"H-hi there.."

"No.. I won't allow myself to fall in love... again!" Ash shook her head vigorously as she walked down the hallways of Chinatown High. Worrisome thoughts swirled through her head like leaves in the fall. Was she really falling again this year..? And for the same boy, nonetheless? Biting her lip, she shut her eyes and broke into her thoughts.

Sid...
In her mind, he was the physical embodiment of the sun. He rose for her every day, entering the school with Sue and Tobey. The four of them were good friends--they had understood her... they had understood that just because she was a little scatterbrained didn't mean she was an idiot. Something she had been trying to convince the people of this school for a long time...

"Aiyaa.." She sighed, rubbing her temples. There were plenty more reasons why she liked Sid, and felt so thankful for her friends, but any more thinking and--

WHAM!!

... She'd walk into the double-doors.

Ash stumbled back, rubbing her nose as a few people around her chuckled. Some of the ones she thought of as friends...

She adjusted her glasses and shook her head, lightly this time, and exited out of the doors. She descended down the stairs and proceeded, starting her walk home.

"Hey, Ash!" A familiar voice called, and as she turned to look, she was hug-tackled by Tobey, Sue and Sid right behind.

"Ack!" The artist stumbled a little, tugging at the tanned arms around her neck. "Hey, Tobes! Let go, will ya?!"

"Sorry!" Tobey grinned, granting her wish. Stepping back, he tilted his head, squinting his eyes at her. "What's up with you? You look like you just ate a mouthful of Extreme Sour Gummy Rats."
Ash laughed nervously. "N-no, Tobey, it's nothing, really."
"Was Ying making fun of you again?" Sid questioned, his eyes narrowing at the thought. "I'll make sure he leaves you alone.."

"No, it's not Ying, either!" Her face reddened, and she lowered her gaze to the sidewalk. "If I say nothing is wrong, it isn't, alright? No need to worry.."

"Alright, Ash. We understand." Sue shot a look at Sid. "Soo, anyway, how was P.E.?" A grin spread across Sue's face; she knew that P.E. was the only class that Ash and Sid had together.

Ash smiled bashfully. "I.. er... tripped..."

"But it was totally cool!" Sid finished, fixing his gaze on her. "When she tripped, she knocked the soccer ball into the goal and our team won!"
"Really?!" Tobey's eyes widened. "You SO have to teach me how to do that!"
Ash felt her ego swell. "Well, maybe for a few fortune cookies... I mean, you could always have someone else teach you for free, but all they'll do is fill your head with jive."

"Jive...?" The black-and-white haired teen asked in wonder.

"That's Ash-talk for nonsense, Tobey." Sue laughed, happy to see her friend's spirits rise.

"Exactly!" She replied, moving away from the trio. "This is how you do it." She broke into a jog, then pulled her foot back and swung hard, falling a la Charlie Brown.
"Ash!" Sid exclaimed, rushing forward and catching her before she became shrimp toast. Soccer star and martial arts student gazed at each other for a while.
"... Yeah..." Ash said slowly, her head tilted back so she could hold Sid's gaze, her cheeks a rosy red.

"Tobey, I think we should go.." Sue snickered, grabbing Tobey's elbow and pulling him down the street.

"But she didn't teach me ye--OUCH!"

Sid was the first to look away, helping Ash up. "Uh, sorry.."
"I-it's okay." Ash smiled weakly. "S-say, Sid.. um.." Love or not, it's now or never. "You wanna go.. get some ice cream? I mean, if you don't want to, it's okay. I can just go home and play more Wii Tenni--" Her eyes widened as Sid kissed her cheek. "I'd love to, jive turkey." He smirked, chuckling softly. "I think I have some time before the deliveries have to be made."

She fought an oncoming nosebleed, her blush deepening. "A-alright!" Their hands met, and the couple headed toward the ice cream parlor, their hearts singing.

~~~

8D Whee, done! This wasn't so bad... but kind of time consuming. D8
Sashes for the Masses?

Sid (c) Larry Schwarz
Ash (c)