"Decent knocking skills- learn them." he replied.

Ash sunk to the floor clutching onto the clothes she would change into. Now that she thought about it, Maia and her had told Charlie to stop by today to hang out. She never thought he would've come this early, though. What time even was it? She pulled out her phone, the large numbers on the lock screen revealing that it was 12:30. Ouch, she'd slept in pretty late.

Charlie opened the door, his face flushing when he noticed Ash. 

"If you ever do that again, I'm posting that picture I have of you drooling in your sleep to all of my accounts." he threatened.

"Go ahead- I have no shame." she dared.

"Ugh- you called my bluff. But seriously, imagine if that had been Conner or someone. It wouldn't be as easy to overlook!"

Ash's face turned beet red as he mentioned walking in on Conner. Then she remembered she was mad at the guy and her flustered expression turned to a grimace.

"Is something wrong Ash?" Charlie asked.

She could tell him, but she decided not to. He was a great person to talk to, but she didn't want yet another person worried about her.

"Just excited for the upcoming lunar eclipse." she lied. Boy had she been doing a lot of lying lately.

"Me too! Oh girl this is gonna be one hell of a time." Charlie commented, making Ash giggle.

"I'm sorry Charlie but the flamboyant stereotype doesn't quite work on you- how about the gay jock or the nerdy gay boy." She teased. It wasn't obvious, but Ash herself wasn't straight. She swung for whichever side she wanted to.

"Oh you're just jealous because you'll never have all this." he gestured at his face. "Now, why are you still sitting on the floor?"

"Oh!" she laughed, realizing she hadn't moved since he came out. "Sorry, I'm about to take a shower. Mrs. Johnson is making breakfast and Maia will probably be with her."

Charlie made a strange face.

"What?" Ash asked him.

"It's nothing really. I just find it strange that you've been living here for three years and you still formally address her. You could use her first name at the very least." Charlie pointed out.

"It's nothing really- I just find it hard to adjust." she said with a forced smile. As nice as she was, Mrs. Johnson would never replace her own mother.

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And introducing Charlie! I can't wait to get more into his character, he's such a bean. Hold out til next chapter, things are about to get interesting. Stay safe! <3