Anastasia

31

"All we needed was a little love, was it too much for you to give?"

"I am going to quit." Astrid said, appearing out of nowhere and startling Ana. Gaining back her composure, she blinked in confusion. What was that supposed to mean?

"I'm quitting school." she elaborated. Three words was all it needed to throw Ana off gaurd.

Three unexpected words.

"Why? What are you going to do, then? How will you get your desired job if you don't have a degree?" questions piled upon questions as Ana rambled on, and Astrid listened to evey single one of them until she couldn't handle it anymore. Raising a hand to stop her from going on, she finally spoke.

"Pertaining to your questions, let me share my piece of mind first." she stated, and looked around furtively as if she was looking out for someone who might be lurking in the shadows, watching her every move. She scooted closer to Ana, and bowed her head, murmuring something.

"What?" Ana asked, lowering her head to hear what Astrid said.

"I said, lower your head."

"Doing that now. Why are we being so secretive suddenly?"

Astrid peered at her through her long lashes, her eyes taking a deeper hue of blue. Now it looked like the darkening sky as dusk sets over the earth. Because if Zachary or Danielle catches us conversing, things will get really complicated.

"I want to start afresh. I've planned out eveything, so don't you worry. I'll be going back to my hometown and give my grandparents a visit before I set off for my new life." she explained, and each sentence made Ana's eyes grow wider and rounder. By the time she was done her eyes have grown so big Astrid was afraid that they might drop out of their sockets and roll onto the floor.

More questions flooded in. "Where are you going to get the money? How long will you be away for? Are you ever coming back?"

"Just listen, will you?" Astrid snapped, and Ana raised her hands in full surrender. She took a deep breath, and said, "I don't know why I am telling you this, but I would since I thought you needed to know the truth. I've been saving up some money as I worked at the bar, and I also have quite a sum in the bank given by my parents before they died. I'll move to somewhere far from here, although I have not got it all planned out yet. I guess it'll be a spntaneous trip. Don't worry too much about me, I am a survivor." Astrid patted Ana on the shoulder, giving her an assuring smile, one that Ana could not seem to return no matter how much she tried to force it out.

"I don't consider coming back, if that is what you are thinking." she spoke with confirmation.

"Oh." was all Ana could manage. She couldn't imagine having someone who had bullied her for her whole life come to apologise and giving her hopes that she could be friends with Astrid, only to discover that she had decided to leave her life the next moment. It was a little too much to take in at this point in the morning. But what has to be done must be done. Besides, at least Astrid didn't choose to leave Ana without a reason. It was better than nothing.

"When are you leaving?" Ana croaked.

"Tomorrow." Astrid replied smoothly, as if moving and hopping countries was a part of her life.

"Oh."

"Since we only have today, do you want to hang out, maybe?" Ana asked, surprised at herself. She knew she wasn't one to make such rash and thoughtless decisions, but somehow the people she met along the way have rearranged the thought process in her head.

A smile played on her lips. "It didn't occur to me that you'd ask this sort of question."

"Surprise." Ana answered in a sing-song tune. "Doesn't hurt to skip class for a day. Plus I only have today with you."

"I'm glad I made up to you. I should have done it sooner." A guilty expression surfaced on her face, a look that Ana recognises all too well.

"Better late than never." she slung her bag on her shoulder, standing up from her seat. "So, where to?"

Astrid grinned. "Let's go to the place." As if on cue, Ana raised her eyebrows. "The place? Am I thinking what you are thinking?"

"You bet." she winked.

*

**

"I have an excuse for consuming alcohol-infused ice cream." Astrid licked her ice cream off the cone, making a satisfied sound as the flavour exploded in her mouth. Ana laughed, scooping a small spoonful from her ice cream cup. The pair walked down the streets as they savoured the cold dessert, admiring the clothes displayed on the mannequines and the shining, sparkling jewellery on the shelves put out for the crowd to see.

The weather was getting colder by the day, but Ana couldn't care less. Today was the only day she could enjoy her childhood ice cream with Astrid, walking down the streets like two children wandering aimlessly in search for an adventure.

"Have a good time there." she said.

"I will." Astrid smiled.

Ana wanted to tell her that she would miss Astrid, but she decided against it. It was better kept unsaid. It was better to hold back her feelings for someone than to let them think about her after what she said. It was better for Astrid to forget her, and move on with her new life.

She deserved it anyway.