Ashes to Ashes

I Know Places

I woke feeling refreshed and happy. I absolutly loved it here in New York. This was my chance to start over and make something of my self with out the shadow of my parents. I ignored the fact that they are funding my whole life at the moment.

I stretched my arms above my head and practically skipped into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I had really bad morning breath, and it was really embarassing. After scrubing away the filth, I pulled by long hair back into a slick pony tail. I pulled a tight sports shirt over my head and dig around my bag for my running pants. I finally find them and slip them on before heading to the kitchen in search of coffee.

I looked for atleast ten minutes and finally gave up when I realized we didn't even own a coffee pot. I sighed in defeat and wandered to Reed's door. She must still be asleep, she never was a morning person. It is still pretty early, and I liked to get an early start. I checked my watch, it was almost seven a.m. I needed coffee, now. I grabbed my shoulder bag and keys and left the apartment. I walked around the block and I started towards a coffee shop that looked promising.

The door chimed as I walked in and I immediatly smelled the delicious creation that is coffee. At the front of the line, I ordered two large coffees and the brewista told me my total. I smiled and started to dig into my bag for my wallet. After a few moments I realized that I had left it in the apartment and had no way to pay for the coffee. I was about to cancel my order when a voice behind me called, "Its okay, I've got it." The voice reached over me and handed the girl a few bills.

I turned to thank the stranger and was suprised to see Matt, the man I kissed on New Years smiling at me. "Hey stranger." He said.

"Hi," I said, awkwardly. I could already feel my face heating up. Damn blush. I don't make it a habit of kissing people I had only just met.

"I could say the same to you. I thought you were only visiting?" He smirked, and I noticed his dimples, again. We moved to sit over by the window and I took a sip of my coffee.

"Actually, I just moved here a week ago, for school. Though I havent seen much of the city, my roommate feels doing nothing is a lot more fun than site seeing." I added a packet of sugar to my coffee.

"Really? What school?" I could feel his eyes on me.

"Juilliard, I'm a dancer." I blushed.

"A dancer, like hip hop?" He looked me up and down.

"No! I mean, I can dance that way, but thats not what I came to school for. I mostly dance Ballet, stuff like that." I looked down.

"Well,I think that is really cool. Oh, I know we just met, but I could show you around if you like? I know a few places I really think you'd like." He asked causally.

"That sounds amazing, but I have start school today, and I havent even been to the campus yet! I'm so behind." I don't want to be rude. "Maybe another time?" I ask.

"Yeah, sure, I'll give you my number," he takes out a pen and scribbles something before handing it to me.

"Okay, great, and thanks so much for the coffee, I'll be sure to return the favor." I smile. we exchange goodbyes and I walk out of the coffee shop with Reed's coffee in hand. I take my time walking back to the apartment. Knowing Reed would probably still be asleep.
Once I make it back up stairs, I can barely feel my fingers and I quickly unlock the apartment. I am greeted by a suprisingly happy Reed.

"Ash, Avery brought us breakfast, wasn't that nice of him?" she winked at me. I follow her into the kitchen to see a steaming hot pot of coffee sitting on the counter next to a box of assorted donuts.

"I figured you girls hadn't had time to settle in yet and could use some liquid gold," he says to me holding a coffee mug in his hands.

"You're my new favorite person." I say taking a chocolate sprinkle and pulling it apart. I munched happily for a moment. Then glanced at my watch and saw it was almost nine. I needed head down to campus and find my classes.

"Reed, are you coming?" She nodded and shoved the rest of her donut into her mouth. I excused my self and dashed to my room to change into something more appropriate. I pulled on a grey knit sweaterdress from my bag and a pair of black boots. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed, I needed to re-apply my makeup. I shook out my reddish brown hair and ran a comb through it quickly.

"Asher, hurry up!" Reed called from the other room. I guess this is as good as it gets for today. 

"Coming!" I yelled back. I grabbed my bag and closed the door behind me.

~~

We arrived on campus and made our way to the admissions for our schedules and orientation. Reed and I had different classes, so we made plans to meet for lunch later. My first class was intro to dance, Which I soon learned was a free dance class to work on new moves. I changed in to my dancing clothes: a tank top, ballet shoes, and a pair of black spandex shorts.

I stashed my bag at the back of the class room and started to stretch. When my muscles finally felt warm, I stood and practiced a few warm up moves. I notiiced a few of the other girls standing around watching me. I ignored their stares and focused on my technique. Gossip was never my style. I walked over to my bag and grabbed a bottle of water, and noticed the girls were pointing and laughing quietly to themselves. I really hate gossip. I turned and gave them my biggest smile, and held up my middle finger. They instantly shut up and went back to stretching.

"Wow, that was pretty brave, not many people stand up to barbie and her posse." I looked up to see a short, blonde girl standing before me with her arms across her chest.

"Thanks, I think." I set my bottle back on my bag. "Though I don't really engage the whole "mean girls" act."

"You're welcome, I'm Jade." She held her hand out to mine and I shook it.

"I'm Asher, is this your first year?" I asked her.

"Yeah, But, I'm not really a dancer, I play the vilolin and I needed a P.E. credit." She said with a laugh. "What about you?"

"I dance, mostly Ballet, but, I can pretty much do whatever." I blushed. "Want to warm up together?" I don't know why I asked her. She seemed nice, and it would be good to have a friend.
"Sure!" She smiled.