Neil's apartment.

[Ashlyn Martin-Megall]

She laughed a bit at his comment on apples I'm glad...the cabbie didn't rub off!She was really happy about that. Listening to him talk about the person who owned the building she nodded some.Sweet. It is gonna be so awesome to get my shoes off. Her feet were throbbing. That was one thing she was going to have to do soon. New shoes. No hurry though, she still had a bit of life left in the ones she had on.

When the car was parked, she slowly started to get out of the car. A brief moment to look around. It looked nice. Atleast it was not like a lot of areas she had heard about, all dingy and cluttered.

[.//neil MEGALL;]

Neil got out of the car, his steps causing the gravel to crunch. Here it is-- home sweet home, he told her, spreading his arms out dramatically. He glanced at her shoes as he walked towards the stairs, and he shrugged. That's what Rodeo Drive is for, he said with a grin. He took the stairs two at a time until he reached his apartment. He unlocked the door with a jimmy of the key, and the door swung open.
It was spacious, for an apartment. There were two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a living room with a sofa bed, not to mention two bathrooms. He was actually quite proud of it. The style was contemporary, black and white photographs hung with white backgrounds and black frames. The cielings were slanted, coming to their pinnacle over the living room, giving the apartment an interesting feel. The couch was a deep mahogany, the floors wooden, with tan walls. It was all inviting, and Neil appreciated that fact.
Your room is the first one on the left, Neil said, walking towards it with her bags. He deposited them on the bed, a day bed that was shrouded with interesting curtains. He hoped it wasn't too over the top. He'd been in a rush at the local Pottery Barn, picking out things in a flurry of activity and putting it all together as best he could. He'd had help, of course, from an intern who went to design school. She'd told him where things should go, and he had put it all up, mainly because the woman was much too short to reach the ceilings.
My room's across the hall, if you ever need anything. Just knock first, he told her. It's not like he, err, did anything he didn't want her to see, he just liked people to be courteous. It was just his general rule to knock first.
Your bathroom is just through that door, he continued, pointing to a door that adjoined her room, and you can put your clothes and stuff in here or here. He pointed to a dresser that had a television set atop it, and a closet across the room.
And the kitchen is just past the living room, he added, if you're ever hungry.

[/blockquote]

[Ashlyn Martin-Megall]

She had slipped off her shoes when she stepped into the door, careful to put them off to the side so no one would trip over them. Then she followed him and nodded at his words as she glanced in each direction he had pointed. The room looked very nice. Infact it was nicer then the one back home. But she could not really complain about the one back home. It was all they could get her, and compared to the orphanage, it was heaven. She didn't really have too many things to put away, so she figured the dresser was more then enough room. Sounds awesome. Scarlet, I mean mom, gave me a little bit of money just incase. I can help pay for groceries and stuff. She didn't know if it would upset him or not, but she felt like she should offer. Since he was letting her stay there and all.

[.//neil MEGALL;]

He waved his hand. Don't worry about it. He knew his mother. She was always worrying. She wasn't meant for farm life, honestly. He wished she'd come to the city, too, but she would never leave Robert. How she still put up with him, let alone loved him, Neil would never understand. He was proud of the apartment. No clapboard walls, like back on the farm. And there was heating, that was the best part. He was glad he no longer lived there, even if it meant leaving the family. Or his mother, at least.
I've got to get back to work, he muttered, looking at a clock in the living room. Are you going to be alright here? I'm not sure today's the best day to come with me, he added apologetically. No, definitely not today. Today he was checking up on Mrs. Wilson, a poor old woman. She'd lost her mind years ago, and dealing with her was painful. She'd scream out, some unknown force hurting her. The doctors said she was healthy, but she was mentally unwell. She'd cry about how "they all had left her, left her to rot." He couldn't subject Ashlyn to that. Other patients, maybe, but never Mrs. Wilson.

[Ashlyn Martin-Megall]

She nodded slowly. Yeah I will be fine. Porbably just going to relax a bit. Might crash early, kinda beat. She gave a soft smile. It was then that it could be noticed on how tired she did look.Might even take a bath or something. A shrug of those shoulders. More then likely she would end up falling asleep. The heat of the place was a good thing, something she had forgotten about since moving in with his parents. It made her a bit groggy and relaxed.

[.//neil MEGALL;]

Feel free. Make yourself at home-- seriously. He grinned, walking out of the room. My number's on the fridge if you need me! he called, straightening things before walking out of the apartment, closing the door softly. He hopped down the stairs, getting into his car as quickly as possible. He hoped traffic would not be bad, as he would be terribly late. And a late intern? Unfathomable. He'd be off the spot in seconds.
As he drove, he worried. But he tried not to. Ashlyn was a smart girl. She knew not to play with fire. She was fifteen, not ten. He didn't need to worry. But he still did. It was genetic.

[Ashlyn Martin-Megall]

She followed him halfway out and waved.Have fun and be careful.Then she headed in to take a bath. Yeah, Ash never messed with fire. She knew better. Besides, what would she need to use fire for? If she wanted something to eat, she would most likely get something that required less effort. Like a peanut butter sandwhich. She was too tired to really do much now.

Turning on the tap in the tub, she let the water fill up.After a few moments she had removed her clothes and gotten into the tub. It was nice and warm, very comfortable. Relaxing back some, she let her eyes drift closed and her thoughts wander. She liked it here. It was peaceful, she felt comfortable, and it was warm. She wondered what kept mom at home with a guy like Robert. Maybe she would ask Neil later. He might know. But further thought told her not to ask Neil. It might still be a sore subject for him.

About an hour later she was in the room dubbed as hers, pulling on some night clothes. A yawn was stifled behind a hand as she tugged on those navy blue shorts, and that matching navy blue tank top. Bare feet tapped the floor gently as she made her way to the bed. Tugging down the covers, she climbed in, and in no time was fast asleep.