The First Call

People come and go

One year later

Since highschool finished and I graduated, I moved back to my mom's house.

I was in my old room reading a book when my phone rang. I looked at it and immediately turned it off.

Why can't he just stop calling? I thought.

Once again my phone buzzed. I didn't pick up. And that continued for the next 10-15 minutes.

Stop, I texted the number.

Nothing. He just continued calling. After 25 missed calls I finally picked up.

"You are really annoying. Just stop already. I will actually block you," I said and hung up.

He was so stubborn and just repeated what he did, annoying me, he just couldn't quit.

"What do you want?" I asked not really wanting to know.

"I miss you, Ashley," he said.

I rolled my eyes hoping he would see that, but he clearly couldn't. "Is that all? Because I really have to go."

"You don't need to go, you just don't want to talk to me."

"Exactly. Can I go now?"

"Don't you mind that we barely talk and that nothing is at it used to be?" His voice trembled a bit.

"No." I simply answered.

"Ashley, whenever I close my eyes, I see you there. But when I open them and see nothing, I realise how much I miss you."

"Andrew, people come and go, that's life."

"When you walked away my heart tried to replace you with someone like you, but I could never find her, I don't want to find her, it's got to be you, Ashley."

"Ok?" I really didn't have nerves to listen to him anymore.

"You've changed. Why?" Maybe it's just me, but I think he was crying.

"I didn't change, I just found myself."

"Sometimes it's not people who change, it's the mask that falls of."

That's it, I can't do this anymore.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU JUST SAID HOW MUCH YOU MISSED ME AND ALL THE OTHER BULLSHIT AND NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND?!?" I yelled as loud as I could because I was freaking pissed off.

"I didn't change my mind Ashley! I never will. I just... I want you back."

"Well this is obviously not the right way to do that."

"Then what is? Please tell me. I will do everything I have to. Please, Ashley."

"I don't know what is, Andrew!" I yelled again, but I kind of felt bad this time. "I really don't. But annoying me for 2 or more hours just to annoy me even more definitely isn't the right way."

"Do you think you could maybe come over?" The hope in his voice was so hearable.

"No, no way, I don't want to go to that apartment ever again."

"Uhm, ok... Maybe park next to highschool?"

"That would work." I replied. "See you in an hour." And I hung up.

Why did I agree to this? I don't want to see him. I've been avoiding him for a whole year, and now, what?

I let my mom know that I'm going out later. I went back to my room, changed myself into black raped jeans and white crop top with small yellow roses. I let my hair fall over my shoulders naturally.

After 10 more minutes I went out. It took me 20 minutes to walk to the park.

Andrew was already there. As soon as I saw him I felt nervous.

"Hi," I whispered as I approached him.

"Hey," he said in a low voice as well.

"I don't have much time. Let's talk this out."

"Ashley, was it true love when we so easily said goodbye?"

"Ah, here we go again." I took a deep breath. "Andrew, I never said goodbye, and I never will, I just continued with my life, unfortunately without you. I never said I didn't miss you. I did, and I still do. I just can't stand what you did to me. I know you too well, I for sure know that you will do it again and that's the reason I don't want and won't get back together." I breathed. It was hard saying that.

"It's weird how people talk about things that hurt them the most with a smile on," Andrew said with a barely seeable smile.

"I know, right?" I sighed and looked away. "You were my secret smile and now you are my obvious tear." I whispered hoping he didn't hear it.

But he did. "I know..." He said calmly. "Let's just go somewhere, anywhere. Let's travel together and find ourselves, together, you and me."

"If traveling was free you would never see me again." I answered. "But, Andrew, I already found myself and the path I want to follow, and you're nowhere on it. I'm sorry, Andrew."

"That's fine. I mean, it's not, but I appreciate it. I guess this is goodbye?" He asked disappointed.

I nodded. "Goodbye, Andrew," I said and tried to walk away from him but he reached out and grabbed my hand.

Do you know how it feels when red hot sparks touch your skin? When I was five, my dad was building me a swing set. He was working with metal, so he had to cut it. He told me not to look at him while he's working so sparks of steal don't get into my eyes and blind me. He protected his whole face with a mask. Of course, I was too curious. I took my sunglasses and approached him from behind his back. He couldn't see me. As soon as I came close to him, the wind blew and tons of sparks finished on my arm. It felt like a bunch of needles were passing through my skin. What is left of them is a star shaped scar on my wrist. I've never felt anything like that until now.

I turned around to face him.

"I can't let you go just like that," Andrew said and pulled me in a hug.

I stood like that, I didn't want to hug him.

"What now?" Andrew asked looking into my eyes.