CHAPTER 1

Asha's POV

"Mom.. I'm going out for a while. I'll be back later, just going to take a walk."

"Okay sweetie, but  don't stay out too long and make sure you're warm enough. Don't talk to-

" - strangers and don't eat anything from those vendors outside and call me if you're in trouble and be careful. " I mouthed the words along with her as I counted every instruction she gave with my fingers. "Yeah mom I know, quit worrying so much you'll get wrinkles," she throws a playful glare my way and I just walk out the door chuckling.

Oh my sweet mother. My sweet paranoid mother. She is the epitome of all things bittersweet, she is protective and loves me so much she has even planned my entire life. Well not exactly my  whole life but you get the idea right?

At times I feel like that cute little girl from 'My little prince' who's life is scheduled from when she wakes up to when she goes back to sleep.

Sometimes I want to tell her to stop and that she's being annoying and creeping up on my personal space, but I can't because she's all I got and I'm all she's got. We love each other like best friends would and I wouldn't have it any other way.

You're probably wondering why I need permission to get out of the house. Like I said, paranoid mother. Needs to know where am going, who I'm going with, why I'm going, how I will get there, when I'll be back home and what I'm going to do where I'm going.

I really can't blame her with what happened a few years back that caused her to be this cautious, paranoid and even though she doesn't like to admit or show it, very broken. Long story short, we weren't a family of two.

So I grab my jacket from the closet, phone and wallet in hand and  leave for my walk. I just need to clear my head a bit and maybe enjoy the scenery, oh wait, who the fuck am I kidding.

There's no scenery in a suburban residential estate unless it's old Mrs McPhee's petunias or the book club ladies at Rose's place pretty much analyzing and picturing themselves in an erotica series. Last week I heard something about Gideon Cross when I was out for another stroll.

Oh, sorry where are my manners, my name is Asha Martins. I am a short, chubby, bubbly little thing who just happens to love anything Disney, that I think it's becoming unhealthy now.

I am–was the second born child  to Mr Jonathan Martins, a well known preacher and Ms Neema Martins, an Egyptian clinician, I guess that explains the name.

Papa used to say that he was pretty glad he came down with malaria on his trip to Egypt because if he hadn't, he'd never have met his saving grace.

Neema means grace if you're wondering.

We moved here  several weeks ago, I bet it's been almost three months, and we're just glad we get a new start even though I'm not so keen on change especially huge, affecting-daily-life change.

You'd think though that maybe karma would cut me some slack and just let me have a peaceful fresh start at a new place with new people and stuff?

Yeah right. Karma is a cold inconsiderate bitch, buzz off if you think otherwise.

See the thing is, I happen to have a crush. Well big whoop right? But that's not the problem. The problem is I have a crush. On a girl. Here comes the interesting part, she's not just any girl, she is the daughter of Mr Phillips, him being the preacher of a very large church with a very large congregation including highly influential people.

The only thing that is bothering me about all this is my very strict, very religious Christian background. I don't even  think I  need to put it out there for you to get, or at least have an idea of, what I may be going through.

The whole 'God commands against homosexuality and anyone who breaks that law and knows that it's wrong and still goes a head to do it is sinning and will be thrown in the lake of Sulphur and fire' thing can get pretty scary when it's what you've been taught your whole life.

The cool evening breeze gets a bit chilly to my palms so I make paws with the ends of the sleeves to my jacket, looking around after realizing that I had zoned out for almost half an hour. I'm just lucky I didn't bump into any poles.

Not that it has ever happened before.

Are you buying that? No? Neither am I.

As I was walking and totally looking where I was going, I bumped into a wall. Spoke too soon.

Hold up, not a wall, a someone.

As soon as I drew my gaze to those hazel brown eyes that looked warm and playful with an underlying amused glint, I knew I was done for.

I was in too deep and the scary part? I didn't want to ever get out of those two dark swirling orbs that entranced me. I couldn't move, her eyes looking through as if she could see right into my soul. The last rich rays of the evening sun casting a warm glow on one side of her face so her beautiful features looked almost angelic.

Her high cheekbones, her full plump lips–the sudden urge to find out whether they are as soft as they looked driving me up the fucking wall, the tiny mole right between her upper lip and her nose and lets not forget about the eyes.

Remember how I told you karma is inconsiderate, well this just proves it. What are the odds of me meeting the same person who's been on my mind from the very first day I laid my eyes on her gorgeous face?

A perfectly shaped eyebrow was perked at me and I unfroze. As soon as I realized what was happening, I flushed in embarrassment as blood rushed to my cheeks, neck and the tip of my ears.

I looked away immediately and took a step back, but being the clumsy klutz I am, I tripped on air and almost landed on my butt. I shut my eyes, yelping a little bit as I lost balance and was inevitably falling to the ground, probably landing on my butt.

Instead I was caught by an arm that had a firm grip on me but it wasn't painful. She pushed me back onto her chest and I held on for dear life, relieved that I didn't make a fool of myself infront of my crush.

Once I looked up and met her gaze did I realise  how close we actually were. Our breathes were intermingling and I could smell her minty breath, with a hint of mocha. If she would just lean in just a couple more inches then I'd finally know what she tastes like.

Wait what?!

I shot out of her hold immediately, sputtering my thanks and trying to breathe normally. I couldn't think straight with her so close to me. I'm not even old enough to get a heart attack yet I felt my heart do weird little flips in there.

"Th-thank you," my voice still sounded a bit shaky and my breath still came out in short pants. I could feel my heart pounding really loud I'd be lucky if Riley hadn't heard it yet.

"Hey don't worry it's fine. I'm just glad you didn't fall and hurt yourself." Riley said. She had this sultry voice that was deeper than mine and sounded almost like baritone - almost. Her voice simply made me feel weak in my knees.

As I really looked at her, I realized she looked really good. Like breathtakingly good. She was in black jeans ripped at her knees and they were pretty snug, hugging her in all the right places, her feet were in black combat boots, she had a red and blue basket ball jersey and a black long sleeved turtle neck underneath.

Add in the gorgeous facials and her oh so sinful lips and I was a goner. If I'd be given the chance to die immediately after kissing her, then I'd die a happy closeted girl.

As my eyes drifted back to her face and we locked gazes, I was met with a terrifyingly wicked smirk. I cannot believe she just caught me blatantly checking her out like that. She must think I'm a freak now. Oh heavens.

"Done drooling baby girl?" she asked, her voice coming out like hot sex it's a wonder how I didn't moan out loud. The slick, cocky tone causing my insides to turn into goo and heat to pool in my core. She was getting reactions out of me that felt foreign and weird.

My cheeks got even warmer, I flushed even darker and I'm pretty sure I looked like a walking turtle. I got a chuckle and a wink that sent thousands of amazing shivers down my spine.

Ugh this girl!

I couldn't hold her gaze as it turned way too intense for my liking. I started fidgeting and playing with my fingers, I could feel her hot stare all over my body and I couldn't help but feel super self conscious before this stunning girl right in front of me.

"Riley." she said and that snapped me out of whatever self loathe I was at.

"Huh?"

"Riley. My name is Riley." she said walking closer to me, taking step by agonizingly slow step, staring at me like she was trying to figure me out.

I gulped, my throat closing up and my tongue feeling  dry. I swallowed down my nerves and reached out my hand towards her.

" Asha. "she shakes my hand, a small smile on her lips,

" Nice to meet you. Next time though try taking a picture, it lasts longer. "the cocky little smile hardly leaving her smug face.

My God, another narcissist.