A Thousand Moments

Chapter 35- Better Days

Alanna Sky Bauer

A week has passed since Astrid left, she hasn't texted or called. I was left wondering what happened and worrying about what might happen with her. I was sitting on our front porch sipping the hot chocolate I had on my hand while the snow slowly drifted in the wind as it comes down, I hoped she'd suddenly appear in front of me telling me everything's fine. I closed my eyes and counted to 5, I was afraid again, worried about everything that might happen, my heart was pounding in fear, I felt myself trying to catch my breath as tears form in my eyes. Suddenly I snapped back to my senses when I heard someone open the door.

"Hey, what are you doing out here? It's cold" said Amarra

"Are you okay?" She hurried and sat beside me when she saw me crying

"It's nothing" I replied trying to conceal my tears with a smile

"Don't tell me it's nothing, your tears says otherwise" she answered

"It's Astrid, I'm scared of what's happeneing, she hasn't reached out yet" I responded

"I'm scared that she's not fine and I won't be there for her, I'm afraid she's all alone facing everything, I know how it feels and I don't want her to suffer from that" I continued, tears still were falling down my cheeks

"She's always like this, I'm here but she tries to face it on her own, I know she's strong but even strong people fall down sometimes, I wanna be there for her, hold her when she falls, be her shoulder to cry on, be her light when it gets dark" I uttered as I wipe the traces of the tears that fell down my face

Amarra was silent for a few minutes

"Hey, you want to go to her?" She asked

"But her mom... I'm scared she'd get in much more trouble if I come see her" I answered

She was again left unable to talk

"Well, remember when I left you guys, everyday I wondered if you and dad were okay, if you were coping with being unable to remember anything" she uttered

"I was very worried, the unsettling awareness that you and dad might not be fine kills me but I had Ash, she pulls me back when my mind drifts too far away, when I can't handle anymore sadness she brings me joy" she continued as she held my hands

"All I want you to know is that I'm here, when everything seems to overpower you and you can't stand the fear and loneliness, I'm here, I'll always be here from now on" she pats my head as she said those comforting words

My tears overwhelmed me, I tried to stop it but it poured like gravity was too strong today. My sister pulled me into a tight hug, it felt as if suddenly the weight of the world on my shoulders were lifted.

723rd.

Fear.

My phone rang interrupting me and my sister. I took it out and checked to see who texted

Can you come pick me up please?

It's Astrid.

"Astrid texted me, she needs me to come pick her up" I told my sister

"Go, come back safely okay?" She replied, I nodded my head

I drove to Astrid's house. I was frantically breathing, my heart was beating fast and I couldn't seem to control it, my senses were overwhelmed as I try to catch my breath. As soon as I reached their house I saw Astrid already waiting outside, she was wearing her cardigan over her white dress while holding a bag which looks like it was full of her clothes. I stepped out of the car and immediately ran to hug her.