It isn't all misery

Chapter 4

It was on the Thursday when Ashley text me where and when we were hanging out. Apparently there's a deserted beach area not so far away, if you can even call it a beach; he said it was a fair area of sand with a pool/lake beside it, and it was hidden by trees. If it was anyone else telling me they planned on taking me and my friend through the woods to a deserted sandy area with a lake next to it I would panic, and I wouldn't go. Imagine all the ways you could be killed in a place like that! But this was Ashley we were talking about. He said the whole band, and a few other people were going down there, Madison and I were welcome to go and all they were doing was maybe setting up a fire, play some games, drink a little. All in all a chilled out afternoon/evening. I was looking forward to it so much. He said he would pick me up at five on Saturday, so I gave him my address. And it was official; Ashley Purdy knew where I lived. 

All day Friday I was thinking about it. What would I wear? Well it was nearing the end of summer but it was still good, hot weather and if we were going to this so called beach I'd rather wear shorts. Sure it would be easier to get sand in my pants, but it will also be easier to shake it out as opposed to jeans. So casual wear; I knew that much. How should I act? I knew I had to be myself, of course, that's the only way to go. But I can't act too shy, as I know I am, so I have to put myself out there a bit. I'm going out with all these people, I don't want to have to sit in the corner, leaving it too late to introduce myself and then awkwardly watching the fun. I don't have to make myself uncomfortable though, I know Madison will do the talking if she sees me getting stuck, she's like my confident other half. What would be do there? He said a fire, and he said fun games and such, but during work at the diner on that Friday, I was little all the possible scenarios in my head of what will happen. I'm not just shy, I get slightly paranoid too. Being shy, I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself, so I know if I plan every outcome to whatever we do then I know there won't be any surprises that I could, and probably will, embarrass myself with.

On Saturday I finally had a photography job. I was photography this wedding for a beautiful couple, at the Church up the road from where I live. It was convenient because then I could drive home in no time and start getting ready. I'd left a key in a secret spot but my front door so Madison could get in. I checked my watch and saw it was almost 1pm now. I was expected to be home for half 2. I arrived a while ago, and the ceremony was just starting. I like to think of sitting through the ceremony is a perk, you get to see this event of two people who love each other share their love and join together forever (hopefully), I'm not part of the ceremony as a bridesmaid so there's no pressure, no people watching, and I'm not a friend or family member sitting in the pews watching, having to congratulate and greet everyone that I run into at the reception. I stand in the corner with the camera, unnoticed. Like a Chameleon. That's what I am. I just stand back with my camera and catch the momentus occasion so they can keep it forever. Then I leave.

By 2pm, I assumed Madison had already got to my place and let herself in, probably helping herself to the lack of food in my fridge (I hadn't been shopping yet). We were running exactly on time, I may even get home earlier. The official ceremony was over and everyone was congratulating the bride and groom while I stood idly in the back taking pictures of the interactions. Then we started on those standing in front of the hedge, or fence, or church pictures with the bride and groom, bridesmaids, brides family, grooms family. Those pictures. It was 2:15 when we finished those and after a discussion of payment and where and when they could get the pictures I was free to leave. At 2:23 I went to the drive-thru at McDonalds and picked up some food for me and Madison, because knowing her, the leftovers in my fridge wouldn't suffice. 

As I was being handed my food at the last window, a car honked behind me. I leant my head out the window wondering what the big idea was, I wasn't exactly holding the queue up. Behind me I looked into the car and saw a smirking face looking back at me. It was Ashley. What are the chances. I leant back in my car and drove into the parking lot. I started munching on my fries and wondered what I was waiting for. I could just drive home. Was I expecting Ashley to drive up beside me and strike up conversation? Would he see me eating by myself and think I was weird? I put my fries back in the bag at that thought and looked behind me to see where his car had gone. I noticed him driving towards the exit, but not before he paused near my car and rolled down his window.