September, 1994

“Please.”

“No.”

“But you have to be there.”

“Um, no. I don’t have to be anywhere.”

“C’mon, Ashten you have to go.”

“No Candace, I don’t.” Ashten had been going back and forth over the phone for the past five minutes with her best friend Candace, who had been trying to convince her to go out.

“Girl, it’s Friday night, senior year and it’s Austin Carmichael’s party.” Candace replied.

“And? It’s Austin Carmichael Can, I’m pretty sure he’ll be throwing these kinds of parties all year long.” Ashten said, putting a load of clothes in the washing machine.

“But this is the party,” Candace argued. “Our first major party as seniors!”

“Wait, I thought that was supposed to be the bonfire?”

“Regardless, you have to be there.” Candace urged.

“Why do I have to be there?” Ashten asked for what felt like the hundredth time. Honestly, she loved her friends, but she hated that they always wanted to drag her out somewhere. There was nothing wrong with being at home every now and then. If it wasn’t Austin Carmichael’s, it was Derek Friedman’s or it was some nightclub where they had no business being. She’d personally found all of that partying exhausting.

“Because, you and Austin.” Candace said as if it were obvious.

“What about me and Austin?”

“Um, hello! It’s about time for you two to finally hook up; everyone’s been waiting for it to happen!” Candace stated very matter –of- factly.

“Okay, wait hold up!” Ashten exclaimed. “Me and Austin, no! Never gonna happen, and who is everyone?”

“You know just our little circle of friends.” Candace mumbled.

Okay, one thing was for certain. Their circle of friends was not small! There was Rachel, who people like to describe as super friendly, which was really just a euphemism for school slut. There was Joanna, town gossip. Whenever she was with Ashten, she was bashing on someone, so she was pretty sure that Joanna did it to her too when she wasn’t around. Taylor, well, Taylor was a sweet girl, but she wasn’t all there. Then there was Jessica, Nicole, and Casey who Candace liked to keep around. They were juniors, who hung on to her every word. The only purposed they served Candace was to stroke her ego. Yes, that was the idiocy that she surrounded herself with and she wasn’t sure why. Oh, and there was also Jayson, Clay, Warner, Tanner, Hunter, and Collin their guys as Candace had branded them; the jocks whose only hope of getting into a good college was on a Lacrosse scholarship. Or Daddy’s wallet.

She wasn’t sure why she put up with her friends. Maybe it’s because she’d known them all of her life, and she sort of felt loyal to her inner circle. Or maybe, it’s because she was too afraid to step out of that inner circle. The fear of putting herself out there, and making new friends; the fear of rejection. She figured she just stick with the people who already liked her. It was just easier that way. Besides, she’d only have to deal with these people for another nine months. Another nine months and she was free from the hell that was high school. She couldn’t wait to go to college, where she could finally be around people with depth. And indulge in deep conversation that didn’t have anything to do with Jason Priestly or Joey Lawrence.

“So you guys have been talking about me behind my back?”

“No.” Candace replied. “We’ve been talking about you and Austin!”

“Oh, and that makes me feel a lot better.” Ashten said as she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bag of Cheetos from the pantry. “Listen, the only place I’m gonna be tonight is upstairs in my room, knee deep in my Chemistry book preparing for Monday’s test, which you should be doing too.” As Ashten sat on top of the island in the middle of the kitchen, and began to eat out the bag, she could just imagine Candace’s eyes roll all the way into the very back of her head.

“Like you don’t do that enough.”

“Yeah, and you should try it more.”

“C’mon Ashten, it won’t be a party without you…” Candace whined.

“Candace, flattery will get you nowhere,” Ashten said, hopping down from the counter, and heading up to her room.

“Okay fine. If you don’t go tonight, then I will make your weekend a living hell, and make it impossible for you to get any studying done.”

“Candace, flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Great! I’ll come get you at eight!” Candace exclaimed, hanging up before Ashten had gotten the chance to tell her that it’d be a cold day in Hell before anything would happen between she and Austin.

“Dammit!” Ashten huffed before placing the cordless phone back onto the dock, and falling back against her bed. Frustrated, she grabbed a pillow, placed it over her face a screamed into it.

Meanwhile, across town Joey Fatone was having a little trouble convincing his friend to attend the same shindig.

“Forget it Joey, I’m not going!”

“C’mon man, everyone’s gonna be there.” Joey replied. “It’s the party of the year.” He and his best friend, JC were hanging out at his house, making plans for the night. Joey, who attended Dr. Phillips High, was trying desperately to convince JC to come to one of his school parties.

“I don’t know man, I just don’t feel up to it,” JC replied. The truth was he was a little afraid of feeling a little out of place. After finishing up his last season of the Mickey Mouse Club, he was preparing to fly back home to Maryland, and so he would have to readjust all over again. Not that he didn’t love what he did, but part of the sacrifice was constantly moving around, so outside of the MMC, he never quite felt like he fit in anywhere else.

“C’mon JC, don’t you want that one normal high school experience?” Joey asked.

JC looked up at him, thinking for a moment. Between filming for the show, and recording demos in his off time, he’d never really stop to think about everything that he was missing out on; high school, football games, parties. He’d been so career focused from the age of thirteen on that he’d never stopped to actually get that full teenage experience. “You know what? I’m in,” he finally decided.

“Alright! He’s IN!” Joey cheered, raising his arms into the air triumphantly.

****************** 

“Ugh, I am telling you Candace, by eleven o’clock I am out of here.” Ashten said, getting out of Candace’s white Audi after she had parked it outside of the circular driveway of the Carmichael Estate.

“The party’ll just be getting started by then.”

Ashten rolled her eyes as they proceeded to make their way across the driveway and up the marble steps to the big white door. They could already feel the bass of the music vibrating beneath their feet. Rhyon Burke, the star quarterback was sitting on the rail of the porch along with Leslie Adams, and Kevin Ellis the running back and linebacker with red cups in hand; drinking what Ashten assumed was not water.

“Wassup Ashten, Candace!” Rhyon called out.

“Hi guys!” Candace said, flashing a smile, and giving a five finger wave.

“Hey,” Ashten said, less enthusiastically.

Candace went over to give all three guys a hug, lapping up the attention, and Ashten impatiently waited by the door. Rhyon whispered something in her ear and Candace giggled flirtatiously, tossing her flaxen hair over her shoulder.

“Can, you wanna get a move on?” Ashten asked, jerking her head in the direction of the door.

“I’ll talk to you before I head out,” Candace told Rhyon before walking back over to Ashten, she smoothed down her navy Ralph Lauren dress that hit just above her knee and pulled up her flat knee high black leather boots. “I can’t believe you wore that.” She stated, giving Ashten’s outfit a once over.

“What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?” Ashten asked, looking down at her plain white midriff, dark rinse denim capris, matching jean jacket, and crisp red Converse. The ensemble was only accessorized by her belly button ring and gold hoop earrings. 

“It’s a party.” Candace said.

“Right, not winter formal,” Ashten quipped. She was in no party mood. A half an hour before Candace came to get her, Ashten had showered, put together a matching outfit, threw her wet dark curls back into a ponytail, and slapped on some concealer and clear lip gloss, and somehow managed to look halfway decent. She wasn’t trying to impress anybody. She was just here to make appearances and get out as quick as possible.

“You’ll be lucky if Austin looks twice at you.” Candace said as if scolding her.

“I told you Can, I’m not interested in Austin,” Ashten huffed, before finally opening the front door.

“If you wanna win Prom queen, then trust me, you’re interested.”

As soon as the girls had stepped into the foyer, they were hit with the booming sounds of Juicy by the Notorious B.I.G. By the way that the Delacroix painting on the wall over the piano was hanging upside down, and the way the vase in the far corner over by the stereo system had been shattered to pieces, it had been pretty obvious that the Carmichaels were out of town. Linda and David Carmichael, who were both Architects, were hardly ever home. Ashten suspected this is why Austin used his parent’s money to entertain himself, just like his brothers had done years earlier.

“Hey it’s about time you two showed up!” Austin cheered. Ashten turned to Austin, dressed in his usual Ralph Lauren polo, this one a crisp white one, with nicely pressed beige khakis, and a pair of fresh oxfords. Yes this was the attire for most of the Lacrosse boys whenever they weren’t in uniform.

“Well you know it’s not a party without us!” Candace replied, as she and Ashten stepped into the spacious living room. The furniture had been pushed back to the walls, to make room for guests, and the giant big screen TV, which had been put on mute, was on ESPN, as per usual at any party of Austin Carmichaels.

“Damn straight,” Austin said, taking a swig from his Corona, and wrapping his free arm around Ashten’s shoulder. Candace had caught up with Lexie, a friend from school, leaving the two of them together. “So baby, how about we chill, you know just me you, my room?” Austin suggested. Ashten could smell the alcohol on his breath, and was put off even more by it.

“How about we not?” She replied, unwrapping herself from around his arm, and walking off.

“C’mon baby, don’t be like that.” Austin said, following her through the hallway and into the kitchen. “You know it’s supposed to be me and you.”

Ashten made her way through the throngs of people amongst the kitchen trying to lose Austin, but to no avail.

“Ashten, why are you doing this?” Austin called, hot on her heels.

“Doing what Austin?” She turned, her back against the stainless steel countertop.

“C’mon baby, we go all the way back. Don’t try to act like that means nothing to you. We’ve been friends for ever, it’ supposed to be me and you.” They were just centimeters apart, his six foot frame towering over her, trapping her against the counter. “I know you want us.” Austin said, close to a whisper. Was he trying to be appealing? Persuasive even?

“Uh, no Austin, I don’t.” Ashten said. She tried to look beyond his broad shoulders for any out, but he had her completely cornered.

“Yeah, you keep saying that, but you’re body’s saying something else,” He hissed, grinding against her.

“Oh ew!” Ashten cried, pushing against his chest. “Get away from me you big creep!” She yelled, finally pushing past him.

“I got a big hot tub I know you wanna get in!” Ashten heard him call as she made her way out of the sliding glass door and onto the patio. This party was already starting to go downhill, and fast!

“Yo Dawg, whuttup!” Joey exclaimed, pounding fist with Wyatt Smith, head of the Yearbook committee, as he and JC entered the party. That boy had never met a stranger.

“See man, I told ya” Joey said, turning to JC. “It’s not that bad.” He said, nodding his head to Jump Around by House of Pain.

“Yeah man, it’s alright I guess,” JC replied, feeling a little apprehensive. He knew absolutely none of these people. Was it too late to turn around?

His question was answered when he felt bodies being pressed up against his back, and shoved into what seemed to be the dance floor. The place was packed wall to wall, and he could forget about a way out.

Joey, the outgoing one, immediately broke out dancing. JC, the more reserved one two stepped for a little while before finding his groove. Despite being a performer, he was pretty shy, believe it or not. Whenever he wasn’t onstage he was laidback and quiet most of the time, so to be in the middle of the dance floor was a major change of pace for him, since he usually sat by the side during most parties.

JC had to admit to himself, that he was having fun. The more he danced, the more his inhibitions melted away. So maybe it wasn’t an eighties Brat Pack moment, but it was the most fun he’s ever had at a party.

After dancing for a while, JC had decided to take a break. Joey, on the other hand kept going song, after song, after song.

After JC had managed to push his way through the hordes of people in the living room and hallway, he got himself a drink from the cooler in the kitchen. After grabbing a Sprite, he made his way back to the living room and sat down on an empty loveseat, watching the party go on around him.

“Hey Ashten!”

“Um, hey,” Ashten said, looking over the short blonde girl blocking her way. Just as she was making her way back into the house in search of Candace, she was constantly being stopped by people. Mostly drunk lacrosse guys.

“Cool belly ring!” The girl said.

“Thanks, I got it when I was fifteen,” Ashten said distractedly. She honestly felt bad though, considering the fact that the girl knew her, yet she could’ve sworn she didn’t know the girl from Adam. “What’s your name again?”

“Carlie,” she said sweetly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Carlie,” Ashten said, extending her hand. Carlie shook it enthusiastically. “Um, you know, maybe we could catch up some other time, but right now I’m sort of looking for my friend.”

“Sure, sure!” Carlie said, her eyes growing wide, and filled with hope. Ashten wanted to talk to her! Ashten Miller had given her the time of day.

“Thanks,” Ashten said, before disappearing into the house.

Back in the house, sipping on his Sprite, JC had gotten bored with the party. He watched on as Joey became the center of attention, dancing to The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground.

“Go Joey! Go Joey! Go Joey! Go Joey!” The crowd cheered as Joey danced for his life.

JC smiled to himself; it was amazing how Joey could fit in anywhere, while JC on the other hand couldn’t shake his shyness. As he sat alone, the constant stares and points once people began to take notice of who he was, started to make him feel uncomfortable. He contemplated on whether or not he should leave the party. He got that feeling all over again that he didn’t belong. Since he came with Joey, and didn’t want to ruin his fun, he decided on calling a cab.

Just as he was about to get up and leave, he stopped right where he was in his spot on the loveseat, when his eyes landed on the most beautiful girl that he’s ever seen. She was the epitome of beauty, all 5’5 of her, with her beautiful bronzed skin, and jet black hair. There was something about her that made her stand out amongst the crowd, and JC was immediately intrigued by her. He couldn’t leave until he found out who she was…

“I’m so going to kill you for dragging me here, Candace.” Ashten said through gritted teeth, once she’d finally caught up with her friend. So far her night had been exhausting, trying to hide from Austin, and socialize with people who thought they knew her all at the same time.

“What are you talking about, I didn’t make you come.” Candace replied, nonchalantly.

“Bullshit Candace, yes you did.” Ashten said. “You wouldn’t get off my case until I came.”

“Oh chill, it’s not like I put a gun to your head.” Candace said, tilting her head back, and finishing off the contents of her cup.

Oh, I am so driving home, Ashten thought to herself. “Look Candace,” she huffed. “I showed up like you wanted me too. People know that I was here, so can we please just get out of here now?” Ashten begged.

“Aww, Ashten!” Candace whined, “But I’m having so much fun.” She pouted.

“Fine.” Ashten groaned.”Eleven-thirty tops.”

“Yay!” Candace clapped. “I love you Sissy!” She said, calling Ashten by the nickname that they’d come up with for each other back in the first grade, since they used to be as close as sisters. Operative words being used. Candace placed a big sloppy kiss on Ashten’s cheek before she resumed dancing.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” Ashten said, before wiping off the slobber and lipstick stain that she was sure to have on her cheek. Ashten then turned looking for a place to sit down. Since she was going to be here for another half hour, although with Candace it would more likely be another two to three hours, she might as well get comfortable. Suddenly, she spotted an empty place on a loveseat next to some guy that she didn’t recognize.

He had the most beautiful raven hair, that fell into his face a little, and the most gorgeous blue eyes that she had ever seen. She could’ve sworn her heart had skipped a beat just by looking at him. He kept to himself, sipping on a Sprite- not beer- while the party went on around him. He wore a simple white T-Shirt underneath an open blue and white plaid button down, jeans and black combat boots. Nothing like what the Lacrosse guys wore. He seemed so quiet and unassuming, and that’s what intrigued her the most about him. Why didn’t she know him? How could she have let him fly under her radar?

“Hey Can,” Ashten said.

“Yes?”

“Who’s that guy over there?” Ashten asked, discreetly pointing in the direction of the loveseat, pushed against the very back of the wall.

Candace followed Ashten’s gaze and her eyes widen in sudden realization. “Oh my God Ashten, that’s- that’s JC Chasez,” she stammered, her eyes sparkling.

“Who?” Ashten asked, the name not ringing a bell.

“From the Mickey Mouse Club, duh!”

“You mean, the Disney show?” She didn’t watch much television, much less a show on the Disney Channel.

“Girl, you better get on that before I do,” Candace said, before turning her attention to Rhyon.

“Hmm, smartest idea you’ve had all night,” Ashten muttered, before walking off to the loveseat, completely intrigued, buy this mystery guy.

Mister invisible, tell me how could

I miss you boy,

How could you have never caught

my eye, were you there all along,

Or were you just shy

“Um, is this seat taken?”

JC looked up to see that same beautiful girl standing in front of him, asking him if she could sit next to him. He just looked up at her, too mesmerized to speak.

 “I’m sorry, that was probably a stupid question, you’re probably saving this seat for your girlfriend.” Gosh, she was fucking up already. Of course a guy like him would already have a girlfriend. She should just bow out gracefully, while her dignity was still intact. “Sorry,” she said again before turning to leave.

Wait, what? No! She couldn’t leave. How could JC have messed up that quickly? It was humanly impossible to choke as quickly as he just had. “Wait!” He managed to call before walking away.

Ashten turned back around. God, please don’t let me have toilet paper stuck to my butt! She silently prayed before turning back around. “Yeah?”

“I’m not, um, I’m not saving this seat for anyone,” JC managed to get out. “You can sit here.” He said, patting the spot next to him.

“Thanks,” Ashten smiled sweetly before sitting down next to him. “Hi, I’m Ashten.” She said introducing herself.

“I’m JC, but you can call me Josh,” he said, extending his hand.

“Hi Josh,” Ashten took his hand to shake it, and smiled. She could have sworn she felt a million butterflies at the pit of her stomach. “Um, so do you go to Dr. Phillips?” She asked, trying to make conversation. She mentally scolded herself, once she remembered the fact that Candace had told her that he was on some show.

“Uh no,” JC replied. He was actually relieved that she didn’t know who he was, or at least pretended not to. “I uh- so you don’t know who I am?” He just had to make sure.

Ashten shook her head, blushing a little. “My friend said you were on a show or something like that, but I don’t really watch TV.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m much more into film and theater so yeah…”

JC had found that extremely refreshing. Ashten was different than the usual girls who threw themselves all over him to get his attention. She wasn’t a fan, hell she didn’t know him from Adam, and he liked that. “Cool,” he smiled.

“So, if you’re on TV show, then how’d you get here?” Ashten asked. If JC was such a star, like the way Candace made him seem, then shouldn’t he be somewhere much cooler than, here.

“I came with my friend Joey,” JC explained. “Do you know him?”

“Who doesn’t know Joey?” Ashten laughed. “We’re in Drama class together.”

“Oh so, you act?” JC asked, curious to find out more about her.

“Um, just a little, but nothing serious. I just needed an elective credit.” Ashten blushed. Gosh, why couldn’t she stop doing that? They were only talking for Christ’s sake! “So,” Ashten said speaking up again. “I’m getting pretty tired of this party, and it doesn’t look like my friend will be leaving here anytime soon, do you want to get out of here for a while? Maybe go for a walk?” Ashten asked.

“Sure.” JC said quickly, taking her up on her offer.

“C’mon,” Ashten said getting up, and motioning for him to follow her. “It’s beautiful out on the beach this time of night.”

So come with me, and

Walk for a while can I spring

You outta here and talk for awhile?

Gotta know what’s the deal with

You, Mister now I’m really feelin’

You…

“So Josh, tell me more about yourself.” Ashten said. She and JC were both now out back on the beach, where it was much quieter.

“Well, what do you want to know?” He asked, wondering what she found so fascinating about him.

“What’s it like being so far away from home?” Ashten asked, referring to the fact that he spent six months out of the year in Orlando to film the show, and then the other half of the year in his home state of Maryland.

“It’s really not all that bad, Orlando’s like a second home. Most of my friends are here, and work is here. I can picture myself making the permanent move here after graduation.”

“It really is a great place, not many people have the ocean as their back yard.” Ashten replied, staring off into the water, as the waves crashed against the shore.

“Yeah, I really like to come out here when I need to get some things off my mind.” JC said. “I don’t know, it’s just like when you’re staring into the ocean…”

“The waves just seem to wash your worries away,” Ashten said, finishing his sentence.

“Yeah,” JC smiled as they locked eyes. It was like she got him. Crazy, considering the fact that they’d only met just twenty minutes ago. 

“What do you do for fun?” Ashten asked, picking the conversation back up. She was so interested in him.

“I’m pretty boring actually,” JC replied, looking down.

“Oh come on, I’m sure you’re not that boring,” Ashten said, lightly swatting him across his shoulder.

“Well, when I’m not working I like to hang out at Universal Studios sometimes, that’s how I met Joey.”

“Oh, I loved him in Beetlejuice!” Ashten said.

“Yeah so did I,” JC agreed.

“You know, I’m surprised we haven’t met sooner,” Ashten said looking up at him.

“Crazy huh…” JC said, staring back at her. He could have sworn right then and there that he was falling for her.

“Well, things do have a funny way of working out,” Ashten smiled. JC seemed like a really cool guy, and she hated the fact that she hadn’t met him sooner, but now that she knew who he was, there was no way that he’d ever escape her attention again.“I’ll tell you what, how about we make up for lost time and missed opportunities?” she suggested.

About an hour later, the party was still going strong, and Ashten and JC were in their own little world. They were in Joey’s car, JC in the driver’s seat, and Ashten on the passenger’s side listening to show tunes.

“So, Ashten Miller is a fan of musicals,” JC stated. They had been listening to the Bells are Ringing soundtrack, and Ashten had been singing along to every word of It’s a Perfect Relationship, and quite in tune, if he must say so himself.

“Oh, I love them,” She replied. “I even thought of auditioning for the role of Ella in last year’s spring production.”

“So why didn’t you?” JC asked.

“I don’t know, I guess I’m not really all that great and-“

“You should really stop that,” JC interjected.

 “Stop what?” Ashten asked.

“Stop putting yourself down. You’re way too modest.” He explained. “I mean, if it’s something you like, I don’t see why you shouldn’t do it.” In all honesty, JC felt kind of bad for Ashten. She seemed really insecure and unsure of herself.

“So, you listen to Dinah Washington?” Ashten said, abruptly changing the subject. The last thing she wanted was for him to discover how pathetic she really was. JC looked to where she was pointing, and picked up the CD of the jazz singer’s greatest hits.

“You know Dinah Washington?” JC asked, raising an eyebrow. He knew that he shouldn’t have been surprised at this point.

“Do I know her? I love her!” Ashten exclaimed. “I especially love her rendition of Cry Me a River.” She marveled.

“That’s my favorite by her!” JC replied, surprised at just how much they had in common. Not many seventeen year olds listened to jazz, or much less knew who Dinah Washington was.

“Although Aerosmith does do a pretty kick ass version,” Ashten said, as if reading his mind.

“Okay, now don’t go there, because then that would just make this too perfect.” JC said, laughing lightly.

“So you’re a fan of the Demon of Screamin’ as well.” Ashten stated.

“I have every single album.” Josh said. “I blame my parents really.”

“Yeah, I think I might’ve been conceived to Dream On!” Ashten laughed, and JC joined her. “You know, before coming here tonight, I just knew it’d be the night from Hell,” she said. “And then I met you, and it’s been the best night I’ve had in a while.”

“Really?” JC asked.

“Really,” she replied. Having an actual conversation with someone was all she needed to be content. Not to mention the fact that she actually had a lot in common with him coupled with the feeling that she could really be herself around him. She didn’t want tonight to be the end of whatever this was. “I mean you’re a really cool guy Josh, I’m sure your girlfriend is head over heels for you.” Yes, yes she had used the classic line, but she had to find out whether or not he was single. She had been dying to know. But then again, a great guy like him had to be taken.

“Um, I actually don’t have a girlfriend,” JC said blushing.

Yes! Ashten silently cheered. “Well then, what are you doing tomorrow night?” She asked, hopefully.

“I um, I uh- was actually just going to stay in and finish reading The Catcher in the Rye,” JC stuttered.

“Oh,” Ashten frowned. Seriously? She was practically throwing herself at him. She thought that they’d had something good going, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was all off. Maybe he just didn’t like her like that. But he was just so different from any other guy that she had ever been interested in. He was actually smart, and funny, and charming. She wasn’t going to let him get off that easily. Maybe, she just had to try from a different angle.

What I gotta do for you to scoop

Me up? And what I gotta say to be

The one you touch?

“Well, I hear Grease is playing at midnight at the Cineplex tomorrow night, maybe you wanna go together?” She tried again.

“That sounds great,” JC smiled. Had Ashten just asked him out? “I’ll pick you up?”

“Sure,” she replied. “Let me write down my number,” she said, grabbing a pen from the ashtray and taking a moment to dig around for a scrap piece of paper. “Here,” she said, handing Josh her number, after she had written it down.

JC couldn’t believe how his night had turned out. In a strange twist of fate, the party that he had sworn he wouldn’t go to, ended up becoming a really great night.

“So, I should probably get back to my friend,” Ashten sighed, nodding in the direction of the party.

“Yeah, I should probably be doing the same,” Josh replied. Getting out of the driver’s side of the car, he quickly rushed to the passenger’s side to open the door for Ashten.

Wow, Ashten thought. We’re not even on a real date yet, and he’s opening the door for me, what a real gentlemen! “So, I know you won’t be in Orlando for much longer, but I was hoping that we could spend some time together until you leave?” She suggested.

“Yeah, sure,” Josh replied, smiling from ear to ear. “I’d really like that.”

“Thanks for a great time tonight Josh,” Ashten said. “I really enjoyed getting to know you,” she said, before reaching up and kissing him on the cheek.

When her lips lightly brushed the side of his face, it had by far been the best part of the night for JC. Joey convincing him to come to the party was by far the best idea he’s ever had.

“So, tomorrow night?” Ashten asked.

“Yeah, tomorrow night,” He replied.

“Bye, Josh,” Ashten waved, before walking away leaving him completely mesmerized.

Leaving him standing there, Ashten had a good feeling about them. It just felt so right. She liked the way he made her feel, and she could just imagine herself feeling like that all the time. It was written in the stars for them, she could feel it. They were going to be amazing together, and she couldn’t wait.

I’m gonna love the way you love me,

You’re gonna love the way you love me.