It Started with the List

24

"I-I love y-you."

"I could never love someone like you. You are destined to die alone. No one will ever love you. Leave me alone."

I jump up so quickly that I almost fall outta bed. "Well, that was weird dream." I said to myself.

After a little debate, I decided against going back to sleep. I mean, it's already 4 AM. I'll just do a little work out.

~~

"197... 198... 199... 200." I layed on my back, staring at the garage ceiling. It's finally winter break, but all my friends are leaving. Henry's gonna be going to Veronica's parents house up in Seattle til Christmas eve. Adam and Liz are going to Adam's brother's house. And Reece is going to his Grandpa's house.

The only people I'm not sure about is Aileen and Shaylie. They might be staying or going to New York. I really hope they stay. I may not be able to see her everyday, but it's better than nothing.

I'm just happy that everyone will be back for Christmas. Every year, we invite all of our friends and their families to our house for a party. It's one of the things Dad started that we still do. It's my favorite tradition.

"Good morning, Ashton." Aileen appears in front of my face.

I smile at her, "Morning."

"What're you doing lying here with your garage door opened?"

"I'm staring at the ceiling because it's a very beautiful ceiling." She laughs and holds a hand out for me. I grab her hand and pull her down on top of me. "We always seem to end up here."

"You're so sweaty! Let go of me." Aileen exclaimed, trying to break free of my grip around her.

"How come it's always you on top of me? Never the other way around?" I question.

"Because you're a butt and you're always pulling me down with you." She answered.

"True." I nod, then I flip us over so Aileen in on the mat and I'm hovering over her in push-up position. "But I think I like this better. Don't you?"

"I-I'm j-just happy y-you're s-sweatiness is o-off of me." She stuttered out. I smiled at her adorable stutter that she gets when she's nervous.

"Why are you nervous, Aileen? All I did was flip the position we were in before." I tilted my head a little.

She bit down on her lip, "I know, but being in this position, I can see how close you are. And being this close to you makes me nervous." She blushed and looked up at the ceiling, then at my eyes. "The ceiling really is beautiful." We both laughed at that.

"Ehem! What the heck did I just walk into?!" Henry yelled from the garage door.

"You obviously walked in on me proposing to Aileen." I said sarcastically.

"Obviously." She said with a laugh.

"I hate you two, so much." Henry exclaimed. "Can you get up, please? I need to talk with you." Sighing, I got up and helped Aileen up.

"Guess I'll be going then." Aileen said, walking away from me.

"No! Stay. I need to talk to both of you." Henry ordered, pointing for us to sit on the bench. We both took a seat and looked up at him expectantly. "As you both, well just Ash, know, I'm falling for Shaylie."

"Aww, that's cute." Aileen cooed.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Henry crossed his arms. "Does she like me back?"

"That's confidential girl talk, you know." Aileen said. "But, yeah, she does."

"Thank the lord, so this'll be easier." Henry sighed.