“Thank you guys so much.” Ashley says, addressing the audience with her award-winning smile. “I have another original song to play for all of you and I’m hoping you like it as much as you liked the last one.” She once again gives me a glance and a smile, then turns back to position herself correctly at the piano.

I’m transfixed on Ashley, mesmerized by the muscles in her arms used to press the keys down and her foot pumping the pedal up and down according to the music she was playing.

I was deep in my trance when I felt a soft sensation grazing my back, moving from one shoulder to the other. I nearly jumped out of my seat as I turned around dramatically to see what was causing the sensation. I followed the fingertips leaving my shoulder blade to meet eyes with a familiar face.

“Fancy seeing you here.” I cheerful Cole greets me. “Mind if I sit down and join you?”

My eyes never leave hers as she stands there waiting for my response. I’m not exactly sure how long it took me to finally respond. “Uh, yeah sure, that’s fine.” I say and she pulls out the chair and sits down across the table. I don’t know why but for some reason I feel very uncomfortable right now.

“So how have you been since I last saw you, yesterday?” She asks.

“Um, I’ve been okay. What about you?” I ask, trying to pay more attention to Ashley’s performance than Cole’s response.

“I’ve been alright. Nothing too special.” She responds and leans back into the seat and crosses her arms.

There’s a moment of silence between us as we watch Ashley’s performance together and I’m easily put back in my previous trance. That is, until Cole speaks again.

“So are you into this?” I look over to her and see her motioning towards the stage where Ashley is performing.

“What do you mean?” I ask giving her a confused look.

“The whole ‘Ashley Davies’ thing. She seems like a total slut to me.” I’m very taken back by her forwardness that I almost laugh, thinking she’s joking. When I see she’s not, I get very defensive.

“Excuse me?” I ask.

“Oh c’mon, you have to have heard about her. And about how she’s always with another girl every other week. Sounds like a slut if I’ve ever heard of one.” She says all of this while looking at Ashley on the stage. It takes me a minute to soak in everything she’s saying and think of a comprehensive thought to respond with.