Anemoia // Sally Face

30: Before he was Gone

     After so long, Ash was finally coming back. She called me a week earlier telling me the good news of her coming back to Nockfell, and she was graduating from her college next month, but had time to have a two-week visit. I was overjoyed, and she promised to hang out with me first.

I was standing outside of my house, wearing black ripped jeans with a pink button up sweater, one that matches my hair, which I had to put up in a ponytail because Ash rides a motorcycle now and she said she would take me for a ride.

When I saw her coming closer to my house, I found myself excited. I hadn't seen her in person in so long. Ash stopped and parked her bike, also removing her helmet.

"Ash!!" I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tight, like she might disappear right after I got her back.

"Katie it's been so long!" She hugs me just as tightly back.

"You cut your hair! Oh my gosh, it looks so good on you!" I compliment.

"Yeah yeah, I look even hotter now," she giggles.

"As humble as ever," I chuckle. We release each other and Ash hands me a helmet.

"Ready to go?" she asks.

"Of course!"

We both get on the motorcycle, and I grab Ash around the waist. I've never been on a motorcycle before, but this is amazing! My hair blowing in the wind, the breeze I can feel through the holes in my pants. I love the feeling of being so free that I understand why she chose to buy a motorcycle instead of a car.

Ash pulls up to the diner, and we take off our helmets. I quickly fix my hair before entering the diner as to make myself slightly more presentable. The waitress greets us, and we sit at a booth by the window. I order a sweet tea and Ash gets a chocolate milkshake.

"There's so much to talk about," Ash sighs, "Where to begin... Well, I'm graduating! I passed every class I took, and with high marks,."

"That's so good to hear, I'm really proud of you Ash" I smile.

"How is everyone? I know we are all going to see each other for dinner tomorrow, but I just want to ask now," Ash leans her face on the palm of her hand, looking closer at me.

"Todd and Neil are great. I think they might get engaged soon, but don't tell them I said that. Oh and of course, Chug and Maple are married and have such a cute daughter! You'll have to meet her when you're here. Larry has been fine, a little broody. Sal... I haven't seen in a while. But I think he's ok?" I've been caught up with everyone's life, besides Sal. Every time I call or text him, he says he's busy. If I had to guess, he's doing more paranormal stuff, and probably worried about the cult again. But... every time I try and ask about the cult, Sal says nothing has changed and things are fine. He's trying to hide something from me.

"I'm going to see Sal after this, so I'll ask him myself if he's doing alright," she says with a small smile, but looks concerned. Sal has been getting harder to get in contact with, like he's trying to avoid people. Even if you try to confront him in person, he'll find a way to excuse himself.

"Anyway, did you get a boyfriend since last time we talked?" I tease.

"No! I mean, a guy was interested in me, and we went on a date, but he's a total creep," she rolls her eyes at the memory. "What about you, are you finally with Larry?"

"Yeah, no. We're friends, we were never going to be anything," I scoff. Although, I still have a small crush on him, I don't think we could work. Larry is too... withdrawn. He hates talking about his feelings, and when he's in a bad mood, he distances himself from everyone. He tries to keep to himself and suffer in silence, which I hate. But there's nothing I can do to make him talk to me about serious issues. But other than that, I can't help but not like him.

"Aww that sucks. I really thought you two would date, I was really rooting for you," Ash pouts.

"Well thanks," I chuckle.

We order our food and continue our conversation. I missed having a girl to talk to; something about having Ash to ask advice from is so much better than the boys.

"Where are you going with Sal?" I ask.

"Lake Wendigo. I've missed it so much, so he agreed to go,"

After an hour, Ash says she has to take me back and get Sal. I'm sad our time is over, but we are all having dinner together tomorrow, so we won't be apart for so long. Also there's the fact Ash will be moving back to Nockfell, so we have all the time in the world to hang out and talk.

We get on her motorcycle, and she drops me off out front of my house. She speeds away and I'm left... all alone again.

***

A/N

I know this is a 2 day late upload, but hear me out, it was my birthday :D  So I was super busy, and didn't have time to get on and upload, but here I am.

Thank you so much for reading!!