[title] ch 3

Jake's house was huge and beautiful, like an chunk of heaven that fell to earth in the shape of Johnston Mansion. 1

...Did I mention his family was filthy rich? And by filthy rich, I mean insanely rich. Ridiculously rich. 2

Jacob showed me around while Cinders and Sunny ran around hyperly. 3

"Through the atrium here, yeah. Here is the kitchen, and right over here is the dining hall," he said, gesturing to a giant room with a long table with dozens of chairs on either side. "The East Wing is where my parents' room is, my father's study, I think there's a library, and my mother's music room. She's got all of these instruments she keeps in there, but she hardy plays 'em. We can't go up there right now. I've only been there once, anyway."4

We walked across the atrium, towards the west side of the building. I skipped along happily. 5

"This is the West Wing. It's basically mine. Well, yours now, too." Jake looked like he was going to take the stairs but then turned sharply around a corner to an elevator I hadn't noticed. It was beautiful. The elevator had paintings of Mars and Minerva on the doors. "Well, my parents just had the elevator decor redone. This symbolism thing's supposedly in. Mars is supposed to be somewhat, well, me, and Minerva is you. You like?"6

"I... I... Jake, it looks amazing!" I squealed, finding my voice.7

"Heh, glad you like it." He smiled as he pressed the up button.8

The elevator had mirrored walls and bronze railing. "This is so cool..." I breathed, fingering the rails.9

Inside the elevator, he pressed the large button marked '3'.10

At the top, there were four huge, widely spaced doors.11

"This," he pointed at the first door, "is our library. It's got a lot of mystery books, fantasies, and of course, lots of horror novels for the both of us."12

"Sweet! You're soo thoughtful, Jake. What the hell would I do without you Johnstons?" I laughed, shoving him a bit. He was a few inches taller than me now. 13

"Wait 'til you see your room! Check it!" he threw open the second door and I nearly fainted.14

Pale pink walls accented a purple couch at the foot of a snow white-bed. The walls were covered with posters of my favorite movies. A giant, Mickey Mouse-shaped TV was mounted to the wall, at a perfect viewing angle from the couch or the bed. I looked back to Jacob, who took a bow.15

"Oh my gosh Jake, this is AMAZING!" I giggled, plopping down on the couch.16

"Wait a sec, you didn't even look at the closet!" He pulled my back up. 17

I looked at him skeptically. "You know I don't like new clothing..." 18

"Buuut you've been wanting this for a while."19

My suspicions were confirmed when I spied a spike-studded leather jacket in my gigantic walk-in closet. My eye must have twitched or something, because Jacob asked, "Ashtynn, you okay?"20

"Just trying... really... hard... not to hug you 'til you explode..." I murmured, eyes sparkling with delight.21

"Go ahead, I don't- Hey! Ashes? C...can't breathe!" 22

I let go of him, still grinning. "You're the best!"23

"Thanks, Ashes. You too. Come on! I've still got to show you the rest of the West Wing!" Jake dashed back into the hall. 24

He showed me his room, a black hole of messiness despite the countless maids that flock around the place. His electric guitars were all in a row against the wall. 25

The farthest room over had a catflap on the door. "Sunny and Cinders have a room too," he explained, "and we've got cat food, cat beds, cat trees, everything. They're allowed outside, too, there's a little pulley contraption that I built so that they can go in and out by themselves."26

"What about the 2nd floor? You pressed 3 on the elevator. Is there a 2nd floor?" I questioned. 27

"Definitely. Recreation level."28

"Ooh, fancy." I laughed. 29

We went down to level 2. I was greeted by a giant swimming pool, a treadmill, and weights. "Woah. Hardcore, man." I said, stepping out of the elevator.30

"Totally. Anyhoo, one of the butlers have probably brought your stuff up by now, so wanna get your swimsuit and take a dip?" he suggested. 31

"Sure. BRB." I came back in a grey and green tankini and he was magically already in swim trunks. I guess he already had some down here.32

We splashed each other with water and raced each other across the pool for about an hour before sitting on the edge of the pool for a break.33

I leaned on his shoulder. "Jake, you're the best brother ever."34

"Not brother. Friend. Please?" he whined. I'm not sure why it mattered.35

"Sure. Best friend. Ever." 36

He gave me a pleased look, and then pushed me into the water. "Hey!!" I yelled, pulling him in with me. 37

***38

That night, I listened to Jacob's shallow breathing through a door that joined our rooms. I watched his chest rise and fall as I blinked sleepily. I tapped my fingers rhythmically on my purple nightstand and switched the lamp off.39

I hummed to myself for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep. 40

For the first time in months, I had good dreams. 41