Darkstar

Chapter Twelve: The Girl

Alex was carrying the hay toward the trailer, still riding the high of his newfound strength, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice call out from behind him.

"Hey, stranger," the voice said.

Instantly, a smile spread across Alex's face. He recognized that voice anywhere—it was Ashley. He turned around slowly, and when he saw her, he was struck by her beauty. There she stood, her fiery red hair tied back in playful pigtails, wearing a worn white t-shirt and a pair of old overalls. Her boots were scuffed, covered in dust, as if she'd just walked through the fields. There was something about her casual, down-to-earth appearance that made Alex's heart race.

For a moment, everything around him faded. Her presence filled the air with warmth, reeling Alex with joy, like no one else could. It wasn't just how she looked, but how she made him feel—comfort, familiarity, and that same spark from when they were kids. Her bright smile lit up the moment, and Alex couldn't help but feel giddy inside.

"Hey," Alex finally managed, trying to keep his cool even though his heart was pounding. Seeing Ashley here, on the farm, dressed like she belonged, made him feel like the gap between them had suddenly disappeared.

She walked closer, her boots crunching softly against the gravel. "You started without me!" Exclaimed Ashley.

Alex's mind raced for a moment, realizing that if Ashley knew he had loaded the hay so quickly, she might get suspicious. Without missing a beat, he quickly said, "This hay was actually loaded yesterday. I just got here to finish up."

Ashley smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Well, that makes sense. I was going to say, that's a lot of work for just one morning." She looked around, hands on her hips, and asked, "So, what do you need help with?"

Alex thought for a second, glancing at the trailer loaded with hay and the truck hitched to it. "You could actually drive the truck if you're okay with that? We just need to spread the hay around the cow pasture."

Ashley's smile widened, and she gave a playful shrug. "Sure, I can handle that."

Alex nodded, trying to act casual despite the rush of excitement he felt having her there. "Great. While you drive, I'll stand on the back of the trailer and toss the hay into the pasture as we go."

"Deal," she said, giving him a thumbs-up.

As Ashley hopped into the truck, Alex climbed onto the trailer, steadying himself. The idea of working alongside Ashley made him feel both nervous and thrilled. He watched as she confidently started the truck, the engine rumbling beneath her hands. She looked up at him through the rearview mirror, giving a playful wave before putting the truck in gear.

As the truck began to roll across the field, Alex grabbed the first bale of hay, his enhanced strength making it almost effortless. With a smooth motion, he tossed it over the side of the trailer, watching as it spread across the pasture for the cows.

He caught Ashley glancing back at him every now and then, and every time she did, she flashed him that same warm smile. Alex's heart raced, but for a moment, the strangeness of everything that had happened—the meteor, the powers, his grandpa's accident—faded away. Right now, it was just him and Ashley, working together like they used to, and that felt like something worth holding on to.

Alex tossed the last bale of hay from the trailer, the task feeling almost effortless now. He took a deep breath, still amazed by the ease of it all, but quickly focused on something else—Ashley. He climbed down from the trailer and, without thinking too much, made his way over to the driver's side of the truck where she was.

Leaning slightly into the open window, Alex directed her, "Just pull over to the edge of the field over there."

Ashley nodded, turning the steering wheel smoothly as the truck rolled toward the edge of the pasture. As she drove, Alex hung onto the side of the truck bed, trying to act like it was any other day, but the truth was, being this close to Ashley made him feel nervous and excited all at once. He could feel the pull of her presence, that same fluttering he'd always felt around her, only now, he was holding onto the truck as if it were nothing. His new powers made everything easier, but he couldn't let Ashley notice.