she's lost control [ashton]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] Erica muttered, sounding a little scared and breathing heavily. Her eyes softened when she realized who she'd managed to walk into, and she smiled. "Ash," she grinned.[/ul][/size][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

Ashton slammed the door shut behind him, exhausted. He’d just gotten back from school, and the lessons were getting harder as the year came winding down to an end. He liked to question whether his future career was worth the lessons, but knew the answer before he even knew the question; of course it was. He pulled off his jacket, the wind having been bitter that night, and dumped his school bag near the door. He flipped on the lamp beside the couch, light flooding throughout the living room, and he let himself fall back into the seat, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. He could totally fall asleep, with the warmth of the apartment surrounding him like a blanket and the day having drained him of his usual energy. Alas, he had even more work to do. From school work to fixing the leg on his coffee table. A friend of his, while drunk off his face, had fallen on the wooden table, causing the leg to break. And this is why you party at other peoples places he thought to himself, a smile forming on his lips.

The thought of the reckless party he had hosted before suddenly made him thirsty for beer. He slowly stood up, just realizing that his hand ached from writing, and made his way to the fridge. He opened it, expecting some sort of drink, but found it empty of that luxury. He blinked, closed the door, and opened it again. He had hoped that the beer fairies had paid him a quick visit, but it turned out they skipped visiting him tonight. Ash leaned his head on the fridge door, tired but willing to go out and buy a few drinks to take the edge off. Nothing was going to get in between him and the feeling of drunken bliss, or so he thought as he pulled his jacket back on and grabbed his wallet. He wasn’t going to need to take the car, he could walk to the nearest store in about five minutes, assuming no complications occured on the way.

Ash didn’t drink a whole lot, but he did like to go out and party or to chill and have fun. And then there were special nights like this, when he didnt have any plans in mind except for a few drinks and then bed, despite the fact he tons of work to do. Ashton was a hard worker, but he thought that now was the best time to take a break, and that if he wasn’t totally wasted by the end of the night he would attempt to get some work done. With the promise in his mind, he closed and locked the door to his apartment and made sure that his wallet (and fake ID....) were indeed tucked away in his jeans pocket. As he turned to go down the stairs, he just about collided with someone else, he blinked, immediately trying to see who it was before he said anything, and smiled as Ericas eyes softened.

“Erica” he said, addressing her as she had done him. The two lived in the same apartment complex, and Ash considered her a very close friend. He titled his head slightly, having noted the expression she had before her eyes changed. Thankfully he wasn’t drunk, or else he wouldn’t have caught such details. “Rough day, huh?” he asked the dark haired bartender. He wasn't sure if she was in a hurry to get to her place, but if she wasn't he'd be willing to hold of the trip the store to have a chat with Erica; he found that idea even more welcoming then drinking.

[/center]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] Erica replied when Ash asked her if it had been a rough night, and she closed her eyes briefly to try and collect herself again. Exhaling hard she looked back up at him. "It was crazy, some guy got his head knocked in. I mean, it was... graphic," Erica explained, although she decided she would spare Ash her explanations if he had plans, she didn't want to keep him. That was something else Erica was missing in college - crazy college parties and staying up all night. She would adore doing that if she didn't feel like she had to play mother at every second of the day.

"Oh, wait - sorry, are you on your way out?" Erica asked, with a hint of disappointment in her voice. She tried to hide it though, because although she didn't want to be alone right now, she didn't want to hold Ash back either. "Going to some wild frat party?" she teased with a smile, swinging the keys on her finger as she began to loosen up a little bit. At least she'd seen Ash, she thought, if he had to rush off to do whatever at the very least his brief presence had settled her even just a little bit. [/ul][/size][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

Ash wished he could land a job at a bar like Erica, but he was just about too young. He didn’t think working in a bar would be the smartest decision for him anways, being surrounded by an endless supply of drinks would be to tempting for him, and he was trying not to be an alcoholic. Besides, engineering was something he wanted to do for a living, though during his teen years he wouldn’t have thought that such a career choice would have suited him, but he as good at fixing and building things. Though that fact didn’t stop him from procrastinating when it came to fixing the wobbly leg of his table, hell, if he could he’d make the drunk that fell on it do it, but he didn’t trust his friend with a hammer. Especially because whenever that friend came over he brought drinks with him, as if Ash solely wanted to get drunk, though Ash didn’t complain; he was laid back enough to not make a big deal out of.

Ashton was glad that he ran into Erica, she was very pleasant to be around. Ashton, though friendly to just about anyone, didn’t have many girls for friends since his last breakup. His breakup with his ex-fiancée hadn’t been pretty, and word had spread around Lipton when the relationship was officially over with. He tended not to get involved with women in a romantic way, but sometimes thought of it. Hell, he somehow didn’t have many female friends since the breakup, but Erica was definitely an exception. So far she hadn’t jumped right into that romantic bullshit that he had fallen for with his ex, and he appreciated it. Besides, he liked Erica; she was an amazing person all around, and he loved to spend time with her. It was a relationship he could stand, but sometimes he couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to be romantically involved with someone, and sometimes Erica came to mind. But that was silly, Ash doubted he could be in a relationship again so soon; he didn’t think he was capable.

Ashton chuckled and shook his head “That news is sure to be spread over town by morning, wish I could have been there” ok, so they may have different perspectives of someone getting their head knocked in in a bar fight- Ashton has seen it so often, he couldn’t take it as seriously as he used to, but he knew that Erica hadn’t been working there as long as he visited the bar. He smiled reassuringly, a smile that said it would be alright, even though he didn’t say anything out loud. Ash was like that, he could talk with his eyes in some situations, and yet keep a perfectly straight face in others. Right now he was allowing himself to be an open book, since he didn’t have anything to hide and was comfortable with his friend.

Ashton did the smile with his eyes thing “I was, but its probably good you stopped me. I was about to get drunk off my face” he spoke the truth, once he had one drink he'd probably have three then seven and so on, causing no work to be done. He grinned “Nope, just a party of one tonight” he paused “Though I was going to ask a certain dark haired bartender if she wanted to make that a party of two” he hinted.

[/center]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] Erica replied, and found she was already making light of an incident that had been plaguing her since the moment she'd witnessed it. She knew it wasn't completely gone from her mind right now, but at this precise moment it seemed less of an issue now she was talking with Ash. He was right; by tomorrow the fight would have spread around town, and she'd probably hear snippets of information about what it had been about. If she was lucky, she's hear something about the man who had been hospitalized, and she hoped he was okay, whatever it was he was supposed to have done to cause such a violent out burst.

"Oh, really?" Erica asked when Ash explained he was going to ask a dark haired bartender to join him. "Well, I hope she says yes," Erica joked, feigning that she didn't understand Ash was referring to her. She had been secretly hoping Ash would decide to stay, because his presence had definitely been a calming one on her and she wasn't ready to have him leave just yet. "Actually, I have some beers in my fridge," Erica explained, with a smile, gesturing towards her apartment door, keys still clasped in her hand. "How about you forget about that dark haired bartender and have a drink with me instead?" Erica suggested.[/ul][/size][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

He chuckled “Maybe next time then” he said with a wink. Ash, though couldn’t take bar fights seriously, silently wished the guy with the bashed head good luck. Ash himself had been in a few, and rarely came out unscathed, but has never been hospitalized. Assuming the guy had gotten himself that injured, though by the worry Erica had shown previously he guessed so. Bar fights got crazy, so Ash preferred to stay out of them. He also had mixed feelings about Erica being around such things, but decided he didn’t have much of a right to be protective over Erica. It was her decision, but still. Anyone lay a hand on her and he would surely do something about it.

“Ya, I hope she says yes to. I heard she was fun to be around” he said, playing dumb along with Erica. It was usual for the duo to casually joke around, it was a comfortable state of friendship, and Ash grew to enjoy it. He didn’t know many women he could joke with that didn’t take his playful flirting seriously- and once again he felt the same respect for Erica as he had previously. He tended to respect her in many ways- he knew her to be out-spoken, vivacious, and not to mention she took care of her younger brother, from what he could tell, alone. Ash didn’t have much experience with children, though has baby sat before, and was very taken aback how Erica could do what she did at her age 24/7. Its not that he didn’t like children, he loved the few he was associated with, but didn't think he had the magic touch most parents and guardians had.

He shrugged “I don’t know....” he teased “The bartender seemed very promising” he continued, already making his way Ericas apartment. Truthfully, he was glad she invited him over. He found time spent with her simply enjoyable, though he wasn’t to clingy in the sense that he was constantly with his friend. Ashton loved Erica in a way he loved all his friends, but tried not to get in her way. Besides, they both lead busy lives; Ashton was constantly bombarded with school work, and if not that, his friends, and Erica worked and took care of a her little brother. He had wondered before about why she would be left taking care of her brother, but never asked. He didn't pry into other peoples life, and he expected the same courtesy. Ash wasn't an ass about his past life and secrets, but if he didn't feel like telling, he wasn't going to tell.

Ash looked back at Erica. "Do you think Jimmies awake?" he asked. If the six year old was indeed asleep, he'd have to make sure to be extra quite. When Ash had been around Jimmies age the adults in his house didn't care who was sleeping, but Ash hadn't inherited the same logic.

[/center]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] Erica suggested, and turned towards her apartment, watching as Ash walked in front of her. He posed a very good question, and one that Erica couldn't answer for sure. She checked her cell phone and rose an eyebrow. "He damn well better be in bed," she said in a low voice. It was almost half nine, and if Jimmie wasn't in bed already she'd be cross with him. He had school in the morning and he absolutely couldn't miss days. Things like missing too many days of school would just set off alarm bells with teachers and then she'd have to answer their questions, and they'd grow suspicious and she could risk losing Jimmie entirely. So when Erica sent her little brother to bed, she didn't do it in anger, she did it because she so desperately didn't want to lose him.

That was one thing about Ash she liked; he didn't ask questions about her life, he accepted the information she gave him and didn't pry. In return, Erica gave him the same kind of privacy and respect, and didn't pester him for information about his past either. If it came up in conversation and either one of them mentioned something, that was fine, but she didn't actively seek answers to any of her questions. One of Erica's questions was how did Ash manage to remain single; any girl in her right mind would climb over the population of Lipton to have a guy like Ash.

She opened the door slowly, trying to be as quiet as possible in case Jimmie was already asleep. The light was on, as was the TV, and on the couch was a sleeping six year old in a pair of blue pyjamas. Erica smiled, and looked back at Ash as she stepped into the apartment and nodded towards her slumbering sibling.
"I guess Jimmie isn't joining us for a beer," Erica joked. "Shall I grab a few cans and we'll go over to yours?" Erica suggested, thinking it would be easier if she put Jimmie to bed and they could talk properly at Ash's.[/ul][/size][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

Ash though about spending time with Erica, and how it would delay his assignments and fixing the table, but it was worth it. Though Ash was known to be a frequent participant in parties, he didn’t waste his time goofing off as much as it may seem. Parties were a luxury he encountered often, but lately he hadn’t much time for them, with exams and being bombarded with projects and assignments. So to him being able to hang out with one of the most enjoyable people in his life was completely worth neglecting his responsibilities. At least he was a good student, or else the few time he’s called in “sick”, which was really just an excuse to not go to class with a major hangover, would have caught up with him by now.

As the two joked he had a brief thought- how was his friend still single? She was the kind of girl he would usually kill to have on date with, assuming he was still into dating. Ashton gave up on finding love in what seemed liked forever ago. He wasn’t going to forget about it completely-the thought of possibly finding someone with a decent heart was completely dead-but he didn’t look at it the same as he used to. He was less trusting, and most women he had been associated with during the past year couldn’t stand that. No one wanted a challenge, and that’s all seemed to offer. At least Erica could stand him; yet again she wasn’t his girlfriend or knew the more distrusting side of him.

Ashton didn’t say anything as Erica stated that they’d find this mysterious bartender, but merely smiled. He chuckled softly as the guardian figure kicked in, stating Jimmie better be in bed. As far as Ash could tell, Erica was a fine guardian. It was obvious to him that Erica loved her little brother, and that alone made her a better guardian then most adult figures out there. Ash was always an only child, and his parents were a bit more open about the real world and their interests then most other parents, but he knew they loved him. If anything, he was glad to be informed about some of the better-and crueler-things in the world at a younger age. He didn’t like the thought of being ignorant to such controversial subjects, like drugs, sex, ext., and was thankful he’d known for so long, even if he probably wouldn’t have cared when he was just a child.

Ashton peered into the apartment and smiled at the sleeping six year old. He had a feeling he’d fallen asleep waiting for his older sister, but that was just an educated guess. He could have always been staying up late to sneak in a few extra minutes of cartoons, and fallen asleep in the process. Ash remembered doing both the young boys age. He felt himself smile and shrug “He always seemed like a whiskey kind of guy anyways” Ash joked, though he was sure if Jimmie even tried to sneak a sip of beer, or whiskey for that matter, he’d have to face his sister’s wrath. Ashton tilted his head once, his equivalent of a nod. He helped her pull a few cans out, walking to the door and waiting for Erica to continue on, shifting the few cans of beer he had in the crook of his arms so he could fish out the keys to his apartment.

[/center]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] she joked, touching a hand to her back. "Either I'm getting old or he's getting too big... Man, I hope it's the latter," Erica smiled. The apartment was silent now the television had been switched off. She checked to make sure she had put her keys into her bag, although she was sure she had, and then walked to the apartment door, closing it behind her.

Erica knew that Ash worked hard - when he wasn't out at a party or at home having the party. Both Erica and Ash worked hard in their own ways, Ash had taken the intellectual route and Erica had taken the employment route; Erica didn't see them as all that different. She lost just as much sleep on her job as Ash would do writing papers and doing work. There was a lot in common despite the glaring difference of career paths.
"Thanks, y'know," Erica said as she turned away from her door. "For just... doing whatever it is you do," she said. "I was freaking out about this whole incident, and then I ran into you and... I don't know," Erica added, with a small laugh. "It's just a little bit easier now," she finished, a little meekly as she avoided looking up at Ash. She often took his company and companionship for granted, the kind of things he would do and say for her. Deciding she didn't want to dwell on the moment, for she was feeling incredibly vunerable about it, she pulled a few of the beer cans from his grasp so he wasn't balancing them all so precariously in his arms. "C'mon, I'm feeling terribly sober, can't have blood getting in the alcohol stream, Ash," she added, sounding sheepish and nervous after her slightly dramatic turn.[/size][/ul][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

Ashton watched patiently as Erica carried her brother to his bedroom, a bit too late to volunteer to help, with the cans tucked securely under his arm. His gaze traveled around the apartment in her absence, the layout was similar to his, but he somehow found it homier here. Ashs place was tidy and broken in, though he sometimes rarely ever felt at home there. Sometimes he wondered if it had to do with the fact he lived alone, since he had always been used to residing in a house with many residents, but didn’t think the distant feelings he faced when it came to his apartment was because of loneliness. That he could manage. He finally settled for homesickness, since most of his family lived further down south, but still didn’t quite believe that was the reason. And looking at the home that felt so welcoming now, he, rather bitterly, had a feeling on what it was. His ex. She had lived with him in the apartment for some time, but she no longer resided in the place he had once welcomed her. He tried to take his mind off those thoughts, instead thinking of happier ones.

Like the day Erica moved into the apartment across from his. He recalled the first time he met her, and how hadn’t been shy to introduce himself and be kind. Ashton wasn't much of a shy man; he walked with a confident air, though not quite arrogant, despite his inner troubles and drama. He felt that he and Erica had got along almost instantly, and since have had a fantastic relationship, or so he thought. He couldn’t recall any real arguments or falling outs he had with his friend, maybe a few harmless disagreements here and there. Nothing the two couldn’t jump back up from later, though they rarely had anything to jump up from.

Ash grinned a bit at Ericas return “They say some women remain good looking with age. Guess you’re one of those few fortunate” he said with a playful wink, he found that flirting in a joking way was way more comfortable then serious flirting. At least if he was joking then it didn’t matter if his flirty remarks and pick up lines were cheesy, over rehearsed, and just plain lame, because that was the whole point. Not to mention, after the words left his mouth, he realized how very attractive Erica was. Of course he had noticed it before, but he hadn’t dwelled on it, or looked into it.

Ash followed her out, forgetting his previous thoughts at the thought of actually having some fun. He looked down at her as she suddenly spoke. He blinked as she thanked him, and as he listened his eye grew kinder, warmer, and he smiled at her. Not a goofy, humored, or confident one. It matched his eyes “Anytime Erica, im....glad you feel better” he said, and admired the shy way she didn’t meet his gaze, and let her take the cans from the crook of his arm. Then his smiled transformed into one clearly humored “Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we?” he turned his key in his hand and unlocked the door open, pushing it open and allowing Erica to enter first. “Be careful of the coffee table” He warned “Its, erm, broken” he said, a sheepish, boyish grin on his face.

[/center]

[erica gwyneth marsters]

and she turned around and took me by the hand
and said I've lost control again

[/b] Erica joked. She understood Ashton's playful flirting and winks in the sense that it didn't mean anything romantic to her. They could joke around and she didn't have to worry about leading him on with a joke, because they understood the boundaries of their friendship.
She nodded in response to his words; she didn't want to say anything to make the moment awkward when he said he was glad he made her feel better. Erica didn't want to risk saying something that sounded terribly dramatic and even more vunerable than before. All she knew was that she needed all the friends she could get right now, what with everything that had happened with herself and Jimmie.

Erica licked her bottom lip and stepped into Ashton's apartment, following him inside. She took a quick look around and smiled. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like if she did date Ashton, and she wondered if it would ruin their dynamic and the way they could just joke with one another. Perhaps that was something she would never know the answer to; however, Erica couldn't deny that she'd pondered the idea of going out with Ashton, and what they'd be like together. A while ago she would have settled on the fact they would be great together, but to save herself from complicated thoughts Erica simply settled for the fact she would never know and shouldn't ponder on it too much. Ashton wasn't interested in her, full stop. There was something inherently cliché with dating one of your longterm guy friends, but that was generally how things worked. Erica had always found the best relationships were those that were friendships before, and not those that started at a bar.

"Broken?" Erica asked, she raised an eyebrow and put the beers down on the floor beside the couch, avoiding the clearly broken coffee table. "Right, is the rest of the furniture safe or is this a bring your own chair party?" she asked, looking at the couch with mock suspicion.
[/size][/ul][/color]

[ashton dylan carr]

So raise your glass if you are wrong

in all the right ways

Erica joked in return, and Ashton laughed softly. He walked into his apartment, and as he sat his cans down on the counter he risked a glance over at his friend, pondering for a moment how it was the two could get along so well and not let any other emotions get in the way. It was a fantastic friendship, but for the briefest moment he imagined actually holding her. He hadn’t a clue why, perhaps it was because of the legitimate unease she had felt from the fight that took place in her work environment, or perhaps it was because of the bashful display from she thanked him. He put his thoughts of holding her to the side, like he did ever other thoughts that strayed out of his comfort zone. The sadist part was that he really did like Erica, but probably wouldn’t realize it because of his past and his reluctance to start a new relationship.

Ash appeared from the kitchen and gave Erica a lopsided smile “You can bring your own chair, but there’s no guarantee it will be fully intact when you leave” sadly, If theres a lot of booze and people, that could very well be true. He sat on the couch and drew a jean clad leg to himself, and shrugged “It hasn’t broken...yet” he said, moving to the side a bit so Erica could sit there, if she chose to. With his other foot he pushed lightly on the coffee table and it creaked from the slight pressure. He raised an eyebrow at the table, thinking momentarily about the task of fixing it before thinking about the rest of his apartment. At least everything else was unscathed, and with that he cracked open a beer.

He slung a arm lazily on the top of the couch and turned to Erica "Besides tonight's earlier events, hows work?" he asked, his tone light though he was somehow a bit concerned. He was still aware of the original topic they had spoken of, and was more concerned about the other creeps that filtered in and out of the bar. It hadn't occurred to him before, and the few times he and visited Erica on the job everything was normal. Then again he had known bartenders before her who couldn't handle the type of environment that was offered, though Ash had a feeling that she could. For some reason the thought of her telling some creep off made him suppress a smile.

[/center]