River's birthday is in two days. 

He's turning twenty which is something I am really excited about. He doesn't seem that excited but oh well I think I am excited enough for the both of us.

Today Ash, Dez and I had yet another scheduled outing. 

If I am being honest it's not as fun when you are forced to hang out with someone. 

Especially because Ash only likes doing things on her schedule. If she decides to show up then everything is good. 

If she is forced to then we have to sit through hours of her complaining that she'd rather be anywhere but here. 

Here being an art gallery. 

I am not sure why Ana made us going here today. No one does and she didnt explain it. 

She just sent the day and the location. Is that even legal?

I guess if we want to keep out jobs.

"I have looped around this place seven times can we leave now?" Ash groans as we in fact finish our seventh walk through the art gallery. 

"Thirty more minutes Ash then we can go get lunch." Dez says scanning one of the paintings.

I stop in front of one that continues to catch my eye. 

C.B.

The same initials I saw the last time I was here with Austin.

The painting is different though. The only colors are black and white with shades of gray. 

It's still so mesmerizing. 

"Look at this one Ash isn't it cool?" I ask and she stops beside me. 

She scans it for a few moments before nodding, "You should get it."

I shake my head, "I couldn't afford whatever that painting is worth."

It was true I did have money coming in but I was saving whatever I could up. My parents agreed to continue to support me through the end of the year. 

After that I am on my own financially. 

Heels click against the wooden floor and Dez comes to stand beside me. 

"This is so colorless, wouldn't you want something more colorful?" She asks and I shake my head. 

"I just like the look of it." I admit. 

She quirks an eyebrow, "It looks like someone just randomly swept a brush over the canvas."

I mean she isn't wrong. 

"I'm bored." Ash says dully before moving on to another painting. 

We walk around for the next half hour before we head to lunch. 

After that Ash says she'll see us later for game night and heads back to her apartment. Dez and I head back to our own and I decide to take a nap. 

When I wake up it's around six so I decide to take a shower before the guys and Ash come over. 

One thing I have learned is the water pressure here is so much better than it was in my shower back home. 

Not only that but I never realized how hot showers could get. 

"Ash is here." Dez calls out from the living room. 

I step out of the shower and quickly dry off before slipping on some fresh clothes. 

When I walk out into the living room I see Ash and Dez in their normal seats. 

I take mine beside Ash on the couch. 

"I hate my apartment." Ash says and I turn to look at her. 

"I thought you already hated your apartment?" I ask. 

She was still on a hunt for a new one but hadn't found any yet. 

Ash rolls her eyes, "Yeah but fucking Dick actually stole my package of books. Like I just don't get why we don't have P.O. Boxes. I should get one at the post office." She says and we hear a knock on the door. 

Dez goes to get it. 

"How do you know he stole your package?" I ask as I see the door opening and Kai and River entering. 

"He was sitting in front of his door, nude I might add, reading one of the books. When he saw me he closed the book around his dick and moved it up and down." She says disgust lacing her voice.

"He was jerking off in a book? Did it feel good?" Kai ask and I am sure everyone else is wearing the same look of disbelief. 

Well except Ash who nods. 

"Oh yeah rubbing dry paper against it. Probably the best feeling in the world." Ash says and Kai shudders. 

"You know you could stay with me Ash the invite is always there." He adds and she shakes her head. 

Kai goes to sit on the ground, placing the food on the table. I stand grabbing River's hand and pulling him with me. 

He sits on the couch and I sit on his lap. His arms come to wrap around me and I sink into him. 

"I missed you." He whispers against my ear making it tickle. 

I lean back so I can whisper in his ear, "I missed you more."

"No, stop it. Stop being so lovey dovey I am going to gag." Ash says from beside us. 

She actually kind of looks pale. 

"Come on Ash it's cute." Dez says, "I look at them and wonder when will I find that." She adds dreamily.

Kai rolls his eyes, "You know I am the only single one in the band now. Everyone else is in love and I sit here every night alone."

"Not alone you still have your hand." Ash counters and he narrows his eyes at her. 

"Don't act like you're the only single one, look at me." Dez says gesturing to herself. 

Kai laughs, "It's cause we are the two best looking people here Dez. No one could handle our hotness." He jokes.

"True, true." She says and Ash starts to dig into the food. 

When everyone looks over at her she just rolls her eyes. 

"You guys are taking too long and I am starving." She says before taking another bite. 

We all dig in and then after that we play the game of life. 

"Where do I place my extra kids if my car is full?" Ash asks and Kai takes them placing the little pegs horizontally so they fit between the other ones. 

"You know Ash you always end up with the most kids in this game, I think it's a sign." Dez says and Ash shakes her head. 

"Nope kids aren't my thing, ever." 

She's talked about before that she would never have kids. That how can you know how to take care of a kid when your parents couldn't even take care of you. 

I personally think she would be a great mom. Yeah she's got that whole mean exterior thing but she is always backing us up whenever we need it. 

Like at the party when that guy hit on me and she stood up for me or when Kai was having a bad day and she let him win. 

She's not as selfish as she likes to believe she is.

When the game finishes Ash ends up winning. 

We play two more rounds where I actually win one. 

By the end of the third one I am practically melted into River whose chin is resting on my shoulder. 

"I'm tired." Ash says yawning. 

Kai nods, "Same, I like to think we aren't a bunch of people in their twenties playing board games and getting tired before ten p.m. Sadly we are."

"Want to stay at mine?" River asks and I turn to look at him. 

I nod, "Yeah let me just get my things." I say standing and heading to the room. 

When I get back the game is put away and the trash is cleaned up.

Kai and Ash are gone. 

"You two have fun, don't do anything I would do." Dez says as River grabs my bag and we leave the apartment. 

Then we head to his apartment. 

___

A/N More of a filler chapter.