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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 23, 2011 0:49:16 GMT -8
Had Michael really done all that because of her, because he'd been trying to impress her? She could hardly believe she actually had people who wanted to be her friend, so the thought that Michael might want to be even more seemed almost absurd. But how could she explain that to Emily? That it sounded so far fetched because for as long as she could remember people hadn't even wanted to share a table with the crazy doll girl.
But then things had been different here, at least so far. Maybe she really could be someone different here. Maybe someone might actually. . . think about her like that. Ash felt her stomach flip flop as Emily continued assure her that Michael had feelings for her. She had never been very good at picking up on anything social, things that seemed to come so easily to others, and maybe this was one of those things. "Well, maybe. . . you really think he likes me?" For all Emily's apparent evidence Ash still wasn't convinced. The idea was there now though, the thought that maybe he might want to be more (a thought which was leaving her with a warm fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach.)
But how did she feel? And how did she feel about Michael. She knew she liked him, but did she like him, like him. "I, well, I'm not sure." she finally admitted face seeming now permanently red. Realizing how strange it must sound she hurried to explain. babbling in the process "I mean I've never been in a relationship or anything like that before and I don't think I've actually liked anyone like that before even. I know I like spending time with him, but aren't you suppose to like being around your friends? I've never really had friends before so I don't quite know what the difference is suppose to be, and I-- I'm going to stop talking now." she finished awkwardly, glowing in a way reminiscent of christmas specials about reindeer. Well that had been more than she'd wanted to say, she thought. Ash really needed to learn to control her babbling.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 23, 2011 10:26:59 GMT -8
Emily thought back to the car ride last night. Michael had to of said something of being interested in Ashlin. She missed a lot of what was being said in the back seat but Todd was loud and seemed very eager to help Michael woo Ashlin. Even Kevin was giving him advice, plus, she never saw the man blush that much before!
Emily smiled, poor Ashlin was just as confused as Michael last night. They had be a crushing on one another! Here was the perfect opportunity to help Ashlin realize her own feelings and push her in the right direction.
"Ashlin, that's perfectly understandable. Of course you like spending time with friends!"
She frowned at Ashlin's statement that she never had friends before. How was that possible? Emily rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief at the stupidity of the world. If anyone needed to be surrounded by friends it was this young lady!
"First just let me say I find it very hard to believe someone like you were ever friendless! Obviously the people you knew before were complete fucktards for not seeing how awesome you are!"
"Second! Of course you like spending time with friends...Like right now I'm enjoying spending this time with you and I eagerly look forward to your company later tonight. You do have similar feelings with a person you fancy but it's a little different..."
Hmm how could she explain it?
"Ashlin when you see or think of Michael does you stomach do a little flipflop? Does seeing him make you feel happy? Warm your heart, even if you were having a rotten day? Like a smile from him could make your day? Your week?"
Emily looked wistfully out the windshield. She wished she could experience some of those feelings herself...or even make someone feel that way about her. But she was pretty hopeless in that department. Why would anyone like her? She wasn't very lady like, was clueless with cosmetics and couldn't make a decent meal if she tried! From what she could tell those were some unforgivable failures for her sex...right? Everyone else she knew seemed to master at least one of those three qualities. Her mother mastered all three!
She sighed... this was not the time for self pity! Right not she had to help Ashlin!
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 23, 2011 13:13:42 GMT -8
Emily's defense of her in the face of people she'd never even met before surprised Ashlin. No one had ever said anything like that to her before, and Ash had never really questioned her isolation, that's just how it had always been. It didn't help that she'd gone to a smaller school where everyone knew everyone. Once you had a reputation as that weird girl who was into voodoo, and witch craft, and talked to her plush doll people didn't really let you live that down. "Thanks." she said quietly, but sincerely. It meant a lot to her to hear Emily say that.
Ashlin felt her eyes widening a little at Emily's explanation. That's what that was? The little flipy, fluttery feelings were because she liked Michael? She'd noticed of course, but hadn't thought too much about them, because they were pleasant feelings, and so why should she worry about something pleasent? At least that had been what she thought. A little less red than before, but still flushed she was silent for a few moments before finally speaking. "I think . . . I think I like Michael." she said just a bit in awe, as if taken off guard by her own mind. If she couldn't even figure out that she like someone when she could notice all the signs then what else didn't she know about herself?
It only took a moment for this thought to be pushed aside by panic though. She liked Michael, she liked him, liked him, and she had no clue what she was suppose to do about that. Should she tell him? But no what if Emily was wrong and he didn't like her, and then he wouldn't want to be friends with her anymore, and that thought made her feel rather sick, and she certainly didn't like that at all. But then what did she do? Should she do anything? Was she suppose to act different around Michael now? Looking at Emily with a rather lost and confused expression she told her "I'm not really very sure what that means."
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 23, 2011 17:26:25 GMT -8
Poor Ash looked so confused! Emily pulled her car over and put in in park. Sure she had to get back to the station but Ashlin needed some guidance! Emily has watched enough romantic comedies to realize this was her moment to shine! She will get those two together even if it killed her!
She reached over and grabbed Ashlin's hand. "Now listen to me Ashlin, you don't have to do anything! There's no need to rush, let this happen naturally. I'm confident it will all work out in the end. Just keep being you and Michael won't stand a chance!"
Emily thought a moment, "Most important thing is to be honest with him and yourself. There's no need to rush into anything if you aren't ready. From the drive home last night I can tell Michael isn't ready to leap into anything either. Let's try and get you two more acquainted first. More comfortable...You guys share an similar hobbies? Maybe we can plan some sort of group activity? A hike? The movies? That way you won't feel the pressure of a date but still get the fun of being with one another, you know?"
She gave the girl a wink, I'm sure Kevin and Todd would love to to help! What do you say?"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 23, 2011 18:24:21 GMT -8
"So . . . I just have to keep spending time with Michael like I was already?" she asked curiously. That didn't sound bad at all. Ashlin liked spending time with Michael, and felt quite comfortable around him. If she didn't have to do anything differently then maybe this wouldn't be so difficult after all. The fact that she didn't have to jump into anything yet was also pretty comforting, all she had to do right now was get used to having a friend right?
When Emily asked about hobbies Ash thought for a moment. "Well we both like books. And we were planning to have tea together again soon. Properly this time though." She still wasn't convinced Michael actually liked her like that but Emily seemed so sure. . . If nothing else she could spend some more time with Michael. "The movies sound nice." she said hesitantly, she wasn't sure if hiking would be good, Michael was probably very busy after all, and she didn't want to make Emily go into the woods if she didn't have to. Especially not for her sake. "Would they really not mind?" She didn't want to trouble anyone, and while Emily seemed quite eager to help she didn't want her dragging in Todd and Kevin if they wouldn't want to.
Tilting her head to the side she commented "You sure know a lot about this Emily. Is there someone you like?"
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 24, 2011 10:24:49 GMT -8
"Trust me it would make their day, they love any reason to go out and do anything."
Emily blushed at Ashlin's next question. Did she like anyone? No, there wasn't anyone... but then why did York's smile from this morning flash through her mind? No, she didn't like Agent York like that, that was absurd! She respected him and his talents, that's all! Besides someone like him wouldn't look at her twice anyway she's just a lowly country deputy after all. She frowned.
"No, Ashlin!" Emily laughed, "I just read and watch a lot of romantic stuff so I know all the signs? Unfortunately I'm not in love or into anyone at the moment! So I can focus completely on helping you!"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 24, 2011 13:04:31 GMT -8
"Oh. Well alright then." Emily sounded quite sure they'd enjoy themselves, and Emily knew them best so who was she to disagree.
Ash wasn't sure if she believed Emily about not liking someone, her expression didn't quite match up with her words. It had certainly seemed like she was thinking about someone, if just for a moment. But Ash wasn't going to push and instead simply accepted Emily's words for what they were. "Thanks Emily, I don't really watch much TV or anything. I guess that's why I don't really know much about any of this." she added thoughtfully. Maybe she should start paying more attention when Bo-Bo was watching his stories. Perhaps that would be helpful.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 24, 2011 16:49:52 GMT -8
Emily brought the car back onto the road, and they fell into a comfortable silence. "I really don't like the look of those clouds, it's probably going to rain tomorrow...again. This means most everything will be closed. Sooooo if you need any groceries or anything Ashlin I suggest you go get them now! I swear the rain here is a hassle! I don't think I'll ever understand why everyone gets so wiggy about a little rain!"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 24, 2011 17:56:01 GMT -8
People closed for rain? Well that was rather odd wasn't it. Didn't it rain a lot in this area? It couldn't be at all convenient. Before she could ask though Ash glanced out her window (intending to look at the clouds that seemed to be forecasting rain) and saw smoke billowing out of a tall building. "Emily! Emily look, there's smoke coming out of that building! Should we call the fire department?" Ash asked quickly in worry, pointing to the clock tower.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 24, 2011 20:25:37 GMT -8
"Smoke?! Where?!!" Emily peered out her window towards the clock tower. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe she was looking in the wrong area?
Confused Emily asked Ashlin for clarification, "Are you pointing at the Clock tower? I see some dark clouds but no smoke..."
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 24, 2011 20:33:02 GMT -8
"You. . . you don't see it?" Ash asked in confusion, looking between Emily and the clock tower. It was right there so how could Emily not see it? Feeling her stomach drop the thought that maybe it wasn't really there entered her mind. Maybe she was seeing things, and the man from her nightmare, the smoke from it, was creeping in to her waking moments. But no, no she wasn't crazy. She wasn't, wasn't, wasn't! "O-oh." she said shakily, hand reaching quietly into her purse to clutch Bo-Bo.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 24, 2011 20:45:18 GMT -8
Emily pulled her car over again, "No Ashlin I don't see anything?" Concerned, she stepped out of the car and peered in the direction of the clock tower. All she saw were some birds and clouds...no smoke though.
She reentered her vehicle and hesitantly said, "I don't see any smoke but those clouds sure are dark enough!" She gave Ashlin another smile.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 24, 2011 20:56:39 GMT -8
laughing a bit nervously she said "I m-must be more tired then I thought, mistaking clouds for smoke." Oh god, oh god. No this wasn't happening she wasn't crazy, she really wasn't. She was just tired. Ash was going to get out of the car and there would be no smoke. Just clouds. Dark clouds. Clouds that could be mistaken for smoke. "I'll see you later Emily, thank you again for the ride." Ash said making sure to not look out her window. Once she was out of the car (giving a little wave to Emily as she left) Ash finally turned and looked at the clock tower.
There was smoke. And it made her want to cry.
Managing to hold it together though Ash got into her car. She gripped the wheel a little too tight and took a deep breath. Ash didn't look up at the clock tower again, and after almost five minutes of just sitting there finally drove away.
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Emily drawing by Animagess