Title: I LOVE YOU TOO
By: Hannah - otownsNYangel8181@o-townfanpage.zzn.comMain Character: Ashley
Total Chapters: 16
CHAPTER 1
Ashley and I had been friends forever. We were like peanut butter and jelly, like cookies and milk, ever since we began acting together when he was in fourth grade and I was in third. We started out as just friends through "the play", but eventually got beyond that and were inseparable. Of course, there were those fights, those stupid fights that all best friends have. And there was that time we had tried dating in middle school because everyone thought it was impossible to have a best friend of the other sex. But, our date turned into any other time of hanging out, so we stopped dating. We were too good of friends. Our lockers were next to each other all through high school, and we told each other everything. We talked about things from sports to music, from teachers to boyfriends and girlfriends. Girlfriends were always a difficult subject for us. It was common knowledge that Shelli, Ashley's girlfriend, and I were worst enemies. Ever since Ashley and I had starred as the title roles in "Romeo and Juliet" and she had caught us rehearsing the kiss, she suspected something was going on between us. Ashley convinced her there wasn't, and she became jealous of me. Ash and I had the kind of relationship that Shelli and Ashley could never have.
When Ashley sang that song at his graduation and played his guitar, I cried. Not only because it was so beautiful and because he was leaving high school and moving on to college (although Ashley and I decided to go to the same one), but because I knew it was true that Ashley was going to try out for the new TV series "Making the Band", and I knew that it was true that he was going to make the band. He had just told me before he went on the stage that he had made the cut and was going to be one of the 25 to try for the 8 spots in the house, competing for the 5 spots in the band. He was going to fly to Orlando, and hopefully live down there permanently. He did. I knew it from the moment he began singing that song at graduation that he would make it, and his name was one of the ones called for the new band O-Town.
CHAPTER 2
I walked into my house after school. My parents were gone on business for over a month, and I had the house all to myself. I dropped my bags, took off my jacket, slipped off my shoes, and was about to lie down when I heard the phone ringing. I decided that if it was important enough they would leave a message or call back later. "Hey its me, Juliet, I'm not here right now, so leave a message and I'll get back to you. BEEP, just kidding." I heard the real beep, and then a familiar voice. "Hey JJ, its Angel calling you from Orlando. Just calling…" I ran over to the phone and picked it up. "Hey Ash" I said, so happy that it was him. I had just been thinking about him, when I walked past our old acting school, which had been renamed Angelica after Ash. "Listen, Julie, I'm coming back to Redding for a few days, we have a concert here. I was wondering if me and the guys could stay with you in your house for a few nights while we're in town, I know that you have 2 extra rooms" "Sure Ash, I'd love it," I said, so excited that I would get to see him, not just his picture, and hear him, not just on the radio or phone. I hadn't seen him in almost 3 months, and that was a big change from every day.
CHAPTER 3
It was finally Friday, the day O-Town was supposed to arrive. They would stay until Sunday. I waited, tense and nervous for the flight from Orlando to land. I sat in one of those bright plastic chairs and waited. I waited for 15 minutes and got restless. I picked up my bag and went to another seat, closer to window. I watched as plane after plane landed, but none of them held my best friend. I got up and paced around, then sat down, pouty, and listened as the voice over the speaker said, "Flight 818 from Orlando, arriving in 5 minutes." That was Ashley's plane! I quickly stood up as people started coming off. Almost the whole plane had let out, when I saw Jacob. You could spot him in a crowd because of his dreads. I ran over to him to give him a hug. Each guy came off, I gave each of them a hug, and then came Ashley. I ran over to him, and he gave me a big bear hug and swung me in the air. I hugged him again. "I've missed you so much!" I said, looking at him. "Yeah, I've been so busy, but when we have down time I call you, and am so glad to have someone to talk to. You know how Shelli's been, she's trying to control my life. She wants me to quit." I was surprised. It was the kind of thing I had heard Shelli talking about with her friends, but I never thought she would actually ask him to quit. She obviously didn't know my Ashley. He loved this band so much that he put up with his dad, Ron, not approving of it. I hugged him again, and said, "Don't worry baby, its gonna be OK," But then I froze. I had just called Ashley baby, and that was what I had called my last boyfriend Josh. I hoped he wouldn't realize anything.
CHAPTER 4
We all piled in the car, and Dan drove us back to my place. It was about 6 when we got back, and I gave them all a tour. Erik and Dan would share a room, Jacob and Trevor would share the other, and Ashley would sleep in my room with me. All the guys were jet lagged, but we decided to go out to a cute little restaurant for dinner. It was a kind of fancy place, so I changed into a black dress, a halter with no back. I could feel the guys all checking me out, especially Erik. I remembered what Ashley had told me on the phone. "Erik seems a little interested in you. He's single, and kind of wants a girlfriend, so just watch out a little. Be careful. I know I sound like your mom, but Erik…" When we got to the restaurant, we sat down at a round table in the corner, with a beautiful, romantic view of a little stone terrace with a fountain, flowers, and small trees. I sat between Erik and Ashley. Erik moved in closer to me, and you could kind of tell that he was jealous when I leaned my head on Ashley and laughed. I noticed, but kept eating my dinner naturally. After our meal was over, we all went out side, to the terrace. Erik put his arm around me, and we walked away from the group. I looked up at his face, and was drawn in by his dark brown eyes. He leaned over and tucked a strand of my brown hair behind my ear, and whispered to me, "You have to most gorgeous lips. I love them." Then, his lips softly kissed mine. I was a little surprised at what was happening. Our lips brushed again, and this time stayed. The kiss was soft and romantic, like the flowers in the trees above us. We sat down on a little stone bench and started making out. It was nice, but there was a nagging feeling that I was doing something wrong. I pulled away. "Erik, I like you and all, but I'm not sure…" "Its ok, don't worry." He stood and helped me up. He held my hand and we walked back towards to group. I kissed him on the cheek, a little peck, to show that I wasn't trying to be mean. I wasn't. Something just didn't feel right. I felt like I was betraying someone. I couldn't think of anyone-Josh and I had broken up awhile before. I thought about it in the car, with Ashley's arm around me and Erik's hand on my knee. I realized that I felt I was cheating on Ashley, that I was betraying Ashley when he said not to date Erik. I felt bad. Really mean, so I put my head on his shoulder. I was torn, though. Erik was an amazing kisser, but I kind of liked Ashley, more than just friends. I wasn't sure what to do.
CHAPTER 5
We got back to my place and got ready for bed. I climbed into mine, next to Ashley, just like when we were 10 years old. I turned off the light, and he said, "Juliet, I saw you and Erik kissing. I just want to know if you think you're going to date him." "Ashley, about that. I don't think so." I heard him breathe a sigh of relief. "Why?" I asked, wondering why he cared so much. "It's just, ooh, I don't know how to say this, but…" "But what?" "I don't like Shelli anymore. I like you." I was silent. I didn't know what to say. Then I realized that my feelings for Ashley were stronger than those for Erik. "I like you too, more than just a friend." "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this," he said, and pulled me in close. We started kissing. It started off slow and passionate, and then there was the fire. There was a feeling like we should have stayed boyfriend and girlfriend in middle school, and that now we had to make up for it. We were making out, I was loving it, and for the first time I truly did not care that Shelli hated me.
CHAPTER 6
I woke up with the bed empty. I wondered where Ashley was, but I started changing out of my pajamas. He walked in, his hair still wet, and only in a towel. "I was taking a shower so I could be squeaky clean for you." "Aw, how sweet!" I said, kissing him. "Sexy, why are you changing out of your pajamas?" He said to me, stuffing the other clothes back in the drawer. He looked at me, and had his sneaky smile on. I turned my back to him to start making the bed, and he pounced. He was tickling me and kissing my face and neck. I laughed, and kissed him back. We paused for a second to catch our breath, and I looked him in the eye and said, "We have to keep this secret from the guys. I don't want Erik to get jealous and then quit or something and screw up O-Town. I also don't want it to get out somehow that you're cheating on you girlfriend of almost 3 years. I love you a lot, but we can't let everyone know until you break up with Shelli." "Alright, as long as you promise me one thing." "What?" "You'll let me keep tickling you!" I was laughing, and kissing him again. All of a sudden there was a knock on the door. I thought it was the door across the hall being knocked, so we kept tickling and kissing. Then Trevor walked in. He looked surprised. We were kissing each other, on my bed, me in my pajamas and him in just a towel. We stopped as soon as we noticed he was there. He just stood there with his mouth open. "Trev, please, don't tell any of the guys." "Sure Ash, whatever, I just came to ask Julie where the cereal is, I didn't mean to interrupt anything." I giggled. "They're in the cabinet next to the fridge, there's lots of different kinds. Don't worry Angel, there's Smacks."
CHAPTER 7
We ate breakfast in my house; all of us ate cold cereal, Smacks, the kind that Ashley can't live without. I sat down on the loveseat with a bowl in my hands. Erik sat next to me, really close, and said, "We're going clubbing tonight Juliet, will you dance with me?" I wasn't sure what to say. I looked over at Ashley, and he could tell what was going on, and he nodded yes. "Ok, Erik" I said. He snuggled in close. I could tell he was satisfied.
CHAPTER 8
After breakfast, the guys had to start getting ready for their concert that afternoon. I had work that day, and I went, but I could barely concentrate because I was thinking of Ashley. I worked at the register at the GAP. My shift was almost over when Shelli came up to me. "Hey Juliet, I hear Ashley's been staying in your house for the weekend." "All the guys are, their concert is later." "I knew that. Listen, I don't want you and Ash sleeping in the same room. He's mine, I'm just playing hard to get to get him to quit that stupid O-Town, so keep your hands off." And with that, she flounced off, and started giggling with her friends in her annoying high-pitched voice. I was glad that Ashley was going to dump her tomorrow. She deserved it.