Ash

"No, something's wrong!" I bury my hands in my hair.

"Ash. Calm down. Lower your voice." My dad puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," 

"It's okay. Maybe she just needs some space." 

"No, she would never to that to me. Especially not over the phone."

"Just give her space."

"There's got to be something wrong. She was crying. I could tell she didn't mean it," 

"Ash," 

"Should I go over there?" I stand up and search my pockets for my keys.

"No, just let her cool down. You'll see her on Monday." 

"Okay. Yeah," I say and nod my head to reassure him and myself. Mostly myself.

After Fiona called me, I freaked out. I couldn't stay in my room. When I got downstairs, I walked right into my dad. 

He asked "What's wrong?"

I was in such shock that I blurted out "She broke up with me." A tear slid down my cheek. I still can't believe she broke up with me. There has to be a reason. I have to see her.

After the talk with my dad, I locked myself in my room.

He knocks on my door "Ash, dinner's ready."

"I'm not hungry."

"Ash come on,"

"I'm not hungry," I repeat. I've been lying on the floor of my room trying to figure out what happened. 

"You have to eat something. I know you really like this girl-"

"Can I eat later?" 

"Yeah," I wait till I'm unable to hear his footsteps. "Fuck!" I yell to no one. I feel frustrated and defeated. How could she do this to me?

The clock across my room says that it's 12:34. I have finally migrated to my bed, which is the worst mistake of life because my sheets smell just like her. I find her top from the night we got caught in the rain. I chuck it across the room. The poem book for our report has met the same fate as her shirt. I remember when I read her that book as she fell asleep into my arms and how we kissed the morning after. I wonder if we'll ever kiss each other like that again.

I sit up in my bed and look at the closed curtains in front of my window. I get up and push the curtains aside. The moon is full and bright. I wish a could enjoy this with Fiona. I wish I could watch the reflection of the moon in her beautiful brown eyes and run my fingers through her hair, like I've done so many times before.

I wonder what's shes doing right now. I need to see her. I sit up in my bed. Why didn't think of this before. Maybe she's at the Shoebox. I know that it's a long shot but if fate is on my side she'll be there.

I pull a hoodie over my T-shirt and pull on some jeans. I head downstairs slowly and tediously. I hold my breath as I pass my father's room. I'm quiet but the stairs are another challenge. With each step I take they crack under my feet. I finally get to my front door. It squeaks. I try to open it slowly but it's still loud. I give up trying to be quiet and open the door. It's like ripping off a band-aid. I lock the door and run to my car. 

I am half way to my car when I hear my dad call to me from the house. He is standing in the doorway.

"Ash, where are you going?" 

"I'm finding Fiona!" I call back. I slam the door to my car and turn the key in the ignition.

When I get to the front steps of the school, the door is locked. Fiona said that she comes here even when she's not allowed to. There has to be another way. I head to the back of the school. Looking, searching, hoping for an entrance. I find a white door. And to my surprise its open. It's jammed so I use my body weight to push it open. When I get the door open a warm heat rushes over my face. I use my phone light to find a light switch. I turn the light on. The room is flooded with a warm yellow light. It's the janitors room. I walk across the room to a door. Open it. I am greeted by a stair case. I turn on my flash light. I walk up 5 flights of stairs. My only motivation is getting to see Fiona.

When I finally get to the third floor doubt floods into my mind. What if she's not there? Should I go to her house if she's not? What will I do if she is there? Should I be mad at her or run into her arms? 

I am in front of the door that leds into the Shoebox. I slowly lift my hand to the door knob. I rest my hand on the cool, smooth metal. I push open the door.