Ashlee lay on her bed wishing for her ceiling fan to blow her away to another galaxy. What was she thinking? She stared at her ice cream pillow for answers, but it just smiled back nonjudgmental. It wasn't helping. She still felt terrible. Not even ice cream could cheer her up.

After a knock, Brie let herself in. She had that look on her face. She knew. "Simon said we might need to talk? Is this about Jared?"

Ashlee sighed, afraid of what Brie would think of her after her confession. Not that she was any help encouraging her. "I kissed him. And he has a girlfriend."

Brie climbed in next to her. "Okay. That's his loss."

"I don't even know what made me do it," Ashlee said, closing her eyes as the mortifying image replayed in her mind. "It happened so quickly. And just as quickly he rejected me."

Brie propped up on her elbow. "He didn't reject you. He was being a boyfriend. To some other girl."

Some other girl he probably liked way more than he'd ever like her. Someone more beautiful, smarter, funnier. The girl of his dreams. He said she was genuine and kind. At the time it made her feel special. Now it sounded like he was describing the elderly woman in 2A who gave out greeting cards door to door every Christmas. And the look on his face afterward...Mortifying. "I'm the worst at this. I might as well remain single for the rest of my life. I'd never have to worry about embarrassing myself again."

Brie traced the flowers on the comforter. "There are some truly amazing guys out there, and one day you'll find one who will love every bit of you, embarrassments included. Until then, you have me." She poked Ashlee's nose. Just like when they were kids, it never failed to get a smile out of her no matter how frail. "What about that movie?"

***

Jared sat on the couch still dizzy from what just happened. He never meant to lead Ashlee on, but a part of him knew he should have made things clear before it came to this. Now a good relationship with a great girl was tainted because he couldn't get his feelings straightened out.

"I left money on the fridge. Call me if you need anything." His mom entered the living room in an elegant blue, dress. She looked nice. He would have told her that, but he couldn't see pass who she was all dressed up for. Was this really happening?

"Those are for you." Without pointing he looked at the coffee table where Todd's flowers stood in all their vibrancy. Initially, he wanted to dump them. One sweep from the deliverer's hands to the trash can by the door. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. The guilt would sit with him for awhile and he wanted in no way to be associated with Todd or his flowers.

The smile on his mother's face was a kick to the chest. When was the last time she smiled like that when his dad was around? She skimmed through the card and stuck her nose in the roses. She turned to Jared and seeing the look on his face, she sat beside him and pulled him into her arms. "I love you." She squeezed him tighter. "I want you to be happy. It's not as hard as it seems." She kissed his cheek and wiped off the lipstick stain with her thumb. One last smile and she was out the door.

Jared forgot how it felt to be truly happy. So he went to the last known memory where he felt the happiest. He took out his phone and held it for a moment. Why was he doing this to himself? Just call her. He tapped it to life and found her in the Missed Calls notification. Holding his breath he called her back. His heart picked up speed with every ring, pleading with him to hang up.

"Jay?"

Her voice shot waves through his chest. He swallowed. "Yeah, it's me."

"Happy birthday."

***

Next time on A Walk Apart:

It's Open Mic Night. Will Adam face his fears and take the stage?

Ashlee keeps her distance from Jared to avoid an awkward conversation.

Jared reconnects with his girlfriend.

Brie tries to discover her unique gift.

Nathan confronts Adam about a suspicious video.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for Episode 4!

-Love Charly