Lizaria

19

"So, why did you want me to stay?" Zarrek finally asked. They were sitting in the same chairs that her and Evan were sitting in. Ashlyn was looking out the window zoned out. "Ash," Zarrek said trying to get her attention. "Huh! Oh, I just wanted to talk to you that's all." Ashlyn responded looking at Zarrek in the eyes. She continued to look at him. "Who are you? Truly.." Ashlyn questioned looking deep into him. "Why do you keep asking me that, I've told you who-" "Liar!" Ashlyn interrupted him. "I am..not." Zarrek slowly responded looking deeply into her eyes. As you could've guessed, they were trying to get into each other's head. Ashlyn was winning, and was starting to get into his head. Zarrek was starting to sweat a little. Ashlyn then smirked a little at him. Zarrek then closed his eyes in pain. Even though his eyes were closed she was still able to control his thoughts. Zarrek then yelled in pain, and Ashlyn immediately blinked. "Damn, I didn't mean to test you like that. I should've known better. Since you're stronger." Zarrek said as he rubbed his forehead. Ashlyn then leaned forward still shocked. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you, I didn't think it would be that bad, Eric, I mean, Zarr-" "Ashlyn it's fine! I'm still alive." Zarrek interrupted her putting his hand up. Ashlyn then leaned back in her chair. They sat there for a few minutes in silence. "My mother was taken away from my family when I was maybe, oh I guess seven. My parents are Tommy and Elena Maniscalco. It was a few years after war, but the Southerners were still attacking random Towns people. She worked as a teacher, and went to go to work as every other mom would. When she came home some Southerners followed her. I remember my dad trying to fight them off, but it wasn't working. They took her away, and she wasn't found until about a month later at the bottom of the river . She used to tell me if she ever died, that I should pray to her. You know like how you humans do on Earth." Zarrek explained with a small smile at the end of the last sentence. Ashlyn half smiled back him and he continued, "One day, my dad had told me that she was still alive, and that he had been told by The Queen that mom was the new Soul Guardian. A Soul Guardian is someone important to the planet, they take care of all the souls of those that passed. To be chosen the guardian, the one before has to choose you. I didn't believe my dad at first, until my mom answered my prayer that night saying she was." Zarrek explained. He looked out the window as Ashlyn looked at him. She then looked down when he turned to her. "I was left on the doorstep of my parents as well. That's why I'm some Indian kid with an Italian last name." Zarrek laughed a little as Ashlyn did too. "I have no idea who my real parents are. My foster parents never knew. I showed up at their doorstep, legitimately, with adoption papers and everything, when I was maybe a year old, and my parents took me as theirs. I feel like my dad knows who they are, but at the same time I think he doesn't, cause he would've told me who they are by now." Zarrek finished looking down at the floor. Ashlyn opened her mouth as if she was going to say something, but she couldn't think of the right words. She then leaned forward and said, "Zarrek..I-" "You don't have to say 'you're sorry'. You and Vinnie are the only ones that know anyway. Well, except for The Queen, King, and Evan." Zarrek said cutting her off. Ashlyn nodded and looked down then back up. Zarrek followed her gaze. When he sat up, he looked her in the eyes, and started to lean in. Ashlyn did the same until their faces were only centimeters apart. Zarrek could tell that Ashlyn's face was turning red like how his already was. Just as Zarrek tilted his head Ashlyn stopped, shook her head, and got up from the chair. Zarrek stayed in the position he was in, and looked down. "I've got to get ready for the dance tonight, there's no time for messing around." She said going to her closet. Zarrek was still in the same position and responded, "Yeah, I guess I better go then." She opened the closet, and started going through the dresses. "See ya later," Zarrek said throwing himself out the door. "Oh, bye!" Ashlyn shouted back at him as he closed the door. After Zarrek shut the door, he was about to throw himself to the ground, when Vinnie saw him. "Oh come on! We've got things to do! No time for beating yourself up for not getting that kiss. You'll get it later, c'mon." Vinnie said waving Zarrek over. Zarrek had his fists in the air, he looked over at Vinnie who was standing by the staircase. Zarrek put his fists down, and followed Vinnie down the stairs.