Stranger Yet

Chapter 10: The (Double) Date

Chapter 10

Ayra was ready by 5:30. She sat on the edge of her bed, repeatedly checking the time. She felt beyond nervous, and the fact that her new found other half, her wolf, was completely silent made her all the more nervous. She hadn't realize she could miss something that she'd only learned about a few days prior, but she found herself feeling very alone.

Where are you?

Silence.

She hated it. But she was ready for her date, and she knew that she was better off without her wolf self butting in.

As time ticked by slowly she found herself pacing. The time reached 6:30 and she finally headed down the stairs.

Her mother let her have the keys and kissed her on the cheek, before saying, "Be careful, sweetie... I know you want to pretend everything is better now that you're home, but they still haven't found them... I feel so uncomfortable with you going out tonight..." Sarah held her daughter's hands, her eyes pleading for Ayra to say she would just stay home. Ayra sighed, "mama... I know. I'll be careful. Remember, we discussed it, and you said I could go. I won't be alone. I'll be home by 9, I swear..."

Sarah let go of her daughter's hand and nodded. "Okay. I know. You want normalcy. Just don't forget. Don't forget what we talked about. And don't forget the pepper spray. Do you have it??"

Ayra nodded and smiled at her loving mother. She was lucky to have this woman. "Love you mom." She kissed her mother on the cheek again and headed for the door. "Be back at 9! BYE DAD!!!"

When Ayra got to Moony's Café, she found Ashley already sitting at a little round table by the window. She looked stunning, her blond hair pulled back into a high ponytail, and her eyes standing out behind the black eyeliner and lengthy eyelashes. Her cute side smile brightened by a caramel lipstick. She was gorgeous beyond reason.

"Hey! You look amazing, Ayra!" Ashley's eyes traveled up and down Ayra's long, slender form, taking in the tight purple summer dress against her smooth legs. Ayra had worked extra hard on her smoothness for this date, and she had hoped Ashley would appreciate it. Apparently, she did.

She sat, and they ordered their drinks, along with their cakes: Red velvet for Ayra, double chocolate for Ashley, with two chai latte's.

Ashley's exuberant countenance held Ayra captive as Ashley told family stories. "He wouldn't let me leave peacefully- couldn't bear the thought of me doing anything fun without him, little animal." She shook her head affectionately at the thought. "He's only five, but he's surprisingly strong and very persistent. I pretty much had to pry him off my leg and run for it. Really hard to do with these heels on, must say.  Mom says its my fault for spoiling him, but how can I not?"

Ayra laughed. It was a pleasant date. Ashley loved talking about her family, and Ayra loved hearing about it. She felt a tinge of jealousy over the fact that Ashley had siblings, but mostly, she just felt happy that Ashley wanted to tell her about the little ones.

"Heck, Michael can seriously win any argument if he puts his mind to it. I swear that boy is going to be a lawyer someday. And Miriam is going to be a great dancer, as long as she can get past her shyness. But she has time!" They had eaten their cake and were sipping on their drinks.

Ashley got quiet for a moment and just sat admiring her date. "You know, I've had a crush on you for as long as I've been here."

This was news to Ayra. "Really?" she asked surprised. She hadn't realized Ashley had noticed her until the last few trips to the store.

"Yeah. You just seemed so fun and easy going. And I loved watching you with your mom. I've always admired your guys' relationship. I wish I had that." Ashley's eyes grew sad, but she continued to smile, and continued talking. "And you always look so darn amazing. Like, even when you came in wearing sweats, you looked like a million bucks." Ashley laughed, the sadness disappearing with it.

"Well, gosh! I hadn't realized!" she was baffled. She'd had a thing for Ashley since Ashley had started working at the Crypt. She hadn't realized that the feeling was mutual.

They grew quiet for a moment, staring into each other's eyes before Ashley reached over the small table and pulled Ayra's face to meet her. Ashley's lips were soft and warm, and Ayra melted into them.

It felt amazing, but something in Ayra was fighting it. She tried to ignore the internal tug-a-war happening inside of her, but finally, she was forced to pull away.

"I'm sorry! I thought- I thought it would be okay. This date was going so well and I ruined it!" Ashley's face was red and pinched up in a grimace of embarrassment.

"No, no! It was totally fine! It was wonderful, in fact! It just surprised me, is all!" Ayra shook her head. She knew she was lying. It had been wonderful, but it wasn't "totally fine". Her wolf was back, and she was making It very clear that it was anything but okay. We have a mate! How dare you! Ayra was beyond frustrated. She had kissed people before, and it had NEVER been a problem. She chose to ignore her wolfs words. Whatever. Screw off. Ayra replied back saucily. Her wolf growled but crawled back into her hidey hole.

Ashley still seemed upset, so Ayra did the only thing she thought could make it better... She leaned forward and kissed Ashley herself. It was a small kiss, and a quick one. But it lit Ashley's face back up and wasn't passionate or long enough to bring her wolf back out completely, though she did feel a slight growl bubble up.

They finished their drinks and Ayra checked the time. "It's 8:45. I'd better go. I promised my ma I'd be back by 9." Ashley nodded and smiled.

"Okay, Ill see you at school tomorrow!"

They parted ways, and Ayra drove home in silence. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in her gut. Not only had she felt wrong to kiss Ashley, she had also felt as though she had eyes on her the whole time she was there. She kept looking around and dismissing the thought, but the hairs on her neck kept rising at odd moments, and she just couldn't stop wondering if perhaps her instincts were onto something.

She got home, said goodnight to her mother, and went to bed early, still wondering if she was being paranoid because of what her mother had said or if she really was being watched.