REMINISCENT

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: Realization (FINAL EDIT)

🚨WARNING THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE CONTENTS, REFRAIN FROM READING PASSED MY WARNING (🚨) IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TOWARDS MATURE CONTENT OR YOU ARE UNDER AGE🚨 enjoy

Ashley's POV
I've gotten better—or at least that's how it feels—ever since I started focusing on the finer things in life.

"You're doing great," Jake praised from the passenger seat. He was in my car, helping me with exposure therapy. I was driving home from the nearest town, and so far, my anxiety had stayed quiet.

"Time flies, huh?" I smiled, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Yeah." He smiled back, a little thoughtful. "Hey, I've been thinking..."

"Hold that thought," I cut him off quickly. "Can we switch? I'm kind of tired, and I don't wanna risk an accident." I grinned to soften the words. One thing I've come to love about hanging out with Jake is that he makes life feel lighter. With him, I don't have to wrap my trauma in silence or dread—I can joke about it, and he never pushes too hard.

I pulled over, and we switched seats. Once he was back on the road, he continued, "Anyway, as I was saying... since you've been getting better, why don't you talk to our friends about it?" He glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.

I stayed quiet. I liked how things were now—was it really necessary to change that? He seemed to catch my hesitation, because he reached for my hand. His fingers brushed mine gently, then settled, warm and steady. "What do you think? You don't have to decide now," he said, idly tracing circles against my skin.

I stared down at our hands, a small smile tugging at my lips. His patience, his comfort—it meant more than I could ever say. "I'll think about it."

"Promise?" he asked, giving my hand a soft squeeze.

I nodded, smiling at him.

"Good," he said, but then, almost too casually, he added, "Also, I need you to start talking to Aiden again." He used his peripheral vision to study my reaction.

My face stayed neutral. "I'll think about it," I repeated, my tone flat.

...

An hour later, we were home and buried in schoolwork. The end of the year was creeping closer, and exams loomed over everyone. Jake had been pushing himself harder than ever, determined to finish strong since this was his final year.

After a while, he shut his book and leaned back with a smile. "Wanna watch a movie?"

I glanced up from my notes and looked at him at my study table, then closed my books with a grin. "Sure."

He grabbed my laptop and settled onto my bed like he owned it, scrolling through options. I slipped my books onto my nightstand.

"I'll grab some snacks," I said, hurrying downstairs.

By the time I returned, Jake had changed into shorts and a vest, sprawled comfortably against my pillows. I set the snacks between us and asked, "Hey, how come we never hang out at your place?"

He shrugged. "It's too big. Feels... empty." He didn't linger on the thought, instead looking up at me. "What movie do you want?"

"Uh... I don't know. Something funny?"

"We always watch comedies." His lips curved mischievously. "How about something steamy, if you know what I mean?" He wiggled his brows dramatically.

I rolled my eyes but decided to call his bluff. "Change is good once in a while."

That caught him off guard. His brows shot up. "Fine," he smirked, leaning closer. "Whoever gets flustered first loses."

"You won't know if I am," I teased.