Heat

Ashley sat bored out of her mind as she waited to see her mother's appearance for her and her stepfather's wedding that was about to start in like 25 minutes.

Sitting alone in an apple-white, mid-thigh silk dress that complimented her skin tone. Her maroon red hair was styled in a bun with a few curled strands falls in front of her face that stained with light-make up which made her already beautiful features more beautiful.

Staring into space, the laugher of the other bridesmaids echoed in her empty mind as she just sat there staring.

“Ashley, sweetheart, how do I look?” Her mother's fainted voice echoed in the midst of gasp.

“Ashley, are you alright? ASHLEY!” Snapping out of her trance, Ashley turned to her mother, who looked stunning in a beautiful lace white gown that tugged gently behind her.

Her face was covered by a see-through veil and her black hair was curled stylishly which laid gently on her shoulders.

“Are you alright, darling?” Her mother asked slowly, approaching her daughter who's eyes filled with unknowing tears.

“Yes, I'm just glad you're happy mom,” she replied as her mother pulled her into a motherly hug.

“I love you, sweetie,” her mother whispered in her ear.

“I love you too, mom,” she whispered back snuggling more into her mother's embrace.

1 year later...

Ashley jogged downstairs in her tracksuit as she got ready to go for a run. On her way, she entered the kitchen to fetch a bottle of water.

“Hey, honey!” Her mother greeted her while having breakfast with her husband.

“Good morning, mom, good morning, Roger,” she greeted back while searching for a bottle of water.

“You know, you can call me dad, right,” Roger said with a reassuring smile.

“I know, but it's just so foreign to me ever since, you know,” she said, glancing at her mother who sent her an 'I'm sorry' look.

“It's alright, Ashley, call me whatever you want as long as it makes you comfortable,” he said as she gave him small a smile.

“Thanks, Roger, now I gotta go, enjoy your breakfast,” she said, getting ready to leave.

“Okay honey, have fun on your run and be safe,” her mom yelled as Ashley jogged towards the front door.

“OKAY MOM! I WILL!” she yelled back before opening the front door.

As Ashley was about to rush out, she abruptly stopped when she saw a young man who was about to ring the doorbell. The sight before her instantly made her weak in the knees leaving her speechless.

The guy stood before her in a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket over it, black pants that fit perfectly over his thick, muscular thighs, and black shoes. He had black hair nicely parted with fades to the sides and back of his head. He wore tinted sunglasses blocking his eyes and the right side of his nose laid a sexy nose piercing. His lips were thin but still plumped and he had the sharpest jawline she has ever seen; his neck was covered with different designs of tattoo and so was his hands.

In his hand was a green army duffle bag that caught Ashley's attention. “Is he from the army? Who is this guy?”

Clearing his throat snapped her out of her thoughts. “Uh, does Roger James live here?” He asked as his deep, husky voice sent chills down her spine. Without taking her eyes off him, she yelled.

“ROGER, THERE'S SOMEONE AT THE DOOR FOR YOU!” Both Ashley and the guy stood there waiting for Roger's arrival.

Soon his footsteps were heard. “Ashley, I thought you left—"

Roger's words trailed off as he saw the guy in front of the door. Ashley stood in between them in confusion.

“Jake!” Roger said in a breathy tone.

“Hey, Dad!”

(Ashley's POV)

"William Shakespeare during his life wrote at least 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems, that we know of, also, there are many "lost plays" and plays that Shakespeare collaborated on, which means Shakespeare wrote an average of 1.5 plays a year since he first started writing in 1589." As our professor continued explaining about Shakespeare and his legendary work, a paper ball suddenly struck the back of my head causing me to immediately snap my head towards the person who dare distracted me.

Having a disgusting smirk on his face was Daniel, the college's pretty boy who likes to break girl's hearts. I glared at him with a 'What the hell you want' look as his smirk widened. "Go on a date with me," he mouthed as I rolled my eyes. "Mr. O'Brien!" Both Daniel and I flinched at our professor's sudden outburst. "I think Ashley has better things to do than go on a date with you so pay attention, it's the last day until your summer break, might as well learn something," she said as everyone giggled at the professor's choice of advice.

I mouthed 'thank you' to the professor as she winks at me before resuming her lesson. Soon the bell rang, and everyone was ecstatic about going home to spend time with their families. I on the other hand wasn't one of them. I mean, I was happy to go home to my mom but now things will be different, now I wasn't just going home to my mom, but I was going home to her and her new husband aka my stepfather.

Ever since my dad died, my life had completely changed, and it changed even more after my mom found love again. Don't get me wrong, I was extremely happy that my mom fell in love again and I'm sure my dad is too, but I don't think I'm ready for someone else to fill in my Dad's shoes. I don't hate my stepfather, I'm thankful that he's making my mom happy, but I just can't accept him as my father.

My professor's voice immediately snapped me out of my thoughts as she was bidding her goodbyes. "Goodbye everyone, have a good summer, I'll see you guys after two months," she said as the students greeted her back. As I continued packing my stuff, someone suddenly approached my desk.

"So, Ash, have you thought about my proposal?" He asked and to be honest his voice makes me wanna run into a brick wall. I sighed and finally finished packing away my stuff before facing him. "First of all, don't call me Ash, only my friends call me that, and second, yes, I've thought long and hard about your proposal," I said as he bit his bottom trying to prevent a smirk. "And?" He asked impatiently. "And I will not go on a date with you," I simply replied, watching his face fall.

"What do you mean, you're not going on a date with me?" He asked in an annoyed tone which made my eyes roll. "I meant it as I said it, Daniel, I will not go on a date with you," I said exiting the classroom with him hot on my tail.

"Please, Daniel, just leave me alone," I desperately pleaded. "What's your problem Ash, why are you always turning me down?" He asked, trying to keep up with my pace.

"Don't call me Ash, you're no friend of mine and I'm not going to be another one of the girl toys you just use within a week and then throw away," I replied, earning a heavy sigh.

"Look Ashley, you're not like the other girls, you're something special and that's why I want to settle down and be with you, " he confessed, stopping me in my tracks as he held onto my hands.

"Really Daniel, you mean that?" I asked feeling shy all of a sudden while I squeezed his hands biting back a smile.

"Of course, princess, so what do you say, can I take you out?" He asked with a smirk as I shyly looked away.

"Oh, Daniel, in your dreams, I've heard you call a dozen girls 'princess' you're disgusting, have a good day," I spat before walking away leaving him dumbfounded.

As I exited the building the bus had just arrived. "Just in time," I mumbled before hopping onto the bus.

The journey on the bus was pretty loud but luckily for me, I had my headset. Leaning against the window as Billie Eilish’s 'Lovely' drowned out the chaos in the bus my eyes slowly began to close before it was lit out.

God knows how long I've been asleep on that bus because after a while I felt someone shaking my body. Slowly my eyes opened as I sat up before facing the person who woke me up.

It was the bus driver. "Come on kid, this is your stop," he said as I looked out the window and he was right. "Home sweet home," I mumbled before heading off the bus.

I sighed deeply as I clenched onto my bag. "Let's do this," I prep myself before walking towards my house. Standing in front of the door I took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

After a few minutes, I heard the opening before I saw the person behind it.

"Ashley, welcome home, it's good to see you," the person’s voice really made me cringe.

I cast a small smile upon my lips as I greeted him back. "Hello, Roger, it's great to be back and it's good to see you too, " I said, almost forcing those words out.

"Well, come inside kiddo, you're mom just finished making dinner and is excited to welcome you home, " he said moving aside as I entered awkwardly.

"HONEY! ASHLEY'S HOME!" He shouted right behind me which made me flinch.

Soon I heard footsteps of someone running and there she was, my crazy ass mother, screaming as if she won the lotto. "ASH, MY BABY, WELCOME HOME!" She screamed, running to pull me into her embrace.

"Thank you, mom, it's great to be home, " I said holding onto her tightly breathing in her scent.

"Oh, sweetheart, how about you go upstairs and unpack, freshen up, and then come down to have dinner with me and your stepfather," she suggested as I simply nod before going upstairs.

As I reached upstairs to my bedroom a smile instantly reached my face seeing how everything in my room never changed. I walked up to my nightstand where a picture frame of my dad and me.

I picked up the frame and caressed my father in the picture as tears welled up in my eyes. "Hello, daddy, I miss you, " I mumbled before resting it back down.

After unpacking and freshening up I decided to join my mom and Roger for dinner.

"Oh, there she is, " Roger said with a wide smile as I stood there uncomfortable. "Don't just stand there, honey, come and tell us how school was, " I quickly joined my mother's side taking a seat beside her.

"Mmm, this smells good, thanks guys, " I said as they both smiled.

"So, Ashley, what are you studying right now?" Roger asked, causing my mom to smile while nudging me.

"Well, I'm studying Literature, I love writing, " I replied with a proud smile on my face.

"Oh, so you want to be an author?" He asked as I nod. "Yes, I want to be an author just like my dad, " I said as my mom gave me a side-hug. "Your dad would be so proud of you, Ash, " my mom said as Roger nods in agreement.

"Thanks, guys, " I mumbled before we all continued to eat our dinner.

After dinner, everyone went up to their rooms as we were pretty exhausted. I, myself was exhausted as I laid in bed.

"Summer break, here I come, "