Rainbows after Hurricane

13. |p a s t|

>>c h a p t e r  t h i r t e e n<<

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Song of the chapter/ Shattered by Trading Yesterday

Most people don't listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply, to give their opinion, and sometimes to judge and prove that they were right all along. While Dianna may not exactly fall on those categories, she cannot deny that she has a habit of judging people, and often when she listens to other's people talk, she itches to give her opinion when they are being biased, not because she wants to prove herself right or superior, but, because she wants to let them know that no one should be biased and everyone has different opinions on different things.

Now, as she is sitting in the chair, positioned such as so she is facing Asher, who is fidgeting with the hem of his black button down shirt, waiting for him to talk about Ashley's death, she cannot be sure if she is listening with the intention to reply or with the intention to understand him.

One thing she is sure of is, she knows Asher is not doing this to know her opinion, he is doing this because he just need someone to hear him out, an ear to listen to what he has to say, an eye to not judge him and most of all, a heart to understand.

Asher wipes his sweaty hands over his jeans, rolling his head tiredly, as he props his elbow on the table, staring at nothing in particular. "It was the day Ashley won that dance tournament." He begins. "We're all very happy and I was so proud of her, I still am." He says, absentmindedly drawing random pattern on the wooden table, as his face shows a faraway look, reliving the moment.

                  "I decided that we should celebrate so me, Zach and Ashley went to this new restaurant downtown. We didn't plan on drinking; just grab some pizzas and soft drinks because Zach had planned a surprise party for her, so we thought the drinks could wait." He let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as a pained expression crosses his features.

                "Everything was going fine, we were having fun and planning on surprising you on your birthday by paying you a surprise visit," he looks at Dianna, "when the door to the restaurant opened, and in walked a group of guys. By the looks of them, they were racers and I happened to know one of them. Do you remember, Jonah?"

Dianna nods.

                "He was one of them." Dianna's eyes flickers with surprise. Asher let out a bitter chuckle. "Yea, the same Jonah, my high school nemesis. I thought after all these years, we've surpassed that rivalry, I was wrong. He still had grudge against me so when he saw me, he started provoking me. I tried my best to ignore him, god, I know I tried, but, after he said something about us being orphans, I couldn't hold it in."

Dianna clasp her hands tightly in her lap that were starting to shake, her eyes glued to Asher's as his face contorted from pain to anger to remorse. Her breath hitches as she grasps the hint where this story is heading.

                 "We started arguing and soon we were involved in a brawl. I don't know who said it first or how that topic came up, but, I vaguely remember someone from his group calling about doing a race and end this rivalry once and for all. In a fit of rage, I accepted it. Little did I know that the race they were talking about required a female partner." he sucks in a deep breath, squeezing his eyes that were starting to moisten. Noticing it, Dianna reaches forward, and covers his hand with hers, giving a light squeeze.

                 "Ashley volunteered to join me, and I refused. Zach agreed with me, in fact he was hesitant with the whole racing thing. He was wary that something bad might happen. He tried to convince me to drop this fight and return home, but, I didn't listen to him. Now, I wish I had listened to him." he chokes." Since, I refused to back out; Ashley too refused and sat inside the car with me. Zach wanted to tag along but the others didn't let him as according to the rule they set, only two people were allowed, one guy and one girl."