Scattering Lilac Ashes

Chapter Ninety-Seven

Lila's eyelids fluttered open. Her room was bathed in darkness, the distant sound of cawing birds the only indication that morning was on the horizon.

With a groan, Lila turned, pulling her blanket with her for comfort. If the sun wasn't up, she didn't need to be either.

Except...

Lila jolted upright – Asher was coming back. She scrambled to grab her phone – had he messaged her yet?

It was 6.02am. He had sent a message, a couple hours ago –

Hope I don't wake you. We're boarding now – will be back in Aus at 7.15am.

Lila immediately flew into action – stumbling to grab clothes and throw herself into the shower. She emerged in record time, knocking loudly on Clare's door before hurrying in.

"Clare, Clare, can you take me to Asher's?" Lila shook a sleeping Clare by the shoulders.

"H-Huh?" Clare mumbled, frowning deeply. Her hair was a complete fuzzy mess as she sat up. "What's happening?"

"Asher's coming back at 7.15," Lila said urgently. "Can you take me?"

Clare blinked before rubbing her eyes and stretching. "What time is it?"

"6.30."

"Girl, are you sure you need to go this early?" Clare sighed. Her eyes lingered on Lila's face before she threw her hands into the air. "Alright, alright. I'm up. Let me just wash my face."

Lila bustled back into her room, packing all manner of things into her bag – the photos and folder being packed first. Clare gently knocked on Lila's door a couple of minutes later, popping her head in.

"Ready?" Clare asked, glancing around Lila's room.

"Yes, please."

They jumped into Clare's car with Clare yawning several times. Lila felt wide awake, her mind alive with anticipation. Did Asher have a good trip? Did he bond with his Dad? Had... he actually missed her?

"Jesus, Lila, it's freezing," Clare grumbled, blasting the heater. Lila murmured her agreement before sending a message to Asher –

On my way to yours

"Got time for Maccas?" Clare asked, rolling out of the driveway.

"I'm not hungry," Lila replied, glancing out the window. "But by all means, go ahead."

"Eh, I'll go after I drop you off, then. No fun just getting something for me when someone else is in the car."

"Up to you."

Lila began biting her fingernails, her nerves twisting her stomach uncomfortably. It wasn't necessarily that she wasn't hungry – but she definitely couldn't trust herself to keep anything down.

"You know you have met this guy before, right?" Clare laughed after glancing at Lila's expression. "You don't need to look so anxious."

"I'm... not."

"Sounds like a lie."

Lila sighed, hugging her stomach. "... Yeah."

"Why?" Clare's tone was probing, but not necessarily intrusive.

"I guess... I just... I was hoping maybe we'd end up dating. But I'm nervous that the distance has made him realise that maybe it was a bad idea. Or that he doesn't actually like me after all. Like I was a rebound after his ex, Holly."

"Lila," Clare uttered sympathetically. "We already know that he liked you before Holly, and he's said he likes you now. Maybe now's a good time to ask where he's leaning towards all that, since you had a break."