Sleepover

"We're here." Natalie said and Ashley looked around, taking in the new environment.

"I like your place." Ashley said in reply.

"Thanks. Let's go in." She said and pulled Ashley along.

They walked in through the small gate and got to the entrance door of the house. Natalie opened the door and they both walked in.

The inside was beautiful. Ashley was still looking around when a very beautiful white furry dog came to them. Ashley fell in love with it immediately she had the opportunity to hold it. It was too cute.

"Hello Lacy." Natalie said as she scooped it up into her arms. "Did you miss me?"

She introduced Ashley to Lacy and well the dog seemed to like her. She literally didn't want leave Ashley alone.

Very soon, they heard a woman's voice which probably came from the kitchen.

"Natalie is that you?" The woman asked and Ashley guessed that would be her friend's Mom.

"Yes Mom, I'm home." Natalie replied and soon her mom walked into the living room where they were, with a napkin in her wet hands.

The woman looked so young, someone would have thought Natalie was her younger sister because even the resemblance between both of them was so much.

"How was work today sweetheart?" She asked before she took note of Ashley and raised a brow in question.

"Work was as usual. Mom, I'd like you to meet my friend and co-worker, Ashley." Natalie introduced. "Ashley, meet my mom."

Ashley smiled and bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you ma'am."

"I'm glad to meet you too darling, Natalie has talked about you a few times. It's been a really long time since she brought a friend home." Natalie's mom said smiling back at Ashley and Natalie rolled her eyes.

"I see you've already made friends with Lacy." Natalie's mom noted and Ashley smiled. "She could be a bit clingy."

"I didn't inform you earlier mom, but we're supposed to have a sleepover today and that's why Ashley came over."

"Oh, being forgetful again huh?"

"Mom!"

Her mom chuckled. "Make your self at home sweetie." She said to Ashley.

"Thanks ma'am."

"So you guys wanna stay for dinner or you're okay?"

Ashley looked at Natalie to know what she would say. She would say yes if she was to answer, but she didn't know if Natalie would want to, afterall they had eaten.

To her surprise Natalie turned to her. "Do you still want to eat?"

Now she became shy. "Uh... Okay thanks."

"Alright then, Natalie why don't you come help me set the table." Natalie's mom said.

They gestured for Ashley to take her seat. But she didn't want to just sit and wait, especially when no one was with her.

"Can I help too?" She asked. They looked at her for a while, like they didn't want to disturb their visitor.

"Alright honey." Natalie's mom finally said.

Ashley dropped Lacy and walked with them to the dining room but just then they heard someone.

"I'm home." It was a male voice and they turned to look. "Hey Mom." The guy greeted.

"Hey big bro." Natalie said.

"Welcome honey," her mom also said.

Ashley guessed that would be the brother Natalie talked about. She didn't know what to say so she watched him run up the stairs. They proceeded to the dining and set the table then brought the food and placed everything on the table.

Oh, there was a lot.

A few minutes after everything was ready, Natalie's brother joined them at the table.

"Thank goodness." He said as he approached. "I'm starving."

He looked at Ashley as he sat down just the way Natalie's mom had looked at her questioningly. It seemed he hadn't taken notice of her when he came in earlier. He seemed to be in a rush. Ashley could now also see the resemblance he had with Natalie. They looked so much alike, even though he was a boy.

"Natalie brought a friend home again." Their mom said with a chuckle.

"Wow, that surprises me." He said then he extended his hand. "I'm Jerald, Natalie's older brother."

"I'm Ashley." She said accepting his hand shake. Natalie explained to him that they were colleagues at work but she was also her best friend.

Ashley had a wonderful time at the dining table with Natalie and her family. Her brother was really one to make jokes. And there was constant laughter till everyone finished eating. Ashley found herself free with them. Her nervousness had left her and she was laughing alot.

Thankfully no one choked on their meal.

After everyone finished eating, Ashley joined in assisting to clear the table. Then Natalie took her upstairs and to her room where she had a quick bath and changed into her nightwear. Natalie also did the same.

Then they stayed up half of the night watching a movie with a very full bowl of pop corn, after playing a game of cards with Jerald to which Ashley never won. He had refused to play with them but Natalie begged and ended up convincing him.

Ashley watched Natalie and her brother amused by their behavior. They were quite close. She began to wish she had an elder sibling too.

Natalie wanted them to watch a horror movie but Ashley didn't feel comfortable with that idea. Watching a horror movie won't help things and she didn't even need one. Her life was already no much different than a horror movie.

Natalie understood so they picked something else to watch instead. A Rom-Com. They had a great time watching TV. And sometimes made comments or laughed about what they were watching.

By 2am, the girls had slept off on the sofas in the palor. The full popcorn bowl lay by the side and their blankets barely covered them up.

When it was morning, Ashley was woken up with small slaps on her cheek. She heard her name faintly first. Then she heard it again a bit louder this time. She tried to open her eyes but her vision was blurry. When she could see clearly, she saw Natalie looming over her.

"Ashley! Don't worry it was only a dream." She saw Natalie's beautiful smile. "You're fine."

She hadn't wanted this to happen but there was nothing she could have done. Ashley sat up.

"Are you okay?" Natalie asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Did I disturb you?"

"No, you didn't."

Ashley nodded, but was not really convinced. They looked around. "We need to clear this place up before anyone comes down." Natalie said.

Ashley nodded and they cleared the room then went upstairs, back to Natalie's room. On their way up, Natalie's mom was coming down.

"You girls are up early, I thought you'd both still be sleeping." The woman said.

Ashley greeted her and Natalie did the rest of the talking before they walked away from her and continued to Natalie's room. Ashley had a better view of it now and remembered when she had thought Damon's room could be Natalie's.

She scoffed. This whole house was a lot more brighter than Damon's and she preferred this. She wondered if the dark colors had anything to do with their personality.

Pushing all those thoughts away, she freshened up for the day and dressed up. She was still supposed to be sleeping by this time but she was up already and didn't feel like going back to sleep, besides it was bright already.

She would love to still spend more time with Natalie before she returns home.

If possible, she would spend the whole day with her friend before going back home. Ashley was surprised at her thoughts. She was really changing from the reserved person she had always been.

Hopefully, it was for the better.