Ash
Years of training had finally led Ash Sparks to this moment. She would now become who she was always meant to be, every little moment leading her here. Her name carved her destiny before she could walk or talk. Her past and present finally align. Her greatest losses fuel her best outcome.
She arrived at the firehouse early, too eager to start her first shift. She was like a little kid at Christmas, the anticipation waking her up before the crack of dawn. Ash had come prepared with her light blonde hair braided out of her face like her mother had taught her before she passed. Her gym bag on her shoulder with a brand new never-before- worn uniform.
She heard chatter and laughter coming from inside the building.This is it, she thought, the first moment of the rest of her life.
She walks by the fire trucks engines, admiring their beauty up close and personal. She ran her hand against the slick red metal making a mental note to remember this feeling if she were to ever feel lost again.
“Ain’t she a beaut?” she retracts her hand quickly caught in the act of admiration. “You must be the new probie. I’m Stella Santos, former probie, but I can’t say I mind you taking my place.” The woman said, raking over Ash’s body slowly with a playful smirk and a wink. Ash couldn’t stop the blush from forming.
“I’m Ashlyn Sparks but most people call me Ash.” Stella sticks her hand out to shake, Ash accepts it, electric shock running through them. They pull away quickly, scared of igniting the flame.
“Really living up to that name, Sparks. Huh?” Stella badgers. Ash was at a loss for words, taken aback by Stella’s confidence radiating off her.
Stella towered Ash’s shorter frame, curves and muscles in all the right places for a job like this. With a brunette slick back bun and a perfectly pressed uniform, Ash could almost see the cracks hiding behind the perfect exterior. Ash knew the woman in front of her was someone that would become important to her.
“Stella, let’s give the kid some room.” A tall redhead with energy of authority enters.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. It’s not like anything I say will compare to the horror stories Winnie told me before my first shift.” Stella turned back to the blonde. “You’ll hear them soon enough.” The redhead gave the brunette a warning glare.
“You must be Ashlyn Sparks,” The ginger reaches out her hand. “I’m Lieutenant Daphne McLaren.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” Ash confirms awkwardly, shaking her outstretched hand.
“Welcome to the 141. Here we’re a family so make yourself at home, Stella can you show Sparks to the locker room. I’m gonna finish up breakfast before Winnie burns the whole place down.” Daphne heads back to the staff kitchen where all the ruckus was coming from earlier.
“You’d think a firefighter of all people would be able to watch a stove and not burn things. Winnie would be a top contender for that worst cooks show.” Stella remarked, leading the way to the locker room. Ash quickly follows behind.
Ash had never felt welcomed somewhere so quickly, she could have cried. The blonde had felt lost since the last member of her family passed only a year prior. Her Grammy, the woman who finished the job after the fire that took her parents. She hoped they were all looking down on her, proud of where she ended up. She wishes she could share the moment with them.
“....and she’s got this really cool motorcycle... hey are you okay?” Stella asks, jolting her out of her thoughts.
“Sorry, yeah I’m good, just can’t believe I finally made it.” She inhaled deeply.
“Well believe it buddy,” Swinging an arm around her shoulder and entering the locker room.
“Alright your locker is right here, next to mine... so no peeking.” Ash feels the heat rise to her cheeks.
“I’ll leave you to settle in but I’d get ready fast. You never know what danger lurks around the corner.” Stella ducks behind the lockers making ghost sounds. Pops out again “Boo!” Stella leaves the room laughing to herself and Ash is left with her thoughts.
She takes a moment to take in her surroundings once more before shoving her things in her locker. Getting herself ready for her first shift, she takes out the two pictures she brought with her to hang in her locker. One of her, her mother and father in front of her childhood home, and the second picture of her and her grandma. She missed them all dearly and wished they were here to share this moment with her. She placed the two photos in her locker door before shutting it.
She took a deep breath, uniform crisp and stiff ready to be worn in on the job. She makes her way to the rowdy group.
“No, I would never cheat to get out of drills...” Stella denied with a devious smirk. Ash wonders in quietly observing, unbeknownst to everyone besides Stella.
“Oh yeah, then why don’t I believe you? I’ll strip search you bitch.” What looked to be the EMT retorted playfully.
“Alright bet,” Stella challenges, standing to lift her shirt up. She revealed her toned abdomen and strong physique. Ash scans her eyes over the tan woman’s body until she reaches Stella’s intense stare. She winks and takes her place fully clothed. Ash blushes, hard, everyone eyes on her. What is happening to her? Nerves were normal to her, but not this. She shakes it off, chalking it up to be first day jitters.
“What the fuck, Santos! Don’t scare the kid.” The EMT playfully swatted at the girl.
“Sparks, come join us. We were just finishing up a game of Uno.” The captain invites her to join the group. He looks awfully similar to Daphne with blazing red hair, there was no way they weren’t related.
“Hi, excuse this miscreant, she has no manners. I’m Winnie Green, I’m the head EMT here at the 141. Please join us.” She pulls out the chair next to her and offers Ash the seat taking her place at the table. “Tell us about yourself. Did you grow up around here? What made you become a firefighter? Wha...”
“Winnie, Chill. Now you’re gonna scare her off.” Stella interrupts. “But I can’t lie, I’m curious to know what a beautiful woman like yourself would end up here in this house of misfits.” Taking a sip of the coffee Ash had just noticed, as Stella took a slow sip. Ashes eyes quickly slip a glance over her lips.
“Stells, do you have an off button for your obsessive flirting?” Winnie complains.
“Yeah, but unlike you a man can’t find it.” Stella laughs at her own joke with Ash producing a soft chuckle. Winnie’s demeanor was unimpressed; however there was a slight break in her composure.
“Estella Ofelia Santos, do I need to contact HR?” The captain warns humorously.
“No sir.” She retorts. “Anyways, let’s let the pretty lady speak.” Shifting the conversation back to Ash.
“Oh um, I was born in Missouri. I moved here after dropping out of college to help my grandmother when she got sick.” She pauses trying to compose herself. “And I’ve wanted to be a firefighter for almost as long as I can remember.” Producing a sad smile.
“You’ll have plenty of time to mull over life stories later. Probie I hate to break it to you but I got some dirty work for you to do.” The captain instructed.
“Yes, Sir.” Ash obliges.
“Boo,” Stella heckles the man.
“Just because there’s a new worker bee doesn’t mean you get out of it either, Santos. For today you are both on uniform duty.” Captain McLaren orders.
Just as the two women were about to start their chores, the firehouse alarms went off.
"141. Ladder. Engine. All units be advised, school fire drill in progress.”The alarms blaring overhead.
