'Forget it,' I told myself as my hand felt about on the table for the phone. Upon locating it, I grabbed it and brought it over to my face.
"Hello?" I said groggily.
"I hope I didn't wake you up." My eyes blinked open when I heard Ashley's warm voice. With my free hand I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and turned my head to look at my alarm clock. Unfortunately my large tabby cat Spud was sitting right next to me, effectively blocking my view.
I didn't feel like sitting up just then so I asked Ashley. "Yeah, you did. But it's okay. What time is it?"
"Poor girl," Ashley chuckled. "It's nearly one. Late night last night? Without me?"
Almost one? Not again. "Shit," I moaned, ignoring Ashley's playful jabs. "I slept in again. My mom's gonna kill me."
"No she won't. She works today doesn't she?"
I thought that over carefully. What day was it? Monday? Tuesday? I decided on Tuesday because Dad had been at work yesterday. "Yeah," I croaked. "I guess she is at work today. I lucked out. But still..."
"Don't worry about it Dana," Ashley said sweetly. "You need your sleep. What kept you up anyway?"
"Nothing. I went to bed before 11:30, I swear."
"Hmm, okay, so, what were you doing yesterday that wore you out?"
"Driving," I responded honestly, knowing that Ashley would understand immediately.
"What did you fight about this time?"
"Mom got mad at me because I slept in after noon. She blamed it on my being 'out all night' with you."
"She got mad at you for that?"
"You know what she's like. It shouldn't surprise you. Besides, it wasn't really that she was angry about. It was me going out with you that she didn't like."
"Oh." Ashley was silent for a while. "I supposed deep down I already knew that. I'm sorry that I cause you so much stress."
I frowned, still not entirely coherent. I wasn't sure if she had just said what I thought she had said. 'Am I still dreaming?' I thought, confused. "Ashley... you don't cause me stress. She does. I can deal with it to an extent. Just, don't worry about it."
"I know you can deal with it, but that won't stop me from worrying. Anyway, do you mind if I come over for the afternoon?"
"Sure, come on over. I love spending time with you."
Ashley chuckled lightly. "Well, that's nice to know. I love you."
"Love you too."
We said our good-byes and hung up. I dropped the phone back onto the table and buried my face into the green fluffy pillow I sleep on. Five minutes later I was fast asleep.
chapter 3