Nothing More - Sam Kiszka

Chapter 9

The air blanketing her body was chilly and refreshing, matching the feeling of the water that her feet rest in. Her eyes fall over the glittering pond extending beyond her eyes before she sees the strongly scented smoke enter her view. Looking to her side, she sees her best friend holding a burning joint to her, sending her a soft smile. "Don't you think it's a little cold tonight to smoke at the pond, Ash?"

She watches as Ashlynn's dark hair moves while she shakes her head, the orange light of the setting sun casting the perfect colors onto their faces. "Put your feet in. Like, all the way in," she says, scooting forward and nodding for Natalia to do the same, which she does. "It's freezing." It wasn't. It was cold, but not freezing. For Michigan, it would probably be warm enough to swim in to any local.

"Doesn't it make you feel alive Li? Get in touch with your senses, ground yourself."

A smile breaks onto Natalia's face, amused by Ashlynn's thought process. As much as she could be the craziest person in the world, she was also one of the most thoughtful. She was in touch with herself, which intimidated others, but pulled the two girls together like magnets. She strived to be more like her best friend, worry-free, happy. Happy alone, happy together, happy in silence or deafening sound. She just radiated good energy when she, herself, felt at peace.

"I think we could feel move alive," the brunette says, handing the joint back to Ashlynn as she exhaled her smoke, biting at her lip as she pushed the thoughts of her actions away.

Before she could give it another thought, before she could talk herself out of it, she plunged into the cold water, letting it surround her body. She could feel every muscle, every inch of her being. She came up after a few seconds, slicking back her wet hair before her eyes connect with that of her best friend, whose smile could light a city.

The joint was promptly put out before Ashlynn joined her in the water. Both of them laughed until their stomachs hurt, floating around in the pond for nearly an hour before they decided that they should head home.

When they return to Natalia's car, she checks her phone which had been left there, seeing a missed call from Sam. It had been about a week since they stayed together for breakfast, and Ashlynn was aware of the situation by now. "I'm gonna call Sam back real quick," she says, turning the radio down and pressing the call button as she backs out of the gravel lot.

After a few rings, she hears his voice, "hello?"

"Hey, sorry, I was with Ash. Did you mean to call?"

"Oh, yeah, but if you guys are hanging out that's totally fine."

She shakes her head even though he couldn't see her, turning onto the main road home. "We're headed back now, what's up?"

"Danny's gonna go out in a little while, I was gonna ask if you wanted to come watch a movie or something."

"Uhhh, can I shower there?"

"Can you shower here?" He asks with confusion lacing his voice.

"Like should I shower at home?"

"Oh, you can shower here, that's not a problem."

"Then I'll be over in like 10, is that okay?"

He's quick to agree before they both say goodbye and hang up.

She pulls into the parking garage of the apartment complex, looking over at Ashlynn who was smiling at her.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" Natalia asks with a laugh.

"Just nice to see you happy is all. Have fun with your man, use protection pretty please!" She smiles, pressing a kiss to Lia's face and getting out of her car quickly.