HOLIDAY IN SPAIN

ASHLEY

The paintbrush slips from my hand, hitting the floor and splattering paint across the polished floor.

I jerk my head around to face her. My mum and my dad are standing a few metres away from me, staring and smiling.

I know that expression all too well. It is the same ‘smiling with just the mouth and not the eyes’ expression they had given me a dozen times before. They are guilty of something… again.

I clear my throat, the sound louder than intended. “What are you talking about? You… you guys are travelling again, aren't you?”

It was the only time they would tell me to spend a long time at Caleb's mansion.

They glance at each other, my mother pouting, before turning back to me. They could have communicated a whole lot just with that one look.

“To Rome, honey,” my mum responds, her voice soft, almost apologetic.

I raked a hand through my hair, the curls falling messily over my shoulders. “How long this time?”

My mum keeps quiet, sighing slightly. My dad then looks at me, his gaze softening. “Just three months, dear.”

Great!

Each time they came home, it was never more than two months before they went on another flight and ship me off to Caleb's. And I was never to ride alongside them, all because of business protocol.

We had never even had a family vacation as much as their couple vacations. It was just once, and I could barely recall it because it happened when I was still below 12 years.

Except this time… this time I am old enough to stay home on my own.

“I can just stay home until you guys return,” I say, confident that it was a finalised deal.

“No! You can't,” my mum quickly retorts, the words coming out before she can think about it or consider it.

Her gaze is more serious now.

I furrow my brows, rising from the small wooden stool I had always used for support when painting.

“Why? I'm twenty-one.”

“Yes,” Dad says, his shoulders tightening. “But you're probably gonna burn down the house again. Last time was luck and we didn't even travel; it was a one day stay away from home.”

A faint smile dragged on his lips as his gaze was fixed on me. He was remembering five months ago when I'd tried to prepare some chicken casserole for dinner.

He had called it a chemical experiment that had failed.

Mum nudges his arm with her elbow, then faces me, her smile a little wider than before. “Just think of it as a summer vacation, honey,” she cajoled. “Three months of fun in another country. Wouldn't it be great?”

I pause, staring at both of them. My mouth flattens. I can't even look at their smile without feeling the sting of disappointment.

“I can't try to change your minds again, can I?”

My mum smoothens my curly hair, then blows a kiss in the air to me. “You'll love Spain, honey.”

They turn and leave the room, muttering some words I can't understand.

I slump back on the stool, sighing audibly. If I was staying at Caleb's family mansion here, it would be okay, but no. It had to be in Spain—a country I was an alien in.

I knew he was going for holiday in Spain and that was why I had agreed to go to a club with him before he left. But now, we will be together for the long ride.

And just like that, I can't avoid him again. Or maybe I still can.

~~~~

I sit on my bed, reading a book while I wait for my parents to return from work.

“I've finally seen you, Ash,” a familiar voice says calmly. I raise my head to see Caleb leaning against my doorframe, his hands folded below his chest.

He looks too happy; his brown wavy hair hanging messily near his eyes. It's like he is just returning from a party—and definitely not a normal party.

“Caleb… how did you get in?” I ask, furrowing my brows. For some reason, I'm not as excited to see him here.

“I'm your parents favourite. I simply asked for a spare key to the house today and they gave it to me.”

I sighed silently. Wow. Just wow.

I turn my gaze back to the book resting on my thighs. “Why are you here this late?”

Caleb moves away from the doorframe and steps into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

“Your parents called me about thirty minutes ago because your phone was off,” he responds. They wanted me to let you know that they'll be home late today.”

I had turned off my phone earlier today because of Caleb's constant calls.

I look up at him again, my face stiff. He is looking intently at me, a small, faint smile appearing on his face.

I roll my eyes, flipping through the pages of the book. “Thank you for the information. You can go.”

But like a stubborn fly, Caleb doesn't leave. Instead he walks to my bedside and sits beside me.

“Come on, Ash,” he says, his voice dropping to that low enticing sound that makes me want to pull him in for a kiss whenever he's near me. “What exactly did I do wrong? You've been avoiding me for weeks.”

I do not respond to him. My gaze is still fixed on the page of the book I'm reading.

Caleb grasps the book from my hand, closes it and keeps it on the floor beside him. My gaze immediately darts to him, and I'm ready to tell at him for doing such a childish act but I stop myself.

His annoyingly handsome victim face holds me in place.

“I'm not avoiding you. I have an art project to submit by the end of summer, remember? I also don't like last minute tasks.”

“But we still have three months until then.”

I try to stand up, needing to put some space between us, despite the fact that I am desperate to get closer to his warm body. But Caleb pulls my hand hard, causing me to fall against his chest.

His brown eyes are fixed on me, his smile disappearing. I feel my cheeks begin to heat up and my heart pound.

“Are you upset with me?” He asks, pulling stands of my curly hair behind my ear. “Or are you just upset that I didn't protect you when Mirabel was talking about you being a virgin?”

That question throws me off guard. But then again, I shake my head slowly, wanting to know what he'll say next.

“I don't know.”

“I can't let a small misunderstanding drift us apart, Ash. If it's because you feel ashamed to be called a virgin, I am here to help you out. Always.

My breath hitch. Help me out. What does he mean by that? Can it be what I've always imagined for three years?

“What are you saying?”

“Don't you want to experience your first sex? I'll help you.”

“Help…me out?” I repeat, my voice suddenly low. “You… and me? Really?”