Mi Salvador

Fit for a King

Ascella's POV
I sat on the floor of the room, breathing heavily. I looked at my sweaty figure in the mirror.
"Wanna go for another round?" Opal smiled as she closed her water bottle. I smiled and nodded, taking her hand as she helped me up. Shireen turned on the radio again and went to us.
"Who's first?"
Opal scoffed and started to dance. I sat on top of the piano and watched her. Before I started, my phone started to ring. I picked it up and saw Charlie's caller ID. I rolled my eyes and put my phone down. Shireen pulled me with her and we danced together. I laughed as I swung around with her. The sound of the door resonated over the music and we turned. I saw mom and Zara and grabbed my bag.
"See you guys tomorrow!" I waved and followed them out.

I got in the front and we drove home.
"How was dancing?"
"It was good." I smiled, looking back at Zara as she ate fruit snacks. I stuck out my hand and she placed a few in the center of my palm before eating them.
Mom spoke up, "I got a new job. A good one. Really excited."
"That's great! You're up and at 'em again!"
I noticed mom had a bothered look on her face.
"Ma? You okay?"
"Yeah, baby. Um, so what do you wanna do after you graduate?"
"Hm?"
"Want a party? Or get some dinner?"
I looked around, "Sounds nice. Just us? or with the squad? or with friends?"
Mom's face contorted as I said "the squad". She didn't like them...well, she didn't like how they took dad away...
"You can invite a few friends. Like Opal and Shireen."
I nodded. Humming along to the music.

We got home and I sat with Zara as she coloured. Graduation was just around the corner so my teachers barely gave me work anymore. I listened as Zara babbled and talked about stuff at school. Suddenly, Dad walked through the door and sighed. Zara got up and hugged him, causing him to smile. I leaned against him as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You're graduating..."
"I am..."
"Want the squad there?"
"If they can. They don't have to come..." I laughed, "How's the case?"
"Rough. Crazy..."
"Is that big mean Cassidy bothering you?" I teased. Dad chuckled, kissing my head.
"Well, I hope you guys get through it smoothly..."
He nodded and sat in the chair next to me, "I saw Nash today..."
I hadn't seen Nash in 7 months...
"Yeah?"
"He told me that Charlie's in rehab, and AA."
I nodded, looking away.
"Ascella? We haven't talked about Prom
Night in a month...tell me. Tell me what's wrong..."
I shook my head, "It was stupid..."
"Tell me..."
"Paulo kissed me..."
He nodded, rubbing my knuckles. I ran my hands through my hair and huffed.
"I should've known he was drunk and getting high...Charlie was acting weird from the beginning."
"Ascella-"
"Why? What am I doing wrong? Why am I so-so stupid?"
Dad grabbed my wrists and hugged me, "Sh...hey..." he caresses my hair, making my close my eyes, "I'm here...it's okay. You did nothing wrong. I promise..."
I nodded and leaned into his shoulder.

That night, I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs to hear crying. I looked in the living room to see Mom.
"Mom?"
"Ascella. What are you doing up?"
"I—what's wrong?"
I looked at what she was looking at. Two train tickets to D.C., one adult, one youth. One way...
"Mom..."
"Ascella, I-I have to. It's a good job-"
"Mom, this...you're-no! No you can't!"
"Sh, Sh, sh, please Ascella, you cant tell your father."
"You're taking her away from him...from me..."
"You'll still be able to see her. I-It's best. To make you moving away easy-"
"Easy? She's my sister. How is-how is this easy?"
"Ascella, please. You can be mad at me, but please please don't tell Nick."
I looked at her, then looked away, nodding.

~one week later~
Opal, Shireen, and I stood together, grinning.
"Okay! 1, 2, 3! Smile!"
The camera clicked and we looked at each other, squealing.
"Woohoo! We're out of here!" Opal cheered.
"We should go on a road trip!"
"Haha, you're funny." I smirked, fixing my cap and tassel. Dad went to me and looked at me, "I can't believe you graduated..."
I scrunched up my nose and hugged him. More pictures were taken, but Opal pulled me.
"C'mon! People are at the statue!"
There was this very old tradition. Every year, graduates climb the statue and yell out something to end their high school career. I took of my heels and gown to reveal a nice green romper. I climbed and saw the squad and others look at me, then smiled, looking up to the sky, "Mom! Olly! I MADE IT!"
Everyone cheered and screamed and I got down, hugging Shireen and Opal.
"We have three months together before going all over the world!" Opal stated. Shireen laughed, "Let's focus on tonight! What are we doing!"
"Not going to that party, that's for sure." I smirked. We thought before dad spoke, "Already have something planned for all of you, cmon!"
Blindfolds were placed over our eyes and we were led out of the car and into somewhere. We stopped moving and our blindfolds were removed.

We were in the middle of the diner, which was decorated in a whole bunch of graduation decorations. Opal, Shireen, and I gasped, hugging our friends and relatives who must have established this. I hugged my dad and looked around. I barely stepped in here anymore, but it was the same as I remembered. Well...nearly...I walked towards a specific booth and looked at the photo hanging about it. The pictures captured Olly and I drinking our milkshakes. I could barely breathe and I looked to my dad, tears in my eyes.
"Look at the menu." He held it up to me and I eyed a starred item.

Olly's Outstanding Grilled Cheese: a meal fit for a king!

I let out a weak laugh, "Who..."
"Nash Kingsley himself. He bought the place..."
"Oh my god..." I covered my face. Opal and Shireen pulled me to the counter and we took photos with everyone, continuing our celebrations. I noticed that mom had left halfway through and Zara was with one of Opal's younger siblings. The squad talked with Shireen's relatives and dad sat at Olly's and My booth. I sat with him and held his hands, "Thanks for this..."
"It was the squad's idea..." he looked to them. I nodded and ran my thumb over his knuckles, "Mom-"
"I know...we're trying, I swear we are..."
"I don't doubt that, dad..." I sighed and looked around, "Do you think she's proud?"
"Of course-"
"Not Maria..." I bit my lip and looked at him. He smiled gently and caressed my cheek, "Of course your mother is proud of you. So is Olly..."
I nodded and leaned into his hand, cherishing his touch.
"I'm gonna miss this when I go to Boston..."
"Let's not talk about that." He chuckled. I looked at him, "How's Cragen?"
"Not captain right now..."
I nodded and looked away, feeling tears in my eyes.
"Ascella, Hey...What-"
"I know Maria's leaving..." I choked out, "I know she's taking Zara away..."
"Ascella-"
"I've know for a while..."
"And-and you didn't tell me?"
"I wanted to...she begged me not to-"
"Ascella, you knew!" He slammed on the table, catching everyone's attention. I looked away, "Dad-"
He got up and walked out. Zara immediately came to me and got on my lap. I rubbed her back and caressed her hair. I got up, gave Zara to Abuela, and stepped outside. Opal and Shireen followed and hugged me immediately as I started to cry.
"We're here, Ascella..." Opal whispered.
"We're not leaving..." Shireen responded.