"You could just say "hey, this is what's happening, so ya""
"I definitely could not"

Even after twenty four hours, I hadn't been able to shake that night from my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling of his lips on mine and I craved it constantly.
Now it was my friends' last day here.
I still hadn't told Ash about the dream and how real it felt- or the hand holding- or really anything about Zack recently- and it was starting to make me feel guilty. I wanted to tell her but I knew it would just make it hurt more when it inevitably isn't able to work- just like if I told him I loved him.
"Your idea to take some senior photos together is awesome!" I squeal to Zack.
"I'm so glad my parents made me pack for every occasion," Jake laughs, "I've got a full suit I could wear if I wanted to."
We all laugh for a moment before Ash speaks.
"And I brought a couple cute outfits I could wear too," Ash claps.
"You guys should go get dressed in something fancy for the first few if you're going to do something like that," Clarrisa suggests as she fiddles with a tripod, "that way you're in more comfortable clothes later when we've got all the fun ideas and start getting tired."
"K," I wave to Ash, "let's go!"

I smooth out the midsection of my Homecoming dress and twist in front of the mirror.
"How's it look?" I say, glancing over my shoulder at Ash as they adjust their black dress straps.
"It looks great!" Ash comes and stands beside me, leaning their head on my shoulder as we look in the mirror.
"Hold up," I walk over to my bed and grab my phone, "selfie time!"
We pose in front of the mirror for a few selfies before heading out to the living room.
As we walk into the room the boys look up from their phones.
"Whoa," Zack breathes, staring right at me.
Jake nods, "you two look great!"
"Awww," Clarrisa coos as she walks into the room, "you all look great!"
I blush slightly as I look Zack up and down as he stands up.
"How about we head outside for some pictures?" Clarrisa nods to the sliding glass doors and we all shuffle that way.

"Ok, now try leaning against the wall," Clarrisa suggests.
We all shuffle over to the side of the house and lean our backs against it.
"How about you," Clarrisa points to Zack, "Put one foot against the wall. You," she points to Jake, "put one arm on their shoulder," she motions to Ash, "and you two hold hands," she motions to Ash and I.
With Zack and I on the outside and Jake and Ash in the middle, we pose as Clarrisa suggested and she takes a few pictures, instructing us to pose a little different each time.
"Let's take one more over by the fence and then you guys should change into something different," Clarrisa says.
She ushers us to the fence and she tells us to wait while she walks around to the other side.
We all stand and pose, resting our heads on our hands on top of the fence. I glance to Zack to my left then to Ash on my right. Jake is on the other side of Ash.
"Ok," Clarrisa nods, "go change then we'll do that pose one more time."

~•~•~•~•~

"Thanks Clarrisa!" I call as she heads towards the front door.
"I'll send them all to you tomorrow," Clarrisa waves, not glancing over her shoulder.

~•~•~•~•~

At about six pm, Ash, the twins, Genevieve, and I head over to the Travis' for movie night. Tonight's movie is Guardians of The Galaxy. Clyde had picked the movie for this week.
"So your parents just let yall go hang out with the neighbors all the time?" Ash asks.
"Pretty much," I shrug, "The Travis' are good people and they've obviously met them before so it's all good."
Ash nods, "cool."

"Here's the popcorn," Madison announces as she walks into the livingroom, Chloe trailing behind her.
The two of then are each holding several individual popcorn bags- similar to small movie theater ones.
Madison starts passing out the popcorn as she makes her way to her seat beside her husband.
"Thank you," Ash and I chorus as she gets to us.
We glance to each other and giggle momentarily as we accept our popcorn.
"Everyone ready?" Clyde asks, surveying the room while holding the TV remote.
Since everyone's mouths are already filled with popcorn, Clyde takes it as a yes and hits the play button and the movie begins.
As the movie starts everyone in the room wiggles into their seats. The four little ones are all snuggled up with pillows and blankets on the floor, us teens occupy the center couch, and the parents and Clarrisa sit on the couches on either side of us. The table in the center of the couches had been shifted for the little ones to lay on the floor tonight.
"Having fun yet?" I whisper to Ash.
They nod quickly, not taking their eyes off the movie. I'm glad we get to do things like this I smile, looking at them for another moment before refocusing on the TV.

As the movie came to an end we all began to gather our popcorn bags and stray popcorn to throw away and the four little ones push the table back into place.
"Thanks for inviting us over!" I call as Ash and I herd the twins and Genevieve to the door once the table is in place.
"Goodnight!" Madison calls, quickly echoed by her children and husband wishing us a goodnight as well.
"Let's get you three to bed," I say, making the little ones groan.
Thinking of sleep draws me back to that dream. Maybe tonight I'll have another dream like it-!

~•~•~•~•~

Another night is spent laughing and talking with Ash as we take selfies and spam our group chat with the boys.

Jake: I'm glad you two are having fun but I'm trying to sleep
Me: silence your phone then ✨
Jake: good idea
Ash: you're lame
Zack: Its ok, the cool one is still here 😎
Me: pfft sure
Zack: you saying you don't think I'm cool
Me: technically I did not
Zack: so you think I'm cool?
Me: sure 😂
Zack: 🤨

Ash sends a little frog meme to the chat and I can faintly hear laughter through the walls.
"Pfft-" I laugh, "nice one."

Zack: 😂
Ash: I can't believe tomorrow is our last night here ;-;
Me: Me too ;-;
Zack: not excited to go home
Me: don't leaveeeeeee
Zack: we have to 😕
Ash: 😭

Ash, sitting beside me against the wall, leans their head on my shoulder, "I don't want to go."
"I don't want you to go either," I lean my head against theirs and sigh.
I'm not ready for them to leave-