Ashe tried to blink away the remnant of sleep as she yawned. The blaring of her alarm caused her to curse under her breath.

Dammit, I forgot to turn off my morning alarm. It's Saturday for god sake, I'm supposed to be sleeping in.

She rolled to the side reaching for her still bleating phone. She managed to click 'turn off' before the repeated wailing crushed her sanity.

Ahh

Ashe groaned still feeling the effects of the alcohol she had last night. Honestly if it wasn't for that irritating Sam, she wouldn't have over indulged. She's not even quite sure why he has such an affect on her.

In a way it's because he's the first guy that looked at her without any lust or any agenda on his mind like trying to get inside her pants. There's that look in his eyes that doesn't really focus on anything or anyone. Like he looks at you but not really, it's hard to explain. Like he doesn't really acknowledge that you exist.

Ashe could feel another yawn coming as she put on her pink bunny slippers. She stretched her arms and yawned. She would love to go back to sleep but from her experience over the years, she knows that once shes awake, its impossible for her to go back to sleep again. She doesn't know why her body has that weird feature but it does.

She decided that since she's already awake she might as well go for an early morning run. But first she has to take care of her out of control puffy hair. She made her way into the bathroom and began to brush her teeth while trying to fix her horrible bed head. With all her preparation finish in bracing the outside world, she stepped out of the front door and inhaled her first breathe of fresh air today.

She's put on her favourite white vest and matching shorts and her shoes is also white as well with the same make. She tied her hair into a bun as she stretched to prepare her body for the run.

Ashe glanced at the watch on her wrist.

It's been twenty minutes.

She began to slow down as she changed her pace from full on running to a fast walk. Ashe breathe heavily trying to catch her breath. Its tiring trying to run as long as you can with all your strength but she has gotten better. A year ago she wouldn't even last five minutes trying to keep running at her top speed. Ashe wiped the sweat that's sliding off her brow.

When suddenly she gets a bad feeling like she's being watch. She stops and looked around wearily, glancing at her surroundings. The sun wasn't fully out yet so the sky still look grey and dreary. The sounds of twig snapping in the distance kicked her adrenaline into high gear as she propelled herself to run forward.

She could feel a presence getting closer and closer to her. She closed her eyes trying to muster the will to go even faster, but then that dreadful feeling suddenly vanished as she finds herself crashing into someone.

"Ouch!!" she complained rubbing her head. Her head was now resting against someones chest. A pair of hands held her shoulders steady. Her heart hammering against her chest like its wielding a sledge hammer trying to break out.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ashe lifted her head out slowly wondering who it was she crashed into. She wondered in amazement as who could it be, his presence made her feel safe. Protected. She widened in shock as she recognise his familiar visage.

Sam.

She gasped in disbelief and amazement.

How did he not fall and stumble when I fully crashed onto him without even slowing down. He's stronger that what he's lithe build suggest.

Ashe snickered quitely.

She couldn't but help but look back from whence she came, the path that is next to a graveyard surrounded by ever green trees. She feels that awful presence again watching her and she couldn't help but yelped in fear as she jumped towards Sam and wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face on his shoulder; only then did she feel safe again.

Hmm he smells wonderful like cinnamon laced with something floral. Pink? Is pink even a smell?

Ashe couldn't help but blushed as she unwound herself slowly off him. Ashe pouted in disappointment as Sam wasn't even looking at her. She found him staring towards the direction of the graveyard with a slight frown on his face. Ashe tried to calm herself as she stood before him twisting and turning her hand as she gaze down at the pavement.

"Sorry." she whispered quietly now looking at him. He didn't quite respond as his face was set in contemplation. He blinked slowly and his eyes focused on her finally.

"Fancy meeting you here." he spoke finally, giving her an exasperated look.

"Haha yeah.. just going for my usual morning run.." she replied. That unnerving experience still fresh in her mind and she couldn't help but step forward again grabbing the edge of his dark trench coat. She gazed at him as she shivered, the adrenaline finally wearing off leaving her physically and emotionally drained.

The air that used to freshen her up now seems so bitingly cold. Sam took his coat off and wrapped it around her with a huff. She breathe in and that spicy cinnamon smell with a hint of earth filled her senses and she smiled as wrapped coat around her tightly.

"Thanks." she muttered.

He gave her a soft chuckle and started to walk away from that horrible cemetery. She followed beside him, still not daring to look back just in case she catches a glimpse of whatever that thing was that lives beyond those woods.

"Um.. where are we going?" She asked finally after walking beside him in perfect silence for the past ten minutes.

It's weird how they seem to be running into each other frequently. It's only just yesterday that she noticed a boy called Sam Ael. This is her last year of college before heading to university, she did not know that this plain annoying irritating dude oblivious of her beauty existed. I mean how would she have noticed? They lived in two complete different worlds. She was the popular Ashe Scottbreak adored by many and a goddess to some while he was a nobody.

Still she wasn't unhappy running into him now. Even her previous irritation the day before vanished. I mean she was still annoyed and perplexed at his nonchalant attitude but now, she finds him less.. less what? Annoying ? Plain? Boring?

She doesn't know anymore. One things for sure that Sam Ael is definitely an enigma. He exudes this strange atmosphere full of mystery and intrigue. Like he's hiding something and this secret feels so dark, terrifying but she can't help but feel that it also seems electrifying.

What am I thinking. I must have banged my head against his chest harder than I thought.

Ashe began to muse.

"Well I'm going to get coffee. I'm not sure about you." He told her. Not paying any attention to her, he seems to be preoccupied with his own thoughts? or maybe that's just how he is daily, seemingly disinterested in everything around him. But still shouldn't he be a little bit excited, I mean they just shared an intimate moment, almost romantic but base on his stoic expression that didn't seem to faze him one bit.

She bit her lips and paused. Her mind struggling whether to go with him or just go straight home. Sam as usual did not seem to mind that she has stopped and carried on his merry way. She sighed and began to catch up with him.

"Same.." she breathed out feeling defeated yet somehow relieved.