Chapter 2 2

Ten years on

It's the ninth of September, college has just begun. Ashleigh and Phoenix have just begun there first year of A levels and are yet to meet.

Ashleigh makes friends easily, and so does Phoenix, but their truths are well hidden. With Justin and Mackenzie in prison they have no idea who the other really is. Kaleen and Candice had gone their separate ways when Ashleigh and Phoenix had turned four

thinking it was for the best them, to never know who the other was. Now they were at the same college and were soon to meet, but would either of them find out the other's deep dark secret?

Ashleigh sat in the cafeteria, a tall dark haired boy, with blond high lights, piercing blue eyes walked over to her. 'Sorry I couldn't help but notice you were on your own may I?'

'Sure.'

Phoenix smiled sitting down opposite Ashleigh 'I'm Phoenix.'

'Ashleigh.'

'So what are you studying?'

'I.C.T.'

'Electronics, well that and Mechanics.'

She smiled.

'So do you fancy doing something this weekend?'

'Sure.'

He smiled. 'Shall I pick you up?'

'I'll meet you in town at eleven okay.'

'It's a date.'

He placed his hand on hers. 'I hope we can be so much more than friends.'

He leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her. His friends Wolfe whistled. He pulled away, taking his hand off hers. 'Saturday don't forget.'

I won't.'

He slipped off the chair and walked back over to his friends who patted him on the back as they walked away. A dragon he bared on his coat.

'Who was that?'

Ashleigh looked up. 'Oh Kelley that was Phoenix.'

'He's hot.'

'I know.'

'So what did he want?' she asked sitting down.

'For me to go on a date with him.'

'I hope you said yes.'

'Of course.'

'Go girl men like that don't come round that easily.'

They drank their coffees and pulled themselves up off the chairs.

'Well I'll talk to you later Ash.'

'Okay.'

'Tell me how the date goes.'

'Will do.'

They walked away in their separate directions.

Ashleigh walked out of college in a world of her own. 'Ash wait!'

She turned and smiled.

Phoenix joined her out of breath. 'I thought I'd missed you, Coeb said he saw you ten minutes ago.'

'It takes five to get out the maze of corridors.'

'Yeah I know.'

He finally caught his breath. 'Any way I was wondering if we could go somewhere now if that's okay with you? If there's no hurry for you to get back home.'

'No I'm fine till seven.'

'Sound come on then.' He said taking her hand.

She looked at him, he looked at her. 'This is okay isn't it?'

'Yeah.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah.'

'I really like you you're the hottest girl in college.'

'I wouldn't say that there's plenty better.'

'I wouldn't say that.'

They walked into town in to the pizzeria. 'Well we're here sorry it's not much I've not got much till Saturday.'

'It's fine.'

Phoenix ordered and they sat down.

'So how did you find your first day?'

'Okay I almost got lost twice.'

'Big place isn't it?'

'Yeah god help Kieran next September.'

'Who's Kieran?'

'My younger brother.'

'Oh right.'

'You got any brothers or sisters?'

'No just me.'

'They're a pain in the ass.'

He laughed.

The waitress brought their order over placing it on the table and walked away.

They took slice after slice swigging their cokes between them.

Ashleigh looked at her watch. 'Shit I've got to go.'

'I'll walk you.'

'No its fine.'

'Well let me walk you half way then.'

'Sure.'

They pulled themselves up and walked out of the pizzeria.

They talked till they got to Redwood Drive.

'I've had a really nice time.'

'Me too.'

Phoenix leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her, she returned his kiss they kissed hungrily, butterflies circled around inside her. His kiss was so warm, so tender, but she yet had to find out about the real Phoenix.

He pulled away dropping her hand. 'I'll meet you here in the morning okay.'

'Okay.'

'Nine don't be late.'

'I won't.'

'Bye Ash.'

'Bye Phoenix.'

Phoenix walked up Redwood Drive as she walked away heading for Buttermere Street.

She closed the door behind her. 'Where have you been?'

'Nowhere where's mom?'

'Gone to work, she's going to kill you when she gets back.'

'You're nearly sixteen Ke you can look after yourself.'

'I guess you've eaten?'

'Yeah.'

'So who were you with?'

'A friend from college.'

'So you dis me for a friend?'

'I was five minutes late Ke you're my brother, not a friend. I'm going to my room.'

'Sure what-ever.'

Ashleigh walked passed Kieran up the creaky stairs closing her bedroom door behind her. She leaped into her bed plugging her headphones into her ears jamming on some tunes.

She lay on the bed smiling, she'd finally met someone who had taken her for her and not what they wanted her to be, she just hoped Phoenix was better than all the other guys she knew, but how could she tell him that her dad was doing time for murder? He'd run for sure.