"Well hello there, sweetheart." Mrs. Williams greets me as she opens the door.

"Hello, Mrs. Williams." I smile warmly at the old woman. I don't know why her smile is so comforting right now. "How are you doing today?" I question as she steps aside to let me in.

"Marvelous, just marvelous." She smiles as shuffles towards the kitchen. "Lemonade sweetie?" She says from the kitchen.

"Uh, yes ma'am." I reply, following her into the kitchen. She hands me a glass of lemonade.

"Your friend is already out back." She nods her head towards the back door. I glance at the door and back to her. "The cute brunette from before." She clarifies.

"Ashley?"

"Mhm." She nods, sipping her lemonade.

"Thank you." I tell her.

Suddenly, I'm extremely nervous. My hands are sweaty as I make my way out the back door into the yard. I should be mad at her, right? I mean, she completely dropped off the face of the earth. I mean yes okay I ran out after our kiss, but that's a normal reaction.

Not calling, not texting, not sending smoke signals. Completely uncalled for. Albeit it's only been less than half a day... still ya know. She could have at least texted me or something. I mean is that too much to ask for?

The sound of Ashley's guitar gently playing pulls me towards the garden. I follow the music, not being able to hold in my smile. She was born to play music. I'm sure of that.

I find her sitting on a bench; strumming her guitar and humming quietly.

I tentatively make my way across the grass wiping the sweat that's collected on my hands and forehead. Why am I so nervous right now?

I clear my throat to get her attention and it causes her to mess up the tune. She stops strumming and looks up at with sad eyes. My heart breaks at the sight. Sighing regretfully, I move closer to her and she scoots back on the bench she's sitting on, almost falling backwards.

I stop my advances. Clearly the five feet between us is too close.

"Hey."

Really? That's what I start with?

Her raspy voice replies and I smile at the sound of it not realizing just how much I missed it. "Hi."

This is conversation is riveting to say the least.

"Where've you been?" I ask curiously because I want to know. I know you do too.

"You know…around." She answers vaguely, with a shrug.

"Yeah I've been there before." I roll my eyes and she lets out a pathetic chuckle.

"Don't do that." She orders.

Um do I look like a waitress? I take orders from no one.

Except for Lexy…and Madison…but that's it!

"Do what?" I cross my arms over my chest and stare at her. She doesn't have her gaze on me anymore.

"That thing you do…acting like everything's okay when it's not."

I do not do that!

"I wasn't and how would you know what I do and don't do? You've known me for like five seconds."

She finally looks into my eyes, she doesn't look angry, she looks more lost than anything.

"A lot can happen in five seconds." She answers staring into my eyes as she silently elaborates on her answers.

A lot like falling in love.

Kissing your best friend's girlfriend.

Things like that.

I sigh and look down kicking the blades of grass. I notice how clean the grass looks. How fresh. Aw Mrs. Williams is so sweet, making sure the lawn looks nice for the shoot. I'm really going to have to do something to for her.

"Yeah well…" That's all I got. I scratch behind my ear and apparently Ashley is over the whole me not being close to her, as she quickly moves in front of me causing me to take a step back. Her whole presence right now throwing me off.

She's standing right in front of me and I forget everything as I breathe her in. I take that step forward and she matches my stride.

Literally inches apart.

I close my eyes as I remember our kiss from the night before. I don't have to imagine for too much longer as I feel lips glide against mine. I don't hesitate to kiss back.

It's hungry and desperate as we push the limit even more than we clearly already have.

She slides her tongue over my bottom lip, begging me for permission, which I quickly grant. I feel my knees get weak and I thank all that is holy that she grabs my hips with her free hand while the other one holds the neck of her guitar, because right now her hand is the only thing keeping me up.

I pull back reluctantly because as amazing as this feels my subconscious is screaming at me to remind me how wrong this is.

Screw you subconscious.

"Don't do that." I tell her, much in the same manner she said it to me.

"Do what?" She asks, her brows furrow in confusion as she scans my face. Both of us are breathing heavily, as I try desperately not to just grab her face and kiss her again.

"Forget who you belong to." I can see the hurt on her face, then it quickly turns to regret. I just nod taking a step back. "I need your help to take some stuff out of the car." I don't wait for her to answer as I turn and walk away. I run a hand through my hair and lick the taste of Ashley from my lips.

I sigh and make my way through the house and out the front door to grab the equipment for the shoot.

The music fills the back yard and I nod my head as I adjust the strap of my around my neck. Mrs. Williams comes around with her tray of lemonade. I'm starting to wonder if that's all she has to drink.

I take a glass with a smile saying a quick 'thank you' and watch as the band sets up their equipment.

I smile as Joey gives Mrs. Williams a big hug.

She's taken to the group very quickly and I find it sweet that the boys are so smitten over her.

"Hey you." I turn to see Stacy. I give her a smile as she leans forward, kissing me gently. I'm a little caught off guard so my eyes still open and I see Ashley looking at us with narrowed eyes.

I was just kissing her and now I'm kissing Stacy.

Ironic response from her I would say.

The pianist pulls back with a smile.

"Hi." I say with a nervous giggle. My eyes dance between Stacy and Ashley as she watches with dagger filled eyes.

Stacy slides her hand down my arm and slides her hand into mine.

"I'm excited to see you in charge." She winks and I blush slightly.

I'm not the only one who caught the sexual innuendo right?

Right.

I lick my lips and avoid looking at Ashley. I see the boys tease Stacy and try to get Ashley to join in she quickly shakes her head and walks away. They all give each other a look and shrug. I make my way over to Ashley.

"You want to not be so obvious?" I probably shouldn't have said that because the look she's giving me…pretty sure she's channeling her inner fire starter again. She just shakes her head laughing and walks away from me. Well that went well. Let's just get this started. I can't handle much more of this. "Alright, let's just start with some candid shots of you guys playing."

Ashley goes the mic and nods at Mikey, which I'm guessing is their signal cause he starts up the beat. The rest of the band joins in and Ashley starts to sing it takes everything in me not to get lost in her as she gets lost in her passion.

I lift up my camera and get lost in mine.

I direct the band towards the garden and instruct them on how to pose. Stacy stands her keyboard up vertically and stands behind it as she folds one arm over the top while the other hangs in front of the keys. Mikey stands next to her, resting his arm on Stacy's shoulder with a drumstick interlaced between his fingers and the other one in his hand. Andrew and Joey with their respective instruments in their hand and Ashley with a mic hanging by the wire over her shoulders.

The white garden lights add to the ambiance as I instruct them to change their poses as I easily snap away.

I feel Ashley's eyes on me, but I'm too into taking the pictures to investigate what kind of looking she's giving me. I dismiss them telling them I want to take single shots of each of them. They were all really cooperative as I snap shots of them dispersed throughout the garden.

I save the best for last.

"You all set?" Ashley just nods, not saying a word. "You need to change your attitude or anger is going to come out in every shot." I stare into her eyes and she looks away. "I love the way you kiss me." I whisper to her easily, knowing that even though it shouldn't happen, it doesn't mean I don't want it to.

Her mouth twitches up a little.

"I know I shouldn't be happy about that." She finally speaks and I sigh in relief. "But I am."

I just nod lifting my camera and she smiles. I take a couple of close up shots because hello, have you seen this face? It'd be a sin not to.

I finish up taking the photos and jump slightly as I feel arms wrap around my waist. I know who it is by the face Ashley is making.

I'm sorry but waist wrapping is a bit early after one date.

I'm just saying.

"You all done?" Stacy whispers in my ear.

Ashley just gets up and walks past us. I turn in Stacy's arms and give her a sheepish smile.

She leans closer to steal a kiss but I won't kiss her, not here.

This is me and Ashley's spot.

It's sacred.

I lean back and she gives me a confused look.

"Not done yet just wanna finish up." That seems to be enough for her as she lets go and brushes a stray hair from my face. I just whisper a thanks and move past her.

"Mrs. Williams can we swim in your pool?" Joey asks excitedly.

"Of course dear." She waves a dismissive hand and Joey wastes no time pushing Mikey in then doing a front flip in himself.

With their clothes on, might I add.

Andrew does a cannonball and I take the opportunity to take a photo him in midair. Snapping shots of them as they dunk each other, I watch as they conspire and nod their heads towards Ashley.

Stacy's still next to me, but she starts to back away when Joey comes rushing toward us.

"Don't touch me I've got my camera!" I quirk a threatening brow and Joey stops in front of me, putting his hands up.

"You can't keep that thing on you all night, Spence."

"Watch me." I answer with a smirk, but he winks and chases Stacy around the yard before scooping her into his wet body. She shrieks and I snap a shot as he easily carries her then tosses her into the water. He flips in again.

I watch as Andrew and Mikey circle around Ashley as she just shakes her head.

My distance doesn't allow me to hear what she's saying but it's no doubt a threat. They don't seem fazed as they block her in. She screams at them but she's laughing as well taking away from the threat.

I use my handy camera to take shots as Ashley is carried towards the pool by her arms and legs and thrown in.

Candid shots are the best. I get them as they play fight in pool and I even snap a couple photos of Mrs. Williams as she dangles her feet in the pool watching the band cheerfully.

They quiet down and just lazily float around the water.

I make a fatal mistake.

I put my camera down.

I turn around and see that all the boys and Stacy are in the pool talking to Mrs. Williams.

I think it's safe.

And then…

"Ashley no!" I shout but it's too late.

She easily picks me up.

I told you... She is freakishly strong.

She's laughing maniacally.

I hear the cheers of the rest of the band.

She jumps into the water still holding on to me, the force of the water breaking us apart.

I swim to the surface and come mere inches away from Ashley's face. I was going to yell at her but her smirk puts me in a trance.

We forget that everyone else is there, then we are quickly brought back to reality as I hear a familiar voice.

"Hey guys!"

Great...

Lexy.

I swim away from her girlfriend and towards the rest of the band hearing Ashley get out of the pool.

I turn to catch her kissing my best friend lovingly and I sigh, focusing my attention on Stacy.

She smiles softly at me, swimming closer. I allow her to kiss me this time, hoping that it'll help get over the fact that my best friend and my love interest are getting cozy.

As her lips gently slide against mine I quickly realize... it doesn't.

–

Chapter Title- Photographs & Memories- Jason Reeves