What Is Left Unsaid : An Ashley Purdy Love Story

Mutual Favors

Six weeks later ,

ASHLEY'S POV :

     Things have been going pretty well the last few weeks , everyone is actually getting along reasonably well . Tiana has actually reached the point of not being convinced that Rick is going to fuck things up with Shannon , and the two of us are actually able to carry on a conversation without things getting weird . That's definitely a start , but it's nowhere near where I'd like things to be .

     After I talked to Andy that night , he told me that his opinion was that I should sort of step back a bit and really think about things before I tried to start anything up again , to be sure that was really what I wanted , and that I wasn't just trying to relive the past .

     That was totally not what I wanted to hear , but I thought about it , and I realized that he was right . I needed to be absolutely sure of what was going on in my head , because it would be incredibly unfair to Tiana to try to initiate a relationship and then figure out that I was just hanging on to a memory . And that's IF she'd even consider giving me another chance in the first place .

     So I just sort of hung back the last few weeks , keeping things casual , kind of trying to get to know her again . There have definitely been some changes , but that sweet , quirky , brilliant girl I fell in love with in high school is still there , and now I'm absolutely sure that she's definitely what I want . I know that we can't just pick things up where they left off , but maybe we can come up with something new .

     My phone rings , and I see that it's Tiana calling . We've gotten to the point where we can talk comfortably , but she doesn't call me all that frequently , so it's a bit odd .

     "Hey , what's up ? Is everything OK ?"

     "Yeah , things are actually great !" , she says . "Do you have time to come over for a bit ? I've got something to show you ."

     "Sure thing , I'll be right there ." , I tell her . I hang up , stuff my phone in my pocket , and decide not to bother with the car and just jog down the block to Bri and Scott's place .

     I get to the house and head inside , and everyone is standing around the coffee table in the living room , looking sort of excited .

     "OK , what's up ?" , I ask , and then I see that they're all looking at a good - sized box on the table , and as soon as I walk in , Tiana grabs a pair of scissors and says , "OK , everyone's here , so I'm gonna do the grand opening !"

     "Wait a sec , is that what I think it is ?" , I ask .

     "ADVANCE COPIES !" , she , Brian , and Scott all shout simultaneously .

     She opens the box , reaches in , and pulls out a book , holding it up for everyone to see . There on the front is the picture she picked from the two I gave her , showing her character , Ascha , standing next to a tree , wearing chain mail and holding a broadsword at the ready , while Krimble the gnome sits on a branch , an arrow nocked to his bow , and the dwarven bard , Burgan ,  stands nearby with his pipes to his lips . In the background , there is a multicolored dragon flying in the distance , and Rust the fox can also be seen peeking around the base of the tree . At the bottom , in metallic copper letters , are the words "The Leaf - Dragon's Children" , and in smaller letters underneath , "by Christiana Keenan" .

     "Congratulations , Tiana , I know you've been waiting a long time for this ." , I tell her . "So , is it permitted for me to give you a hug ?"

     Instead of answering , she walks over to me and opens her arms , so I wrap my arms around her and give her a squeeze .

     "Thank you so much for helping me with the cover , Ash . That just makes it perfect ." , she says . "You absolutely nailed it ."

     She let's go and steps away from me , then takes another book out of the box and hands it to me . "One of these is yours , y'know ." , she tells me .

     "Thank you , hon , can I get it autographed ?" , I ask her , with a smile .

     She sort of giggles , and says , "That's gonna be so weird , you know . How do you get used to that ?" She grabs a pen as she speaks , and takes the book from my hand . She writes something inside the front cover , and hands it back .

     I look inside , and see that she's written , "To Ash , thank you for helping me understand that things aren't always what they seem to be , and that even though we can't erase the past , sometimes we can build on it to make the future better . Chrissy Keenan "

     When I see that , I almost drop the book ! She has apparently forbidden anyone to call her that since she left Berger , so I'm not sure what it's supposed to mean . Then , as I'm glancing at the book , something else catches my eye . On the acknowledgement page , I see a sentence that reads , "Huge thanks to Ashley Purdy for the fabulous cover . I'm not sure how you managed to do it , but you've made it possible for the world to actually see the people who have lived in my head for the last two years . You are an amazing artist , and I'm eternally grateful ."

     "Tiana , this wasn't necessary ." , I inform her .

     "Yes it was , you totally deserve it ." , she replies . "Also , Phoebe called earlier , and the release party is going to be November 6th , will you be able to manage that ?"

    " Is it in LA ?" , I ask , and she nods an affirmative . "Then yes , I can definitely do that . We have an awards show to go to the next day , so it works out really well ."

     "Sweet ! I was really hoping everyone could come . Maybe if you get the chance , you could call the guys and invite them , too ." , she says .

     "Better idea . I'll give you everyone's number , and you can invite them yourself ."

     She agrees to this , and I put the guys numbers into her phone . As I'm handing it back , it pings , and she checks the message , then let's out a big sigh . "Damn , I wish Phoebe would stop bugging me about having a date for the flippin' thing ."

     This gives me an amazing idea ! "Hey , Tiana , I was just having a thought . You say Phoebe's bugging you about not having a date to the party , and I need a date to the award thing , so maybe we can help each other out ."

     She looks completely startled , and says , "Are you serious , Ash ? I wouldn't think I'd be the type of girl you'd be expected to take to something like that ."

     "Since when do I give a flying fuck what other people expect ?", I reply . " What I want is to have a beautiful date , that I can enjoy myself with , that I won't have to worry about embarrassing me in front of every - damn - body I know ! I happen to think that you fit all of those criteria . If you don't want to , that's fine , but don't turn me down for that reason ."

     She looks at me for a few seconds , and says , "Are you sure you want to do this ? There are gonna be cameras falling out of peoples assholes at both of these things , and I know how you feel about people knowing your personal business "

     "Yeah , cameras are gonna be everywhere , so they may as well have something to put out that won't lead to everybody making cracks about my " bimbo du jour" , or some similar sort of bullshit , like usual ." , I inform her , trying to convince her of my sincerity .

     To my complete amazement , she says , "OK then , I guess we have dates . But just to be clear , this doesn't mean that I have any intention of letting things go any further than that ."

     "I wouldn't expect anything else , hon ." , I say softly . "I won't say that I find the idea unappealing , because you know me too well to believe it . But I will never push you for more than you want to do . Right now , we're two friends helping each other out , and that's all I expect . If things go well , then maybe it could be  ......"

     "Sort of like a ..... second first date ." , she finishes .

     "You know something , T ? I like the sound of that ."