Chapter 2: Oak Tree

Finally I'm done. Finally going home, the thought scares the shit out of me. I start playing with the sleeves of my jacket. "Chillax, it's gonna be fine". Kate says when she noticed me and I just sighed. Kate and I have been working at a restaurant since we finished high school and it's been fun well because Kate's there. It doesn't pay well but it's enough

"Look I told you, you can stay with us. There's an extra room and I'm sure mom wouldn't mind also Philip would die of excitement". I laughed. "So he's still crushing on me". I asked. "Well hell yeah like who wouldn't" she says "enough with the home talks how's Michael?" She asked out of the blue.

"Well he's fine" I said blushing slightly. Michael is my boyfriend, he's that kind of guy every girl would want a selfie with like seriously he's so so hot and we've been dating for a month now and it's been great. He's 22 and I'm 20 it's like the perfect match and whenever I talk about him, I always find myself blushing. "What?". She asks "like just fine? Are you kidding me?!". I nodded "yeah he's cool" she rolls her eyes. "Come on Ash how's he?". She asks again only this time wriggling her eyebrows. I stare at her wondering what her problem is until it finally gets to me

"Omg Kate. No, no like seriously?" I asked. "What? Come on I'm only asking". She says acting all holy. "Nothing has happened, I told him I wanted to take things slow".

"Oooh okay" she says nodding and drawing her 'oh' and she asks yet another question out of the blue.

"So no kisses?" She asks like its a normal thing. Now I'm so sure am blushing hard, I must look like a tomato.

"No. Geez Kate". "what?" She asks giving me that eyes that says what-wrong-with-you and I looked away. Suddenly she gasps "omg, omg Ashley Wilson are you for real like no kisses? Oh my freaking God. Did he agree to this? Like no kisses".

"Yeah I mean he's a good guy so he understands" I said. "Hmmm" she hums holding her chin like an old woman and I rolled my eyes. "Miss blue what's your pro-

Before I could finish my statement my phone starts ringing. "I don't have a problem all I'm sayin- "shhhhh", I shushed her trying to hear the person at the other side.

"Hello?". "Really?" A deep familiar voice asks

"Oh hi Michael" I looked at Kate but she's already looking at me with curiosity glinting in her eyes. I just ignored her.

"How are you doing?".

"I'm good. You?". "I'm cool just missing something or someone". "And what's that?". I asked getting curious.

"You". He states, and I feel heat rising to my cheeks. Michael is the type of guy that just knows how to make you swell to the extended where you're floating. I chuckled .

"Could you make it to the tree close to your house?", "Which one?" I asked. "The huge one with a lot of branches". "Oh the oak tree. Yeah sure, I'll be there". "Okay see you then?"

He asked, "yeah sure bye". I said hanging up, turning back to Kate

"Um... I've got to-um"

"I know. Go do your thing",  "Please enough there's no thing". I said.

"I hear you". She said taking the left turn. "Don't be late alright?" She yells. "Alright". I replied taking the right turn.

I got to the oak tree and see michael by looking at the setting sun. I smiled walking up to him taking slow pace.

"Hey" I whispered not wanting to disturb him.

"Hey", He whispered back turning to me, he stretching his hands. I took it while he pulls me in for a hug and I hug him back wishing I could always be in his embrace. We pull away then turn to face the sunset.

The sun is now settled giving some kind of pinkish-orange to the sky

I turned to michael only to notice him staring at me.

"What?". I asked.

"Nothing" he shrugs still staring. "But you are staring", "Yeah I know". He said giving one of his heart melting smiles.

"I love your eyes". He states suddenly. "And your hair". "What?", I asked like I'd just gone deaf.

"I said I love your eyes and also your curly hair". I laughed lightly "you love my hair?" I stated, "And your eyes" he reminded. "Sure a vibrant shade of green, I think that if I stare into them too long I might get lost in them. It's a forest shade, so bright, so happy and alive". I laughed. "Is that so?", I asked.

"Yes it is". He said with a grin. "And of course your beautiful curls with a blinding shade of red". he emphasized

"I don't like them", I said looking down which caused him to gasp dramatically and I chuckled. "Don't say that, they are so beautiful and you've got to cherish them". he said "And not only do I love those things I also love the owner".

I laughed but stopped almost immediately and the blinked.

'Did... did he just say he love me?'.

"What?" I asked and he chuckled, after a few moments he said this. "I love you". He said looking at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher. I just kept staring at him while he kept moving closer and closer and closer to the extend I could feel his breath on my face.

Just a few more inches. "Yes

I love you". He said while closing the gap between us I could feel his brush mine, I closed my eyes out of excitement. And just when I thought I would feel his lip upon mine, we got interrupted. phone rings.

Ahhhh someone pinch me.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and reached for my phone.

"hello" I answered

"Ashley where are you?" Mom asked. "Um" I looked at michael. "Um... I'm with michael, any problem".

"No baby, not at all. I was just worried that's all". She said.

"Be back before dinner alright?".

"Yeah sure thing". Phone beeps

I turned to michael but he's staring up at the dark sky. "What a beautiful evening". he said. "Yeah, it's really beautiful", I said also staring at the sky.