The Perfect Gift

Chapter One

Ashton

Come to Washington, they said. The change of scenery will be good for you.

What a sick joke, I think miserably. The weather is chilly, to say the least and unfortunately, I'm not wearing anything warm. I tug at my letterman jacket, pulling at it to cover myself from the cold.

Washington is so fucking great!

I don't know why but I ran-  again. For years, I've run when I'm feeling angry, depressed, sad and pretty much all the shitty emotions. I guess it is the adrenaline. It makes me feel alive when I run and most times I never want to stop. Who am I kidding? All the time.

The plane landed an hour ago and I had promised Adrian, my brother that I would call as soon as I reached Forks. He's going to be majorly pissed.  I haven't seen him in years and even though I'm anxious to finally see him again, I'm also nervous.

It felt like nerve in my body was pulling at me to run, run from Adrian, run from life, run from all the crap that's happened to me for years, run from goddamned Forks, run from the airport where everyone was so friendly and welcoming and treated me like I was some good kid.

I am not.

I don't know how long I've been running. I felt claustrophobic in the airport and began to walk. My walk slowly progressed to a jog. 

I slow down as I take in my surrounding. I discover that I'm at a park, I quickly spot and empty bench and sigh, thankful for the rest.

Taking up my suitcase, I head towards the bench and sit, there is a water fountain in front of me.  I'm lost in thought as I stare at it. This is going to be a fresh start, a new life for me. I can't screw it up. For Adrian. 

I wonder how Chase and Jason are doing back in Texas. They are my best friends and leaving them is probably the hardest thing, I've ever done.

I scan the environment. I can not see the airport so I'm guessing I must have run really far. The park is filled with people. Perhaps today was a special day. 

Then my eyes rests on her. She has a sundress on, which she covers with a cashmere cardigan, probably to protect herself from the cold weather. Her outfit is complete with black plimsolls on her feet. 

I drink into her appearance like a glass of chilled water after a busy day under the Texas sun, She let her hair loose and I watch as it dances lightly in the direction of the breeze. She has longest and most beautiful blond hair I have ever seen.

I can't make out her face but she is laughing heartily at something a little girl said. They are both seated on the soft, green grass by the fountain, opposite me.

I can tell that they're close from the way the little girl holds onto her. She looks at her in awe and admiration and I don't blame her. I watch transfixed at the vision before me. 

She looked so pure.

I don't know why I'm so attracted to this girl. Perhaps it is the way her head fell backwards as she laughed revealing her carefree nature or the way she spoke to the little girl but now I'm sorry I took a seat opposite the fountain.

The vibration of my phone snaps me out of my reverie. What the fuck?

Pulling out the phone, I look at the caller ID and see Adrian's face on the screen. Oh shit!

A/N: Ashton Stewart played by Francisco Lachowski

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