Chapter 6

Ashley woke up with Tomas's head in her lap. Apparently they had both fallen asleep while watching season 2 of Revenge. The bowl of popcorn they had been sharing was now spread all over the floor and Franklin had migrated to sleep on Tomas's back. Ashley smiled and gently slid her phone out of her pocket. She snapped a picture of sleeping Tomas and Franklin. Silently she debated posting it to Tumblr, but she figured that wouldn't exactly be “taking it slow."
As gently as she could, she slid from under Tomas and left a pillow in her place. Quietly she looked at the clock on the wall; 8:08. (Much earlier than she was used to.) Ashley headed to where she assumed the kitchen was. She was surprised at the size of the kitchen. There was literally every appliance imaginable. After wandering in awe for a few moments, and looking at what was in the cabinets she decided to make breakfast. Right away she had a hankering for chocolate chip pancakes.

As soon as the third pancake was golden brown, sleepy Tomas came into the kitchen. She smiled at his messed up hair and squinted eyes.

“Morning.” She chirped and smiled.

He groaned and headed to the fridge. Ashley reached for the two plates she had found. She glanced over her shoulder to Tomas. He was pulling two cups from the drawer.

“Would you like milk?”

Ashley nodded and flipped two pancakes onto one of the plates. Tomas set the cups and the gallon of milk onto the island. He pulled two bar stools out.

“Yes please! Would you like pancakes?”

Tomas grumbled an answer Ashley assumed was a yes. She set the syrup and plate in front of him and picked up the fuller glass of milk. He took his seat and started putting on butter and syrup. Ashley leaned on the counter and sipped her milk. She watched him take the first bite.

He looked up surprised, “These are actually really good!”

Ashley laughed at his lack of faith.

“Yes! They are! We made them in foods class my sophomore year. My younger brother always has me make them on his birthday.”

Tomas laughed. Ashley finished making 10 or so more pancakes. She put two on her own plate and left the rest for Tomas to deal with. She cleaned the kitchen while Tomas watched her.

“Cook and maid?” He asked curiously.

Ashley smirked and downed the rest of her milk. She took the gallon he had left on the counter and put it back in the fridge.

“I guess you can say that. I like things clean.”

Tomas winked at her and grabbed another pancake. Ashley felt herself blush. She sat across the island from him and took her first bite. She was even surprised at how good the batch turned out. The two sat quiet for a moment until Tomas spoke up.

“I don't want you to go.”

Ashley sighed. She knew this was coming. When she left home, however, she didn't think it would be Tomas Hertl telling her to not go. She looked up at him sadly.

“I know... I don't know how we'll work it out, but we will.”

Ashley looked back at her pancakes. Then back up at Tomas. He had eaten his fair share and was now just swirling his fork in the syrup.

“I've been thinking about it, and... I want to get out of my parents house. I've been working and saving money for a few years. I know they will be upset... I was going to talk to Logan about it...”

Tomas looked up at her, “And?”

Ashley sighed, “I'm not 100% sold, but I might transfer to the San Jose Uni. Then I'd be closer-”
Tomas cut her off, “Oh that's great! I was just really worried about you going back...”

Ashley's stomach lurched. She wasn't really set on moving, and now Tomas was jazzed.

She sighed, “Tomas, I have to find a job first. Preferably one in my career... But! Anything'd do...”

She got lost in her own thoughts. Tomas didn't offer any solutions, he watched her as she looked off into space.

“Do you want to stay?” He asked her.

She nodded and smiled sadly, “Hard to leave home.”

Tomas laughed lightly and smiled. “Tell me about it.”

Ashley stood up with her plate and held her hand out for his. She rinsed the dishes in the sink and set them in his dish washer. She took her seat across from him again.

“Sorry, I feel like a took over your kitchen.” She laughed and looked around, “Do you like to cook?”

“Yes, a lot actually.”

Ashley smiled and watched him tap on his leg. She wondered why he seemed antsy.

Ashley looked at the clock and realized it was already 8:45. She sighed and looked back to Tomas. He had followed her gaze and now looked sad. In her back pocket she felt her phone ring. She pulled her phone out only to see Logan's contact picture on her screen. It was a “Selfie” he had sent her on snapchat. One from Movember. The picture seriously gave her the creeps, but it reminded her of how goofy he could be. (Nick claimed it made him seem less like a hockey god. Ashley couldn't help but agree. If hockey gods had Hitler staches then she wasn't sure she would be into them.) She slid her finger across the screen and lifted the phone to her ear.

“Hello?” She asked.

“So when were you going to tell me you were having a little slumber party. Honestly? You left me with Nick?”

Ashley stayed quiet. Logan sounded angrier than usual.

“I fell asleep. I wasn't planning on staying the night.”

She looked at Tomas who seemed slightly offended.

“Oh yeah. Whatever. We'll be there at 9:15. Get all your lovely couple crap out before we get there. I don't want to hear it.”

Logan hung up the phone.

Ashley was shocked, but tried not to show it. She took a deep breath and put her phone back in her pocket. Tomas was staring at her; looking very concerned.

“Is everything all right?”

Ashley smiled and nodded. She tried her best to fake it. For the time being he seemed to buy it.
For their last half an hour they exchanged number and talked. At some point Ashley decided to help Tomas get the popcorn off the floor. During that time they discovered that Franklin was very fond of popcorn and he would catch it if you threw some to him.

“My dog used to do that!” Ashley shouted excitedly when Franklin caught the first piece.

Tomas smiled.

He was about to throw a handful of popcorn when someone knocked at the door. Franklin went sprinting under the couch at light speed. Tomas and Ashley simultaneously sighed. Tomas stood up first and held his hand out to help Ashley up. She stood up grudgingly and headed towards the front door.

“Um, it's your house. Shouldn't you answer the door?” Ashley asked once she realized he was standing back from her.

Tomas laughed. “Just say you're the maid!”

Ashley shook her head and headed towards the door laughing.

She opened the door and found Logan and Nick standing in the doorway. She sighed and opened the door wide.

“Ew, it's you guys.” She joked.

Logan stared at her and didn't say anything. Nick finally pushed past him and walked into the house. Gently he gave Logan a shove. That seemed to wake Logan up. Ashley was very confused but led them inside.

“And this is the grand Hertl habitat!” She laughed and pointed to Tomas who was sitting on the ground trying to coax Franklin out from under the couch with a popcorn trail.

“The Hertl habitat? You say it like you are a part of it.” Logan snipped and looked at his phone.
Nick, Ashley and Tomas all looked at him with wide eyes.

“Did someone not get their coffee this morning? Jeez.” Ashley turned her back from Logan and faced Tomas.

She was irritated with Logan, but that didn't keep her from feeling sad. Tomas stood up and brushed off the little popcorn pieces from his pajama bottoms. She hadn't noticed until now that he had changed once she fell asleep.

During her awkward pause she heard Logan sigh exaggeratedly behind her.

“You know? I'll be in the car. I need to call Amanda.”

She didn't bother to watch him exit.

Soon after the door had closed she heard it open and close again.

She let out a breath and a small laugh, “Are they both gone?”

Hertl nodded adorably.

She crossed the distance and hugged his middle. His chin barely rested on the top of her head.

She groaned, “Why do goodbyes have to be so hard?”

Tomas looked down at her and shook his head. She looked up at him a little confused.

“You aren't telling me goodbye.”

Ashley cocked her head to the side; confused more.

He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers firmly. He pulled her into a hug.

“Just tell me you'll see me later.”

Ashley felt her knees go weak.She wanted to flop back down onto the couch and to stay there longer. She realized he wasn't going to let go first. She squeezed him a little tighter and whispered.

“I'll be seeing you.” She pulled back slightly.

Tomas kissed her head. All too quickly she was feeling tears raising. She knew she had to go before he saw them. She turned away from him and headed towards the door. She paused for a moment with the door open. Debating whether she should run back or not. With ever ounce of will, she stepped out of the house...

Notes