The Hidden Luna

Chapter Five

The boys talked for a few hours, meanwhile, Scarlett was going through job listings in the local newspaper, hoping she could find something soon. Asher kept telling her not to worry about it, saying he has taken care of the finances but she couldn't help but wonder how could afford everything.

As Scarlett circled an ad for a receptionist job a little ways outside of town, Asher burst into the kitchen with Carter and Hunter trailing behind him. His eyes were hard and determined. "We have to leave."

"Okay," she said slowly, capping the pen and setting it down on top of the newspaper. "Why the big revelation? If you're going out with your friends, it's not a problem."

Ash rubbed his jaw, thinking about how to phrase what he was going to say. "I don't mean leave to hang out. I mean we need to leave Silver Creek, all of us. You included."

She jerked her head back in surprise. "I can't just pack up my things and leave, Ash. What happened to staying? Is it because of your dad?"

Carter made a move to answer but Ash held up his hand. "Don't."

Carter shut his mouth and Asher licked his lips. "Scar, I just think it's for the best. There are too many bad memories here. We could have a fresh start."

"No," Scarlett said, shaking her head. "I'm not leaving. If you want to leave again, fine. I got over it the last time, I'll get over it this time."

Asher clenched his jaw, making it look razor sharp. "I'm not leaving you. Ever."

She threw my hands up in the arm. "Okay, well, I don't know, Ash. If you want to leave, do it. If you want to stay, do it. But don't make your decisions based off what I want. It's your life."

Without waiting for him or anyone to respond, she slipped on a pair of flats and walked out the door.

Scarlett didn't know where she was going, she just knew that if she stayed anywhere near Ash, she was going to kill him. He makes a big show of coming back, saying he's going to stay and then not even a couple of weeks later, he wants to disappear. Again.

Scarlett wished Zoey was here. She would give me some sort of pep talk telling ger to forget Asher and his stupid face, like she had done a handful of times after he left the first time. Then, they'd binge watch something on Netflix while eating an incredibly unhealthy amount of pizza.

Scarlett's heart sank as she thought of Zoey. She missed her, more than anything, she missed her. She was the only one for Scarlett when her mother died, she even moved in for a whole month afterward just to make sure her friend was okay. God, she was going to go off to college, she was going to study to become a therapist, she was going to help people. Now, she's dead. Gone.

Scarlett tried to push back the voice that secretly wished it was her instead of Zoey. She had so much going for her, so many people who loved her. It just wasn't fair.

By the time Scarlett snapped out of my own thoughts, she realized she was lingering on the outskirts of the forest. Scarlett didn't know why she would even come here, where Zoey had died. The last place she wanted to be was here, but it felt like some force was bringing her back, wanting to figure out what happened that night. When Scarlett had called the police, she assumed that Zoey had been murdered, but when she awoke, the doctors explained it had been an animal attack, specifically the wolves that had attacked her. Yet, they couldn't find the wolves and up until now, wolves had never been spotted in Cedar Creek.

Scarlett stood, watching the trees as a gentle breeze danced through the leaves.

"Scarlett," someone said, clamping a hand down on her shoulder.

Flinching as the sudden contact, she turned around but was quickly relieved to see it was just Asher. Masking her startled expression with a cool one, Scarlett said, "What do you want?"

Asher jerked his head back at her sharp tone. He stayed silent for a moment before he began to speak. "I'm sorry for suggesting we leave. It's just the thing with my dad are complicated. I know I said that he was done with the sketchy stuff, but the truth is, he isn't. I got sick of it that I left, thinking he wouldn't care. I mean, he hardly paid attention to me in the first place, I thought he wouldn't think anything of it. I just want to protect you from him."

"What are you talking about?" Scarlett snorted. "What would a business man want to do with an unemployed, ex-waitress?"

"Yeah..." Ash chuckled, though she could tell his heart wasn't in it. "I guess I'm overthinking things. But can I ask you something?"

"Anything," she say, mentally preparing for whatever he had to ask. Judging by the expression on his face, it was a serious one.

Ash took a step back and ran a hand through his dark hair. "If my father does come back, can I still stay with you?" Before she could answer, he quickly added, "And Carter and Hunter too?"

Scarlett blinked a few times, registering what he had just asked.  Of course she'd say yes to Asher, but his friends? Scarlett barely knew them. She took a deep breath in and then out. "Obviously you're more than welcomed to stay, Ash. But I don't know Carter and Hunter. I mean, with me out of a job, I can't afford guests."

"You don't have to worry about them," he said, reaching for my hands. "They wouldn't be guests per se but rather roommates. They'll pay rent, groceries, and anything else. I told you Scar; I'll take care of things. You don't need to rush into a new job, take time to adjust with all this crap before you jump into something new."

Scarlett crossed her arms over her chest. "If they stay, they need to do chores and cook meals from time to time. I'm not going to be anyone's bitch."

This time, when Ash chuckled, it was sincere. His hazel eyes brightened in the sun and for the first time since he got back, he looked genuinely happy. "I promise you won't be anyone's bitch, Scar." He cocked his head to the right. "Come home with me?"

Nodding her head, followed Asher home.