Who's Afraid?[1] - Sam Uley

A Walk To Remember

(Updated: unedited)

Memories Back Then
"When the lights go out
And I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head
All of the things that I did back then
When I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had
All of the things I did back then"
- T.I ft B.O.B, Kendrick Lamar and Kris

The card ride to Charlie's didn't take too long. Last night at dinner while the two stayed up all night catching up, her dad told her about the fishing trip he was suppose to be going on with Charlie Swan and Harry Clearwater. Ansley was all for him going along with his prior plans that was until the announcer on the radio went on and on about the bear attacks and disappearances.

"What is you want me to do Ansley?" Yazzie asked sparing her a glance before focusing on the road.
"I don't know how bout you not go fishing with Charlie and Harry?" She said matter of factly.
"I'll be fine." Yazzie dismissed.
"Whatever. Why am I going a long again?" Ansley pouted.
"You remember Bella right?"
"We went over this dad. The girl with the 3 year age gap between us. Yup." Popping the P at the end of sentence.
"You're going to keep her company."
"Babysit." She corrected.
"Ansley." He chuckled shaking his head.
"Why do I need to do this? Doesn't she have an friends?" She looked at her dad who let out a huge sigh before answering.
"Charlie says she doing pretty bad." He confessed. "She's going through a bad break. You remember what that feels like right?"

All too well, she thought but instead of voicing it they just road the rest of the way in silence. Soon as they arrived Ansley was the first out the car bolting toward Harry and throwing her arms around him.

"Harry!" She exclaimed.

Her and Leah may not have got along, but Harry being one of her fathers best friends, was like an uncle to her.

Charlie was one of the others and Ansley was just as happy to see him, hugging him with just as much enthusiasm.

"You remember Ansley, Bella?"
"Uh yeah, hi."

With a knowing smirk she waved at Bella, Yazzie nudging her a bit sending her a look that said 'behave'. Charlie turned and looked at Bella once more.

"Y'all all set? Let's get out of here." Ansley father was clearly excited, why Charlie wasn't too sure he should leave his daughter behind.

"You know, I don't have to go fishing." He told his daughter.
"Yes you do!" Harry chimed in making Ansley and Yazzie chuckle.
"It's fine dad," Bella offered him a smile, a fake one, but still a smile. "I've got Ansley."
"Yeah Charlie will be fine." Ansley agreed.

"Fine. Good." The police chief sighed. "But stay here or at Ansley's. No hikes or anything. We're issuing a warning about those bears."

The two girls nodded and soon the three men were off leaving the girls awkwardly to themselves. After 15 minutes of awkward small talk, Ansley finally brought up the elephant in the room.

"Break up?"
"Uh. Yeah, how could you tell?" Bella shifted uncomfortably on the couch.
"What if I told you know what it feels like?" Soon as the sarcasm left her lips she wished she could've taken it back knowing that was the last thing the depressed teen needed, however Bella clearly didn't mind with how she responded.
"You do?"
"Mmmhmmm. It's why I left La Push and went to Arizona for college."
"What happened?" Bella pried.