A Thousand Moments

Chapter 31- Love is Love

Alanna Sky Bauer

Today was the last day of school before winter break starts. It's almost a week since I last heard from Astrid, her last text was still from when we visited her house only to be pushed away by her mom. I began worrying again, the replaying of negative thoughts in my mind, and the lingering unanswerable questions clouding me only amplified what seems to be like an ominous feeling. I wanna see her, I want to know she's okay, I want to comfort her, I... I miss her.

On my way home after school ended I couldn't stop thinking about her. The snow on the road reminded me of her beauty and innocence, the stars slowly appearing shine like the glimmer in her eyes when she smiles, the twilight mimicking the brilliance of her whole existence. God, even the howling wind reminds me of how it gracefully flows through her hair making it seem as though it was dancing. I miss her, and how I wish she'd just appear right here beside me telling me she's okay and that I don't have to worry.

It immediately started raining as I reached the house. I stepped out of the car and entered the house, Ash rushed to me greeting me with a wide smile on her face.

"Mom, mom, aunt's here!" She exclaimed as she hugged my leg, the cuteness radiating from her painted a smile on my face, I carried her and she immediately hugged me again

"Alanna, you're just in time for dinner" said dad who was cooking in the kitchen

"Come sit with me" said Amarra as she tap the space on the sofa next to her, gesturing for me to sit down

I walked towards her while I was holding Ash, she took Ash and proceeded onto looking at me

"Tell me about your week" she uttered

This has been a terrible week, not knowing how someone I love was doing, if she was fine or not but going home to this really makes it easier to deal with.

"It... was fine" I replied

"Oh come on, don't lie to my face" said Amarra

"Okay, it was terrible, I couldn't focus in school all that was running in my mind were thoughts abour Astrid, I hate not knowing whether Astrid's fine or not, it's been days since I last heard from her after that there's no text or calls anymore, she didn't even go to school this week" I answered trying to stop myself from crying

"Hey, it's okay, we're here, I also may not know the answer to whether she's fine or not but I'm here, let all your frustrations out, your big sis is here to wipe those tears away" she uttered, her words sent warmth to my heart that my tears immediately fell

She pulled me into a hug and pat my back

"Dinner's ready" dad uttered asking us to sit with him

Just as we're about to eat the doorbell rang, my heart started pounding somehow hoping it would be Astrid.

"I'll get it" I uttered

I walked to the door and opened it, though I was hoping for it, I was still surprised that it was Astrid. She was soaking wet from the rain, her eyes were bloodshot, I could tell she was crying, she was shivering from the cold all these and she still managed to give me a smile.

"Oh God!" I exclaimed

I immediately pulled her in and closed the door

"Are you crazy? It's freezing outside, why did you go out like this? You could get sick in this state" I continued

"I'm sorry, I ran away from home" she replied weakly