The sound of seagulls crying outside the window woke me up. It was still dark outside. Had I woken up before my alarm?

That's when I realised I wasn't in my bed. My body was angled differently and my neck hurt slightly.

Along with the sounds of seagulls and waves I heard two separate sets of snores. Two?

I shot up and looked around me.

I was on the couch in the living room. On the opposite side of the couch was Ashton, sleeping peacefully.His curly locks were covering his face like a curtain and the army green jacket he was wearing the previous night was wrinkled. His feet with the shoes still on were propped up on the coffee table. In between us was Ender, his body sprawled out across the little sofa and his cute snores echoing throughout the room.

How did we all fit throughout the night?

I looked behind me at the clock on the wall in the kitchen. 6:30.

Oh. No.

I jumped up from the couch and bolted up the stairs. My feet seemed to be floating.

I yanked open my closet and dresser drawers throwing on clothing. I rounded the corner to my bathroom after I was dressed and turned on the faucet, brushing my teeth and then raking my brush through my hair. I threw my hair into a messy bun and then took off back down the stairs.

I ran past Ashton and Ender, still fast asleep and out the front door, running to the shop.

I pressed the on button for the radar and tapped my foot as it slowly loaded. The map appeared on the screen and I blinked as the colors spotted the screen. There was no red or orange so I took that as a good sign . I ran to the front room and pressed the on button and let the old computer roar to life, drumming my impatient fingers on the desk.

As soon as it awoke I typed in the password and pulled up the information for the first tour.

They would be here in 20 minutes.

I grabbed the boat keys from the desk drawer and then jogged out the front door, taking off down the dock.

I leapt over the steps of the boat and bounded up to the bridge.

I stuck the keys in the ignition, turning them and let the boat roar to life. I flipped on the lights and ventilation before running below deck to check pressures and levels.

After that I ran back up deck and back over the edge of the boat. I jogged back to the shop and through the front door.

I went to the computer and began typing in the information for the tour, my thoughts beginning to wander.

How could I have let this happen? I should have told Ender no television last night and we wouldn't be late this morning. And I let a boy that I barely even know sleep on my couch? Oh my god.

But I had to admit that was the cutest thing I had ever seen. Ender and Ashton asleep were so adorable. They both looked so happy and peaceful. I decided to let Ender sleep in because I knew he was tired.

I sighed and ran my hands over my face.

The bell rang over the door and I put away my tired face and put on my cheerful one.

It was going to be a long day.

-

By the time I drove the second boat in I felt like I was dying.

I hadn't had time to eat breakfast so with my lack of sleep and food my brain wasn't functioning properly.

Thankfully the water woke me up but swimming around drained more of my energy and it was becoming more and more difficult to keep myself alert.

As I opened up the shop door with my tour group as they went to change back into their normal clothes, I was greeted with Ashton and Ender. They were each holding white paper bags.

"We brought doughnuts and coffee." Ashton said, passing me a bag and a cup.

I brought the steaming cup to my lips and took a sip, sighing as the warm liquid traveled down my throat making me shiver.

"You guys are lifesavers." I praised, taking a bite from a doughnut. "Did you enjoy sleeping in?" I eyed Ender.

"Yea." He said looking down sheepishly."Sorry Car."

"It's fine, you were tired. You need more rest than me." I gave him a motherly smile.

"And while we're apologizing...sorry for sleeping on your sofa last night. I'm pretty sure I overstayed my welcome." Ashton said with a guilty look on his face.

"It's fine. Like I said we were all tired. You have nothing to apologize for." I gave him a quick smile before taking another bite out of my doughnut.

"Well, I should probably go check on the guys and their hangovers." Ashton said rubbing the back of his neck again, something I noticed he did when he didn't know what to do or say.

"Yea. Well thanks for the doughnuts." I said as the group came out of the changing rooms so they could pay their bill.

"Yea. Well, bye you two." Ashton said, giving Ender a pat on the head before walking out of the shop.

Ashton really was a sweet guy. I stood there awkwardly for a moment.

"Ender can you please check this group out, i'll be right back." I told Ender before jogging out of the shop.

I shielded my eyes from the light as I looked to see where he had gone.

I looked to my left to see him walking back up the dock in the direction of the parking lot.

I started jogging in his direction.

"Ashton!" I called and he turned around quickly, a confused look on his face. That look was soon replaced with a smile.

Quickly, I caught up to where he was now standing.

"I just wanted to say thank you again. For playing with Ender and taking us to the movies and going to the party with us...just thank you." I said. Suddenly when I looked at him I became nervous. I could feel a blush slowly creeping up my cheeks.

"It was really no problem." He shrugged. "I enjoyed every minute."

"Well, thank you again." I said now not knowing what to say. I felt extremely awkward.

"Sure." He smiled and I could tell he felt a little awkward as well.

"Um-bye." I stammered before turning around to go back to the shop.

I made it about one and a half meters down the dock before Ashton called out to me.

"Carter!"

I whipped my body around.

"Yea?" I asked back, the wind coming from my right blowing my ponytail to the side.

"Do you think that maybe we could hang out sometime? Like just you and I? I mean if you want to?" He asked struggling to get out his words.

"Yea, i'd like that." I smiled.

"Great, i'll call you soon then." He smiled.

"Okay." I said quietly with a smile on my face before we both walked our separate ways.

-

That night as I was pulling the bag of popcorn out of the microwave the phone rang.

"Ender can you answer that?" I called as I poured the popcorn into a bowl.

Ender jumped over the side of the couch and padded into the kitchen to grab the wall phone.

"Hello?" He asked. "Oh hi Ashton!"

I glanced quickly in Enders direction.

"Yea she's right here." Ender said. "Carter!" He held out the phone for me.

Setting down the bag of popcorn I took the phone from Ender and pressed the antique blue plastic to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, It's Ashton." I could basically hear his smile.

"Hey, what's up?" I said as I leaned against the wall watching Ender run back to the couch.

"Nothing really. So about us hanging out...how does this Friday night sound?" He asked and my heart jumped in my chest.

"That should work, I can pawn Ender off on a neighbour." I laughed.

"Sweet." Ashton laughed." So how was today?"

"I'm sure the doughnuts and coffee you brought saved my life." I promised, "But now we are about to watch a movie."

"Ohh. Very nice." He said playfully.

"Yea, I'd ask if you would like to come over and watch but you're probably sick of us by now." I joked.

"Not at all. What are you watching?" He laughed.

"Frozen." I said dramatically and he gasped on the other line.

"I'll be right over then." He laughed and then we both hung up.

"Ashton's coming over to watch the movie with us." I said as I snatched the bowl of popcorn from the counter.

"Yes!" Ender cheered.

I set the bowl on the coffee table as we waited for Ashton to arrive.

Around 15 minutes later a knock sounded at the door. I pushed myself off the counter I had been leaning on and opened the door, coming face to face with a grinning Ashton.

"Are you ready to build a snowman?" Ashton said cheekily.

"That was so bad." I laughed.

"I tried, I tried." He laughed, shaking his head.
We walked over to the couch and sat on either side of Ender. I pressed the play button on the remote and the movie started.

By the time the movie was over I swore we had spent more time singing along, dancing around the room, and throwing popcorn at each other than actually watching the movie.

Ashton was hilarious, making up dance moves to the songs and preforming them in the middle of the living room.

I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.

I turned off the television and we all sighed.

"It's time for you to go to bed Mr." I directed towards Ender.

"Okay." He frowned. "Night Ashton!"

"Night mate, see you later!" Ashton grinned and gave Ender a pat on the head.

We stood at the bottom of the stairs as we watched him trudge up the stairs. When he turned to the right at the top of the stairs I turned back to Ashton.

I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks for watching the movie with us." I said.

"Sure. It was fun." He gave me smile.

"So what are we going to do Friday?" I asked, giving him a small smirk.

"Now thats a secret." He smirked back.

"Aww come on, tell me." I pressed.

"My lips are sealed."

"Ugh fine." I rolled my eyes playfully.

We both walked to the front door.

"Thanks for inviting me over." He said as he stepped out into the cool night air.

"Anytime." I smiled.

We said our goodnights and he left.

I locked the door behind him and then turned off the lights in the kitchen and living room.

Slowly I walked upstairs and into my bathroom, taking a quick shower and then going back to my room, relaxing into my soft sheets and daydreaming about what would happen on Friday.

-

The days passed and suddenly Friday was upon me.

After the shop closed I went inside to get cleaned up.

The only two nice shirts I owned were the navy blue top which Ashton had already seen me in, and a deep red one, a maroon colour. This shirt was tight and had sleeves that went to the top of my elbow. I chose the red one and paired it with my white shorts. I slipped on my white converse and checked myself in the mirror.

As soon as I was ready I jogged over to Enders room. He was sitting on his bed reading a comic book.

"Ender, time to pack." I said and he groaned, rolling off his bed.

"Just clothes for tonight. Mrs. Rodriguez is going to bring you home tomorrow."

"Cant I just go with you and Ashton?" Ender whined.

"Not this time bro, sorry." I gave him a small smile.

I heard a knock at the door and my heart beat went into overdrive.

"Thats Ashton now. Hurry up." I said before jogging down the stairs and to the front door.

"Hey." I said as I opened the door.

"Hey." He smiled. He was dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a red checkered flannel.

"You look nice." He said as he looked at me.

"Thanks, you too." I smiled. "Come on in."
He followed in after me and I walked to the bottom of the stairs.

"Ender come on, lets go!" I called up to him.

"One minute!" He yelled back down to me.

"Sorry about him." I apologized.

"Carter it's fine really. You don't have to apologize." He said placing his hand on my shoulder.

I smiled and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

Ender stomped down the stairs, his superman backpack over his shoulders.

"Ready." He said.

"Hey mate!" Ashton greeted Ender and I could instantly see Ender get more excited.

"Hey." Ender smiled.

"Alright. You have everything?" I double checked.

"Yes, lets go." Ender assured me.

I grabbed the key from the top of the door and locked up the house.

The evening air was cool and peaceful as we walked up to Ashton's jeep parked up in the lot.
When we arrived I hoisted Ender into the back and then pulled myself in.

"Hey Ender, hand me your bag and i'll put it up here in the compartment." Ashton said reaching back so Ender could hand him the bag. Ashton stowed it away in the compartment between us and then put the car in drive.

"Take a right on the main road and then a left on Townsen Street." I directed Ashton as we drove to where Ender would be staying for the night.

Ashton did as followed.

People were out on the town tonight so it was busy, well busy for a small town.

"Take a right on Oakwood and it's the second house on the right." I said and Ashton turned the wheel smoothly, gliding us to a stop in front of our destination.

The house was two stories tall. The outside walls were stone and a large glass and iron door was hidden in an alcove. The massive lawn was perfectly manicured with flower beds and trees that looked like they came out of a magazine. The crystal chandelier that was almost the size of Ashton's car could be seen from the street.

"Woah." Ashton said in shock.

"You can pull up in the drive." I told him and he did as such, his eyes wide.

He put the car in park and we all got out, Ashton grabbing Ender's backpack while I helped Ender out of the backseat.

We walked up to the front door and I rang the doorbell. A few moments later a woman answered the door.

"Hello Mrs. Rodriguez." I smiled.

"Hello, Carter. And hello Ender, are you ready to stay the night?" She said with a sweet, motherly smile.

Mrs. Rodriguez was a very elegant woman. Her nails were always done perfectly in french tips. Her naturally brown hair was always styled with a hint of blonde highlights showing. Her makeup looked like she had a makeup artist do it every morning and her clothes were always fine and expensive looking.

"Yes ma'am." Ender said politely.

"Is Ari here?" I asked Mrs. Rodriguez.

"No she's out with Jason tonight, I believe they went into the city." She pursed her lips.

"Ah alright. Well thank you for letting Ender spend the night." I said.

"Oh no problem dear, anytime. He is always welcome here." She smiled gracefully at me.

"Alright then." I smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow." I said to Ender leaning down and kissing him on the forehead. "Behave for Mrs. Rodriguez." I gave him a strong hug.

"Don't forget your backpack mate." Ashton said handing him his bag.

"Thanks. Bye Ashton, bye Car!" Ender said before following Mrs. Rodriguez.

"Love you!" I said to him.

"Love you too!" He called and then walked inside.

Ashton and I walked back to his car and he backed out of the driveway. As he pulled on to the street that led to the main road I spoke.

"So where are we going?" I asked.

"Patience, patience." He laughed as he kept driving.

He turned onto the main drag and turned to the left. On that side of the avenue there was the bookstore, a few restaurants, and a few miscellaneous shops.

Ashton parallel parked in front of one of the little cafe's.

The sign above the door said Martha's Diner. I turned to Ashton and gave him a smile.

He smiled back and told me to stay there as he jumped out the car and jogged around to my side to open the door for me.

"Thanks." I blushed.

"I'm a gentleman what do you expect?" He smirked and I laughed at his words.

He opened the door to the diner for me and we walked in, the familiar scent surrounding me.

"Carter, hello dear. How are you?" I heard a voice call to me.

I looked to my left and standing behind the counter was Ms. Martha. Her white hair was curled and she wore a red checkered apron over her blue dress.

I smiled at the elderly woman.

"Hello Ms. Martha, i'm good, how are you?" I asked.

"Oh just fine dearie. Where's that brother of yours?"

"He's at the Rodriguez's tonight." I informed her.

"Ah. And who might this be?" She asked looking at Ashton.

"Ashton Irwin ma'am." He said, reaching out to shake her hand.

"Oh are we on a date?" She said cheekily.

"Yes ma'am we are." Ashton answered before I could say anything and I could feel my cheeks blazing.

"Ah, well then, have a seat anywhere you like, i'll bring you your menus." She smiled and Ashton led me to a table in the corner underneath a window.

Ms. Martha handed us our menus and took our drink orders.

When she walked back to the kitchen Ashton turned and smiled at me.

"It seems like everyone knows you around here." He noted.

"Yea...one of the good things about a small town - everyone knows your name. Bad thing about a small town - everyone knows your name." I laughed.

"I think that's kinda cool. For a city kid, I wouldn't know what that feels like." He explained.

"Well, I guess you're right. It makes you feel like people care." I agreed and he nodded. "So how were the guys and their hangovers?" I asked shooting him a wink.

"They were grumpy as expected. They wanted me to say hello for them. They're quite curious as to where i've been spending my time lately though." He winked back and I blushed.

"Here are your drinks. What can I get you two eat?" Ms. Martha asked while setting down our glasses.

"I'll have the chicken salad sandwich." I said sweetly.

"And i'll have the spaghetti." Ashton smiled.

"Alright, it'll be out soon." She said while taking our menus.

"No rush." Ashton smiled.

After Ms. Martha walked away Ashton took a sip of his drink.

"Ender and I eat here every christmas eve after we go to the movies. It's kind of a tradition." I bit my lip.

"Thats sweet." He smiled at me." You're a really good sister, he's lucky to have you."

"I try. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing something right and other times it feels like I'm doing everything wrong. I just want to be a good guardian to him, he's all I have." I laced my fingers together as I spoke and looked down, something I did when I was in deep thought.

"He's a great kid. Very polite, funny, and charismatic. I can assure you that you're doing a great job." He said kindly. "So there's no other family?"

"No...my grandfather died just a week before my parents...and my grandmother a year before all of that." I explained.

"Wow...thats quick." He said with wide eyes. "Were you close to your grand parents?"

"Extremely close. I still wasn't over my grandmothers passing when my grandfather died and my grandfather and I were very close.
He was kind of my best friend." I smiled softly as my grandfathers face appeared in my mind.

"I'm so sorry Carter...really..." He said quietly and I looked up at him. His eyes were full of concern and compassion.

'It's alright. I can't control it but I can accept it." I shrugged.

"Here we go." Ms. Martha said as she placed our plates onto the table.

"Thank you." Ashton and I both said.

"Of course." Ms. Martha walked back to the kitchen after shooting me a wink.

"So I know about your family...now tell me about you." Ashton smirked, twirling his spaghetti around his fork.

"Well what would you like to know?" I asked.

"Hmm tell me whatever. Favorite color, favorite animal, favorite food, what kind of music do you like...stuff like that?" He asked and then took a bite.

"Well..." I thought for a moment. "My favorite color is blue. Favorite animal is a koala. I could eat carrots all day long and I love all kinds of music." I settled on my answers and then took a bite of my sandwich.

He nodded. "Very nice, very nice."

"Now it's your turn." I smiled.

"Ah, well I like the color black. Kangaroos are amazing. I like pizza and I agree, I like all kinds of music as well."

"Very nice." I mocked him.

"Hey!" He laughed.

We finished eating our dinner chatting all throughout it. The conversation flowed easily. We talked about our favorite things to how he met the boys and how they decided to take a vacation here. We talked about his family and how he grew up with only a mom. He was a very interesting person to talk to.

Eventually Ms. Martha came to take our plates away. Ashton pulled out his wallet but Ms. Martha stopped him.

"Oh no. It's on me tonight." She smiled.

"Wow. Um thank you." Ashton stuttered.

"Now you two have a good night." She waved as we stood up and walked to the door.

"Have a good night as well." I said and Ashton opened the door for me as we stepped back outside into the brisk air.

I shivered as we walked down the street.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

"A little but i'm fine." I shrugged.

"Here." He stopped and shrugged off his flannel, handing it to me.

"Thanks." I slid the fabric up my shoulders.

"Okay, so we can either...go see a movie, go to the roller skating rink, or bowling..whatever you want. The night is ours." He smiled.

"I haven't been skating in forever." I laughed.

"Skating it is then!" He threw his hands in the air and we laughed.

When we arrived at the rink he bought our passes and the guy at the desk gave us our wristbands to show that we had paid.

We went to a table and Ashton took my wrist in his hands, tying the purple wristband around it.

The feeling of his fingertips against my hand sent my cheeks blazing.

We got our skates and sat down, tying the laces and then headed to the rink.

The second I got onto the wooden floor I began to slip.

"Ahh!" I squeaked. Before I could hit the floor Ashton grabbed me, pulling me up.

"Woah." He said as he balanced me.

His hand was on my waist the other on my arm.

"You'd think i'd have more balance considering I work on a ship all day." I joked, blushing hard.

"Come on, i'll help you." He smiled.

He let his hand travel down my arm to my hand and he held it, pulling me next to him.
He pushed forward on his skate and pulled me after him. His hand enveloped mine as we moved in a circle.

After a few minutes of us skating around he laced his fingers through mine, getting a better grip on my hand. I skated closer to him.

We rounded a bend in the rink and went for another lap around. Our shoulders bumped as we chatted about anything and everything.

"So any other guys?" He asked as we were going down my friends list that involved about three people; Ari, her fiancé Jason and another guy named Joey that I had gone to school with. Joey would stop by the shop occasionally to catch up and he would take Ender to the park every once in a while. But we were just friends.

"Not really." I shrugged.

"What about boyfriends?" He asked quietly.

I gave him a sideways glance and his face was contorted into one of nervousness.

"No." I said honestly.

"You've never had a boyfriend?" He sounded shocked.

"Not one. I've never had the time I guess." I said defensively.

"No don't take me the wrong way, it's just surprising to me thats all. You're an incredible girl." He cut his eyes in my direction and I blushed for the millionth time.

"So not even a date?" He added.

"Nope." I chewed on the inside of my cheek.

"So...then i'm the first date..." He trailed off.

"Yea I guess you are..." I whispered.

He stopped skating and swung me around so that I was in front of him, taking my free hand in his. I looked up and he was staring at my face.

"Well Carter Chase, I am honored to be your first date." He smiled and I felt like my cheeks were burning. My body got a tingly feeling all over and I smiled back.

We skated around for a little while longer and then went back to our table to return our skates.

We thanked the man at the desk again and then walked back to Ashton's jeep. He opened my door for me and I climbed in and he walked around to his side.

He began the drive back to my house.

The streets were almost empty now seeing that it was after midnight.

It took us around ten minutes to get back to the Marina parking lot where he parked and let me out of the jeep.

We began to walk down the eerie docks down to my house.

When we arrived I unlocked the door and let us both in.

"Would you like to stay for awhile?" I asked.

"Sure." He smiled.

"Cool. I wanna show you something." I said.

He cocked an eyebrow and I laughed.

I walked up the stairs as he followed behind me. When we got to the top of the stairs I turned to the right, walking past Enders room and to the window at the end of the hall. I pushed it open and then pushed myself up, climbing through the window and onto the roof outside.

"Come on." I motioned for Ashton to follow me.

"Are you serious?" He asked.

"Come on, it's worth it I promise." I laughed.

"Alright." He smiled.

I reached out a hand and helped him through the window. Once he was out I turned around and showed him our destination.

On top of the roof was a crows nest. My grandfather and dad had built it when my dad was a little boy for him to play on. It was like his version of a tree house.

It was wooden and about eight feet tall.

I climbed the ladder and Ashton laughed before shaking his head and following me up.
Once in the crows nest, we sat down, our feet dangling over the side.

"Wow...this was worth it...look at that." Ashton said in awe as he took in the view.

From this high up you could see the whole Marina. The boats and shop were all to our left, empty shoreline to our right. But directly in front of us was the real view. The moon stood high and proud in the sky, casting its glow over the ocean that seemed to go on forever.

"I love it up here." I sighed.

"I can see why." He breathed.

Below us you could see the dock that led to my boat floating in the water. I smiled slightly. It looked like a dark cloud against the moon, it's silver letters gleaming.

He followed my eyes and looked to where I was looking at.

"The Halle." He said. "What does that stand for?" he asked nonchalantly.

"My name." I said quietly.

He turned to look at me with a confused expression.

"My name is Halle Carter Chase." I explained. "My grandfather named the boat after me."

"So you go by your middle name?" He asked.

"Yea, it was easier for Ender to pronounce when he was little and it stuck. No one really knows my real name, they just know me by Carter. The only person who called me by Halle was my grandfather." I smiled a little.

"Halle Carter Chase..." He said looking out at the water.

I don't know how long we sat there just staring at the water. We made little conversation but instead enjoyed each others company.

Eventually I knew that I would have to sleep sometime considering I had a boat to work in the morning.

"I think if I sit here any longer i'm going to fall asleep; it's so relaxing." I said in a breathy laugh.

"Then lets go back yea?" He said and we scaled down the ladder and across the roof, dropping back into the house.

We walked downstairs and to the front door where he stood outside and I stood in the open doorway.

"I had an amazing time." I said.

"I'm glad. I'm hoping there will be another?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Give me a time Irwin." I winked.

"Get some sleep." He chuckled. "Good night Halle Carter Chase." He said. I could see him hesitate a moment before he leaned down and pressed his lips to my cheek.

"Goodnight." I whispered.

He smiled at me before heading into the night.

I closed the door behind him and pressed my back to it.

I had the stupidest grin on my face and I squealed like a little girl.

"Finally..." I breathed.