Second Time Around
CHAPTER 4 Let It Be
Two weeks later Danny had moved in. It was strange at first, not having Liz around anymore, but I was enjoying the extra time I got with Danny.
I came home Friday afternoon from uni (Danny always got home before me on Fridays). Danny was in her room with the door shut so I went straight into mine to get changed for work. I put my usual work clothes on - a black skirt and a white button-up shirt. I went back out to the living room. Danny was bending over the coffee table, straightening the books and magazines that we kept on it. I could smell her perfume and by what she was wearing I figured that she must have been going out. She spotted me watching her.
"Hey. I'm having someone over. I hope you don't mind. I forgot to ask you"
"That's cool. You don't need to ask, you do live here too. I've got work anyway"
She started to straighten the cushions on the couch. I was wondering whom she was trying to impress.
"What time do you finish work?"
"I should be home around 11:30"
"Ok"
"Well, I better be off. Have fun"
"I'll see you later"
It was busy at work. There was a group of ten celebrating a 40th birthday and all the other tables had families at them. I was the lucky one who got the birthday group. They were loud, and getting drunk. They also had no idea what they wanted to eat. It was a challenge. But I got a big tip when they left, so I guess it wasn't that bad really.
Even before I opened the front door I could hear Danny and another women laughing inside. I went in to find the two of them sitting quite close together on the couch facing each other. Danny spotted me.
"Ashley! This is Haley" " She rubbed the arm of the woman sitting beside her.
"Hi. Nice to meet you" Haley said.
"Same to you" I turned and went into my room.
In my room I shut the door and lay down on my bed. What was going on? I could still hear them laughing. And for some reason it hurt. Was I jealous? I know nothing had happened between Danny and I - it's not like we were going out or anything. But I guess I always thought that's how things would work out. Maybe now that we were living together Danny didn't want to form that sort of relationship with me anymore. I thought about this some more. I convinced myself that I wasn't Danny's type anyhow. I mean I wasn't anywhere near as intelligent as she was and we didn't really have that much in common. Haley was also attractive, although not as attractive as Danny. And they seemed to get along pretty well too.
After 15 minutes of this I decided to have a shower. I smelt like Italian food as I always did after a shift. I left my room and headed for the shower. I had to go through the living room to get to the bathroom. I could feel Danny watching me as I went by. I shut the door behind me.
After my shower I put my bathrobe on as I had forgotten to bring my pjs in with me. On my way back to my room I noticed one of my books on the coffee table so I went over to pick it up. Haley was still there, and they were still taking and laughing.
"How was work?" Danny wasn't looking at me, but into her glass of red wine, though it was clear she was speaking to me.
"A little busy, but it wasn't that bad" I Smiled at them both and went back into my room.
Half an hour later I heard the front door close and Danny knocked at my door. She came in and lay down next to me on my bed. After a minute of silence she rolled onto her side to face me.
"Is everything alright?"
I kept staring at the ceiling "Yeah"
"Don't lie to me, Ash. Something's wrong. Did something happen at work?"
"No. I said I was fine"
Danny was still looking at me. She breathed out heavily. "Ok, well if you say so" She sat up.
I rolled on to side, turning away from her. "I'm just tired"
I felt like a bit of a bitch. I didn't want to make her fell bad. If she did like Haley, I wasn't going to stop them from going out. I wanted Danny to be happy, even if it wasn't with me. So I decided to let things be.
"I should let you get some sleep then"
And with that Danny got off my bed and left my room.
I got up early the next morning to go for a run. I guess I also was sort of trying to avoid Danny. I was frustrated with the whole Haley thing and needed to sort things out about it in my head. I usually took the time when running to do this. I also figured that it would be good opportunity to burn the extra energy that was in me 9my frustration). I hadn't been running for a couple of weeks and was looking forward to it. I put on some shorts, a t-shirt and my runners and left the apartment.
I was gone an hour and when I returned Danny was in the kitchen eating some toast. She looked over at me.
"I though you were still in bed" she laughed slightly, "I've been sneaking around trying not to make any sound"
"I got up about 6. I couldn't sleep"
"I didn't know you ran"
"Yeah. I haven't been for a while. It was good to get back into it"
I whipped the sweat off my forehead with the bottom of my shirt and then poured a glass of water, before sitting down opposite Danny.
"I probably smell" I warned her.
"You smell wonderful" she grinned at me. "What are your plans for today?" she took the last bite of her toast.
"I've got some filming to do for a project I've got coming up. I though I'd get a head start on it. I might give Mark a call, he's always been my filming buddy"
The last time he filmed with me was when I was in high school and had a production to do for my media class. I had planed everything and knew exactly what I wanted to film. However we never actually managed to film any of it. We ended up mucking around all day, filming our own things. In the end I made up an excuse to get an extension so I could finish it.
"I've got a family thing on tonight so I won't be home for dinner"
"That's cool" I said, finishing my water.
"I should be home around 11, or maybe even earlier. It depends on how exciting it is" she giggled.
I ended up meeting Mark out side his place. We greeted each other and started walking to where I was going to film. We ended up stopping for coffee on the way seeing as we were passing a coffee place. After our caffeine fix we continued walking. We talked in between my filming, or should I say, I filmed in between our talking. We talked a lot, which was good. Mark told me about his work, which he said was going well. He works at a men's clothing store in the city and has been for the past year and a bit. I told him about uni.
"How's Danny?" he looked at me.
"She's good, I guess. We haven't really had that much time to talk, we've both been quite busy"
"You got with her yet?" he grinned at me.
"No!" I hit his arm.
"I thought you liked her?"
"I do. I just don't think I'm her type"
"Sure you are"
"No, I don't think I am"
"Listen, Ashley, I've known her longer then you have and trust me, you're her type"
I looked at him, "She said anything to you about me?"
He was silent for a few seconds "Only the odd comment here and there" He smiled.
"Like what?"
"Oh, just stuff like how nice you are to talk to, that you're attractive and that you both like old movies, excreta, excreta"
"Really? She said those things?"
"Yeah"
"Really?"
"Yes! Why wouldn't Danny want to be with you? Ash, you really need to have more confidence in yourself. You're smart, sensitive, attractive and fun to be with".
I chuckled "You better not be coming on to me Mark!"
"Oh, but Ashley, you've made me realize my true sexuality! I love you, I have to be with you!" He leaned in towards me, pretending he was going to kiss me. I pushed him away. We both laughed. "You know I like my men too much".
We ended up spending all day together, and to my surprise we had actually filmed a few things. On the way back to my place we stopped at the bottle shop and picked up a bottle of vodka and another of rum. We then went into the corner shop to get some microwave popcorn.
Back at my place there was a note from Danny saying that she had already left to go to her parents house and she'd be back later. Mark got some cups out of the cupboard for our drinks while I went around the flat and turned on a couple of lights as it was now getting dark. We turned on the TV and sat on the couch. Mark poured me a rum and coke, which was my favorite alcoholic drink. After a while I popped some popcorn and we started watching a movie that was on TV.
As the night went on we stopped mixing our drinks and finally decided we didn't need glasses either. By this time we were on our third lot of popcorn and had made a bit of a mess in the kitchen. In our drunken state we had moved the coffee table out of the way and were now laying on the floor, only sitting to take a mouth full out of one of the bottles every minute or two. We were laughing at one of the characters in the movie that had funny hair - in fact they all seemed to have funny hair so you can imagine that we were laughing quite a bit. We would of looked like complete fools, lying on the floor, laughing at everything. I was wearing one red and one yellow sock, baggy jeans and Mark's bright shirt that screamed 'gay'. Mark was beside me wearing a paper hat that he had cleverly made out of one of the sheets from today's newspaper, my t-shirt that read 'I like girls!' and one shoe (I couldn't remember where I had put the other one).
"You're looking pretty good tonight, Ashley" He slurred.
"You think?" I said fixing my messy hair.
"Yep. I'm going to make you a hat"
I was pretty excited. His hat was pretty cool - well I though so at the time anyway. He started folding the paper.
"Has Danny ever mentioned a Haley to you?" My speech was extremely slurred too.
"Haley? Yeah. Why?"
"Who the fuck's Haley and where did she come from?"
"Haley is like one of Danny's bestest friends. They've been friends for like years"
"Really? I though they were fucking each other"
"No! Haley's been involved with someone else for a number of years. She's gay too, but yeah, they're just friends"
"Everyone's gay. How come I know so many gay people all the sudden?" I was quiet for a few seconds. "Fuck! They're not fucking?" My language was never really that good when I got drunk.
"You really thought they were fucking?" he laughed at me, putting the hat on my head.
"Yep. You look good Ash. I think you should make your move with Danny tonight"
"Really?" I thought about this "No, I can't when I'm drunk" I took a few sips from what was left of the rum. "I thought they were fucking! Why did I think that? I should have just asked her"
Mark picked up the video camera. He turned it on and turned it towards his face.
"Ash, I think you should make a film about me. I look like Peter Pan in this hat" he then turned it towards me. "Yep, we're two good looking people tonight. I really do like that shirt on you Ashley"
"Why thank you" I laughed, and then Mark laughed. In fact we both just keep laughing.
I opened my eyes still laughing to see Danny standing behind the couch looking at us both on the floor. It took a few seconds to sink in that it was actually Danny. I sat up, straightening my hat. Mark looked up too.
"Danny, we didn't hear you come in!" He said "I'll make you a hat!"
"Oh, that's all right, I don't think I really need one" she laughed and walked over and sat down behind us on the couch.
We both turned around to face her. I was wondering how long she had been standing there and if she had heard anything we'd been saying about her.
She smiled at me "Nice shirt"
"Thanks" I gave her a cheeky smile back.
Mark started talking "Yep, that is a nice shirt Ash, and hat. You should really be a model"
I laughed "I'm not model material"
"You would make a hot model"
"You're drunk, Mark and gay, you can't tell me I'm model material"
"I have every right too. Danny, what do you think?"
"Danny thinks the same as me"
She smiled "No, I'm with Mark"
I shook my head and took another sip of rum.
Mark stood up, sort of, and headed towards the door. "Call me a cab, Ash, it's time for me to go" he fixed up his hat on his head.
Danny went and called a cab for him and in ten minutes the cab came.
"Ash, my shirt!"
"Oh" I quickly stripped off my shirt and threw it to him. The cold air was like ice on my skin. I came closer to Danny and she put hers arms around me.
"Give me my shoe when you find it" he winked at me. "Have a good night"
"Ok. Bye"
After the cab left Danny and I went back in side.
"How was dinner?" I asked
"It was good"
I was holding onto the back of the couch trying to stand still, well I was trying to stand full stop.
"How much have you had to drink?"
"A bit. I'm not sure" I looked down at my breasts and the black bra I was wearing. "I'm not wearing a top"
Danny laughed "Do you want me to get you one?"
"No. I'll get one soon, maybe"
Danny went into her room and put her handbag away and took her high heels off. I followed her slowly and lay down on her bed. I was extremely tired at this stage. Danny joined me on her bed. I sat up.
"When you look at me what do you see?" The question just sort of popped out of my mouth.
Danny smiled "I see, a drunk, but extremely attractive woman, with a funny hat," She took the hat off my head, "that I could get used to being around"
She touched my face and I closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry about last night, I was a bit moody I guess"
"You did seem a bit distant, you had me a little worried. You sure that nothing was wrong?"
"Yeah, I'm sure"
"Mark did say that you always keep things to yourself" she laughed "He told me that if I ever wanted you to tell me something about yourself or about how you're feeling I'd have to get you drunk"
I smiled "You wouldn't take advantage of me in a situation like that I hope"
"Of course not" she grinned.
I put my leg up in the air and looked at my foot "Where's my shoes?"
"You weren't wearing any silly"
"Oh"
I sat back up and got off the bed. I didn't feel too good and headed to the bathroom. I shut the door behind me. A few minutes later after flushing the toilet Danny knocked at the door.
"Are you alright"
"Yeah"
"Can I come in?"
"No"
Danny came in any way and sat on the edge of the bathtub. I was sitting on the floor next to the toilet.
"Can I get you anything?"
I shook my head and placed it on my knees.
"I'm sorry" I mumbled
"For what?"
"I always end up like this"
"Not always. You don't need to apologies to me, Ash"
I got up and made my way to the sink. I washed my face and rinsed out my mouth. I looked at myself in the mirror.
"How about we get you to bed?" Danny stood up.
"Ok"
Danny put her hand on my lower back and we walked to my bedroom.
"Turn around so I can get changed" I told her.
She laughed "Ok, but it's nothing I haven't seen before" She turned around.
"Well you haven't seen my naked body before" I undid my bra and threw it on the floor. "Not yet anyway" I said under my breath, grinning to myself. I put on a t-shirt and took off my jeans.
"Suppose that's true. Every women's different"
I slipped under my covers. "You can turn around now"
Danny sat on the edge of my bed and looked down at me. I put my arm under the covers, pulled off both of my socks and threw them into the corner of my room. She ran her fingers through my hair. I loved it when she did that. I could feel myself slowly falling asleep.
"Goodnight" She whispered.
Danny kissed my forehead, turned off my light and left my room.
I woke up the next morning feeling pretty drained. I was starving and had a slight headache, but apart from that I felt pretty good. I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock, it was just after 9am. I got up and went out to the kitchen. Danny must have been in the shower because I could hear the water running. I threw an empty popcorn bag that was on the bench in the bin and continued to clean up the mess Mark and I had made the previous night. After putting the coffee table back into place I realized I was still wearing my knickers and t-shirt that I had worn to bed so I went back into my room to get changed. I pulled out some cargo pants and a tank top and threw them onto my bed, before putting on some clean knickers and a bra. The phone rang and remembering that Danny was in the shower I ran to get it.
"Hello?" I said straitening up my bra strap.
"Hi, is John there?"
"Ah, no. I think you have the wrong number"
"Oh, sorry"
"Ok, bye"
I put the phone down and turned around. Danny was sitting in the kitchen. She smiled at me.
"Expecting a call?"
"Oh, I thought you were still in the shower" I headed for the fridge.
Danny's eye's followed me. She was grinning "Gee, every time I see you you're wearing less clothes then the time before"
I looked down at myself and quickly ran into my room and shut the door. I came back out a few minutes later when I was fully dressed.
After breakfast I sat down on a beanbag to read a book. Danny was on the phone to her sister and was sitting on the couch. Well, to tell you the truth I was only half reading my book. I was peering over the top of it watching Danny. While she held the phone with her left hand she played with some of her hair in her right. When she laughed her whole face would light up and that made me smile too. She was two years older than me and roughly an inch taller than I was. She was gorgeous and I must admit that I was slowly falling in love with her. I went back to reading my book when I heard Danny finishing up her conversation. I couldn't help but smile. After a few minutes of silence I looked up at her to find that she was looking down at me.
"What?" I asked
"Nothing" She smiled.
"What?" I asked again
She shook her head. "I like you with glasses"
"You like geeks?" I laughed remembering one of the characters from the movie Mark and I had half watched the night before.
"No, I think they're sexy, in a sophisticated kind of way"
I smiled. I wear glasses when I read and I always saw them as annoying, never sexy. I closed my book and stood up. I was a little stiff from my run the previous morning and bent over, putting my hands on the floor trying to stretch my back muscles.
"Sore back?"
"Oh, I'm just a little stiff from my run yesterday. I didn't really warm down that well"
"Do you want a massage?"
I hadn't had a massage for a long time "If you're offering"
She smiled "My sister is coming over in an hour, so I can do you till then"
I looked at her.
"I mean. I can give you a massage till then"
"Of course. Ok. Well, where do you want me?"
"How about on your bed. You know, it's more comfortable when you're lying down"
"Ok"
We went into my room and I knelt on my bed.
"Do you mind if you take your top off? It's just easier to massage"
I grinned at Danny "You're trying to get me naked aren't you?"
She laughed "Oh, you worked out my plan" She got on my bed too. "Just lay down on your stomach"
I took off my top and lay down. Danny sat on my ass with her legs either side of me.
"Is it ok if I sit like this?"
"Yep"
"Can I undo you're bra strap? It'll make things easier"
"Ok"
She ran her hands over my back stretching my skin. I breathed out. She started on my shoulders.
"You've got a few knots"
"Well, Liz was never this kind to me"
She laughed.
"Stop clenching your muscles"
"Sorry"
Danny slowly made her way down to my lower back. She pressed her thumbs in harder here, which is how I like it. I had my eyes closed and was enjoying every second of this. My ex never did this too me. Occasionally he would give me a massage that would last two minutes, but nothing like this. I was in heaven (I'm not a religious person, but if I believed in heaven, this is what it would be like). I could feel Danny's warmth on my ass, which I must admit was an added bonus. After, how long I don't know, Danny stopped massaging me and lay down beside me, still with one of her hands on my back.
"Thank you" I said quietly "I really enjoyed that"
I rolled over onto my back. Danny smiled at me and brushed some hair behind my ear. She held my cheek - her hand was warm. Slowly Danny brought my face closer to hers and for the first time, I felt her lips on mine.
********************************** Hope you all enjoyed that. The next chapter will be up in a week or two. Please send your comments to: another_face101@hotmail.com THANK YOU!