Just when we reach Hazel and David's front door, we heard raised voices from the inside. We thought it's only just between Skye and Shaun. How wrong we are. Now the adults are intervening. It must be that bad. Or Skye did a song and dance about it and Shaun, well, he took her home, didn't he? All these things were going through my mind, then I remembered, I can't go in yet! What a dilemma.. what should I do?
"Would you like to sit at the gazebo for a while?" Ash noticed my unease and interrupted my thoughts "I will keep you company." he offered with a friendly smile.
"That's great, Ash! It's a bit difficult when you're just..."
I couldn't get my thoughts together. I would have said, I'm not comfortable getting inside their house while they're arguing and having some conflicts straightened.
It also doesn't help that we are not related. I'm an outsider. Although Skye is my best friend, and they treat me well. It is still not appropriate to just walk in on them and say 'Oh sorry, I'll just go to my room..' Whatever conflict they have, they don't need me to tag along or sit on the sidelines and listen in.
"Hey, don't worry too much, they will sort it out." Ash reassured me.
We sat inside the gazebo side by side. Ash asked me about my life.
"I live with my Nan back at home. My Da, passed away, when I was five, my Mom passed too, when I was eleven. I'm an orphan but not an orphan." I said.
"I meant, my Nan looked after me with the help of Skye's Mom and Skye of course, so I am never alone." I explained.
"Sorry, oh gosh! Look at me, dumping my sad story on you!" I exclaimed with an embarrassed smile.
"Wynter, I asked about your life, I'm interested to know about you. You don't have to be sorry, I mean yes, you lost both your parents at a very young age and I am sorry to hear that. That must be very difficult for you, being young when you lost them. But look at the bright side, your Nan did a great job and if it weren't for Skye and her family, you wouldn't be here and I will not have the chance to meet you." he said.
"Oh Ash, I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry because I don't like to tell my sad story to make people sad or feel sorry for me. I am sorry that I lost my parents when I'm young. But they left me to my Nan, and I've never been more happy or grateful for her. She is the best grandma in the whole wide world. And I love her very much." I declared sincerely.
Ash look at me and took my hand in his. He squeezed it gently, consoling me.
" You're Nan must be a great woman! I would like to meet her one day." He announced.
"Yeah, I think she would like to meet you too, one day." I agreed.
Silence enveloped us after that. I'm quite fascinated with his hands holding mine, so I just went and turn it over and played with his palm, rubbing it with my thumb. After some time, I heard Ash's voice.
"So, did you see my future?" he asked in a playful tone.
I got a bit confused about what he meant by that. Then it dawned on me. I threw his hand away playfully, grinning at him.
"Yeah I did, it was dreadful!" I declared with a serious voice and made the most stoic face I could muster.
"I wonder how bad it can be, when I see the next couple of weeks with you!" he said with a startled expression, playing along with my made up story.
"That.. is so smooth, Ash, you're such a sweet talker" I said, eyes rolled skyward but at the same time quite pleased with what he said. Hang on. I just dished out a backhanded compliment. Then I realised something. Is this called flirting? Hmmm... I think it is... Then, AM I FLIRTING WITH ASH? Geez Louise! Yeah, I think, I am too!
Suddenly, Ash stood up, "Ok my turn to look at your future!"
He bent his knee and took a bow,
"Psychic Ash, at your service!" putting on a pretend accent.
I laughed with glee at his antics, he looked really dashing, when he did it. He's got a flair for the theatrics!
I held out my hand at him and he accepted it, inspecting my fingers first then he turned it over and over, then looked at my palm. Then casually rubbing his thumb over my palm, then he started to get really serious.
"Hmmmm.... hmmmmm... hmmmmm... hmmmm." he purred, sounding like an acknowledgement, then a query, a surprise and then shock, as he continued his inspection. I can't help myself from giggling.
"You met a handsome guy about a week ago." he started. He gazed at me confidently with a roguish smile.
"This man is a great guy, he likes you very much" he continues, building himself up. "But...."
Here we go, what is his great reveal? I just smiled radiantly averting my gaze into the distance, then risks a sideways glance and an embarrassed smile before quickly looking away again, waiting for what he would say.
"This guy is very unsure of your feelings for him. You should give him a chance and let him have a good night's sleep!" he insisted, his eyes gleam with deviltry.
What the H! Never in my mind, did I expect that. That was an unexpected hedged question. What to say? What to say? WHAT TO SAY?
"Wow, that was so accurate, I didn't know you can see that clearly! You are a true psychic, if not psychedelic!" I said straying away from the topic with avid eyes attested to his quick wit.
He laughed at the look I gave him. "You win! for best actress! But.. I'm glad you do find me handsome" giving me a subtle wink. "But the rest, I can never tell, with you!"
Great move Wynter! You gave him a target and he got it on bulls eye. But still, I congratulate myself for dodging the other bullet! Phew!
I was going to say something when we heard the front door open. Shaun went out followed by David. We can only hear their hushed conversation. It looks like they have concluded their argument. David is walking with a calm demeanor and it seems like he's giving the younger one advise.
"You better go in, Skye probably needs you," Ash advised as he saw the two men walk out.
We said our goodbyes then we walked together towards Shaun and David. David saw us first and greeted us. He even asked us if we've been sitting in the gazebo for a while. We just said not that long, too polite to say otherwise. When Shaun saw us, the look he gave Ash, would break your heart! a defeated look, his eyes sloped down at the corners like a sad puppy. I averted my eyes, said my goodbyes to both of them and quickly got in the door, straight to our bedroom.
When I opened the door, I never thought I would see the day. The day, "the Skye" fell down from the heavens, shattered.