Awkward encounter

It's been a month now we hit Ashley.

She is recovering well and quickly with her injuries.

She would have recovered way earlier if, she hadn't slept on her fractured hand and made it worse !

Dominic is thinking about giving her discharge now.

And as we suggested and she accepted, she would live in her Mom's apartment with one of us everyday.

We decided that we would make our turns according to our off days.

And Cole denied to do that so, few of us needed to repeat their turns.

And according to our nature of work and intensity of work we decided who would be repeating how many times ?

So we decided, Dominic can't leave his patients and court won't work without me, so we won't repeat.

We'll just go to her on our off days.

Lauren can ditch his work a bit but not too much, so he would go to her place twice a week and Derek can work from home and most of his work is done by his sources so, he would go to her place thrice a week.

So, according to our off days, Sunday was mine, Tuesday was allotted to Dominic, Lauren was to go on Thursday and Saturday and Derek had Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Me and Dominic were very sad that, we won't be with her more than a day in whole week.

And Lauren was more sad than us, even though he got two days a week.

And how greedy anyone could be ?

That bastard Derek was getting out of control as he got only three days a week with her !

Lauren, Dominic and I beated the shit out of him !

When Dominic gave her discharge, I took her to her Mom's apartment.

It was as awkward for me as it was for her, being just the two of us in a fairly big apartment.

I mean, it isn't the case that we weren't together alone in her room in the hospital.

Though, we were alone in her room, we knew there were many patients and staff out there apart from us.

And it wasn't at all awkward for either of us to be alone there, but now the case was completely different !

We are all alone here and there is no staff out there.

And I suck at making someone comfortable around me especially, girls.

And it lasts until we get comfortable around eachothers.

I am uncomfortable myself and I am making her uncomfortable too.

I shouldn't be doing this !

Derek had asked me whether I could handle the first timer ?

But my ego came in my way to accept that, I could fuck up !

And here I am, fucked up.

What should I do ?

" Um...

Make yourself at home.

I am going to take shower.

I haven't showered good in while and I think I am stinking and I don't want to make you feel gross about it, ha ha. "

Ashley said laughing awkwardly.

" No, not at all.

I love the way you smell.

The natural scent, it's um...

Intoxicating and um...

I am making everything very awkward, am'nt I ? "

I said hitting my head with my hand.

She is looking at me as if, I am a pervert and will attack her anytime.

" Ha.

It's alright.

I won't judge you because you know, you yourself are Judge...

Ha ha...

I am making this more uncomfortable than you were, right ? "

She said cracking a lame joke.

I smiled at her awkwardly.

" Let it be, it would take some time to get us comfortable around eachothers.

We'll achieve that with time, don't worry.

I am actually not great at initiating conversation and I prefer to answer the questions anyone asks me.

Because, I find it difficult to get the questions which won't make the situation worse. "

Ashley said accepting.

" I guess then, we are so much similar.

Because, even I find it very difficult to start a normal conversation.

I guess, you take your comforting shower and I'll order something to eat for us.

What would you like to have ? "

I asked.

" I will have double cheese sandwich for now. What about you ? "

Ashley said.

" Um...

Actually I was planning to have the same.

Infact, I have placed my order from, Sam's. "

I said smiling.

" Oh my god !

I was about to tell you to order it from Sam's.

I guess, we do have similar interests.

Let's see what do we have in common after my shower. "

Ashley said smiling.

" Oh, yes ofcourse.

Take your time.

You were lacking that for a while now.

I'll get our order.

I'll be back in half an hour.

Would it be sufficient for you or do you need more of it ? "

I asked.

" Um...

I think I would definitely need more than that... "

Ashley said sheepishly.

" Ok no problem.

I'll take the keys with me.

Take your time and get relaxed.

You need anything from the market ? "

I asked.

" Um..

Could you get me perfume, please ? "

Ashley said hesitantly.

" Ofcourse.

Which one ?

Let me guess, Victoria's Secret ? "

I guessed wildly.

" Oh my god !

Seriously, how did you...

Oh you must have seen the empty bottle in my bag. "

Ashley said.

" Your bag is still in your hands and you didn't let me grab that for you our way here. "

I told her.

" Then how do you know ?

I mean just like that ?

Ok, it was a lucky guess.

Tell me exactly which one ? "

Ashley smirked challenging me.

" Um...

Lavender may be ? "

I said guessing.

" I am not accepting that, you told this without knowing !

I mean how could you be so accurate ? "

Ashley said surprised.

" Seriously ?

You use Victoria's Secret Lavender perfume ? Great choice !

I smelled it once.

It's a heavenly scent.

My date wore it one day and I couldn't concentrate over our conversation and got so engulfed in that scent, I literally begged her to tell me it's name ! "

I said chuckling.

" Really ?

Yeah, I must admit, it is heavenly scent.

So, would you get it for me please ?

Actually, I am not liking to trouble you for my need... "

Ashley said embarrassed.

" Shut up, girl !

You aren't troubling me or anything.

If you would make it sound like, I am doing some favour to you then, I am sorry I am not getting that for you !

Don't you still see me as your friend ? "

I said making a puppy face.

" I am sorry, I didn't meant to hurt your feelings... Please don't get mad at me and stop talking to me, Please.

I won't be able to handle that two of you guys aren't talking to me... "

Ashley said panicked.

" Hey. Don't say that !

I am not mad or anything.

I know Cole have hurted your feelings but believe me, I won't ever do that to you.

Please don't think that about me. "

I said grabbing her shoulder.

" Yeah.

I hope neither of you guys do that to me.

Only I know how it feels.

I have no one right now other than you guys, to go to.

And if you guys too would abandon me, what would I do alone ?

I really don't want to be alone.

At least not right now !

I don't know where my Mom is ?

I can't go to my Dad because he won't do anything and he has his stepson who is looking for me to kill me !

I really have no one apart from you guys with me...

And I..."

Ashley said with a quivering voice.

She couldn't hide her tears from me.

I hesitatingly reached out and wrapped my arms around her loosely.

And she hugged me tight !

It was very unexpected.

I was expecting that, she would push me away but instead, she hugged me tight.

And she caught me off guard !

My heart started racing and my breathe caught in my throat.

I kept my hand over her back and caressed her head with the other.

" Shhh.

Don't cry, baby.

Please don't, I can't see you crying.

It breaks my heart to see you in pain.

Neither of us won't ever leave you alone.

And even, Cole too.

He pretends to be cold and heartless beast, but actually he isn't !

He cares for you.

He always asks Dominic about your condition. And gives us the reason that, he feels guilty for the accident and we all know it's not true.

His care for you is visible in his eyes.

And even in his actions !

So, don't worry, no one's gonna leave you alone. "

I said and without planning or without even thinking I pressed my lips to her forehead.

And she melted in my arms so perfectly like, she was meant to be in my arms.

It felt very comfortable and nice to have her so close to me.

Her touch was magical.

She was in my arms but not even a hint of lust was in my thoughts.

It felt right to have her there.

Like she belonged there.

She calmed down after a few moments.

" Thanks, Jules.

It means a lot to me. "

Ashley said softly.

And I slowly released her from my arms and wiped her tears.

" Go now, go and take your shower or else you are gonna make me cry too.

I'll be back. "

I said running my hand gently over her head.

" In more than half an hour, ok ?

Because I don't like to heat up my food again ! "

Ashley said wrinkling her nose in disapproval.

" Your wish my command, miss.

I'll be back. "

I said bowing to her and left.