Me and Eman were walking side by side back to home.
He tried asking me a few more times to tell him what was wrong.

Eman - Ash,is it cause you don't trust me?

I shook my head.

Ashlyn - It's not like that,I just don't want to worry you telling all that.

Eman - It worries me more when I don't know what's wrong.

I nodded my head understanding what he says.
We kept walking on the road,on our way to home.

Ashlyn - Eman...I was basically an lonely child since birth.

I paused.
He didn't speak anything wanting me to continue.

Ashlyn - My father never showed me his care like he did to Percy...when I say neve,it's never! He blamed me for my mother's death alot that I knew my dad doesn't like me when I was 4.

I sighed.
I knew my dad doesn't love me...I'm sure he never will too.

Ashlyn - If it wasn't for Percy then I wouldn't even know what love or care felt like and when I was 11 everything was go well...dad married another women,I got a nice mother and a new brother John Felix Collins.Dad stopped blaming me too and everything was going well.Suddenly,someone called us telling your brother died in an accident.

My voice started breaking.
It wasn't even the whole story but it's already tearing me apart.

Ashlyn - And,the elders took their decisions as if I'm not even a family member...they got divorced and I was 11! When everything fell apart again.Dad started blaming me for Percy's death too and now even he wasn't there to protect me or comfort me.

I let a sob out.
It started raining.

Eman - It's okay,cry as much as you want...I am here.

Ashlyn - I guess the sky is crying for me.

I could feel him hugging me.
I didn't know if it was right but I just let it out.
I cried and cried till the rain started pouring more heavily.

Eman - We should go,it's raining badly.

I nodded my head and broke the hug.

Ashlyn - Yeah,we can't get sick due to me.

Eman - That's not what I meant...

Ashlyn - I know! I'm just saying that we can't get sick.

Eman - Okay! If we can't get sick,then run,Ash! Run!

He grabbed my hand and ran.
I was running behind him,the roads were empty due to the heavy rain.
Eman was laughing and I felt it relieving too.

Ashlyn - Ufff! Eman,I can't run anymore.

I said panting.
He looked back and stopped running too.

Eman - Are you okay?

I nodded my head not able to speak from all the running.

Eman - Let's just walk from here,okay?

I didn't respond.
After few minutes,I stopped panting and finally catched my breathe.

Eman - So? Did you enjoy our date?

Ashlyn - Absolutely,you know what? You are the first ever person I opened up to.

Eman - Really? I hold a special place to you then.

He bended to my height reaching my face.
I looked at him.

Eman - Don't I?

He smiled cockily.

I flicked his forehead.

Ashlyn - Whatever.

Eman - Ouch! That hurt!

I didn't respond and just walked.
We came to the lane that goes to my house...it was flooded.
I couldn't help but gasp at the situation.

Ashlyn - How do I get to home!?

Eman - There's no way till the water clears out...

Ashlyn - Do you know any other routes?

He shooked his head.
I sighed being very irritated.

Eman - Would you like to stay at my house? Tonight.

Ashlyn - At yours? Would your parents be okay? Suddenly bringing a girl to home.

Eman - Ofcourse! Don't worry about that,tell me if you have any problems not about me or my parents.

Ashlyn - Nothing.

Eman - Okay! You are gonna see my home! Why am I excited when it's you seeing my house for the first time?

I giggled.
He took me to his house,it was a pretty house.

Ashlyn - It looks nice.

Eman - I know! My choices always prevails even in girls...like you.

He said making my cheeks red.

Ashlyn - Stop!

Eman - Why? Can't help liking it?

I hit him to stop and he laughed but stopped.
He took me inside his house,it still rained.

Eman - That's my mom's room,you can freshen up there...and I'll get you some of my clothes which might fit you.

I nodded.
He got some clothes for me and I dressed up.
Thank god,I always have spare undergarments for these kind of situations.
I came out and found Eman sitting on the couch.
I went and sat in the opposite couch.

Eman - Hey,all good?

I nodded.

Eman - My parents are gonna be home by 9,it's raining so not many customers would be coming.

Ashlyn - That's nice...um where do I sleep?

Eman - You could sleep in my mom's room? Or if it's okay then in my room? If both aren't comfortable then there's an guest room but...it's a bit dirty.

Ashlyn - That's fine,I'd sleep in the guest room...No problem.

He nodded his head.
I heard the door open and close.
I stood up to greet his parents.

Ashlyn - Hello,I am Ashlyn.

I noticed some packets with them.

Eman's mom - Oh! Hi,I am Emans mom...Nice meeting you,please take a seat.

Eman's dad - I am his dad.

I nodded taking a seat.
His father followed his mother.

Eman - We will have dinner soon.

I nodded my head.
Eman too followed his parents to the kitchen.

I just sneaked in to have a look,I could see both his father and Eman helping Aunt.
I smiled adoring them.

Eman's mom - Dinners ready,Ashlyn.

I sat down.
Eman beside me and his parents facing us.

Eman's mom - Here,have some tomato soup...I'll get you rice goo.

I nodded.

Eman's dad - So tell me? How is Eman?

I looked at his father.

Ashlyn - Uh,he's good...yeah,he's good.

His father laughed.

Eman's dad - Are you guys a couple?

Ashlyn - No,good friends.

Eman - Dad! Stop asking her such things.It'll make her uncomfortable.

He whined.

Eman's dad - Okay! I won't make her uncomfortable anymore.

His mother got some bowls and I decided to help her with that.

Ashlyn - Aunty,I will help you.

I said taking 2 cups from her hand and putting them onto the table while she could serve the rice.
I sat down eating again and Eman's mom got some Pretzels.

Eman's mom - Here,eat some later.

Ashlyn - How do you know I like Pretzels?

Eman's mom - Eman sa-

She was cut off by uncle.

Ashlyn - Huh?

Eman's dad - She meants that she knew that kids like them...isn't it popular lately?

Eman's mom - Yeah...yeah.

I nodded eating the food.
Later,Eman helped me set the bed from their guest room.

Eman - Make yourself home...and I'll wake you up fast tommorow,as you need to get home for uniform.

I nodded.

Ashlyn - Thanks Eman.

Eman - Not at all.

He said closing the door.
I fell onto the bed,I thought about what happened earlier at dining table.
Did he really tell his parents that I like Pretzels and got them for me? Aww! That's so cute.
That means he likes me? Stupid,could be just care,right?
But...I really wish he likes me.
I slept to stop thinking too much.

Next day

I walked to school.
Eman dropped me off early at my home.
I entered the room and found Eman.

Ashlyn - Hey! Really thank you so much for yesterday.

Eman - That's fine!

I got my arms up onto his shoulder and sat beside him peeking into his phone.
He was watching some videos and I did too.

Felix - Ash!

Startled by his voice,I looked at him.

Ashlyn - What?

Felix - Where were you yesterday? I went to your house to meet you but you weren't there and I searched for you everywhere...I was so worried.

Ashlyn - What? You could've called me.

Felix - I know,but I was into searching for you that I forgot to call.Thank god your fine.

Ashlyn - Why did you come to meet me?

Felix - Cause I wad worried Ofcourse,who wouldn't after what happened the day before.

I nodded knowing the truth.

Ashlyn - I was out with Eman...I didn't know you'd come for me.

Felix - With who? Eman?

I nodded.

Felix - Where did you guys go to?

Ashlyn - Just to his restraunt,a Bakery and his house as it rained too much.

Felix - Okay,you are fine?

I nodded.

Ashlyn - I am! You are worrying too much.

I said ruffling his hair.

Felix - Ahh,stop.

I laughed at his whining.
At the same time Jay-Jay and Yuri came inside laughing.

Everyone's attention diverted to them.
Yuri stopped smiling and went towards Keifer.
Jay-Jay came towards us as Felix sat down.

Jay-Jay - Hey! How are you? You didn't even come to school yesterday.

Ashlyn - I am good,just needed some time.

She nodded.

Ashlyn - I heard what happened...so are you taking the blame for Keifer?

Jay-Jay - Kind of,but it's okay...I started it anyway.

I nodded.

Jay-Jay - Oy! Why are you ignoring me?

Felix didn't reply to that and she jsut went back to talking to Ci-N and David.
Me and Felix talking about some past memories.

Felix - No! It was you who slipped.

Ashlyn - No,I remember...I poured the oil but instead of Percy you fell instead.

Felix - It isn't! I poured and you fell.

I was going to deny but I felt an hand in my shoulder.
I turned around to find Yuri.

Ashlyn - Yes?

Yuri - Can we speak?

Everyone's attention diverted to us.
I knew Yuri was one of the best friends of my brother but this is the first time he's ever speaking to me.

Ashlyn - Sure.

He just looked at me.
I understood that he meant personally.
We went out.

Yuri - Are you really Ashlyn Heather Rey?

Ashlyn - No,I faked my certificates cause I hate my real name.

I smiled nonchalantly.

Yuri - Not a nice joke.

Ashlyn - Ofcourse! Then what am I? I am Ashlyn Heather Rey.

Yuri - Okay...here.

He handed me out a phone.

Ashlyn - What?

Yuri - This is Percy's phone...it fell out while he fell off the bridge.

My heart stopped for a moment.
I stared at him and took the phone.

Yuri - It just felt uneasy to have his phone while you are here.

I nodded my head.
He left inside the classroom and Jay-Jay and Keifer came out at the same moment.

Jay-Jay - Ash,I'll be back...okay?

I nodded my head even though I didn't hear what she said.
I went inside.

Eman - What did you guys speak?

Ashlyn - Nothing...he just handed me out Percy's phone.

Eman made an 'O'.
I went back to my seat.
The phone had an broken screen.

Felix - What's it about?

Ashlyn - Percy's phone...Yuri handed it out to me.

Felix - What? Really?

I nodded.

Ashlyn - I don't know why it feels like a burden to have something which is his...I know I shouldn't be feeling this way but...

Felix - It's okay...don't feel bad.It's fine,It just got where it should've been.

I nodded.
But having something after Percy passed away just feels so wrong.

Guy - Ashlyn Heather Rey! You are called to the principal's office.

Everyone started shouting and teasing.
Why am I called to the office? I'd didn't even do anything.