REMINISCENT

CHAPTER TWO: Moving On? (FINAL EDIT)

Ashley's POV
"Happy anniversary babe" he whispered placing a soft kiss on my lips, I genuinely smiled at him and leaned my head on his shoulder enjoying the scenery.

But the tranquility was short-lived. An unsettling feeling crept up, making my stomach twist into knots. I grew uneasy, my eyes scanning the surroundings as I instinctively moved closer to Aiden for comfort. But he was nowhere to be found. It's like he just vanished.

Panic set in as I frantically searched for him with a million thoughts running through my mind as I struggled to hold back tears. The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal made me jump, and suddenly, the scenery shifted. I was no longer at the beach; I was standing in the middle of a familiar road, one I used way too many time, I instantly recognized where I was.

All the pain and memories from that night came flooding back in one big wave. I'm violently shaking my head as it played in front of me, I was crying and screaming but not a single sound left my lips. Feet rooted to the ground, paralyzed on my spot forced to watch my own accident again'

Next thing I knew my mom came bursting through my doors into my room and embraced me in a tight comforting hug. I couldn't take it, I broke down loudly sobbing in my mom's arms. The nightmares were back, after one and a half years of therapy. "Ashley, sweetie, it's okay. It was just a nightmare."

I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably as my mom whispered comforting words in my ear. It took almost an hour for me to drift off to sleep, with my mom's comforting words being whispered into my ears in the back ground. The darkness within had won once again, this time it opened doors I wished would forever remain shut.

....
The next morning, I woke up feeling drained. As I got ready for school, I decided to wear an all-black outfit to match my mood.
I've got a feeling today's going to be a really fu--...

"Ashley sweetie?! Come down for breakfast and hurry or you'll be late for school!" mom shouted from downstairs

I blew my curly blue-ish with some white-ish that had other colours hair incorporated in it then I applied a layer of mascara and some nude matte lipstick

As I jogged downstairs, I replied, "Coming, mom!"

At the counter, my mom had already set out a plate for me. "Ashl— Oh, great, you're here," she said, smiling.

I sat down, starting to eat. "Yeah, mom... thanks."

My mom began to ask me about my nightmare "Ashley sweetie-" but I cut her off by lifting up my hand, feeling irritated. "Mom, I'm fine It was just a bad dream." I knew she wouldn't let it go

She looked concerned, but I reassured her, "I'm fine, mom. Can we just not talk about it right now?"  I responded with a sigh dropping my fork back on the plate as a sign of loss of appetite and frustration.

"Are you sure? " she questioned me, biting her bottom lip nervously, signs that indicated she wouldn't drop it "well yeah sweetie what if this is a sign that maybe-" I cut her off yet again obviously this time now irritated AF

"mom I said I'm fine, fucking let it slide okay?! Can you not take the hint?" I yelled slamming my hands on the counter I was seated on for more emphasis call me dramatic but I'm just trying to make a point.
She quickly shut her mouth and sadly looked down suddenly finding something interesting about her nails, great I've hurt her

"mom I'm sorry, I just... I just don't wanna think about it so much because it hurts, it hurts so much mom" I said with a sigh and blinked back tears that threatened to fall. Crying never solves anything, I mentally scolded myself