Faint Memories

Chapter 3: In Hopes of Understanding

The flash leaves in a literal blink of an eye.

It's not like this kind of thing isn't normal, I just...don't understand why.

I've tried looking it up and the only thing that pops up is that you're either hallucinating or it's just a memory. Either or, I still don't get it.

My eyes slowly close trying to reach out for that "memory" but I come to a blank. Just black.

I sigh and look around to the few people that are still there clapping so I flash them a smile and continue to play other songs that I've nailed.

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The next day at school it all goes as boring as usual. 1st period. 2nd period. Lunch. 3rd period. 4th period. End of the day. We have block scheduling by the way.

By 3rd period I'm basically in square one, and bashing my head against the desk in hopes of dying so they can take my body and use it in anatomy. Instead I get a poke at my side by my lab partner, Inez.

"Gen, ya gotta stop before you loose any more brain cells."

I roll my eyes and just lay my head there while the teacher rants on about God knows what.

It seems like it goes on and on before she finally stops and gets up.

"Seeing as how we have some classmates falling asleep," she looks directly at me, "We might as well start the lab, you'll find all the info on your packet and textbook."

Mrs. Baren quickly hands out the packets and let's us get to work.

"Bless you child. You got us out of her rant."

I wink back and start doing my work.

"Always here to help in this hellhole."

We get started and flip through the pages quickly filling out what we already know.

Since our teacher is so protective over stuff, she makes us where an apron and goggles to plant a bean.

Yep, that's junior year of science for you.

After I place the seed into the solution of salt water, I start seeing little specs of black before it's completely black, with a single star and finger pointing at it. Then it's all gone.

I blink trying to shake it away and that's when I actually feel someone shaking me.

Turning around to face the person shaking me I'm surprised to see Ashton.

"Look I know that I'm astonishing but I just wanted to know if you could hand me the beaker." He gestures towards the beaker in front of me.

"Um, no I'm using that actually." I say warily while turning back around.

"Now darling, I suggest you give me it before you regret it."

His husky voice dropped to a whisper starting to get closer to my ear.

"Hand it over."

I roll my eyes and elbow him just to get him away.

"Maybe when we're done with the project, but for now you can use your hands for the beans and maybe your legs to move away from me."

In a swift movement, his hand grabs my wrist and with the other grabs the beaker. He then pushes me away and walks away calmly. As if nothing.

Well I got something for him.

"PIGGY BACK RIDE!"
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After school I walk back around to the shop but just work instead of play. My fingers are starting to crack from the cold and guitar.

When I finish the last customer I ease myself into one of the corner seats of the shop to rest a bit.

A gush of wind comes in and a person saunters in all chill like till they reaches the counter.

"Hello? I'm willing to give you my money but no one is even working here?" Ashton groans before rolling onto the counter like a bored child.

I sigh and am about to get up but that's when my mom reaches him first.

"Hello Ash, you haven't stopped by in a while. The same mocha with coffee cake?"

"Woah wait, you know him?" I ask scrambling out my seat.

Both look over at me with a confused look.

"Yes dear, I've known Ashton for years. He always came around and still does apparently." A faint sad smile goes across her face before heading into the kitchen.

"Why the surprised look, caramel?"

Black specs start appearing and morphing into a small cloth bag before disappearing.

My eyes stay on a spot of the room while answering. "Caramel?"

"Yeah well, caramels taste good," a smirk spreads onto his face, "and I bet you do too."

"That's probably the worst thing to call me. It's like a rip off of 'pumpkin'."

"Would you like me to call you pumpkin?"

I groan and sit on the counter to get behind the register.

"So how long have you been working here?" He asks leaning against the counter. My eye twitches. I just cleaned that.

"Since I was little, that's why it's strange knowing that you've been coming here for a while."

From the back, my mom emerges with a steaming mocha and I'm guessing the coffee cake wrapped up. I eye them both before going into the back to make my own since I have to stay up for some project due tomorrow.

After mixing in random things like I usually do, the coffee comes out tasting pretty good. I walk out with it and notice that Ashton is still here, and talking to my mom.

When Ashton notices me looking at them, he looks me over and back at my mom with a questioning look.

"Puberty hit you hard, Gen. You look nothing like your mom anymore."

That's when I'm taken back into those flashes. Except more and more show up. A navy blue car. Warm brown eyes. Another smile. Dimples. Then a full out face. Light brown hair that lightly falls onto her shoulder.

It's gone again.

But it seems too familiar. So I run.