The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 9

I woke up in my own bed, although I could have sworn I fell asleep on Ash's bed. I dragged my feet as I brushed my hair and then braid it to the side. I decided to wear something more of my style today. I grabbed my red guns and roses shirt, with dark jeans and my red and white Ed hardies canvas shoes.

Ash came into my room as soon as I slipped my shoes on. He had on a red hoodie with a large black heart. He paired it with black jeans and red and black Jordans. He had a good sense of style in my eyes. His hair was styled messy, but in a neat kind of way, if that makes any sense.

"You ready?" He asked, his backpack slung behind one of his shoulders. "Did you pack gym clothes?"

"Yes and yes." I grabbed my bag, gym clothes inside it, and slung it over my shoulder.

We walked out of the palace towards the trees to leave.

"Did you move me to my bed last night?" I asked Ash.

"Yeah, you kept kicking me." He laughed.

"Sorry." I blushed.

"You've been blushing a lot more here lately. I think you need more training on that poker face." He teased me.

"I can do it when it's most important and that's what matters."

We went through the tunnel, holding our breath most of the way. We stepped out and started walking towards the school. I could see a lot of kids walking towards the campus like us. Although what I noticed quickly was the jeep speeding down the road, acting crazy.

Leti was crossing the street, looking down at her phone, blissfully unaware of said jeep. The jeep didn't slow down as it approached her. I noticed the driver was looking down at his phone, not looking at where he was driving. Ash and I shared a look before running full speed towards her. I grabbed Leti as Ash stopped the Jeep slamming his hand down on the hood. The jeep's back wheels lifted up for a second before crashing down.

The driver, Micheal of course, looked equally surprised and angry. Leti looked at us horrified as she realized what almost happened to her. She clutched onto me tightly as she caught her breath.

"You okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah. Yes. No. I don't know." She said all at once.

"Ash, take her to the nurse's office for me." I ordered him.

Ash, who was beyond pissed at Micheal, took a few deep breaths before walking away from the jeep. He scooped up Leti, his face serious with that poker face of his. He usually used it when he was feeling murderous. Letti had a deep blush on that gold undertone of hers as she looked up at Ash. Well she's now in love with him. I slapped my forehead, before getting up and walking over to Micheal.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I yelled at him through his window.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with your brother? Look at my hood!" He was mad.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" By now a crowd had assembled on the sidewalk. "Your careless driving could have killed Leti just now and you're worried about the small dent on your hood? I guess it's a good thing you don't have a person sized dent then." I yelled at him waving my hands around angrily.

What a fucking asshole.

He stepped out of the car and walked to the front, looking at the hand printed dent on his hood and assessing the rest of his car.

"Your brother is paying for this." He told me, as if he had a right to make demands. I walked to him ready to bash his face in.

An arm wrapped around my waist, sending those familiar fireworks through me. Toni leaned his mouth beside my ear.

"You'll kill him if you attack right now." He whispered.

"Good." I deadpanned

"Ember, take a breath. I'll take care of him on the football field. You don't want to get arrested for assault. His dad is the sheriff here." His lips tickled my ear as he told me.

Goosebumps were running through me. I was still so mad though and I could slightly feel Talia stirring in me from my anger. She still felt far away though.

I took a couple deep breaths, but it didn't help. Toni used his hands around my waist to turn me around and face him. His dark hair was tied in a small bun behind his head, showing me more of his handsome face. His chocolate eyes studied my face closely.

Before I knew it he pulled me into an embrace, only this time he had my head resting at the nape of his neck. I clutched his shirt, taking a few deep breaths of his intoxicating scent. The mint and wet earth filled my lungs, helping to soothe my anger. I took a few deep breaths before pulling away, and pushing past him.