DESPERATE

Chapter 27

"Morning mum." Ashley greeted on a Sunday morning as she came downstairs. She was still on her pj's. Her mom all showered, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea looked up.

"Morning dear. How are you?" Her mom asked.

"I'm fine." was the reply as she picked up an apple from the fruit basket.

Her mom frowned with displeasure. "Not now, drop it."

"But mom..." she began to protest as she dropped the apple.

"You haven't even showered and your hair is a mess."

"You know I like to sleep in on Sundays."

"Go shower while I prepare breakfast."

Ashley made no further comment and went back upstairs.

A while later she came back down. She had texted Riley that she would come over to her house after breakfast, so she entered the kitchen where a plate of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon was waiting for her. Her mom was seated with a plate of the same food right in front of her.

"Thanks mom." Ashley said sitting down to eat.

They ate in silence for a while before Ashley spoke up. "I'm going to Riley's house today."

"Mmmh."

"Why are you being so.... I don't know off today?" She asked her mom.

"Let me be Ashley. I really don't know." She replied standing up. She moved towards the sink, placed her plate inside and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Ashley asked after watching her quietly.

"My room. Make sure you do the dishes." And she was gone.

Ashley just sighed, ate quickly, washed up and left the house to Riley's house. As soon as she pressed the doorbell, the door was opened by Ryan.

"Oh." He said in a disappointed tone. Was he expecting someone else?

"I came to see Riley." Ashley said.

"Well, come in." He replied stepping aside.

Ashley stepped in. Riley's house was just as beautiful as hers. Riley came downstairs almost immediately.

"You're here."

"I guess."

"Come on. Let's go up to my room." she said. "Although it's a bit messy."

Ashley followed her up.

"It's not that messy." She said when she entered sitting on Riley's bed.

"Today you decide to come over." Riley said sitting on a bean bag on the floor "Suspicious."

"Well no fun at home. Why not change environment."

"Let me go get some snacks for us." Riley said standing and leaving the room. She came back with a tray of raspberry brownies, two mini club sandwiches and two cups of raspberry juice. She placed them on the bed.

"I love brownies. Thanks." Ashley said.

"My mom made these."

"Well what are we waiting for. Let's eat." she said.

She took a brownie and had a bite out of it. "OMG. This is so good."

"I'm glad you like it." Riley said joining her to eat.

They ate for a while before Ashley threw Riley a question.

"Do you think we're going to still find my dad?"

Riley looked at her without saying anything.

"I had hoped that I would find him. Find out the truth about all this, but it's already a month and i feel like giving up."

"It's bound to take time. Answers don't just fall out of the sky." Riley said looking at her. "But we'll find him. But it's gonna take some time."

"I saw Valerie's dad yesterday. It made me remember...." She trailed off. Suddenly an image of the picture flashed back in her mind.

"What about the key?" Riley asked.

"What key?"

"The key to that box."

"Oh I haven't found it yet." Ashley replied. "But forget about that."

"Why?"

She stood up. "Let's go to my house."

"Why?"

"Stop asking me questions and let's go."

"Ok Ok. Let me pack all this up." 

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