Chapter 3 3

Ashleigh met Phoenix at nine where he'd asked her to. He took her hand. 'So you get home on time?'

'Five minutes late. I copped it this morning, Mom flipped said I should be more responsible. Kieran can look after himself he's nearly sixteen!'

'So he's not much younger than you?'

'No about nine months. He would've been in the same year, but he missed out on the entry date by a couple of days.'

'Bummer.'

'Yeah he was pissed, he wanted to leave school.'

'I bet your mom weren't too pleased.'

'Not really, he's only got till April then he leaves.'

'So what's he going to study?'

'I think he wants to do a business degree or something, he'll probably change his mind.'

'Clever is he?'

'Yeah.'

'Well I'm going to have to love you and leave you. Saturday still cool?'

'Yeah.'

'I'll see you then.'

'Okay.'

He kissed her quickly dropping her hand out of his. 'Bye Ash.'

She smiled.

He jogged over to his friends and they walked away.

'Is that who I think it is?'

Ashleigh turned, a bright coloured haired girl had caught up with her. 'Kelley.'

'I called you.'

'Sorry I never heard you.'

'So was that?'

'Phoenix yes.'

'So you got it together then?'

'Yeah.'

'When?'

'Last night.'

'So he took you on a date? How did it go?'

'Yeah he did. It was fine. We went to the pizza parlour in town, he's really nice.'

'So you seeing him again?'

'Yeah Saturday.'

'So he's still meeting you?'

'Yeah.'

'Why don't you just get him to pick you up?'

She stared blank at Kelley.

'I get it your mom right?'

'Yeah she still thinks I'm ten.'

'She thinks your brother is too.'

'Yeah I know.'

'How is your brother anyway?'

'He's fine. You've still got a thing for him haven't you?'

'A little.'

'Go for it I know he likes you too.'

'It was one kiss Ash he never bothered after.'

'He's shy. I'll talk to him.'

Kelley smiled.

Kieran pulled up on his scrambler.

'What are you doing here Ke?'

'Mom coolred me into it to make sure you got home on time. Hop on.'

'Is it safe?'

'Of course.'

Ashleigh swung herself onto the bike sitting down.

'There you are Ash.'

'Phoenix I didn't think I was seeing you till Saturday?'

'I thought I'd walk you home.'

'I cant I'm sorry.'

He looked at her questionably.

'Oh sorry Phoenix this is my brother Kieran, Kieran this is Phoenix the friend I told you about.'

'Nice to meet you.'

'You too, now I know why Ash was late.'

'Can we just go?'

'I'll meet you tomorrow okay.'

'Okay.'

Kieran revved up.

'Bye Ash.'

'Bye Phoenix.'

Kieran changed gear and sped away from the college.

'You sure she's worth it?'

'Yeah.'

'Will she be once she knows the truth?'

'Yeah.'

'Come on Phe stop gorking we better go.'

'Sure Coeb.'

They walked away from the college.

Kieran pulled up out side the house, they pulled themselves up off the bike. 'So he's the reason you were late?'

'So.'

'So where he take you?'

'Pizza pallor in town.'

'Last of the big spenders!'

'He didn't have much.'

'Chill sis he seems cool.'

'He is.'

'Good as long as you're happy.'

'I am.' She said closing the door behind them. 'While we're on happy isn't it about time you asked Kelley out?'

'She won't be interested in me.'

'Why not?'

'She just won't.'

'Well she is so get your butt into gear and do something about it.'