Well that explains who runs the house

"So I was thinking, after school, we should go get our hair done." Trish suggested.

Winter dance is in one week and we just finished our mid terms and we were currently at lunch.

"Why?"

"Didn't you say, you wanted to cut your hair?"

"Oh yeah, I was thinking I should dye it black."

"And why would you want to do that?"

"Because I can."

"Pfft. Well I want mine red."

"But it's-"

"Red. I know. But I want it redder. Ya feel me?" She asked smiling. "Shit. We still have to go dress shopping. You know what? Change of plans, we would go dress shopping today and get our hair done another time."

"Another time when?" I asked grabbing one a chip from my tray.

"Like on the day of the dance so we can surprise the boys." By boys she meant Christian and Caleb. Caleb asked her to the dance a day after Christian asked me. He took her to a pizza parlor, ordered pepperoni pizza with extra cheese because Trish doesn't eat her pizza without extra cheese and a vanilla milkshake for her. When she opened the pizza box, written in cheese on each slice were the words: will you be my date to the winter dance? and she told me she cried when she read it.

"Yeah that sounds great." I replied

"Cool. So after school to the mall."

"Yay we are going to the mall." I wave my hands around dramatically.

"You don't have to lace your voice with sacarsm Ash."

"Well you do know I don't like going to the mall."

"What? Shopping is fun and you should know that."

"Yeah sure." I replied dryly.

"What about this one." Trish asked holding up the 100th dress since we've gotten here two hours ago and I was bored to the core.

"You are going to look good in whatever you wear Trisha and by the way, Caleb will love whatever you wear." I said dryly not looking up as I was browsing through my phone.

"But I want to look outstanding." She whined.

"Outstanding enough to be winter queen?" I asked still not looking up from my phone.

"Eww....no you know I don't like that shit."

"Why?" I asked finally looking up and she shrugged.The dress Trish was holding was a long silver sequin dress.

"What's your deal with sequins anyway?" I asked setting my phone down beside me.

"What? They are glittery and shining."

"Only you Trisha, only you." I said shaking my head.

"So it's a no?"

"Of course it's a no Trisha." I snapped. Being in the mall for over two hours was making me cranky.

"Jeez, don't have to be harsh Ashley." She returned the dress and pulled out another one."What about this one then?" She was holding a red cute tulle lace off shoulder short dress.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

"Really?" She asked in doubt as she looked at the dress.

"Of course Trish, it would bring out your hair." When she still looked in doubt, I added,

"C'mon Trisha go try it on. It would suit you and your personality and I'm pretty sure Caleb would love it."

"Yeah?" She asked looking up at me.

"Yeah."

"Okay, wish me luck." She said heading towards the dressing room.

"Trisha don't be dramatic, it's just a dress and if it doesn't suit you, we could always find another one." I said rolling my eyes at her behavior. I looked for my dress while Trish was in the dressing room.

"Is that the dress you are going with?" I turned to look at Trish and damn if I were to be a boy, I would totally have a crush on her.

"Wow Trish, you look beautiful."

"You think?"

"I know." I said smiling.

"So that's the dress?" She pointed at the dress I was holding and I looked down. It was a royal blue with a touch of white, A-line short dress.

"Um...."

"It's cute, try it on."

"But it's bare at the back."

"Um if I can see clearly, there's a lace covering it so go try it on while I check other dresses."

"Okay."

As I came out, Trish jaw dropped.

"Yeah this is it."

"Don't-" I was about to talk but the ringing of my phone cut me off and I went to grab it from where I left it while Trish went to change.

"Hey."

"Hey panda. Where you at?"

"Well I'm currently at the mall with Trish."

"Shopping for what?"

"Clothes."

"What kind of clothes."

"Do you have a reason to why you called or what?"

"Well, my mom wants to know when you girls will be home for dinner."

"Hang on one sec. Trish!" I called her

"Yeah?"

"Your mom wants to know when we'll be back."

"Is that my mom?"

"No Christian." I replied as she came out of the dressing room and back in her uniform.

"Oh hey Christian! Give us like an hour or two."

"You heard her so bye."

"Wait-" but before he could talk, I hung up on him and turned to face Trish.

"And hour or two? Seriously?"

"What? We still have to shop for shoes and bags." She said and I rolled my eyes as I went to change.

We eventually found and I quote 'perfect shoes and purses.' and currently on our way home. I decided to go with a silver sequin heels and a royal blue sequin peacock clutch bag and Trish decided to go with a black lace peeptoe stiletto and a black and silver purse.

"Hey fellas. What you get for me?" Christian asked as soon as we entered.

"Move stupid." Trish ignored his question and walked past him to the kitchen.

"Love you too." He called after her and turned his attention to me. "So what did you buy?"

"My dress."

"Oh. Can I take a peek?"

"Nope." I said popping the 'p'

"What about the color?"

"Um.....blue and white?" I replied confused to why he was asking.

"Noted." He said with a nod.

"Kids? Dinner in 10. Oh hey there Ashley."

"Hey Emily." I greeted her with a wave. Emily Lockwood. Trish and Christian's mother. A woman with blond hair, greyish blue eyes,small lips and a small nose. She owns big supermarkets round the world and owns the largest in Oaksville. 'Lockmart'. The brand name of her supermarkets. She is mostly a stay at home kind of woman but goes out from time to time and she is really nice.

"How was school today?" She asked with a smile.

"Here and there." I said with a shrug.

"That's good to know. Why don't you go and change, dinner would be ready soon." I am currently staying with the Lockwoods for Christmas and new year and I moved in last week. Emily didn't ask questions. She just welcomed me with open arms.

"Sure." I said to her and turned to Christian giving him a small wave before going upstairs to freshen up for dinner.

Dinner at the Lockwood's was always chatty. Unlike mine which is always boring and lonely, their's is always chirpy. Each person had something to say.

"So Ashley, which college would you like to go?" Mark asked and all eyes fell on me.

Mark Lockwood. Their father. He's an editor and currently the owner of the best sold newspaper company. 'Emark daily news.' I didn't know until last year it meant 'Emily and Mark daily news.' He had green eyes, dark hair, pointy nose, and a sharp jaw. He was strict when needed and nice when needed.

"Um.....I was thinking NYU" I replied.

"Oh really? How many courses?"

"Just one. Law."

"Wow, you know Trisha and Christian are also going to NYU."

"Dad, I said either NYU or Hampilton." Christian corrected.

"Yeah sure. Trisha is taking journalism and Christian-" he looked at Christian signalling him to state what he wants to study.

"Architecture." Christian stated.

"Yeah that."

"Oh my gosh Ash, I can't believe we are going to NYU together. We'll be roomies and-" Trish chatted planning our future together.

"No offense Mark, but why do I feel you sound like you are not proud of Christian's choice." I asked interrupting Trish.

"First, non taken and second, yeah, I am. He could go for law, medicine or anything but to be drawing buildings and-" Christian stood up abruptly startling everyone

"Mom, thanks for this wonderful dinner, loved your lasagna but if you would excuse me, seems I have to retire to bed early." He said and he walked out of the dining room.

"Look at what you've done Mark." Emily scolded him.

"What? He's just wasting-"

"That's enough!. I would not have you speaking about my son's decisions like that. It's his life and he can do anything he wants with it." Emily stated angrily.

"But-"

"I'm sorry Ashley dear, but looks like dessert is going to be canceled today." She said facing me

"No worries." I replied.

"But mom, it's your classic apple pie." Trish whined.

"I'm sorry Trisha but maybe another time. Your father has to go apologize to Christian."

"What-"

"Mark Easton Lockwood! You would follow me upstairs and go apologize to my son now!" Now I know where Trish got the full name calling from.

"Why-"

"I said now!" She interrupted him. After a while Mark sighed and got up.

"Well in that case, night kids." Mark kissed Trish on her hair and side hugged me and went upstairs.

"Good night children. See you tomorrow." She said with a smile and kissed both our foreheads.

"Night mom."

"Night Emily." We both said as she went upstairs.

Well that explains who runs the house.