****

My eyes began to open when I felt a soft finger glide across my face and I felt my body shiver under the touch. I felt soft lips touch my cheek and I closed my eyes tightly knowing exactly whose lips were on my skin.

I moved my head and looked down at Ashley to find her looking at me with her powerful brown eyes. I could see a bit of apprehension in her face as she looked back at me and I knew she must have been wondering where we stood now. I wanted her to kiss me but I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to push her.

I smiled at her softly and kissed her forehead letting my fingers stroke her head softly loving the silky texture of her hair. She grinned at me and I felt my heart melt under her beautiful smile.

“Good morn…I mean Good Afternoon sweetie…” She said softly up at me.

“Good afternoon to you too…” I said loving how she still called me “sweetie.”

“I guess we fell asleep…”

“Yeah…but for once I was actually able to sleep….without…seeing Clay…” I closed my eyes tightly remembering the images that had been haunting me ever since I remembered exactly what had happened at prom.

“Shh…baby…shhh…just try to clear your mind…” She said softly stroking my cheek.

I nodded my head and took a deep breath hoping to get the image to disappear. My thoughts were wracked with images and I couldn’t shake them. I squeezed Ashley tighter wanting to focus solely on her and to let my mind finally rest.

“I’m not going anywhere…” She whispered softly. I felt my chest constrict when I heard her say this and I knew that she meant it.

“I know…” I said leaning down and kissing her forehead.

My attention was distracted when I could hear my brother and what sounded like Aiden’s muffled voices shouting outside my door. Ashley lifted her head and the door flew open to reveal a distraught Kyla. She closed the door as soon as she was inside and Ashley and I locked eyes briefly before returning our focus back to Kyla.