**** Hey guys how goes your vacation/season? I hope it's well :) I love you all, and I'm at the mall so yay update XD ****

Of course, as soon as I grabbed Leah's hand, there were sighs and 'awws', and I realized that we weren't alone in the apartment.

I raised an eyebrow at Leah, who bit her lip and shrugged, and a muffled voice that I was pretty sure belonged to Luna said "Damnit we blew our cover. 3-2-1"

And people jumped up from behind the couch, the counter, the bathrooms, the bedroom. All of them yelling "Surprise!"

People were pouring out of every room. I laughed a little, but shrunk into Leah's side, not used to being around so many people after all this time.

It felt nice, but foreign. It would take some getting used to, being around these people, being able to leave my room, all of that. But it was exciting.

And I had my own place. I had a place I could actually consider my home, and I had Leah with me.

I had my friends, I had my home, I would be okay... I would finally be okay.

It would take some time, but I would heal, I would learn to accept and love myself, and I would get better. This was the first step into a brand new life.

There was muffled yells and cries, and a pounding sound coming from the fridge, it seemed.

What the fuck. Really? If there's someone trapped in the fridge, I swear....

I looked at Leah, waiting for an explanation, and then a laughing Derek went to the fridge and opened it, letting out a shivering Ryan.

"You said it would open easily!" Ryan complained, rubbing his goose-bumped arms. "Yeah, but not from the inside" Derek laughed, not bothering to hide his grin.

I couldn't help but laugh a little, snorting and shaking my head. This, this was my family.

I let go of Leah, having a feeling that she would want to go to Ryan, and sure enough she went over to him, blushing as she rubbed down his arms to warm him up.

He flashed her a smile that was sure to make her swoon, but there was a hint of red on his cheeks as well.

Somebody leaned their arm on my shoulder and laughed, saying "It's obvious, isn't it?"

"They might as well have those shirts that say 'he's mine' and 'she's mine' with arrows pointing to each other" I replied, snorting, and I looked over to see Ashley leaning down, smirking at me.

He disappeared back into the crowd and I stood alone, staring at him in surprise before people stormed me, chattering to me and taking my hand, hugging me and touching me.

Echo and Andy were laying on the couch cuddling, and Max and Luna were slinking around and jumping at each other, playing some sort of tag game.

Leah would come over to me, and then go to Ryan, bumping him, and they looked like they were joking around with each other.

My friends had their loves, and I was happy for them. They really deserved it.

I just wish that I could talk to Ronnie and find some way to fix this. But there wasn't a way.... He would never speak to me again, never look at me again. And he wanted me to do the same....

But I couldn't. I love him, I couldn't ignore him.

But he doesn't love me....

This is a party, stop acting like your dog just died!

Dog... Lester.

Oh come on. No matter what I think I always manage to being the topic back and change it into a sad thing.

I just want Ronnie.....

Ashley appeared out of nowhere next to me, leaning into my ear and whispering to me about Ryan and Leah giving each other the eyes from across the room. Then he disappeared yet again....

I socialized for a while, talking to everyone who had come, which was Black Veil Brides, Falling In Reverse....minus Ronnie of course......... And Max, Luna, Leah, Echo, Sammi Doll, Alicia Vigil, and some band guys' girlfriends that I didn't know.

I always managed to drift back to Ashley. After a while I got a bit tired of being around all these people, so I went looking Ashley, finding him talking to CC.

"H-hey, Ashley?" I whispered, more to myself than him, not wanting to interrupt. He turned to me and flashed a smile, lighting up his beautiful face, and I coughed in surprise.

"S-sorry to interrupt" I said, turning to leave, but CC grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a hug.

I hugged him back confused, and he said "it's fine, we were done. Enjoy" before running off crazily, his red solo cup in his hand. I don't even think we had those cups, or drinks for that matter, here....

Alone with Ashley now, I turned to look at him. "Okay then..." I said, confused, although not surprised, because really, what could I expect from CC? That.

"What is it?" Ashley asked me, and I blushed, a bit embarrassed.

He probably doesn't even want to.....but ask just in case....but don't be surprised if he, when he says no.

"I was wondering, did you ride your motorcycle here...?" I said quietly, not daring to look up for fear that he would see the hopeful look on my face.

"Yeah I did, why? Want to go for a ride?" He said, more joking than serious, but I looked up and nodded.

"Actually, yeah...only if you don't mind of course, I mean,..." I stammered, holding my hands behind my back and pinching my fingers.

"Sure, I don't have a helmet though" he said, and I shrugged. "I don't want a helmet" I said, and he laughed.

"Yeah, it's nicer when you can feel the wind on your face, feel the speed as you go, it makes you feel" he started saying.

"Untouchable, invincible" I finished for him, and he looked at me, nodding, something in his eyes that I couldn't quite detect.

"Yeah..." He said, and then we walked out of the apartment in silence, taking the elevator to the ground floor.

"Thank you, Ashley" I said, and he shrugged, nodding.

He led me outside and showed me how to get on, getting on first to steady the motorcycle.

I put my right foot on the peg and grabbed onto Ashley's shoulders before hoisting myself up and over. It was kind of like getting on a horse, only not as steady, more wobbly and shaky.

"Ready?" Ashley asked, and I smiled a bit. "Ready" I said, and he stamped what I thought was another peg, starting the motor, and he reversed out of the parking lot before speeding off down the road.

Neither of us noticed the lone figure leaning against the building, watching us speed off.

**** hope you enjoy! Who do you think the figure is? ;) you'll probably guess, but ya never know!

Thoughts on the budding friendship between Ashley and Ryker? ****