chapter six:71 Above

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"Who does he think he is." Tandy began to spit out as she got ready for her 'dinner date' with Ashley, "Telling me to be ready by 8, 'we're going for dinner, see you then.' What if I didn't want to go to dinner with you..." she paused while putting on her golden anker earrings, "oh who am I kidding," she sat on her chair and looked into her dressing mirror, "who wouldn't want to go out with the Ashley Karter." She sighed the heard a honk outside.

She looked out her bedroom window and saw a grey Mercedes SL class 400. That's him. She went downstairs wearing a yellow sundress with white kitten heels. She had her hair tied into a messy bun and on her way out she grabbed her blue denim jacket.

Ashley was outside waiting for her. "You look lovely." Ashley said as he opened the passenger door for Tandy. "Thanks." She said, getting into the car. Ashley closed her door then did the same and began to drive.

"Uh. I like your car. It's very..."Expensive?" Ashley interrupted. "No. Well, yes, but-"Don't be nervous. I have three of these. Seven cars in total. It's Amazing what money can buy." "Uh, Yes. Money." Tandy said slightly uninterested.

"What? You don't like cars?" Ashley asked with a smirk. Tandy had to admit, he was very attractive. "I do like cars." "Oh. So it's me then." Ashley teased. "It's not you, You're Amazing!" Tandy blurted out and kinda regretted it afterwards, "uh. I mean, you seem like a good person." "Amazing huh? You sound like you know me really well then." Ashley teased again, smirking like a fool. I wish I did.

The next rest of the ride was spent in shuttle conversation and silence until they arrived at the Restaurant, 71 Above. "Wow. Os this...?" "Yes. And you might wanna take that off." Ashley said pointing to the denim jacket she was wearing. "Why? Is there some sort of dress code or something?" Yandy asked ironically, smiling. "Actually, yes." Ashley responded seriously, Tandy's smile fading. Tandy took her jacket off and they got out the car, entering the building.

Once inside Tandy was left breathless. Everything looked so mesmerizing. Everything looked so...Expensive. But Tandy wasn't surprised. Ofcourse he'd bring us to this fancy smancy restaurant. "Follow me." Ashley led Tandy to the elevator and were on their way to the sky lounge.

The sky lounge was beautiful. And...empty? No one was there. Tandy looked at Ashley with a flustered face, "why isn't anyone up here? "That's cause I booked the whole place." Tandy was amazed but she didn't show it. What she did show was her confusion, "why though?" "I figured we could use some peace and quiet. Isn't this okay?" Ashley asked, almost sounding concerned about Tandy's opinion.

Tandy loved quiet places so she didnt mind. The view was breathtaking. She could see everything from up there. The city lights looked so beautiful. "This is fine." Ashley pulled out a seat for her at the table right next to the view, "shall we begin then?" Tandy turned from the view and sat down. Ashley did the same. "We shall."

Shortly afterwards, they received their menis and ordered it was silent for a bit. "Tell me about the Article." Ashley began, "better yet, show me." He grinned. Tandy didn't get the magazine. She just sat there and looked at Ashley as if waiting for the magazine to magically appear on the table.

"I don't have the magazine."Tandy confessed a little nervous. Ashley loved how shy Tandy was getting. He was still a little lost though at how her confidence left her so suddenly. Or was it the opposite.

"Are you always this nervous?" Ashley asked, curiously. "You can say that." Ashley smiled, she really had me fooled, huh. The fact that she knew exactly what she was doing and how to do things yet that was her first time interviewing someone. Someone like him. This was his chance to ask.

"Tell me about how you got into Writing." A smile plastered on his face. "Well uhm," Tandy began, still a bit nervous, "I've always loved writing. I started when I was 12. With essays. loved writing essays when it came to my tests. Reports, I did well too. English was my favourite subject. Then in highschool, I did a bunch of compositions; poems, stories, songs. I even wrote for the highschool newspaper.

"I created some scripts in drama club. Ot was all amazing. In college, I wrote for quite a number of stories too. It's my hobby." Tandy smiled, "And now my job."

Ashley was amazed at how much writing she did. Wait did she say, she wrote stories? "Did you publish any of your stories?" "No." She sighed, "I only wrote them for fun. Sure, some of my friends said I should, And they're the only ones who actually read them, but I refused. I just wanted to keep them to myself." Ashley was about to tell her how wrong that decision was when their food arrived.

***

They chatted over dinner and finally, their dinner came to an end. They descended back to the ground floor and headed out of the building, on their way to Tandy's house.

I had a lovely time with you, Ashley." Tandy said as they walked to her front porch. "Me too, Tandy." Ashley responded as they stood in front of Tandy's door, facing each other. Not knowing what to do next. They just stared at each other.

This wasn't a date. They both thought. The silence beginning to become awkward. What should I do now? Ashley thought, still staring at Tandy.

Leave. Just leave. Just walk away. Then I can go inside. 'Say bye.' Tandy thought, As if Ashley could read her mind. A ridiculous thought. But part of her wanted to invite him in. The night didn't have to end. She didn't want it to. Instead she said "bye" and turned to unlock her door then opened it.

"Wait." Ashley said, holding her wrist to stop her. "I'd like to go out with you Again." He blurted out. Both of them shocked from his words. And that's the thing, that's what Tandy wanted too.

Then she remembered Rob. Removing her hand from Ashley's grip, she entered her house, "we'll see." She said, shutting her door leaving Ashley sighing outside.

*********

Okay so this chapter required a looooob of research on the actual restaurant in LA, 71 Above. But I don't think I did enough research.
Apologies if this chapter wasn't really a !wow-za! But I promise when I get back from school Tandy and Ashley is gonna come back with a bang!!

Don't forget to VOTE🌟 Guys.....lol...NQ...

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