REKINDLED || Completed

40

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Forty
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As she stared back at her reflection in the misty bathroom mirror, Asher didn’t just look different—she felt it.

Her once waist-long hair now rested on her broad shoulders, framing her slim face in a way that felt foreign. But Caroline liked it, so it had to be good.

There was a spark in her eyes that had never been there before. That, and a strong need to be prayed for.

It had been on her mind since the very morning after that encounter with the lovely man.

Yes, she would call him that—because he was sweet, and kind, and his palm was warm.

A blush crept up her cheeks, and she shook her head immediately.

Plum cakes… She wasn’t normal. This whole thing wasn’t normal!

And did she just say plum cakes?!

Way to sound fifty.

With a sigh, she ran a hand through her soft strands, letting them fall into their natural side part. She smoothed the collar of her white shirt and turned slightly to inspect the washed-up mom jeans it was tucked into. Completely out of style. But it was the designated outfit for the day—her project defense day as required by the project board.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she slipped on her socks and boots, grabbed her bag and phone, and made her way toward the door. As she passed the coffee maker, a strange knot formed in her belly.

When was the last time she’d had a coffee?

A knock on her door pulled her from the thought. She moved ahead and opened it to find her next-door neighbor, Caroline, smiling at her.

"Caroline… can I help you with something?"

Her confused gaze landed on the red marker in Caroline’s hand. Her lips formed a silent Oh.

"Might I do the honors?"

"Carol… that’s not exactly how…" it works, she wanted to say but stopped herself. With a sigh, she turned slightly, allowing Caroline to write on her shirt.

It made her happy. And that, in turn, made Asher smile.

Caroline was a wonderful woman.

After a few whispered prayers, she was on her way to school.

On the bus, she scrolled through Laramie’s texts and shook her head.

Laramie was having a moving crisis. Typical.

Asher: Just hire a moving company 🤷‍♀️

Lara: NO!!!! They’ll mess up my stuff 😭😭

Asher sighed and logged out of the chat. She needed to go over her lines again. Somehow, it still didn’t feel real.

Her defense.

The moment every student anticipated. Years of stress and late nights were culminating in this day, and she could hardly believe it.

For a brief moment, she remembered the dark days—when she had been so desperate to take her own life. Yet, here she was.

All things are made new.

A knowing voice whispered within her, and she bit her lip.

The lovely man… he had spoken to her. She might not remember his face, but his eyes—goodness, even she couldn’t paint them.

---

Everest was the first person she saw when she entered the empty auditorium. At first, her gaze flickered past him to the executive seats reserved for the professors who would be evaluating her. The sight sent a chill down her spine.

"Hey."

A hand rested on her shoulder, making her jump slightly.

"Hey," she returned with a tight smile, meeting his concerned gaze.

Something about him had changed. Lately, he walked alone, separate from his usual group. Her eyes caught the tiny silver cross necklace around his neck, and her brows furrowed.

"Why are you so different?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

He chuckled lightly, turning away and stuffing his hands into his pockets. For a moment, he gazed out the tall windows across the room before facing her again this time, without a smile.

"I met Jesus."

She was taken aback—not because it wasn’t possible, but because it had actually happened. Right before her eyes.

"Really?" she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

He nodded, raking a hand through his hair. "It shows?"

"You’re different, so yeah." She shrugged, and he smiled.

"That’s a good thing, then."

She thought about asking how he felt. If he still remembered his old life. If the things he used to do still tempted him. But the words never made it out.

"So… we should rehearse, I guess," he said after a stretch of silence.

She nodded, following him toward the seats by the window. The sun streamed in, bathing the room in warmth.

She had sat there before more times than she could count. But today, as she turned to look outside, the yellowing trees and lush green grass seemed brighter.

It was as though she were seeing through an entirely different pair of eyes.

Was it the spark she’d noticed earlier? Or the lovely man?

Shaking her head, she tucked her hair behind her ears and refocused on the task before her.

"This new hairstyle really suits you," Everest said suddenly. "Makes you look… brighter."

"Thank you," she replied, offering him a genuine smile.

Over the next few hours, the auditorium slowly filled with final-year students.

She spotted Laramie the moment she walked in, looking visibly stressed—and trailing behind her, a scruffy-looking guy.

Their eyes met, and her friend’s frown immediately lifted.

"Do you guys know if I can make any last-minute switches?" Lara asked as she reached them.

Everest chuckled.

"It’s not funny," Lara scowled.

Asher tilted her head toward the guy beside her. "What’s wrong with him?"

Lara exhaled dramatically. "He sickens me."

"Do your best. God will do the rest," Everest encouraged with a reassuring smile.

Asher and Lara exchanged glances.

"Um… okay? Thanks, man." Lara saluted playfully before turning to leave. "You’re rocking this bob, Ash!"

Asher opened her mouth, ready to correct her on the name, but—

"Thank you," she said instead.

Lara beamed and hopped away.

What was happening?!

**