REMINISCENT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE: The Journey Back (FINAL EDIT)

Ashley's POV
It was the day before the anniversary. Somehow, I had made it through school without breaking down, but now the real challenge stood ahead—the trip back to our hometown.

Charlie and Mom had both suggested we leave early so we wouldn't arrive late. I knew they were trying to be thoughtful about my fear, but even their kindness didn't soften the knot of dread in my stomach.

"Ashley, can you please hurry and take your bag to the car? We're leaving in a few minutes!" Mom's voice carried up the stairs.

Her words should have been ordinary, but instead they sent a fresh wave of nerves rushing through me. My foot tapped uncontrollably against the floor as I stared at the duffle bag waiting by the bed, almost like it was daring me to move.

A knock at the door broke through my spiraling thoughts. Breath in

Breath out "Come in," I whispered, my voice thin.

Charlie leaned against the doorframe, studying me with quiet concern.
"You okay?" he asked gently.

Breath in. I shook my head, my leg bouncing even faster.

Breath out

He sighed, then crossed the room and sat beside me at the edge of the bed. The weight of his presence grounded me, even before he spoke.
"Hey. You'll be fine. Just... stop overthinking it, okay? Going back doesn't mean anything bad will happen again. It's just a place." His tone was calm, steady, like he was trying to anchor me.

I forced myself to breathe slower, the frantic beat of my heart finally easing to match his. My foot stilled.

"Try to think about the good parts of that place," Charlie added with a small grin. "Like all the things you loved doing there. Be excited that you get to relive them." He bumped his shoulder into mine.

That earned a weak laugh out of me. "Thanks, Charlie."

"Ashley we have to go" Mom appeared in the doorway "you okay?" she asked softly, eyes darting between us.

I gave her my most convincing smile and grabbed the bag from the floor. "Yeah, I'm fine."

The moment felt too heavy, and Charlie must've sensed it, because he suddenly shot up from the bed. "I call shotgun!" he shouted, sprinting past me.

"What?! Nooo!" I yelled, chasing after him with my bag bumping against my leg.

Mom groaned behind us. "Can you two act like grownups just once?"

But I could hear the faintest smile in her voice, and for a second, the heaviness lifted.

....

The trip was as eventful as it could be. We played silly road games, argued over songs on the playlist, swapped stories, and laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt. For a while, I forgot why I had been so nervous in the first place.

By the time we entered the city, Charlie's phone buzzed with a message from Josh—he'd sent the pin to the hotel. Or so I thought.

When we pulled up, my jaw nearly dropped. Hotel? This wasn't a hotel. It was a resort. Sprawling, elegant, glowing golden under the late afternoon sun. My chest loosened in relief—thank goodness we had made it while it was still bright. Mom had definitely driven a little faster than usual.

"Wow... this place is beautiful," Mom whispered as we began unloading the luggage.

Magnificent didn't even begin to cover it. I'd never seen it before, maybe it was new.

Josh stepped out with his usual grin. "Welcome! Please, come in. Kairah and Aiden are flying in later today, so for now, it's just me—oh, and Belinda and Alicia."