Swimming Ducks

Part 9: A Surprise From Ash (Bonus Chapter)

Hello folks! This chapter will probably be pretty short, but it'll be good fun to write. The new character introduced in this chapter is based on one of you lot (Thank you E for this idea <3) and I want you to guess who it is. Have fun!

(This is not based on who I ship the person Ash is based on with, it's just a bit of fun. Also, physical description in no way matches the person this is based on.)

It had only been two days into the holidays when Ash rung, which was weird, because Ash never really called me. It was also weird because It was 7 in the morning, but then again, it was Ash. I rubbed my eyes, which were itchy with exhaustion and probably red from the amount of crying I'd done. I jumped up at the sound of my phone, my chest glowing with hope.

Is it Alice? Please say it's Alice.

I grabbed my phone to check, and something deflated in me when I saw Ash's name on the screen. I debated picking it up, knowing I'd sound bitter and disappointed, but I did anyway. "Sometimes I wonder if a bomb has gone off in your room," Ash said in way of saying hello, laughing at my confused silence. "I'm outside, stupid," they continued, and I quickly tried to smooth over my braids, plastering on a smile and poking my head out of the window. The cold stung my nose and eyes and my head began to ache slightly, but there was Ash, their hair now a dark purple, and someone standing beside them who I didn't recognise. I hung up the call as Ash noticed me, waving lazily. They were wearing jeans and a T-Shirt and looked like they were going to freeze. It was still half-dark outside and I ran downstairs to let them in.

Ash shot me a chaotic-looking smile and ushered this stranger inside. I stared, bewildered. "Ash, you can't just invite me into someone else's house!" they laughed, turning to face me.

"Taryn!" Ash exclaimed, as though they were just noticing me, "This is Mia." The stranger, who now had a name, took down her bottle-green coat hood, and turned to face me properly. Her large blue eyes shone behind their gold-rimmed, huge glasses. She was really pretty, and super tall, with slightly-wavy dark hair that was cut just above her ears, and she was dressed in the most awesome combination of a band T-Shirt, ripped back jeans and platformed black boots. I suddenly became very aware of my too-big pyjamas with "Sleepy..." written in black across the front.

"Okay, and it's seven in the morning?" I half-asked, laughing quizzically, not sure whether this was all just some hyper-realistic dream. I considered pinching myself.

"Uh, yeah, and this is my girlfriend," they continued, as though it were obvious. I felt my face light up as I beamed, my gaze shifting between the two of them. "ASH!" I half-squealed, giggling.

Mia tucked her hands into her pockets semi-awkwardly. "Hi," she chuckled, "I'm Mia." I nodded, smiling. I honestly didn't know that Ash was into girls, but it didn't surprise me. "Taryn," I replied, feeling myself go awkward. I tried not to laugh in the silence that ensued as we made eye contact for a little too long, not knowing whether to look away. She laughed again, "Sorry about Ash, I tried to tell them not to."

I shook my head. "It's fine, really, come into the kitchen."

"Oh, uh, okay," she laughed again, turning awkwardly and laughing as I tried (and failed) to lead her to the kitchen. Ash stared at us, giggling a little. "Wow, this is awwwkwwwaaarrrddd."

I boiled the kettle, asking Mia if she wanted anything (and ignoring Ash, who had helped themselves to the leftover Coke in the fridge.) "No, thanks," she replied, laughing at Ash as they drank Coke from the half-empty bottle. I sat opposite the two of them and leant across the table. "I feel like I'm being interrogated," Mia half-laughed, looking around a little as though she were scared. "I want to know everything!" I said, a little too enthusiastically, and Mia almost sat back a little.

"Um, okay, like what?" she asked, sounding like she was trying not to giggle uncomfortably.

"How did you get together?"

She sort of snorted. "Honestly, I can't remember. Ash?"

"Huh?" Ash half-grunted from the table, where they had rested their head. Mia rolled her eyes, laughing a little. "It was probably at some party."

I gave Ash a "You go to parties?" look and they shot me back a "Duh."

We talked for a while, Mia seeming more comfortable, until her phone rang about 40 minutes later.

"Ah, it's my mum. I have to go, but see you around?". I nodded, smiling a little as she got up, almost tripping over the chair and laughing at herself.

I showed them both to the door and waved a quick goodbye, shutting it before I let the tears fall.

Nobody is ever going to like you like that.

I don't think I had every longed for Alice more.