The Silver Lining

Chapter - 4

My alarm went off sending me a reminder. I stretched my arms and put my laptop back on my desk before clambering into bed. I lay there, snuggled up in my sheets waiting to slowly fall asleep.

Before moving down here, I've taken the firm decision to change my life. I created a timetable and set it with the alarm of my phone, so that it could remind me from time to time.

I was laying wide awake in my bed at 10 p.m. gazing at the little shiny stars on my ceiling. My body was tired, begging for sleep, but my mind was occupied by a certain person.

The thing was, I didn't even get a proper view of that cake.

Really Ash? I scoffed.

But he was really a piece of cake.

God! Why I was behaving like a typical teenage girl?

Maybe, because I'm one of them?

No. I wasn't like them. I've already faced enough problems, and currently, I wasn't in right situation to deal with new ones. I needed to focus on my one and only dream.

Sighing, I rolled on my back and snuggled my face into the pillows. My mind keep drifting back to the parking lot but I controlled myself, to not think about it. Very soon, my mind gave up and allowed me to get some sleep.

***

I rubbed my eyes and checked the watch : 4.57 a.m

I grinned and took my phone from the desk, switching off the alarm which was going to blast in 3 mins.

After that, I changed my clothes into my running track suit, skipping the glasses, and headed outside. Quietly, I jogged downstairs, holding my shoes in one hand and door key in another.

I securely locked the door and after putting on the shoes, ran away with a big smile on my face.

Out of breath, I stopped and looking around. Finding a empty bench, I sat on it and pulled out my phone. I had a half an hour.

I emptied the contents of my water bottle and went back to running.

**

After getting dressed up in my usual oversized clothes, I reached school in time and went straight to my locker.

When I was done, I locked it and turned around, finding Melissa grinning at me.

"Did I scare you?" She asked innocently.

I rolled my eyes. "Not even close."

"Don't worry. I'll get you next time," She smirked.

"Of course, I'd love to see that." I gave her a challenging look and adjusted my glasses.

She laughed loudly and said, "Oh God! It's really fun to talk to you. Anyways, are we going for the coffee today?"

I looked straight in her eyes, trying to see what was going in her mind, but came up with nothing. Her body language was relaxed, like she was telling the truth, but still, I couldn't make myself trust her.

"Hey Ash?"

Ash. You can't let her call you Ash.

I shook my head and saw the concern written on her face. "Yeah, I spaced out. What were you saying?"

"You do that a lot. Ash, are you alright?" She asked, frowning.

"Of course. I like to talk to myself only, so spacing out is part of that." I shrugged and added. "Can you please call me Ashley? I don't like nicknames."