Chapter 1
It was a crisp Friday morning, a gentle breeze swaying the trees, small birdsongs and voices could be heard outside. The rays of sunshine penetrating the blinds of his room, while the house stood silent, apart from a single alarm destroying the tranquillity and peace. He overslept again and this was one class he didn't want to waltz in late for. He rolled out of his bed, literally, falling onto the mahogany wood floors aimlessly reaching up to his table to turn that infernal noise off. Gaining his bearings, the young man quick put on some clothes and dashed downstairs. No one else was home, despite it being so early in the morning but this was usually the case nowadays. Quickly grabbing an apple and picking up his car keys from the table near his door, he entered his car and saw checked the clock; he was definitely going to be late. Damn it.
Racing down the hallways and quickly grabbing a textbook from his locker for his first lesson, he entered the classroom. But was stopped in his tracks by the thunderous voice of his professor Mr. Oakly. "Mr. Rhyson what time do you call this?". Giving him an apology and an innocent smile due to the intense embarrassment, Ash made his way up to his seat, intently listening to the Professors seminar. Sitting beside him was his long-time friend Gary Oakly, but if one were to ask Ash as to who Gary was to him, he would probably say he was a pest. Nevertheless, he was one of Ash's best friends. He felt a tap on his shoulder and leaned back into his chair. He knew the culprit and allowed his raven hair to sway backwards, eyes still forward onto the screen.
"Hey Ash, talking to Alice again I presume?" His voice light and quiet, as to not attract attention. Gary loved pressing his buttons, but Ash very well knew this and served back.
"Better than getting rejected again. At least I have a girlfriend Gary, I don't see any girl wanting to text you about....well wanting to talk to you about anything actually" the last part coming out just the right amount of smugness. He shot back with a glare and grinned from the corner of his mouth. There was something about making your best friends squirm under pressure, and Ash thrived on it. He would never openly admit it but these two were like peas in a pod, always knew what the other thought and always knew how to press the right buttons. Like now for instance.
"Yeah Yeah, very funny." replied Gary, understanding that he didn't stand much of a chance with Ash on this one. His brown hair fluttered back as he leaned back into his own chair again. His black jacket creating a small noise as he zipped it up. It was the middle of winter and although the room had warmth, almost every soul in that room shivered head to toe.
Getting his books out Ash noticed several people turning around to say hello to him or give him a good morning. He smiled and nodded at them, earning small smiles back and soon they all turned back around to Professor Oakly's board. Ash was a people-person, it was hard to find something you didn't like about him. He was friendly, smart, and affectionate, which made him stand out as he was liked by almost everybody. He enjoyed being around other people, hearing new stories and helping out where he could. His popularity however, much to his annoyance, didn't deter girls from trying to attract him. However, his relationship with Alice, a girl he met a couple of years ago, always pulled through and they had now been together for around a year. His loyalty to resolute, something he would like to keep very much intact.
Their introduction was pretty average in all honesty, she was in the library and he was checking out a book. Just your average tale. Well, if you consider average as falling off a bookshelf ladder trying to get that one book out of your reach, and being caught by a boy with a wide grin. Then yeah, pretty average. Alice was an avid reader, if she wasn't in the library during free hours, then she wasn't at school. She was intelligent, but rather shy towards other people. The library serving as a sanctuary for this, something Ash was keen on remembering. Their interactions were free-flowing, partly because she was too stunned at the events that unfolded.
They talked a bit, then some more, and then before long they knew small details about each other, which only grew and grew. Their attraction was not all physical, she was cute and kind, often hiding behind a book or behind her blonde tresses, he was reckless and enthusiastic.
He was fireworks in the night sky, she was a warm blanket on a winter's day.
Just the right amounts to make it work, and they did. Their friendship grew stronger and stronger, always initiating conversation when their eyes were drawn to each other. Her green eyes providing calmness, his chocolate ones providing intensity.
Ash immediately liked her from the get-go. She wasn't interested in his status or popularity; she was a soul that lived inside the books she read. Her mind being transported from genre to genre as her fingers flicked through the pages, only to start over again after picking up a new adventure. He never liked reading much, it was always too still for him, but this was hardly surprising, he was full of energy and drive. Ever eager to get out into the world and keep moving from place to place.
But he made time for reading, just as a way of spending time with a new friend, and the love of novels and reading sucked him into a world he thought he could never exist in. But that was what Ash saw in Alice. She wasn't like him in any sense of the word, but he loved every second of it. They grew as people together. He learnt to tame his personality, she learned that some of the adventures that featured in her books could be made real. Their worlds mixed together, and the result was a flurry of emotion. These events unfolded over a year ago and their relationship blossomed ever stronger.
His eyes wandered over to the scenery outside and couldn't help but smile. For once in his life, he felt at ease. No pressure, school was good, friends were great and his relationship seemed rock-solid.
Class ended pretty quickly, and the students filtered out the room, shuffling to their next class. Small conversation littered the halls whilst others rushed inside, a temporary escape from the cold. Ash and Gary walked over and greeted one another with a fist-bump. It was cheesy and a bit childish, but that's what made them, them. A tradition that they've carried out every day since the start of their acquaintance.
"So, Ash what's happening after school? I'm free if you want to come over for a bit" Gary shuffled in between students as they navigated to their next class. They weren't particular muscular but they both made other students look rather small, both being over six foot, dwarfing the newer classes.
"Oh yeah, Alice said she wanted to talk to me about something after school today". His eyes flickering a bit. In his mind he thought of it as nothing, but he could not help but feel as if something was off by the way she said it. Her voice softened and cracked over the phone, but Ash thought of it as nothing but poor signal coverage and left it as that, but it had a lasting effect on his heart and Ash forced himself not to ponder over it for too long. Gary noticed this and sighed, something Ash did not fail to recognise. About to question him for it, he was interrupted by his next class starting; something that the bell confirmed. It would have to wait, but he made a mental note to follow up on it.
During lunch Ash was joined by his usual band of friends which consisted of him, Gary, Drew, Shauna, May, Dawn and Misty. The six of them laughed at another one of Gary's impressions of his grandfather and in the process, Misty began choking on her bottle of water. However, instead of helping, the group only laughed harder. They were good friends, so a little teasing was allowed from time to time.
"That's what you get for slapping my head last week". Gary pumped his chest out with a smirk, his hair covering is eyes slightly with his arms folded in defiance.
Once Misty recovered, she retorted "You forgot to drop me off home after we came to your house last week, I had to wait three hours for you to wake up you lazy-." she was cut off gladly.
"In my defence, I wasn't fit for driving after Drew brought over the alcohol and beers from his house" Gary now had his hands above his head, surrendering but still smirking. He was someone who liked a bit of calamity. It kept him on his toes.
"Only because you drank all of it!" Misty was now standing up and point her long dainty finger at her friend. The rest of the group tried calming her down, with glances coming from other people in the cafeteria, resulting in the pair both eventually laughing it out. The group finally calmed down and lunch soon became a quiet affair. They huddled and talked about weekend plans. They would usually plan something that involved all of them and once settling to just going back to Gary's house, they filtered out of the room, noticing how crowded it was getting.
"I'm not going to be able to make it after school guys, Alice said she wanted to talk" Almost immediately the girls of the group smiled whilst the guys, well didn't. Their kissing noises didn't stop until their next class, and Ash only barely managed to keep himself in check. Rolling his eyes at his friends' antics.
This was followed by the bell, leading everyone to pack up and head to their respective classes. Ashton had math last, it wasn't too hard for him, but he figured that the only way to get better at it was to practice but he did need it. It wasn't his strongest suit, but he only needed a good grade at the end of the day. Nothing spectacular, but enough to get him to next year.
The lesson finished relatively quickly, and everyone was filtering out the class, whilst the younger students were running and screaming outside the school gates. He let out a small chuckle but then thought that it was a Friday. Heading to his locker to grab his coat, his gaze was drawn outside, and he noticed it was snowing slightly. Putting his scarf and gloves he headed out to the bench near the front gate and waited for Alice.
He couldn't put his finger on it but with each growing second, he was getting more and more nervous, not knowing why. Maybe it was the tremble in her voice last night or the fact that the snow was making it hard to keep his fingers warm. Speaking of which, they were going slightly purple. Its always good when that happens.
Looking down at his watch, he noticed that he had been waiting for over 20 minutes and Alice was nowhere to be seen. But just at that moment the young man saw her walking towards her, and he held his breath. In that moment she looked perfect, her blonde hair gently blew with the wind and a strand blew on her cheek, but more beautiful than anything were her emerald green eyes which glistened in the light. As she got closer, he couldn't help but notice that her gaze was directed at the floor and her pretty smile was replaced with a look of anguish. She stopped around a meter in front of him and she quickly glanced around to see that we were the only ones left. A long period of silence ensued and the air between them became a little awkward.
She finally broke the silence but spoke in a hushed tone, one which he couldn't figure out exactly. "Hey, sorry I'm late". Her eyes once again drifted downwards, not even meeting his chocolate ones once.
Sensing the atmosphere Ash decided to cheer her up as best he could "Hey no worries, I'd wait forever for you anywhere we go" and flashed a grin at her but this had little to no effect. She was normally a sucker for cheesy lines, but this time he couldn't help but feel as if it was slightly inappropriate given the circumstances. He walked closer and lifted her chin with his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Acting upon his gut feelings and finally asked what was wrong but by the time he did, the weird feeling he had been feeling as of late resurfaced.
"I'm sorry". Her tone once again low and hushed, but she noticed the confusion he showed and spoke again.
"I'm so sorry". This time he picked up on what she said, and she said it much more hoarsely which was apparent because tears were freely flowing on her cheeks. Without a second glance Ash brought her into an embrace and lay her head on his shoulder. His body providing warmth, but the tension was as fragile as ice.
"Why, what happened" he tentatively asked while still holding her but a second later she pushed him away, him feeling like all the wind had been taken out from his system. So much so the pair failed to notice the snow getting heavier. "Ally?" once again reaching his hand out as he called, but she took a step back.
"I can't do this anymore to you, it's been eating me up inside and you don't deserve it". The confusion on my face grew but Ash didn't interrupt her. "I don't think we should carry on anymore."
My voice rose slightly "What are you talking about? Ally, tell me what happened, what are you talking about. Have I done something wrong?".
"No its-"
"What? What is it?" he instantly replied, with moisture forming in his eyes. His hands becoming impatient and his nerves kicking into overdrive. He put his gloved hands on her cheeks, wiping away the tears. Her breathe becoming slightly ragged in between sentences.
"I'm moving away" After she had said that his brain had worked into gear. Her parents had some financial problems when they met, and he didn't pry too much but even he could see the situation was affecting her back then. She would often cry over the phone after she would call him when her parents had an argument, and he wanted nothing more than to make her problems disappear. His minded transported himself to the start of their relationship.
They laughed, they made fun of each other, they held each other close. That day was the day where it all started.
"Why....?"
"My Dad got a new job in California, its close to some of my family and we don't really have a choice because-..." Her voice trailed off and he started at her. But she never met his gaze, afraid of his reaction, helpless in a situation she could not control. He knew this and so understood that it wasn't her decision, but he reassured her with another embrace, which she reciprocated. He heard the tears and sobs get louder, the emotional turmoil of her family all escaping in this one moment. Ash tried his best to calm her and reassure her but there's only so much saying 'it's going to be okay' will do.
He was helpless. He could only stand and watch. He didn't have a solution.
She gently pushed away from his embrace, emerald eyes meeting brown for the first time. Both stained and glossy. They stayed like that for some moments, sinking in deeper and deeper. Who knew when this opportunity would come back again.
Better to have loved and lost, than to never had loved at all.
The silence prolonged, but neither wanted to say anything. But time stands still for no one, so Ash spilt the only question on his mind. "When?..." His voice trailing off, afraid of the answer. His hands trembled more and more, but he remained firm and kept his hands around Alice's waist. Her hands played with his hair, eyes struggling to meet his. She was reluctant and Ash's gut feeling sank lower and lower. Internally pleading her to give him and answer, but his mind wanted it quickly, his heart wanted it never.
He repeated, but again she didn't say. Her mouth simply couldn't express the words she knew Ash didn't want to hear. His cold hands moved up to cup her face, her hair blowing slightly as snow began to fall. Little by little.
Ash's heart was soon breaking. Little by little.
His eyes begged her to say something, until her lips finally moved. "Tomorrow". It was almost inaudible, but Ash heard it. He repeated it into his mind over and over. His face scrunched as he looked down, thinking of something to say.
"No, you can't leave tomorrow. This has to be some kind of joke. Fine you got me, Gary, where are you? You can come out now, i-" Ash rambled on, his mind not wanting to process the words that she spoke to him. His heart simply would not let it. He kept talking and talking, while Alice only felt guiltier and guiltier. She knew he wouldn't react well, but then she knew that he wouldn't exactly be pleased. She only found out a couple of days ago, but how do you tell someone that you're leaving. She loved him as much as he loved her, and her eyes became glossier once again, tears falling down her pale cheeks.
"Ash stop...... Please don't do this to yourself" She held her hands out and touched his chin. His smooth skin alarmed at the touch, but soon he stopped talking and stared into her eyes. Not a hint of a lie, or a joke being played. It was the truth, and it tore him apart. He quickly hugged her even tighter, wrapping his hands around her, surprising her a little. She soon melted in the embrace, the only thing that could provide her warmth in this cold environment. But soon they knew they had to part.
She was about to say something when she heard a car horn. They both looked over, seeing a silver car parked just outside the gate on the road. Ash turned around and saw, through the snow, Alice's father behind the wheel. This was it, their last moments. He boy shook his head, as if to say to himself that this was all just a dream, but she grabbed a hold of him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"I'm sorry Ash. I don't want to leave, but we don't have a choice. I want to say thank you for everything that you've given me, I-" Ash had heard enough. Without thinking he pulled her into a real kiss, one which they both savoured and prolonged. All the emotion they felt was released into that moment, and by the time they pulled apart, they were no longer holding each other anymore. "I have to go. Bye Ashton.." Her voice soft and almost a whisper, the wind fluttered leaves and snow onto them, but the only thing they felt was the emotion of being ripped apart from their significant other. She tried smiling, but Ash looked and could tell it wasn't nearly a real one. Almost forced, but he understood.
She didn't want him to feel bad. And he knew that this wasn't her choice. But still, he felt angry at the world for playing him like this. But he was determined to not let her see his frustration. So, with the last moment they shared, he spoke.
"Bye Alice, I love you"
"I love you too Ash". And with that she smiled one last time before turning on her heel and walking towards her father's car. Never looking back, for she didn't want him to see her tears. Little did she know he was holding back tears of his own. She took one last look at him before entering the car, and off they went. Ash stood still, while she was driven away from him. Out of his life.
At that moment his knees buckled, and his head started spinning, now kneeling in the snow. Which only got heavier and heavier. He was so deep in emotion he didn't notice that his knees were completely soaked by the snow, and his fingers had gone completely numb.
Ash stayed there; he didn't really know how long for. All he knew was that it was dark when he got home, courtesy of Gary who said he had been waiting for him for hours. He walked to the car park, a lifeless expression plastered on his face. Barely holding himself together.
She was gone, and she wasn't coming back.
His heart had been broken, his soul had been shattered and his world had crumbled.
Ash had nothing left.
Author's Note
Hi guys, it's my first book so dont be too harsh. Tell me how you guys found the first chapter and things I could improve on. Thanks!
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