Mi Salvador

The Shrine

Ascella's POV
I sat in traffic, on the way home. I had been taking night classes at Fordham to get ahead when I go to college. I don't know which one I've been accepted to yet, but I'm excited. I parked the car in the driveway and sighed, walking into the house. Dad was up looking at files and drinking some coffee. He looked at me and smiled, "Hey, Ella Bella...how was class?"
"Good..." I went behind him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He huffed and leaned back, "You're getting old..."
This caused me to laugh and kiss his head, "You are too..."
"I can't believe you're 18. I remember when you were 5 and would tell me stories in Spanish about your dolls and mamí."
I nodded, "I remember that too..."
He sighed and looked back to his files, "I have to finish working on this. Dinner is in the fridge."

The next day, I sat at school, listening to what my American Gov teacher was presenting to the class this week. Whilst writing notes, a paper was passed to me. I raised my brow and read it.
Your house, 3:45. ~O & S
The bell rang and I headed out to my lock, shoving the note in my pocket. Later, at that exact time, I was waiting at home with Zara. There was a knock and I opened the door to reveal two girls, one red haired and the other light brown. They smirked and filed inside, "Long time no see."
"You mean not at detention?"
"Oh c'mon! We'll always be detention squad, Ascella!" The one with red hair messed up Zara's hair.
"Oh c'mon, Opal."
"Let's cut to the chase, Ascella," The one with light brown hair, Shireen, smiled, "What are your prom plans?"
I was quiet for a moment...
I was gonna go with Olly.
"Um...I don't think I'll go to prom this year..."
"What? No, no, no, Ascella Amaro, this is your senior year! You cannot give up on that kind of special memory!" Opal whined, but Shireen shushed her.
"Ascella, we both know it's been hard since he died, but you've been doing so well at school...you're focused and hardworking still."
"And why do I still do it? I do it because it distracts me from the thought of Olly. I just want to bury myself in school stuff."
"You really want to forget him like that? Ascella, we know you."
I sighed and sat, "I'm not the same person I was last year, Opal...I'm sorry..."
"Maybe...you don't need to be the same person, but you can still have the same hobbies as her. Come dance with us again, Ella...it's senior year. We're graduating. We are gonna drift apart, but let's do that after high school. Not now..." Shireen wrapped an arm around me, "You're sure to go to Boston, Opal is heading to L.A., and I'm set for England. We have this year and summertime before we part ways..."
I sighed and nodded, "Okay..."
They grinned and hugged me tight.

It was getting late and i realized that I hadn't checked the mail yet. I went to the mailbox and got everything, looking over it. Once I got in the house, I stopped.
"Harvard University..." I muttered, flipping the envelope in my hand a dozen times to make sure it was real. Should I do it now? Or should I wait? Oh god...maybe I could just peak? No! No, I'll wait for dad to get home...
Just then, the door opened and Dad stood there with Munch and Amanda. I smiled, "Hi!"
"Hey, whatcha got there?"
"Um...letter from Harvard.."
Dad stopped, "And?"
"I didn't open it yet!"
"Well, do it Sug!" Amanda grinned. I sighed and opened it quickly, reading aloud.
"Dear Ms. Amaro, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Harvard University!" I squealed and dad hugged me tight. I hugged Munch and Amanda as well. I sighed, sitting down and looking at the letter again.
"I did it mom..." I whispered to myself.

It was Valentine's Day. Mom had just come home for good and she and dad were trying to spend time together. Something seemed really off with him...I don't know what, but I didn't like it. Right now, I was at school. It was lunchtime and I was spending it in the library with Shireen and Opal. We talked about prom and how they already had dates.
"Yeah, she's so cute Opal! You should ask her to be your girlfriend before prom!" Shireen smiled as they looked at photos of Opal's date and long time crush.
"And I'm sure your boyfriend is excited to go with you..."
"Ugh I guess, but guess what?"
"What?"
"My mom wants me to start wearing my hijab. She insists." Shireen groaned. Opal laughed, "Oh, cmon, Ree! Hijabs are pretty, and I know you'll rock it."
Shireen nodded, then turned to me, "Ella? You okay?"
"If you want it to just be us-"
"Oh god, no! I don't care if I fifth wheel! Seriously! I'm happy you guys have dates."
Opal raised her brow, "Why don't you ask Charlie?"
"What?"
"Charlie Harris? He won't say no. He never says no to you, Ascella."
"Don't say that..."
"It's true!" Shireen laughed, "A lot of guys won't say no. You have them head over heels for you! C'mon, let's look at your locker!" She pulled me to my locker and opened it. Multiple cards and treats were there. I furrowed my brows and looked at them.
"All of these day from your secret admirer...should I be scared?"
"Ella! Don't be like a detective! Be a teenage girl! A lot of guys like you...you should indulge in it..."
I sighed and looked at the cards, "I...I don't know..."
"You don't have to ask these guys, I think Charlie will be a great date. He won't expect a lot from you since you two are going through a similar thing..." Shireen kissed my shoulder.

After school, I got into my car to pick up Zara. I arrived to her daycare and signed her out. She ran up to me and smiled, hugging my legs. I grinned and got her in the car. We sang along to the music and drove home. Without realizing, I got onto the street where it happened...the accident. I looked around and saw a big picture of Olly against a building with flowers a candles...
The city made a shrine for him...
"Ascella!"
I got my breaks and swung my arm in front of Zara. The person honked and kept going as I waited at the stop light. I looked to Zara and sighed, "Are you okay, baby?"
"I'm fine." She held my hand. The light turned green and I continued. We got home and Zara greeted mom and dad. I smiled and put my things down, then I turned to see Charlie.
"Hey." I kissed his cheek.
"Hey, sorry, needed to get away from my parents. Didn't know you weren't home yet, but your dad let me in."
I nodded. Suddenly, Mom's voice came from the living room.
"Zara, What happened to your shoulder?"
We all looked and there were fingerprints. Dad looked at it, "Does it hurt?"
"No. I'm okay."
"Was it another kid at daycare?"
I suddenly remembered the light on that street...I did that...
I rushed upstairs and slammed the bathroom door behind me. I felt sick all of a sudden and spilled the contents into the toilet. Loud sobs left my throat and made my chest ache. There were frantic knocks on the door.
"Ella? Sweetheart? You okay?" Mom wondered.

Nick's POV
I continued to look at her shoulder. Zara spoke up, "It was an accident. Ascella was driving and she let me sit in front. We were driving and there was a picture of Olly...she was looking at it and the light was red. I said her name and she stopped and blocked me from falling out of the seat...she looked really scared..."
I sighed and nodded, kissing her head, "Go eat something..."
"They set up that shrine a month after he died...I know Ascella hasn't seen it because she avoids that street completely. When we're walking or driving, she takes the long route. I didn't realize it until a few weeks ago..." Charlie explained. Maria walked down and shook her head, "She told me to go away..."
"She doesn't mean that, I promise."
"I know." Maria kissed my cheek and I went upstairs. I opened the bathroom door and found Ascella over the sink, toothbrush in hand. She looked at me through the mirror and then rinsed her mouth. She stayed leaning over the sink, breathing heavily. Those heavy breaths turned into sobs.
"I-I didn't me-mean to..."
"I know, bella...I know..." I helped her to her room and laid her in bed.
"I love you, daddy..." Right then and there, I saw my little 5 year old Ella...I smiled weakly and kissed her knuckles, "I love you too, Ella Bella..." I waited until she fell asleep, then I set Nicky the Lion in her arms before walking out of the room...

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Lol I'm bad at updating. Here's a rushed chapter for you guys!! Also, should I make this story into multiple books???? Like each season she's in or something???