Promotion

25. Turning the page

Serena was only home for a few days. She preferred staying in dorms to study before the exams because it wasn't as distracting as being home with her mother and gossiping until two in the morning. Maybe it was a good thing she didn't like her roommate and they didn't talk much?

"Thanks for coming, sweetie! Good luck with exams!"

"Thank you! Bye!"

Serena pulled the door of the store and stepped out. She walked quickly as she held tight the grocery bag she was carrying.

Suddenly, the honey-haired girl got pulled into a narrow alley to her right. She instantly started screaming.

"Serena! Stop!" Ash shouted, putting his hands on her shoulders. "It's me!"

She froze. "Ash?"

"Yes, me, Ash."

"Oh..." Serena gulped. Bam. He caught her. She's been doing so well for the past few years, though... "Hi, Ash."

"Hi, right..." he nodded slowly to himself. "Is that what you have to say to me?"

"Congratulations on getting married." Serena pulled a smile. For some reason, she felt like she was in deep shit.

"Two years ago?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, really?" Serena tried to sound surprised. "I've just learned about it!"

"Look, don't. Okay?" He glared at her. "This is not what's going to fix things between you and me."

"Fix what? What things?" Serena faked the gasp. "Are you mad at me?"

"You bet I am!" He shouted. "You avoid me like plague, Serena! I had to stalk you all morning so we can talk now!"

"Stalking?" She gasped. "Ash! You were raised better than that!"

Ash glared.

"Look—look..." Serena sighed. She avoided looking at him. "I've been so busy with college and switching rooms and exams..."

"Okay, let's see." Ash stood straight and crossed his arms over his chest. "You've been busy nonstop for almost four years. You couldn't even return my calls or text back—I mean, you were very busy, right? You were so busy you'd run when you see me in the streets—can't waste time with old Ash, can you?"

Serena cocked her head. "Yes, I was busy."

He chuckled. "Okay."

"And you are busy too—I understand that!" Serena nodded quickly. "I know being married makes you very busy! It's all fine, Ash. I don't blame you."

"Actually, I'm the one who's blaming you in this." He grinned.

"Oh."

"Of course." He nodded again. "Busy to return my calls but not busy going shopping with Gary's girlfriend and stopping for milkshakes."

Serena gasped loudly. "You're stalking me!"

"Not only you have time for Gary but you even have time for his girlfriend!" He retorted. "And I was not stalking you! Can't I have a milkshake too?"

"Of course you can! Mango or strawberries?"

Ash stared. "What's wrong, Serena? What have I done to you?"

"..."

"Are you seriously that scared of Misty?" He asked. "You've never actually talked! You don't even know her that well! You shouldn't judge her."

"I'm not judging her..."

"I mean, she does look, you know, like that..." Ash licked his lips.