Fifty-Two Weeks

one

Scarlett

"Final boarding call for flight 179 Los Angeles"

"Well, that's my queue." Ashton mumbled against my hair, his arms wound tightly around my back pulling me into his embrace. The tears I had been holding in all morning let themselves fall freely now. As I pulled away from Ash, I noticed the two wet patches on his shirt from my emotions.

"Sorry" I whispered while gently running my fingers over the damp marks. He only laughed and pulled me in closer. "You can't leave, not now." I cried, balling the material from his shirt in my fists.

"Scar you know I have to, but I'll call you, skype you, text you, hell I'll write letters if you want. I'll be able to visit, I hope. Just one year, that's not so bad." The more he spoke, the more tense he became around me and I could tell he was just as broken as I am. "Hey, look at me" his tapped his fingers underneath my chin, his lips connecting with mine slowly. The kiss was full. That's the best way to describe it. Filled with emotion, filled with meaning, and full of passion. Then all too soon it was over, and his grip on me was losing its strength.

"One year." I sighed.

"One year." He replied.

Then he was gone. Just like that, I watched my best friend leave. The best friend who loves me. Ashton was everything I could've hoped for and more, but was he what I wanted in a boyfriend? I'm not sure. I don't think I'll ever be sure if Ash is the one, but I love him, and deep down I know i'm starting to like him.

The sound of my mothers voice brought me back to reality. "Sorry what was that?" I asked blushing. My daydreaming left me completely unaware of the world around me.

"I said let's go, you can't wait at the airport for the entire year he's gone." She sighed, annoyed that I didn't pay attention the first time. I nodded and followed her out of the bustling airport. One year and I'll be back here picking him up, I thought to myself. That seemed hopeful. A far stretch and several hundred days away, but hopeful.

---

Back at home life continued as always. The first couple days were difficult since I had become so accustomed to Ashton being around. When I got the job interview at 'Forest City Gymnastics' I rushed over to his house, only to realize he wasn't home. I guess I could text him.

9:47am

"To: Ashhh!!

AHH! Guess where I got an interview :)"

9:48am

"From: Ashhh!!

Sorry can't talk, doing sound check for The Voice :P I'll skype you after the show:)"

Well that was a wasted effort. Stupid time zones ruining everything. If life with Ashton on the road was going to be like this, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it.

---

*Ding!* *Ding!* *Ding!*

The ringtone coming from my laptop woke me up. Squinting at the bright screen, I realized it was Ashton calling me on Skype. Swiping my glasses off my nightstand and putting them on, I sat up in bed and accepted the call.

"Hello Sc- oh shit it's early morning there isn't it?" Ash groaned, his face beet red already. "I'm sorry, you can go back to sleep, we'll try again some other time yeah?" He offered.

"Ash, I'm already up you goofball, I'm not wasting a chance to talk to you." I giggled. God I missed seeing his face. His dimpled cheeks wore the brightest smile I've ever seen.

"Good because in all honesty, I don't think I could've hung up without talking to you." He admitted, his beautiful laugh boomed through the speakers. "So tell me about this job!" He beamed.

"It's not a for sure thing yet, but they want me to intern at the gym while I'm at school. Since I'm studying kinesiology I thought it was a perfect match!" I smiled. The job really was ideal. I had been a gymnast from the time I could walk but I quit when I was sixteen to focus on school. Now, three years later, I was back.

"Scarlett that's wonderful!" He practically shouted at me.

"I figured I need something to distract me while you're gone." I began picking at the skin around my nails.

"Hey now, it's already been a week. You've made it a whole week without me! I'd say you're doing very well." He put up a strong front but I could tell he was hurting.

"Right. One week down, just fifty one left." I put on a weak smile.

"See that's the attitude I like!"