I've Known You (An Ashley Purdy Love Story)

Chapter One: Five Years Ago

Five Years Ago

"So you're leaving?" he asked, his breath was a mist in the cold air, and his expression showed sadness.

"Well, not forever. And I'm not leaving Missouri, I'm too stubborn to leave what I know behind" I grimaced and took a drag of my cigarette the tip burning brightly. "I just can't be in this business anymore. Especially not with Lily being as bitchy and controlling as she is. And I can't hold anyone back with my complaining, and I have other dreams. I'm almost done with my first year of college, and you know how I want to pursue music" I finished with a sigh.

"I know, we all do. I'd just miss you a lot. I've known you since you moved here Evangeline, and you're my best friend" he huffed and looked up toward the sky.

Normally I liked rainy days; they were cold, dark, and dreary. But today was different. I was leaving my friends behind; I was quitting a job I loved, and I was leaving the only thing I knew how do without screwing it up; modeling. Ashley had a reason to be mad at me, but I knew he wanted to move to L.A. too. So either way, I was leaving him, or he was leaving me.

"How do you think Stephan is going to take it?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Not well if that's what you mean" Ashley snickered "He loves you Angie, and he thinks you're wonderful at what you do" he finished, he had succumbed to sadness again.

"Just don't be sad Ash, please" I forced a smile as I turned toward him "I'll still be here, but working at the bar down the street instead"

I had just come from the interview, and already received a call that the job was mine. My curls had been weighed down by the mist, it had begun to sprinkle and the water droplets caught in my mess of tangles. I let out another sigh and flicked the fag into the street, it sizzling from hitting the water

"Lets' get inside, I need to face Stephan, and do my last photo shoot" I climbed up from the spot I was sitting and started heading inside. Then I realized Ash was still sitting on the ground "Ashley? Come on, it's cold and you can't get sick" I leaned down and placed my hand on his arm.

"Oh, right" he shook his head and got up. He sighed again, and as much as I didn't want him to be angry at me, he was. Everyone would be, but I had justifications.

I walked in and saw Stephan right away. I mustered up all I had, took a deep breath and walked over to him. "Stephan?"

"Yes, Angie?" He said as he looked at a color palate for the winter designs.

"I'm quitting" I replied confidently, with no regret in my tone or on my mind.

He let out a deep sigh "I knew this day was coming"

"You did" I asked suddenly and in disbelief.

"Yes," he turned to go through the clothes rack as continued talking to me "Trust me, if Lily wasn't good, she would have been out that door sooner than you could say hot tamales. But," he turned back to me and placed his hands on my shoulders "You need to follow your dreams Evangeline, and it's clear that your dreams are no longer here with us" his smile was weak, a lingered with gloom.

"Stephan, you know I'm grateful for everything. All the shoots you set up for me in L.A. and New York and well, everywhere else" I smiled as the memories flooded back "And there's no way to repay you" I bit my lip, and I was ashamed, because he had done so much for me and here I was, leaving.

"You know," he paused, and a grin engulfed his face "If you ever want to come back, I'll welcome you with open arms, no matter what sweetie"

"Thank you so much Stephan" I hugged him tight, holding back tears.