Ashling

Chapter 30

We're sitting on the grass and leaning against the bark of this huge oak tree.

The sun is casting amazing shadows as its light gets dispersed by the canopy formed from the trees. It all looks so beautiful. Central Park is an immense square shaped area of greenery, with a lake somewhere in the middle. Except now the trees are starting to take colors of yellow and red as Autumn nears. There are people everywhere, you can't really come to Central Park and not expect it to be empty. It's always vibrating with life. I like this place; it's quiet and noisy. It's the best of both worlds.

I feel peaceful sitting beside her, with our knees touching and arms brushing occasionally. I could stay like this forever. It's bizarre really, how much close I've gotten to Cassandra. It feels like just yesterday that I met her, but at the same time it feels like I've known her all my life.

I turn my head to look at her. Her eyes are closed and her head is against the tree. God, she looks stunning. I notice that her hair have some strands that are blonde, it's almost a hazelnut color. Just looking at her feels like this was all meant to be.

I'm still looking at her when she says, "Are you done checking me out?"

She opens her eyes and giggles loudly, and all I can do is rub my neck with embarrassment.

"I wasn't checking you out.."

"Uh-huh. You were just admiring me, then? Is that a better phrase?"

"Stop being so cocky." I elbow her lightly and she sticks her tongue out at me. I think we both know that we have feelings for each other. Somehow along the way, we made this unspoken agreement that we've crossed that line where friendship ends and something "more than friendship" begins.

I'm planning to take her on a date soon. I don't know when or where I'll take her, but I know I will. It's so funny, because I've never felt nervous taking someone out on a date before. Hell, I'm only just considering the thought. It's not even like we're actually on a date, but God dammit I feel nervous at just the thought of it.

"Alright." I say, breaking the silence. "Say 'May I hold your hand?'"

She frowns and repeats, "May I hold your hand?"

"No, thanks. It's not that heavy." I snort and laugh out loud.

She gives me a blank expression and bluntly says, "Could you be more lame?"

"You're just jealous that you don't have such a good sense of humour like me."

She scoffs. "Oh yeah, I'm so unfortunate that I'm not oh-so-totally hilarious like you."

I laugh and push her which causes her to fall on her side. This makes me laugh even more. She grabs some fallen leaves and dumps them on me. Now this causes me to shriek in a way I thought was only possible by girls.

Cassandra is hollering with laughter. She raises her fisted hands and say, "Yeah, Tyler! Unleash your inner princess!"

She rolls on the ground going absolutely hysterical and I slightly giggle.

"Alright, stop." I tell her shyly and she sits up, taking a few deep breaths to stop herself from laughing. After a while of silence, I decide to speak. I think it's time that I unravel the veiled part of me.

"Cass..?"

She looks at me and says, "Yeah?"

"I need to tell you something."

"I'm listening."

I take a deep, shaky breath. I don't know how to begin. I have never shared this with anyone before, never let anyone get this close to me. I've just never felt the need to tell anyone. But I want to tell her, I have to. There has to be someone who should know, whom I can confide in. And Cassandra is the only person who reminds me of home. She's my vault.

"Remember you asked me if I always wanted to be a lawyer?"

"I remember."

I continue, "And how you stated that it's not just passion, but something else as well?"

She nods, waiting for me to continue.

"There is something else. It wasn't just passion, though that is a major reason. But there were also some other factors that pushed me to my decision to pursue a career in criminal defense law."

"What were those..? She softly asks.

I close my eyes. All those memories come flooding back to me, flashing in front of my eyes and dancing in my mind.

I take a deep breath and with quivering lips say, "My parents.."