Ashley got up the moment her bus pulled up in front of her, and climbed in. She took a seat in the back of the bus and put her bag in the seat next to her, indicating that she didn’t want anyone to sit there. She just wanted to be left alone.

She laid her head against the window and closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. It was still early in the morning and still dark outside, which meant that there weren’t many people on the streets.

Ashley opened her eyes as she heard the doors of the bus closing and stared outside as the bus began to drive. Then she looked around in the bus and saw that there were only two others sitting in the front of the bus.

She stared outside again, laying her head against the window and clasping her bag against her body. She let out another deep sigh as she watched the streetlamps go by. Tears sprang in her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks as she remembered the last couple of weeks.

~

Ashley ran into the house, dropping her bag and wet coat to the floor. The phone was ringing, and Ashley raced towards the corner of the room, where the phone lay.

“Hello” she sighed into the horn as she was trying to regain her breath. The elevator had broke down again, and that meant she had to use the stairs. That normally wouldn’t be a problem, but she was living on the sixth floor, and she had just had a very long and busy day.

She wiped her hair out of her face and dropped into a chair, as she clinged the phone between her shoulder and ear, while trying to take of her shoes. They were gorgeous shoes, but they were killing her.

“Hey Ash. It’s me, Kim.”

Ashley smiled. “Hey Kim. How are you? God, it has been long, hasn’t it? It is really good to hear from you.” Kimberly was her best friend at high school, and after they had both finished their high school, they had promised each other to keep in touch. That was about a year ago. Kimberly had moved to LA, while Ashley stayed in New York. At first they called and e-mailed every week, but that soon became every other week. The periods in-between grew longer and longer, until they just wrote each other once a month or so. Ashley often thought about calling Kim, but she couldn’t find the time, because she became very busy with her work and all.

“Yeah, I know. Sorry about that. It’s just that.., well, you know. I have been very busy, lately.”

“Yeah, me too. You know, work and stuff. But tell me, how is everything in LA? How are the guys? Do you have a boyfriend yet?”

“Well, actually...I was wondering if you felt like coming here, for the holiday. I thought that would be fun, you know. That way you can meet all my new friends, and I would really like to see you again. Catching up and such.”

Ashley had finally freed her feet from her killer shoes (literally an figurative) and let out a silent sigh of relief. She took the phone in her hand, and sat down more comfortably in her chair. “Come to you? Are you sure? I would love to. But why aren’t you answering my question? Are you hiding something from me?”

“What do you mean? What question?” Kim asked innocently.

“Oh, come on Kim. I know you longer than one day you know. You know exactly what question I am talking about. Now, come on, spill it out.”

“Oh okay. To tell you the truth, yes. Yes I do have a boyfriend. But I am not going to tell you more. It is a secret, and you will find out the answer as you get here.”

Ashley smiled widely as she let out a soft laugh. “God, you haven’t changed a bit, have you? You are still pure evil, trying to blackmail me like that. But it has no use. I already said that I would come, remember?”

“Yes, you are absolutely right. But I still ain’t tellin’.”

Ashley bursted out into laughter, and she could hear Kim on the other end, laughing too.

When they were both finished laughing, and busy wiping the tears out of their eyes, Ashley could hear some mumbling on the other end.

“Kim? Are you still there?”

“Yes I am. Why? What’s wrong?”

Ashley shook her head even though Kim couldn’t see it. “Oh, nothing I guess. It’s just, well, I heard something strange. Is there somebody there, with you?”

She heard a cough at the other end. “Yeah, my boyfriend is. He was just asking me when you were coming.”

“Oh, right. Erm, I really have no idea. I have to plan my vacation, but since it is not really the season for vacations, I don’t think it’s going to be a big problem. How about next month? January the 25^th?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess that would be fine. Or you could come here for new-year. That would be fun, you know? And maybe you could stay for the whole month of January. How about that?”

Ashley made a sour face and sighed. “That really sounds great, but I can’t. I mean, my work. I can’t just say, ‘oh hey, guys, I’m going to take a very long vacation and I’ll see you when I get back’. I do have responsibilities, you know?”

“Oh, screw them. What have they ever done for you, at work? And when was your last real vacation?”

Ashley bit her lip, as she thought about this. Kim really did have a point, there. The only vacation she had ever had was not longer than three days. She twisted a string of hair around her finger, as she was thinking about just telling her boss that she would take a four week long vacation. She shook her head. “No, I can’t just-”

“Of course you can. Okay, listen. You know what I am going to do? I am going to send you a ticket, and you will come. And I don’t mean just for a couple of days, but for the whole period. And that’s that. And if your boss is going to make any trouble, just tell him to call me. And I will tell him exactly what he can do with his objections. You deserve this vacation, Ash. You know it, I know it and your boss knows it. He is just a selfish piece of shit for not admitting that.”

Ashley smiled and nodded. “Okay, I am going to do it.”

“What? Just like that? This isn’t the Ashley I know. The Ashley I know would never let herself be talken into things like this.”

“Yeah I know. I have changed. I had to. I didn’t have you with me, to protect me, anymore. So I had to learn how to stand on my own two legs, and how to stand up for myself.”

“Good for you. Really. I am glad to hear that. And I am really looking forward to see you. So I will send you a ticket, and you will come.”

“Yes, I will. But I can pay for my own ticket.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. You know I am terribly rich. And I have to say, my boyfriend has got a lot of money too. So don’t make a fuss and let me buy your ticket.”

“Okay, I give up. But tell me, was that a hint?”

“Sorry? Okay, you lost me there.”

“You just told me that your boyfriend has got a lot of money. Was that a hint?”

“Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Who will tell. Not me anyway. But hey, I have to go, I have an appointment. I will send you your ticket and I will be sure to pick you up from the airport, okay?”

“Okay, I really am looking forward to it. Thank you so much for the invitation.”

“You are welcome. And I am looking forward to it also, so I guess I will see you in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah, I am sure of it. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Ashley hung up the phone and went to the front door to pick up her coat which she had thrown down there earlier. It was lying in a big puddle of water, and was completely soaked.

“Oh God, It’s ruined! What was I thinking, wearing this jacket on a rainy day? Now I have to buy a new one. I can’t wear this jacket anymore!”

She sighed, and threw the jacket over a chair. “Ah well, I guess I will have to buy more new clothes, before I am going to LA. And maybe I could get a new hairdo.” She pulled a hand through her hair. “But first I have to call Mike.” She let out a small laugh. “He is probably not going to like this.”

Mike was her long-time boyfriend, who she still kept on a distance. She didn’t know why she did it, because she really did care about him, but she just couldn’t help it. Every time he got to close, she drew back. And she knew she did that. But she kept on doing it. He was ready to go to another level in their relationship, he had been for a long while now, and he showed it. But she still didn’t want to go there. They had been together for over a year now, but hadn’t even slept together.

Ashley sighed as she picked up the phone, and dailed his number. It would only be a month, and they had been separated before. One time even longer than a month. So it would be okay. She just hoped that he wouldn’t make a fuss.

*

Ashley wiped her hair out of her face, as she got out of the plane. She should’ve tied it up in a ponytail, but she liked the way it fell down in bouncy curls, around her face. So she had decided to let it hang loose, something she was beginning to regret, after sitting in the plane for such a long time. She pulled a hand through her hair, trying to fix it so that it didn’t look like one big mess, but failed miserably. She stopped as she reached the arrival hall and looked around. She couldn’t find Kim anywhere, so she just stood there, waiting for her friend to come and pick her up.

After waiting for a while she saw a blond haired girl standing besides a brown haired man, who both looked very familiar. Ashley felt her mouth falling open, as she saw her best friend Kim kissing the man standing next to her. She blinked in confusion and shook her head, causing her blond curls to bounce around.

She opened her eyes again and saw Kim looking her way. But it seemed as though she didn’t recognize her, since she kept looking around, not showing any sign of recognition.

Ashley sighed and picked up her bags, as she started to walk towards the couple who were still busy looking around, trying to find her.

She really hadn’t known she’d changed so much, but she guessed she must have, seeing as how her best friend didn’t even recognize her. She bit her lower lip as she stopped walking again. So yeah, she had cut off her hair so that it was shoulderlenght, instead of her usual length, down to the middle. And yeah, she had curls now, and dyed her hair. And she had also lost a lot of weight. But she hadn’t changed that much, had she?

She shook her head and started walking again. As she reached the couple, standing there, waiting for her, she loudly cleared her throat, making them look in her direction.

"Ashley? My God, is it really you?" Kim opened her arms wide and took Ashley into a massive hug. "You look wonderful! I wouldn't have recognized you!"

Ashley laughed as she returned the hug. "Well, you haven't changed one bit." They let each other go and both showed each other a big smile.

"I missed you!" Kim exclaimed and Ashley shot her a surprised look.

"I missed you too." Then she turned around and looked at the man, standing behind Kim. As she looked straight into a pair of misty blue eyes, Ashley felt her heart missing a beat, only to be racing the next moment. Suddenly her throat and lips felt awfully dry, and she swallowed, before licking her lips.

Kim, who had followed Ashleys gaze, looked back at her and started laughing. "Stop drooling over my man!" she teasingly exclaimed. Ashley looked up startled as a bright red blush spread all over her face. Kim pointed at the man and smiled. "Ash, meet my boyfriend. This is..."

"Dominic Monaghan." Ashley quickly said, and she showed them a big smile as she nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Dominic held out his hand, laughing. "And you are Kim's best friend Ashley. It's very nice to meet you Ashley." he said, as he shook her hand. Then he turned around to face Kim. "You hear that honey? People know me!"

Kim smiled as she gave him a quick kiss. "Yes, sweetie. People know you, and they also love you. But nobody loves you as much as I do."

A cheeky smile appeared on his face as Dominic put his arm around his girlfriends waist. "Aren't we the friendly one today! I think I'll have to take advantage of that later!" He winked at Ashley, and she couldn't help but smile.

Kim just sighed as she his him against his arm, in a playish manner. "We can't sweetie. We've got company."

Dominic just shrugged. "That's no problem really. I don't mind having a good time with TWO gorgeous women. And I've always wanted to try that."

Ashley felt real hot all of a sudden, and she was positively sure that her face had now turned a dark red. But instead of just keeping her mouth shut, like she had always done, she replied. "Well, I think I would have to get to know you better. But it sounds like a good idea, really. Oh, and while we are at it, could we also include Elijah, Orlando and Billy? The more the merrier, right?"

She looked at both Kim and Dominic, and saw that her best friend was looking at her with a shocked expression on her face. Ashley smiled and shrugged, as Dominic started laughing.

"She's not that shy, luv!" he told Kim.

Kim nodded, as she started laughing too. "No," she replied, looking at Ashley, "I guess you really have changed. And I think I really do like the new you, better than the old you."

Ashleys smile grew wider at this. Then she yawned, and both Dom and Kim quickly bent down to pick up her suitcases. "Let's get you home then, shall we?" Kim said, as she held a hand through Ashleys arm, and the three of them walked away.

*

Ashley woke up and quickly jumped out of bed. She looked at the alarm clock and saw that it was already almost 10 a.m. She quickly ran a comb through her hair and pulled on a pair of old comfy jeans and a black shirt.

She walked out of the room and hurried down the stairs. There she stood still for a moment as she tried to remember which door led to the kitchen. She walked to the last door on the left and opened it. "Thank God," she sighed as she saw that it had indeed led to the kitchen.

She quickly walked into the room and bit her lip as she saw that both Kim and Dominic weren't there yet. She looked around as she pondered about what she had to do now. Should she wait, so that they could all enjoy their breakfast together? Or should she just go ahead and grab a bite to eat?

At that moment her stomach started making all sorts of weird noises, and Ashley quickly decided to do the latter one. She was to hungry to wait. And just a small bite couldn't do that much damage, now could it?

Ashley opened a few cupboards, but couldn't find anything to eat. She sighed and turned around. Then she walked towards the refrigerator and opened it to look if there was something to eat in there. But again she found nothing.

"Hmm, maybe I should wait for the others," she mumbled, before noticing a big bowl filled with all sorts of fruits, standing on the kitchen counter. "Ah, finally!" she happily exclaimed as she picked up an apple and took a bite.

At that same moment, the door opened and Ashley turned around startled. She could barely keep her mouth from falling open as Dominic walked in, wearing only a pair of baggy pants.

Ashley quickly swallowed her bite of apple, but she tried to swallow it to fast, and she nearly choked on it. "Good morning," Dominic said at the same time Ashley started to cough furiously. "Oh hey, are you alright?"

Ashley shook her head as tears sprang into her eyes. She kept coughing and her face turned all purple. Dominic quickly ran towards her and started patting her on her back.

After a while Ashleys coughs grew less and less, until they finally died out. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and looked up at Dominic, who was still holding her.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he softly said with a semi-worried look on his face, and Ashley smiled.

"It wasn't that," she said as she shook her head. "I just... choked on my apple. I swallowed it to quickly. I always do that. It's a miracle that I am still alive, really."

A big smile appeared on Dominic's face as he let go of her, and Ashley blushed as she realised that she'd been in his arms. Then she bit her lip out of guilt, for she had really liked the feeling. But she had to remember that he was Kim's boyfriend. "Yes, well, miracle or no miracle, we are all glad that you are still alive," Dominic said with a wink, and Ashley looked at him, feeling a bit confused at first, until she realised what he was talking about. Then she smiled.

"Thank you. I am glad to hear that." Ashley walked to the table and sat down. She looked at Dominic as he took some orange juice out of the refrigerator and poured it into a glass. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, while doing that.

Dominic turned around and looked at her questioning, and Ashley blushed. "You want some too?" Dominic asked her, and Ashley nodded.

"Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you."

"Hey, no problem." He quickly opened one of the top cupboards to get her a glass, and Ashley gasped as she saw the muscles on his back moving. 'God he looks so good,' she thought. Then she bit her lip again. She really had to stop thinking about him in such a way. He was her best friend's boyfriend for crying out loud!

She watched as Dominic put a glass of orange juice in front of her and sat down himself. "So," he started, as Ashley was busy trying hard not to look at him, "did you sleep well?"

Ashley gave up her attempts not to look at him and nodded. "Yes. I slept like a baby."

At that moment Kim walked into the room and Ashley looked up at her as if she had been saved.

"Good morning everybody!" Kim nearly shouted, and Dominic quickly got up to give his girlfriend a sweet kiss.

"Morning love," he mumbled as he moved to pour her some juice as well.

Kim took a seat next to Ashley and laughed as she looked at her boyfriend. "Isn't he just the sweetest thing?" she asked Ashley, who just nodded.

Dominic laughed as he sat down again. "You should come here more often," he told Ashley as he shot his girlfriend a teasing look. "Kim is way nicer now that you're here."

"OI!" Kim exclaimed, as she hit him again the arm. "Watch it you!" Then she turned towards Ashley, who just looked at them with a smile on her face. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"Uhm," Ashley said, as she shook her head. "I really have no idea!"

Kim and Dominic both laughed. "That's okay. You know what? Me and Dom are going to show you around town today. How about that?"

"Yeah, that would be great!" Ashley nodded as she took a sip from her juice.

"Okay than, that's settled." Kim looked around satisfied. "Now, where's my breakfast?" She looked at an innocent looking Dominic and pouted. Dominic just sighed and shook his head as he got up again.

"Breakfast, coming up!" he saluted, before stalking away towards the counter, as Kim and Ashley started laughing.