DEFINITELY,Maybe...

CHAPTER- 26 DOLLING UP

POV : ASHLEIGH

It's been two weeks since that heart warming second date. It still gets me all sweaty and bothered.

Damian knew how to show a girl a good time. I found that I started enjoying his company.

He made me feel cherished. The damn bet was dwindling into non-existence.

It felt like I was now doing everything with him because I was selfish. Because I craved his company.

I craved his good for nothing flirting.

And I craved his presence. Wow and I am saying all of this?

I walked into our estate. It was 7.00am in the morning.

I do not know what I'm even doing awake...

But yesterday night, I'd gotten a text from, none other than my mom. I'd already snuggled into my sheets and I was just about to put my phone on silent. (After yelling at Jade to tone the music down.) Her band of the week was Pink Floyd. And though I adored Syd Barrett, I couldn't give up my sleep for his, "Wish You Were Here".

It hit too close to home.

I wished my parents were here.

I wished, surprisingly, that my turd was here. I don't know why but I just did.

And between all those conflicting emotions, my phone invited a text from my mother.

*Darling, come quick. We have to talk.*

I panicked.

I almost threw the sheets off my bed and scrambled to get Jade's car keys.

But then I remembered my dad.

What he'd done the last time I visited.

I laughed cruelly, yeah. Me, 'Ashleigh Olsen', "visited" my own home.

I analyzed the text and weighed my options. It didn't sound like she was worried. It didn't suggest that there was something really urgent.

So like the coward that I am, I shut my eyes tightly. Letting a stray tear down my cheek, I decided to check it out the next morning. Whatever it is I'll face it tomorrow.

Can you blame me that I refused to witness another fight?

I triggered their insecurities. I brought out the worst in them.

I had bawled all night. Barely getting any sleep in. There wasn't any sleep coming, it was me trying to.

Yet here I was.

I looked like I'd cooked up some mutated zombie virus the night before and swallowed a whole lot of it.

I hadn't bothered about makeup.

I hadn't bothered about my appearance. I looked like a homeless kid in my extra large hoody and track pants. My hair was a bird's nest. I tried not to look at it as I ran out of Jade's place. I'd borrowed her car. Hadn't even asked her about it. I just took the keys and got my arse out of the place.

I kept looking back, it was safe to say I was beyond paranoid. I had an eery feeling some thing was going to rear up an ugly head.

I walked faster across the driveway and almost dashed into the doors.

I stopped and took a deep breath, calming myself down a bit and opened the gigantic doors. I stepped in and perked my ears to catch any noises.

I was going to run out of the place if I hear even an inkling of a fight.