Near to You.

Asher woke to the sound of heavy breathing. Her sleep crusted eyes broke open and she examined her surroundings. Matt lay sound asleep next to her, his chest heaving with each inhale and exhale. She smiled. She was finally starting to warm up to him, but the things he put her through still lingered in the back of her mind. Sure they were kids, but even then, wounds like that never heal.
“Ash?” Matt mumbled and draped his arms over her waist.
“Hi Matt,” She whispered and rested her hands underneath her head. The morning sun was streaming in through the windows and bouncing off the walls, creating seas of gold in his eyes. She bit her lower lip as her baby blues connected with his. She was starting to feel something for this man, there was no way of hiding it, but she had to try, she couldn’t show weakness.
“What time is it?” He never looked away only tightening his grip around her.
“I think it’s a little after 12.” She guessed. From her view on the couch she could see the sun shining brightly above the ocean and the gold glitter dancing on the water. Brown and yellow leaves were falling against her balcony and a gust of wind blew through every tree branch, making them swing. “I have to go shopping for my parents’ annual black and white Christmas party.” It happened every year, their friends, business partners, family, people of power. Almost everyone who was important in some way was invited. That means she had to look her best.
“Can I come with you?” Her heart jumped a little as Matt sat up, pulling her with him.
“Shopping or the party?” She squeaked as she stared into those still golden pools.
“Shopping,” He smiled, “Unless you want me to come with you to the party.” Confidence oozing past his lips.
“I, uh,” Asher stuttered, completely leaving behind the confident, self assured girl she once knew. Did she want him to meet her parents? How would they react? “Sure,” She spoke after awhile. “But you’ll have to go as my date and no getting the wrong idea.” She snapped.
“The wrong idea is already implanted in my head with the position we’re in now.” He smirked. Asher made a face of disgust and jumped of the couch.
“It’s a black and white party,” She reminded him, “So find something that is really nice.”
“Can you help me? I can just come shopping with you.” He smirked once again and stood, still in the pajamas as last night. “Just let me change back into the clothes I was wearing,” He replied to quickly before Asher could protest. Matt stripped himself of his shirt and grabbed the black dress shirt off the floor. Asher chewed on her lower lip and attempted not to stare, but how could she not with that nice ass body he was rocking? “Like?” He laughed and continued buttoning up the shirt. Asher shook her head and threw a pillow at him before running into her room to change. She was embarrassed that he had caught her catching a peek at his body.
Finally, after searching for a decent outfit Asher and Matt were out the door on their way to the mall. Since Laguna Hills Mall was just down the street, the decided to hit that up first. Although it was shitty and most of the stores were closing you never know what you could find in there. Asher and Matt sifted their way through most of the clothes at Macy’s but neither could find something they liked.
“Why don’t we try the South Coast Plaza,” Matt suggested when suddenly a skinny teenage girl ran up to the two.
“You are M. Shadows,” She announced with the biggest grin on her face. It was this, that made Asher remember what he did for a living. All that she had forgotten and remembering now made a grin slip onto her lips. “I love you so much!” She squealed, “Can I get a picture with you?” Matt thanked her and nodded, slipped an arm around her and handed Asher the camera. With a flash of the camera and another hug, the girl was off down the mall, her mother trailing close behind.
“This is why we don’t go near Hot Topic.” He joked and smiled at Asher.
“That was really sweet,” She beamed and pressed her hand against his shoulder. Matt just laughed and casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Off to Costa Mesa.”
It was a silent but comfortable car ride as they made their way to the South Coast. They walked down rows and rows of cars before finally reaching the sliding double doors. It was that smell that got to Asher, the smell of new clothes and shopping. Store by store, they hit everything from Saks Fifth Avenue to Max&Co. Gathering clothes by the minute.
“Asher,” She heard his voice in the distance as she rummaged through a rack of shirts. “Ash,” She chose to ignore him while she focused on tonight’s events. What would happen? “Ash! Asher! Ashhhh!” She whipped around and laughed, he wasn’t there but she could see his shoes underneath the racks of clothes.
“You know Matt,” She smirked, walking over to the coat rack. “I always thought Jimmy would act this way not you.” A grin was plastered on both of their faces as she pulled the clothes away to expose him.
“I have my moments,” He crawled out. “Only when I’m bored.”
“Bored?” She laughed and felt her stomach growl.
“Yes bored and someone’s hungry, let’s get food.” She smiled at him as he draped his arms around her waist this time, a bolder, intimate move on his part. She couldn’t shake the feeling it was giving her, not to mention the heat that was radiating from his body. Asher’s head screamed to push him away but her heart told her to snuggle closer into him. And that is exactly what she did.
Matt placed a gentle kiss on the crown of her head and inhaled her scent. Strawberries. The two were seated and attempted to eat but the conversation and fits of laughter was preventing that. They were prefect for each other in every sense but Matt thought only he was picking up on it. He wanted her, he needed her, but he couldn’t have her. Although, this invitation to her parents party was a step in the right direction. He watched as little by little she opened up to him but he also saw the pain hidden behind her eyes the farther he reached the real Asher. He hurt her severely, to the point of no return and if he was Asher, he wouldn’t be sitting down in front of him. He needed to make it up to her in the most outrageous way and just then, while deep in thought, it clicked. He had a plan.

Later that day, Matt stopped by Asher’s apartment to pick her up. He thought out his plans as he marched up the stairs to her door. It was cracked open and he smiled as he heard her fumbling in the hallway. “Ash,” He had gotten so used to calling her that instead of her full name now. It just slipped of the tongue in the best way.
“Coming!” She yelled and stumbled into the doorway. She looked absolutely stunning. Her hair was done perfectly and the way she was dressed just fit her personality beautifully.
“Wow,” Matt’s mouth gapped slightly open, “You look…” He smiled and pulled her into a hug. “so beautiful.” He finished and kissed her forehead lovingly. Another huge step, lip to skin contact. This sent shivers down both of their spins.
“You don’t look to bad yourself.” She beamed and locked the door behind them. “Who picked out your shirt? I love it!” She laughed sarcastically and punched his arm as they climbed into Matt’s car.
“This amazingly talented and stunning woman,” He smirked and made his way to Asher’s parents home, following the directions she was speaking. They followed several roads up the huge cliffs of Laguna, each house getting bigger and bigger. Finally they arrived. It was the most beautiful house on the street. Bigger than Matt’s large house and he was actually shocked at first.
“Let me warn you,” She turned to him as they made their way up the cobble stone pathway. “My dad, since you’re my “date”” She air quoted, this hurt Matt for just a split second because he was considering this as a real “date.” “My dad might interrogate you or pay off cops to have you arrested if he doesn’t like you.” Her face was completely serious. “One a lighter note,” She laughed. “You’ll like my mom.”
Matt laughed and carefully slid his hand into hers; she hesitated for a moment before lacing her fingers with his. This brought a smile to both of their faces.
“Oh honey!”A middle aged blond woman swung the door open, she was just as beautiful as Asher and Matt automatically knew that was her mother. “I’ve missed you!”
“Hi mom,” Asher wrapped her arms around her mother and smiled, “This is my date Matt.”
“Well, Matt,” She sized him up, this made him nervous. “It’s really nice to meet you! I’m Kate Evans.”
“Hello Mrs. Evans its nice meeting you also.” He shook her hand and smiled warmly at Asher.
“You’re father is in the back yard, go introduce Matt to him.” Kate grinned, the same grin Asher had and rushed off to the kitchen. The “couple” pushed through crowds of people, Asher waving and flashing a smile at a few, until they finally found found the back yard.It was almost like a dream, an infinity pool hung off the edge of the cliffs and looked onto the ocean and large glass windows let you peer into the abnormally large house. Sure, their Huntington Beach house back in high school was big but this one was beyond that.
“Daddy,” Asher called, walking down the steps onto black marble floor.
“Ash?” An older man stood. His gray hair was covered by a black 50’s fedora and he wore a black sleek blazer.
“Dad!” She smirked embraced him into a hug.
“There’s my girl,” He smiled and turned to Matt. “Hello,” He said sternly. “I’m Greg Evans, Asher’s father and you are?” Matt could tell right off that bat he was a “sir” kind of guy.
“I’m Matthew Sanders, you’re daughters date, sir.” He felt like her was in high school all over again.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Matthew.”
“You too sir.” They shook hands and all seemed well.
“Well, we should go get something to drink,” Asher spoke awkwardly, pulling her date by the hand into the house. The house was decorated in the most mod, beautiful way. Silver, black, and white bulbs hung off the fake Christmas trees appeared in each room and black and white poinsettias lined the furniture. Glittery white and black tinsel and garland ran across the walls and white twinkling lights were everywhere. It was straight out of a magazine.
“I’m sorry,” Asher sighed and headed toward the punch bowl.
“You warned me,” Matt laughed and laced their fingers once more. The two chatted for quite a while until someone surprised them.
“Look who we have here,” A deep voice boomed from behind them. “The bully and the victim actually dating?” Matt new it was Gavin almost immediately. “Long time no see man,” He was finally visible, standing right in front of them.
“Gavin, dude, how are you?” Matt hugged him and smiled.
“I’m great. Got married and have a monster on the way.” He laughed and took a sip of his beer.
“Classy Gavin,” Asher pointed to his bottle and shook her head. “I’m going to go get some wine,” She let go of Matt’s hand and smiled before making her way to the kitchen.
“Wow, a kid?” Matt was honestly shocked. Gavin never seemed like the type to settle down, but I guess people change, like he did.
“Yeah, a baby girl.” He grinned. The excitement on Gavin’s face made Matt a little jealous. He wanted that, to be happy, with a kid, and a beautiful wife. Someone like Asher. This thought scared him though, why was he thinking about this? She hated him. “Speaking of,” A pregnant brunette woman waddled her way to their side. Gavin wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. “Matt this is Jessicka, Jessicka this is my old friend Matt. The one who terrorized Asher.” He said with a strong laugh.
“Wow and now you’re her date.” Jessicka laughed and shook Matt’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Matt.”
“You too, Jessicka. Congratulations on the baby girl.” He beamed at that and when he saw Asher making her way through the crowds of people.
“You know,” Gavin whispered in his ear, he spotted her too. “She’s not as uptight as she seems. She’s got this tattoo on her side, make her show you.” He chuckled and returned to his wife. “I can’t believe Matt is here with Asher,” He laughed once more before walking off.
“Hey!” Asher smiled, “Wanna go upstairs? It’s pretty loud down here.” Matt nodded and followed her up the winding staircase. “Promise you won’t laugh,” Asher pleaded as they stood in front of a white door with A S H E R written in pink letters.
“I promise,” Matt whispered and turned the gold knob leading to her room. He couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s so pink!” He exclaimed and stepped in, turning off the lights only leaving the moonlight.
“You promised you wouldn’t laugh!” Asher punched his arm and smiled. She fell on her bed and Matt following. They sat in the dark room, their eyes illuminated by the moon peeking through her window. The reflection off the ocean was so bright and the silence between them was so comforting.
“You have a tattoo.” Matt whispered huskily and brushed his hand against her shoulder.
“He told you didn’t he.” Asher said flatly and shook her head.
“Show me,”
“No,” Matt didn’t take no for an answer. He slipped a hand against her back and ran his fingers down her spine, making her shutter. He reached the sipper of her form fitting dress and slowly zipped it down. “Matt,” She said shakily and wrapped her arms around her bra covered chest.
There it was, just a simple line of cursive writing horizontally against her ribs. It was so beautiful to Matt. He let his thumb glide across it, never letting his eyes wander to her chest, and kissed her bare shoulder lovingly.
“This,” He mumbled against her skin, and began zipping her dress up once again. “Is so beautiful, you are beautiful.” He raised his palm to her cheek and connected gazes with Asher. She hadn’t spoken a word. He inched closer and closer, this was his chance to make everything worth it. He pressed his lips against her luscious pink ones and wrapped his arms around her petite frame.
“Matt,” She pushed his away and stared straight into his soul. “I can’t do this.” She stood to her feet and ran down stairs, slamming the bedroom door shut behind her. Matt sat speechless. He couldn’t let her get away now. He jumped from the pink bed and ran out after her, following her to the almost empty backyard.
She was standing at the edge of the infinity pool, looking out into the ocean. Her baby blue eyes were reflecting the water but they were glazed with tears. “Ash,” Matt breathed and wrapped his hands around her waist, she flinched.
“I’m scared,” She admitted after several moments of silence. “I’m afraid that you’ll hurt me. You’ll steal everything from me like you did in high school.”
“Baby,” Another massive leap for Matt. “I will never ever hurt you, ever.” His voice straight to the point. “I want you more than I have ever wanted any other girl in my life. I was young and stupid and I changed Asher, I changed more than you know.” He kissed her cheek, trailing his lips down to her lips.