Hot Chocolate

Chapter Eight: Collins

Ashlyn's POV

The next day I came downstairs and watched as Maya was running around the house in my heels again and making everyone laugh.

"Merry Christmas eve eve," Maya said through her constant giggling.

"Merry Christmas eve eve to you to," she giggled and ran off as Jake came down the stairs and walked with me to the living room.

"Oh good were going shopping today as the final gift thing and we would like to know if you wanna come Ashlyn...it'll be fun." I shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head.

"Alright sure."

"Cool it's just us girls...the men will be drinking most likely," Andy said as she laughed and walked off.

"Very funny babe," David called after her only to hear her laugh again. 

"Can I talk to you for a second," I said looking at Jake as he nodded his head. We walked off outside even though it was cold and neither of us were wearing jackets, "how the hell am I suppose to go shopping with them today."

"You walk through a mall and buy stuff," he said but I crossed my arms and looked at him waiting for him to clue in. "Right...again I forgot."

"Yeah well I can't go shopping I'll look like an idiot," he sighed and pulled out his wallet now passing me his credit card. "Umm no that's not what I meant."

"Well take it...you said I need to learn to trust people right...well I trust you, just don't spend to much." 

I sighed and then took the card and placed it in my pocket but then I turned back to Jake, "so a Porsche or a Hummer." He laughed as I giggled and walked back into the house.

"You ready to go Ash," I nodded my head and grabbed my bag now placing Jake's card in my wallet even though it technically wasn't needed and headed out with Andy, Jamie, Mrs. Andrews and Maya. We didn't take to much time shopping we were just sorta walking around and talking until we finally got back to the house to find the guys sitting in the living room talking and drinking like Andy had predicted. I had bought two things and it was for Jake and Maya so I put them upstairs hiding it until later and then I walked back downstairs. I sat beside Jake on the couch as he placed his arm on the back of the couch making it lean on my shoulder. I leaned my head on his shoulder now and closed my eyes slightly tired even though it wasn't even a long busy day and it was only nine o'clock at night. 

"Have fun shopping," I heard him whisper. I looked at him and smiled while nodding my head.

"Yeah I did have fun, I was with Maya most of the time well Maya and Andy, there really cool especially Maya."

"Yeah she's a very happy bubbly person," I giggled then kissed his cheek.

"I'm going to bed I'll see you later," he nodded his head and kissed my lips then moved his arm so I could get up. I walked off and got into bed needing sleep. 

The next day I headed down stairs now really awake, I had slept really well that I was just up and ready to go and be smiling the whole time, but it also felt nice to be spending Christmas with people again instead of nobody. 

"Merry Christmas eve Ashlyn," Maya said hugging my legs and then running around the room again as I laughed at the fact that Maya was wearing my heels again. You would think they would fall off cause there to big for her yet she found a way to run and keep them on.

"Is she always this hyper in the morning," Andy giggled and nodded her head.

"It's hard to keep up with her some times but she seems to really like you, I think she's just really excited for Christmas...she loves Christmas and spending time with the whole family."

"Yeah that's always the best part about this holiday," I sighed and then walked off. Later on after dinner everyone was getting there coats on and heading out.

"Hey were going caroling around town it's fun you wanna come," Jamie asked but I shook my head.

"Please come on you gotta come," Maya said begging and making a cute puppy dog face. 

"I'm sorry Lilly but I'm gonna sit this one out okay," she sighed and nodded her head.

"Alright well if you change your mind just give us a call and we'll let you know where we are," I nodded my head as everyone left and I headed upstairs and laid down on the bed.

"So what's going on that you don't want to go Christmas caroling," Jake said walking into the room and closing the door behind him. I looked over at him and then sat up on the bed.

"I use to sing all the time and my mom would always say that my voice sounded like nails on a chalk board...so I just gave it up and I guess today I'm not really in the Christmas spirit."

"What's really going on...I may not have known you for that long but even I can tell something's wrong." He sat down beside me on the bed as I sighed and turned towards him.

"I can't stay here anymore Joe...I know that we made a deal but I can't keep lying to everyone about who I am."

"We've both been lying Ash and that was part of the plan."

"Not what I mean Jake...you remember when I said there's a lot you don't know about me." He nodded his head and waited for me to continue, "well there's something that you actually know about me." He looked at me confused as I took in a deep breath, "my last name...it's Collins."

"Why would I...wait Collins... as in the law suit Collins, as in the Collins that sued my father and almost took everything from us." I nodded my head slowly and then got off the bed now pacing the room.

"The only reason my dad dropped those charges was because I told him they were bullshit and that you were good people...that was the one and only time he listened to me."

"That's why you didn't tell me about yourself...cause you knew I'd figure it out."

"That's the only thing I've lied to you about...my fathers occupation and that's because I knew if I said who he actually was I'd be back on the streets...and I didn't want that I actually felt safe being in your house that's something I haven't felt in years."

"This is why I hate dating fake or not people always lie," he said standing up and looking outside the glass doors.

"I'll just leave...there's no point in me staying here and there's no point in lying to your family," I grabbed my jacket now putting it on and then looked at Joe as he continued to stare out the window. "Merry Christmas," I whispered and walked out putting my uggs on and going outside. It was snowing like crazy outside but I had to walk about 10 blocks to get to a house I hadn't been to in four years and hopefully they would 

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...Poor Ashlyn...*sniff sniff*...

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