Authors' note: If you were looking for a break from the Saffy drama you get it this chapter. This is all about the kids at Hogwarts. We hope you enjoy!
It was Ashley's birthday and unbeknownst to her, Brittany had planned a little surprise party for her in the common room. She had enlisted Zander to distract their friend while she got everything set up.
Zander was sitting with Ashley in the library trying to keep her down here. Lucky for him, she was very patient and didn't seem to be too upset that it was taking him a long to grasp a simple concept.
"So would you use aconite or asphodel?" Zander asked.
"For this, aconite," Ashley said.
"Oh," Zander said pretending he hadn't known that. "I always get those two mixed up."
"It's okay," Ashley assured him. "Sometimes I do too."
"Now you're just trying to make me feel better," Zander said.
"Would I lie to you?" Ashley asked jokingly.
"Of course not," Zander said. "So what I was thinking..."
"Hello, Miss Malfoy," Charlie said tapping her on the shoulder.
Ashley turned. "Hi Charlie," she blushed.
"A little birdie told me it was your birthday," Charlie said with a grin.
"Yeah," Ashley said. "Thirteenth."
"Happy Birthday," Charlie said.
"Thank you," Ashley said, her face still pink.
Zander glared at the older boy, who seemed oblivious.
"So, I read about your father's tour coming up this summer," Charlie said.
"Yeah," Ashley nodded. "He said we can go to a few places with him."
Charlie offered her his most charming smile. "So...I was wondering...."
"Yeah?" Ashley asked.
"Can you front me some tickets?" Charlie asked.
Her smile slipped a little. "Um... I don't know. I'd... have to ask my dad."
"I'm a big fan of his music," Charlie told her.
"He doesn't really have any control over who gets the tickets," Ashley told him.
"But you can hook me up, right?" Charlie asked. "I need about six tickets for me and my mates."
"She said she didn't know," Zander snapped.
Charlie ignored him. "And it would really, really help if you could get us backstage. I sort of told everyone that you would..."
"I don't know if I can," Ashley stood up, upset. "I told you, my dad has no control over who gets the tickets."
Charlie chuckled. "Come on, Ash."
"She told you she can't," Zander glared at him. "And it's not cool to pretend you like her when you just want tickets for her dad's show."
Charlie stood up and put his arm around Ashley. "As close to front row as possible, Ash. That'd be great."
Ashley pulled away from him. "I don't think I can do that, Charlie."
"Just see what you can do," Charlie said smiling at her. "I'll catch you later."
"What a jerk," Zander complained once Charlie had left.
Ashley felt like such a fool. She'd thought that Charlie had genuinely liked her.
"He's a loser," Zander told her. "If he was using you to get tickets--"
"I don't know why I'm surprised," Ashley said looking down at her feet. "Stuff like this has been happening all my life. I just---I thought he was different."
"Stuff like what?" Zander asked.
"People wanting to be my friend because of who my dad is or because of my grandfather," Ashley said quietly. "It's one of the reasons I didn't really have friends before..."
Zander shook his head. "Then people are missing out. Because you're one of the most amazing people I know." he turned a bright red.
Ashley looked up at him and smiled. "Zander..."
He shrugged, embarrassed.
"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," Ashley said softly.
"It's the truth," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He wished he could tell her how he really felt about her.
"Thanks," Ashley blushed.
He glanced at his watch. "We should head back to the common room."
"Yeah," Ashley nodded.
They gathered their things and headed upstairs. On the way back, they passed Charlie with a few of his friends.
"Front row, Malfoy," Charlie called out to her. "If you can do that, you can sit with us at the Ravenclaw table."
"No thanks," Ashley replied, turning away.
Charlie's friends laughed right along with him.
Ashley bit her lower lip as she and Zander hurried away.
"I thought you said you'd get the tickets," one of Charlie's friends said.
"She'll come around," Charlie replied.
Zander dropped his books and took off after the older boys. "She's not getting tickets for you or your friends, okay?"
Another one of Charlie's friends laughed. "Yeah sure, pip squeak."
"Zander," Ashley called after him. "Come on. Let's just go."
"You don't know what an idiot you are," Zander said angrily to Charlie. "You have no idea what a great girl Ashley is. You pretended to fancy her just so she could get you tickets to her dad's concert and that's really lame."
Charlie rolled his eyes. "And who are you? Her little puppy dog?"
"Her best friend," Zander retorted.
"Come on," Charlie said. "Let's get out of here and leave the children alone. Run along now, Murray."
"Yeah," Zander sneered. "You guys try and beg tickets off someone else."
The older boys walked in the other direction, laughing the entire way.
Ashley handed Zander his books. "Thanks for standing up for me."
Zander nodded. "Those guys are jerks, Ash."
"I can see that now," Ashley said softly.
"Come on," Zander said, taking her books. "Let's go forget about those creeps."
Ashley smiled. "That's a brilliant idea, Mr. Murray."
"Got you to smile," Zander grinned at her.
Ashley nudged him. "You always can."
"That's my job," he replied.
Ashley led the way up the staircase to Gryffindor Tower. "What do you want to be bet Brit's staring adoringly at Evan while he plays Exploding Snap?" Ashley asked him.
Zander hid his smile. "Bet that's exactly what she's doing."
Ashley laughed. "She was doing that this morning when he was eating his waffles."
"And in class when he was taking notes," Zander replied.
"She's got it bad," Ashley said shaking her head.
So do I, Zander wanted to say but kept his mouth shut.
Ashley said the password and the two of them climbed through the portrait hole.
"SURPRISE!"
Ashley jumped back and bumped into Zander, causing him to drop their books on the floor.
"It's about time!" Brittany exclaimed. "Zander, you were supposed to be here half an hour ago!"
"Sorry," Zander gave his cousin a look.
Ashley looked around at the Common Room which was decorated with balloons and streamers and a big banner that said "Happy Birthday, Ash!"
"You guys did this for me?" she asked.
"Guilty," Brittany said happily. She stepped forward and gave her best friend a hug. "Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks Brit," Ashley hugged her back. "This is such a great surprise."
"Evan and Zander helped with the planning," Brittany said.
"I'm really not as stupid as I was pretending to be downstairs," Zander said with a grin. "I was trying to keep you in the library until it was time."
Ashley turned and gave him a hug too. "I should have known."
Zander's cheeks turned red. "Happy Birthday, Ash."
"Your mum brought a cake that Greta made for you," Brittany said pointing to the cake on the table. "We also have a bunch of snacks and juice that we nicked from the kitchens."
"Wow," Ashley said. "This is incredible!"
Zander used his wand to light the candles on Ashley's cake. "Everyone sing, except for Brit. You know she's tone deaf..."
"Shut up Zander," Brittany retorted.
The students in the common room began singing "Happy Birthday" to Ashley. She forgot momentarily about what had happened with Charlie.
She closed her eyes and leaned over to blow out her candles.
"Make a wish!" Brittany called out. "Make it a good one!"
Ashley took a deep breath. "I wish people would like me for who I am and not my family," she said under her breath before blowing out all thirteen candles.
"Nice job!" Brittany exclaimed. "Good going, Ash!"
"Thanks," Ashley said with a grin. "Chocolate, right?"
"Of course," Julie said coming up behind her daughter. "Don't worry...I'm not going to be here long. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!"
"Mum!" Ashley exclaimed.
Julie gave her a hug. "It's not everyday that you turn 13, is it?"
"Nope," Ashley said hugging her tighter. "How are Dad and Katie and Sophie?"
"They're great," Julie said. "I was just upstairs in your room. I left your presents on your bed. There's also something from Saffy, Ethan and Maddie, and your grandparents up there."
"Thanks," Ashley said with a broad grin. "Tell everyone I miss them, will you?"
"I will," Julie promised. "You lot behave yourself and don't party too late. Your curfew is still 10."
"Yes Professor," Ashley teased.
Julie grinned. "Good night, Ashley."
"See you tomorrow, Mum." Ashley replied.
Julie smiled at her daughter before leaving.
"I tried to see if she'd let Charlie sneak in here for the party, but she said no," Brittany told Ashley.
Ashley shook her head. "That's okay... I'm glad he's not here."
Brittany pulled a confused face. "Ash?"
"He was just using me to get tickets for my dad's concert this summer," Ashley replied quietly.
"He what?" Brittany asked, gaping at her.
"Zander stood up for me," Ashley glanced back at him.
Brittany turned and looked at her cousin. "You did?"
"What?" Zander asked.
"Charlie was using Ash to get tickets to her dad's tour?" Brittany asked. "And you stood up for her?"
"Yeah," Zander said. "What a bloody wanker."
"Ash," Brittany said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."
Ashley shrugged. "I'd rather have friends who like me for me, not my dad."
"You do," Brittany said smiling at her. "Me and Zander."
"Thanks," Ashley said gratefully. "You guys are the best."
"Tell me something I don't know," Brittany grinned.
"Let's have some of that cake," Ashley replied. "If Greta made it, it's going to be the best tasting thing here."
"Zander, you can do the honours," Brittany said motioning toward the knife.
"Ashley should," Zander declined.
"He's going to make me do the work on my birthday?" Ashley asked pretending to be affronted. "Zander Murray, what am I going to do with you?"
"All right, all right," Zander picked up the knife.
"Thank you," Ashley said sweetly.
Zander managed to slice into the cake and deposit on plates without making a huge mess. "Your piece, Ash." he said.
"Thank you," Ashley said smiling at him. "That's just the one I wanted."
Zander grinned back. "Does that mean I don't have to get you a present?"
"What you did for me tonight was present enough," Ashley said genuinely.
"It was no problem," Zander said.
"She's opening my present first," Brittany said.
"Of course she is," Zander rolled his eyes.
Brittany ignored her cousin and rushed over to the table and grabbed her present. She handed it to Ashley. "I hope you like it!"
"I'm sure I will," Ashley said. "Thanks Brit."
Ashley unwrapped the present and grinned when she saw what it was. It was a book about Claude Monet, Ashley's favourite artist.
"The woman in the book shop helped me pick it out," Brittany said.
"This is fantastic," Ashley hugged her. "Thank you so much!"
"Of course," Brittany grinned. "I'm so happy you like it!"
Zander came forward with a slender box. "This sort of goes with her gift," he said.
Ashley grinned. "You two actually collaborated?"
"Sort of," Brittany said.
Zander watched as Ashley unwrapped his present. He really hoped that she would like it.
It was a new set of paint brushes that with the proper incantation, would help paint like the artist you liked.
"You're not saying anything," Zander said watching her. "Do you already have them? I can give you the receipt...."
"No I love them," Ashley breathed.
Zander grinned in relief. "Really?"
"They're perfect," Ashley gave him a hug.
Zander hugged her tightly. Every day his feelings for her became stronger. None of this made sense to him and he didn't know what to do half of the time. While a part of him was happy that Charlie had shown her his true colours, he was upset that she'd been hurt.
"You two are the best," Ashley said sincerely.
"We're bloody brilliant," Brittany said grinning at her. "You have to tell me...did you have any idea we were throwing you a party?"
"None," Ashley shook her head.
Brittany grinned. "You have no idea how hard it was to keep it a secret!"
"Especially for her," Zander cracked.
"It's just because I tell her everything!" Brittany said nudging him. "Best friends do that!"
"We just figured you'd be up here mooning over Evan," Ashley teased.
"I do not moon!" Brittany said defensively. "Ash!"
Zander laughed. "Yes you do."
"It's just because he's so cute!" Brittany exclaimed, looking over at the object of her affection. He was talking with a couple of first-years. "I can't help it!"
"Oh he's so cute," Zander batted his eyes.
Ashley giggled. "He's got you down, Brit."
"Whatever," Brittany glared at her cousin.
"I'm going to get some more juice," Ashley said. "I'll be right back. Try and get along..."
"What really happened?" Brittany asked.
"With Charlie, you mean?" Zander asked. Brittany nodded.
"That wanker came up to us in the library," Zander told her. "Said that he'd heard it was Ash's birthday and she lit up like a firefly."
"I didn't realise she fancied him back," Brittany said.
"Neither did I," Zander said quietly. "But, he didn't waste any time asking her if she could get him front-row tickets to her dad's tour."
Brittany's jaw dropped.
"I wanted to hex him," Zander said remembering the look on Ashley's face.
"You should have," Brittany said angrily.
"We ran into him again on our way back here," Zander said. "He and his mates were having a laugh about it. He said that if she got him the tickets, he'd let her sit with him in the Great Hall."
"Like she'd want to," Brittany rolled her eyes.
"I don't think he'll be bothering her again," Zander said. "I just---she's amazing and he doesn't even know it."
Brittany smiled at him.
"And it doesn't matter to me or to you who her dad is," Zander said.
"Of course not," Brittany replied. "It never did."
"This is such a great party," Ashley said as she rejoined them. "I can't believe you did this for me."
"Like we said, we're your best friends," Brittany put an arm around her. "We'd do anything for you, Ash."
"Thanks, guys," Ashley said beaming at them.
"I'm in the mood for more cake," Zander said.
"I told you it was good," Ashley said. "Can you get me another piece, too?"
"Sure," Zander replied.
"Zander told me about what happened with Charlie," Brittany said when they were alone. "I'm really sorry, Ash."
Ashley shrugged.
"I thought he was one of the good guys," Brittany said.
"So did I," Ashley replied. "But it was all just to get tickets to my dad's show."
"It's his loss," Brittany said smiling at her.
"Right," Ashley nodded.
"So Zander defended your honour, eh?" Brittany teased.
"Yeah," Ashley said. "It was really sweet of him."
"He'd do anything for you," Brittany told her. "We both would."
"Thanks," Ashley said softly.
"Your mum was great helping us too," Brittany told her.
"That's cool," Ashley replied. "Sometimes I feel like she's not much older than me."
"I'd freak out if my mum was a professor here," Brittany said shuddering. "She'd probably stop class to smooth down my hair..."
Ashley laughed. "I warned her not to do that sort of thing."
"She's great," Brittany said. "When we're in class, she treats you just like any other student."
"I'm sure she has to," Ashley pointed out.
"Has to what?" Zander asked.
"My mum," Ashley said. "She's got to treat me as any other student in classes."
"She does," Zander agreed, handing Ashley her cake. "Brit, Evan was asking for you."
"Really!" Brittany asked brightly.
Zander and Ashley exchanged amused looks.
"Really," Zander said. "We'll see you later."
Brittany took off across the common room towards Evan and Zander grinned at Ashley.
"We'll not see her again for the rest of the night," Ashley laughed.
"Probably not," he agreed.
"Let's go and sit down," Ashley said motioning toward the sofa in front of the fireplace.
"Okay," Zander said eagerly.
Ashley led the way and they sat down in front of the fire. "I can't wait to use my brushes, Zander."
"I'm really glad you like them," Zander said.
"I was saving up my allowance to buy a set myself," Ashley told him.
"I didn't know that," he said.
Ashley nodded. "I saw them in my favourite art shop and I knew I wanted them."
"Must have read your mind then," Zander replied.
"You'll do well in Divination next year," Ashley teased.
"Just what I wanted," he deadpanned.
"I haven't decided if I want to take that or not," Ashley admitted.
"I don't think I will," he answered.
"I'm leaning toward Ancient Runes," Ashley told him. "Or Arithmancy."
"You should take both, if you want to," Zander replied.
"Maybe," Ashley said thoughtfully. "It would quite a course load, though. How about you?"
"I definitely want to continue with Care of Magical Creatures," Zander said. "And I like Herbology. I just wish I could drop Potions."
"You're doing so much better," Ashley said. "Snape sees that."
"Yeah right," Zander shook his head.
"You've really improved, Zander," Ashley said proudly.
"Thanks to you," he told her.
"I was happy to help," Ashley said.
He smiled at her. "Time and time again..."
"I'll send you the bill at the end of the term," Ashley joked.
"Might have to sell off those cards you saved to pay you," he joked back.
"My prices have gone way up," Ashley said grinned. "You'll have to do better than those cards..."
"Uh oh," Zander said. "Lots of butterbeer next year when we can finally go to Hogsmeade?"
"That's a start," Ashley said pretending to mull this over.
"I can sell off a kidney," Zander said. "I only need one of them..."
Ashley laughed. "Zander, I would never make you give up a vital organ!"
"Kidding," Zander bumped her shoulder.
Ashley bumped him back. "You're going to ace your Potions final. Mark my words."
"With your help?" Zander asked. "Sure I will. But it'll never please Snape."
"Sod Snape," Ashley said looking at him.
Zander looked surprised. "Did Ashley Malfoy just curse?"
Ashley blushed. "Maybe..."
"Thirteen for a day and already you have bad habits," Zander teased, nudging her.
"Maybe it's the company I keep," Ashley said laughing.
"Are you calling me a bad influence?" he asked.
"I would never do that," Ashley said taking her fork and grabbing a bite of cake from Zander's plate.
"Hey!" he protested.
"My Aunt Maddie does that to my uncle all the time," Ashley said before popping the cake into her mouth.
"Yeah, so?" Zander pulled his plate away.
"He acts just like you do when she does it," Ashley said grinning at him.
"Cause he wants to eat his food too," Zander replied.
"I'm sorry," Ashley apologised. "I will never come between you and your food ever again."
"Well it is your cake," Zander shrugged.
"And I get to eat it, too," Ashley grinned.
He laughed at that.
They heard Brittany giggling on the other side of the room and that made both of them laugh even harder.
"She's completely gone," Ashley shook her head.
"You think?" Zander asked rolling his eyes. "I swear if I have to hear her tell me how gorgeous his eyes are..."
"You don't have to hear it as much as I do," Ashley pointed out.
"I forgot," Zander said. "I get a chance to leave it when I go to bed. You don't."
"It's okay though," Ashley said. "I'm sure when I finally do get a boyfriend, I'll talk her ear off."
Zander took a bite of his cake to avoid saying anything about that. He didn't like to think of Ashley getting a boyfriend.
"Someday," Ashley said thoughtfully.
"I doubt you'll be as annoying," Zander said quietly.
Ashley smiled. "Hopefully not."
"Not a bad party, eh?" Zander asked, eager to change the subject.
"This has really been great," Ashley said. "I can't believe how many people are down here!"
"Everyone was really looking forward to it," Zander told her.
"Really?" Ashley asked.
"Absolutely," Zander said setting his empty plate down on the table.
"I didn't know that many people knew me," Ashley said softly.
"Well, I must admit that the free food and drinks kind of lured the older ones," Zander said with a grin.
Ashley smiled. "I should have guessed."
"So how does it feel to be 13?' Zander asked her.
"The same as it did to be 12," Ashley said.
"Everyone makes such a big deal about it," Zander said thoughtfully. "Becoming a teenager and all that rubbish."
"We're supposed to become difficult," Ashley replied.
"And moody," Zander said. "And sullen ..."
"Maybe you," Ashley nudged him.
"Oh yeah," Zander said dryly. "That's me...sullen and moody."
"You will be," Ashley teased.
"Brit's the one we have to look out for," Zander said. "My aunt says that if she's this boy-crazy at 12, she doesn't know what the next few years is going to hold."
"That's what Greta says about Katie," Ashley confided.
"Your mum and dad are going to have their hands full," Zander said.
"I guess I'll have to live up to my reputation as the good child," Ashley joked.
"What would they think if they found about that night we spent in the Forbidden Forest?" Zander asked her teasingly.
"That always stays between us," Ashley said. "Can you believe it was almost a year ago?"
"I know," Zander said with a grin.
"I'll never forget that unicorn," Ashley said.
"Me either," Zander said. "That was amazing."
"I had to tell my mum I got those images I drew from a book," Ashley looked at the fire.
Zander looked at her and found himself unable to say a word. She looked so pretty in the firelight.
She turned and caught him looking at her. "Do I have chocolate on my face or something?"
Zander shook his head. "No...I was just...I was just..."
Ashley blushed.
"I'm going to get something to drink," Zander said standing up. "I-I'll get you something too."
"Okay," Ashley replied softly.
Zander practically ran in the other direction.
"What's wrong with Zander?" Brittany asked her.
Ashley shrugged. "He's gone to get us a drink."
"Running?" Brittany asked.
"Maybe he was really thirsty," Ashley said in his defence. "We were sitting by the fire."
"Evan is soooooo cute," Brittany flopped beside her.
"You're in luuuuuuuuuuuuuurve," Ashley teased.
"Oh totally," Brittany replied.
Ashley laughed. "You looked like you were having fun."
"He's just so dreamy," Brittany said.
"He's really nice," Ashley said smiling at her.
"I think the party's starting to break up," Brittany said. "The food is gone."
"And curfew's fast approaching," Ashley said. "Thank you so much for this, Brit."
"You'd do it for me," Brittany said. "Hint, hint."
"I've already got some great ideas for your birthday party," Ashley giggled.
"Tell me!" Brittany squealed.
Ashley shook her head. "No. Not a chance."
"Come on," she wheedled.
"Well, I was going to see if Greta could make you this really cool cake like the one she made for Katie's last birthday," Ashley said.
"Like?" Brittany pressed.
"Well," Ashley said. "For Katie's last birthday, Greta baked a cake in the shape of a handbag with makeup and stuff coming out of it. It was really cool and Katie liked it so much, she almost didn't let us cut into it."
"No WAY!" Brittany said. "Ash! That's SOOO cool!"
Ashley grinned. "I thought you'd like it. Greta's amazing with cakes."
"I'll say," Brittany replied. "That cake she made you was divine."
"I'm going to owl her before I go to bed to thank her for it," Ashley said.
"Cool," Brittany said. "Think we can sneak up to the Owlery?"
"We'd better not chance it," Ashley said thoughtfully. "I'll send the letter before classes tomorrow."
Brittany nodded, leaning back against the sofa.
Zander was killing time at the empty refreshment table. How could he have been so stupid to look at Ashley like he did?
"You know, looking at the table, isn't going to make more food appear," Evan joked.
"What?" Zander jumped.
"I didn't mean to startle you, mate," Evan apologised. "Brit asked me to help clean up."
"Cool," Zander said. "I'll help too."
"Ash was really surprised," Evan said gathering up some empty paper cups on the table.
"It was hard keeping her distracted," Zander said.
"I told Brit she should have been in charge of that," Evan said. "But she said she didn't trust you with the decorations."
Zander smiled. "It worked out."
"You and Ash looked cosy by the fire," Evan commented.
"We're just friends," Zander said quickly.
Evan raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say you weren't."
"Oh yeah," Zander said sheepishly. "Sorry mate."
"So do you have your eye on anyone?" Evan asked.
"Uh, no." Zander said. "Nobody."
"I kind of thought you fancied Ashley, truth be told," Evan said. "I mean, you are always around her. But, Brit said you and Ash were just friends."
"Yeah," Zander mumbled. "We are..." he was mortified that Evan had picked up on his crush on Ashley.
"Brit!" Evan called out over his shoulder. "When you asked me to help clean up, I didn't realise I'd be doing it on my own while you sat on your bum!"
"I'll be right there," she replied in a flirtatious tone.
"She likes giving orders," Evan said, but he was smiling.
"She always has," Zander replied.
"Probably always will be," Evan said. "But that's why we like her so much."
"Maybe you do," Zander joked.
"You're her family," Evan said laughing. "You're obligated to."
"Unfortunately," Zander said as Ashley and Brittany joined them.
"This is the part I don't like," Brittany pouted. "The cleaning up part."
"We can use magic," Ashley pulled out her wand.
"Oh," Brittany said hitting her forehead. "Of course."
Evan laughed. "We should take advantage of that while we can."
Brittany nodded. "Because we can't do it when we're out of school which totally sucks."
"They should let us so we can practise spells and stuff over the summer," Zander complained.
"They'd just tell us to read a book," Brittany said as Ashley made quick work of the mess with her wand.
"Probably," Evan said. "Way to go, Ash."
Ashley took a bow. "Thank you. Thank you."
"We should get to bed before Peeves rats us out," Evan said.
"Right," Zander said. "Do you need any help carrying your stuff upstairs, Ash?"
"I think I've got it," Ashley said. "Thanks Zander."
Zander smiled shyly at her. "You're welcome. Happy Birthday, Ash."
"Thanks again for my party," Ashley gave him a hug. "And for my brushes."
"I'm really glad, Ash," Zander said softly. When he pulled away from her, he noticed Evan and Brittany watching them. "Um, good night."
"Night," Ashley said.
"I'll be up in a moment," Brittany said with a meaningful glance at Evan.
Evan grinned. "Okay. Happy Birthday, Ashley."
"You too," Ashley giggled. "See you in a few, Brit."
"She's got to get her mooning in before bedtime," Zander joked to Ashley.
"Somehow I don't think mooning over Evan is all she's going to do," Ashley whispered.
"Snogging," Zander said quietly.
"Yeah," Ashley said, blushing as she looked over at him.
Zander flashed to the sleepover on New Year's Eve. He wondered what she'd do if they kissed again. All he'd have to do is lean in, right?
Ashley felt her breath catch as Zander stared at her.
"Um," Zander stammered.
"Yeah?" she asked softly.
"I was just wondering," Zander started to say.
"Wondering what?" Ashley asked, her stomach flipping over.
Just do it, he heard a little voice in his head say. Just kiss her. It was what he wanted to do more than anything.
"Zander," she whispered.
"Yeah?" he asked nervously.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Zander stepped back. "Nothing."
Ashley bit her lower lip. "Okay..."
"I should go upstairs," Zander said motioning to the staircase. "It's late."
"Yeah, I'm tired," Ashley nodded. "I'll um... I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night," Zander said. "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks," Ashley said, continuing down to her dormitory.
She set her presents down on her bedside table and smiled when she saw the presents from her family.
She was touched that everyone had remembered her birthday and loved the party her friends had thrown for her.
Friends. Friends who liked her for the person she was and not because of the people she was related to.
Ashley resolved to put Charlie out of her head and concentrate on the things that really mattered in her life.
Her eyes fell on the set of brushes that Zander had given her. They'd had two awkward moments tonight and she didn't know what they meant.
She hadn't thought much about their kiss on New Year's Eve, but wondered if it had meant more to Zander than she previously thought. For a moment downstairs, she'd thought he was going to kiss her again.
Ashley put her new things away and changed into her pyjamas. She wondered if she WANTED Zander to kiss her again.
After their kiss on New Year's things had been so awkward and strained. She didn't want to go through that again. His friendship meant everything in the world to her.
Ashley resolved to put the kiss out of her mind again and continue just being friends with Zander. She couldn't lose him as a friend.