Meeting Part I

I sat next to her, thinking about what I should say to her, but nothing came to mind. So we were silent for a few seconds until Ash decided to speak and break the awkwardness around us.

-Well. Sasha, you know that ever since he and I started dating, we argued almost all the time and that we would stop talking until one of us decided to work things out. - Ashley took a breath, and I could see she was holding back tears, so I took her hand to stop her if she wasn't ready to talk. - He had already pushed me and insulted me. I had some bruises and, I was trying to hide them from you because I didn't want you to tell me that I was stupid. -

-I would never tell you that, Ash. - I said as I looked at her, I already knew he assaulted her, but whenever I asked her or said anything, she refused to answer. I tried to report the incidents to the police, but she always stopped me by saying that the bruises were accidents at work.

-I know. You would never have told me that, but I clung to the idea that Chris would change if maybe I did what he wanted. Even though I tried so hard, after all these years, I didn't see any results. So I decided to face it and end it all. This time it's final. I don't want to go on like this anymore. - She squeezed my hands and saw my eyes. I knew that she wasn't lying.

-In the morning, I sent him a message telling him that I didn't want to see him anymore. I guess when he saw the text, he got angry and went straight to the studio to fight. When he arrived, Chris told me that he felt sorry for me and that's why he went out with me. That he was only with me because I gave him money, and I gave him expensive gifts.-

-That loser sucks. - I said controlling, my tongue not to curse him.

-I know. I was so blinded. It wasn't love that I felt for Chris. It was just a whim of mine to get his affection. It took me a long time to react. Well, it was when he went and told me that. I got upset and slapped him. That made him even angrier, and he threw me to the ground while saying that he would take away something I loved. - As she said that, she looked at me and grabbed my hand, that "something" was me, a shiver ran through my body. I took a breath and decided to calm her down.

-Ash, you know I won't let him hurt me. I'm not easy to control if he comes near me. I'll punish him for everything he did to you. - I said with a confident smile on my face.

-I know, but still, call me if anything happens. Please. - I could see the worry creeping up on my friend. - Back to what happened, you arrived when he was going to ... Thank you for protecting me. -

I hugged her tightly for a while and kissed her forehead.

Ashley had finally gotten away from him, but that didn't mean it would all work out.

-Come on, let's watch some movies to forget the unpleasant day we had. - I turned on the TV and put on the movie she loved. I saw her smile, and I felt calmer.

Everything would be fine. I would take care of getting Chris away from us. As I was devising a plan, my mobile phone vibrated. I picked it up and checked the message.

"Hello, dear. Tomorrow we have a meeting with ZYC executives. You must be presentable and pretty, as always. See you at the usual coffee shop at 11. Kisses. -Mateo"

After reading it, I put my phone down on the coffee table and turned to look at my friend. She smiled at me and took my hand.

-Go. I know you have things to do. I have to start my work again. When you come back, I'll be here, waiting for you to give me good news. -

-Thank you, Ash. - I hugged her for a few seconds. I would protect her because she was always there for me.

We spent the rest of the afternoon laughing, crying and screaming as we watched the films. Once we couldn't take it anymore, we both went to sleep in my room. It had been so long since that Ash had stayed with me. Memories of my mother telling us bedtime stories flashed through my mind. I turned off the light, went to my bed and hugged her.

-Sash. - Ash said, trying to find out if I was already asleep.

-What's wrong? - I said while avoiding falling asleep.

-Thank you.- She whispered tenderly in my ear.

-Why? - I said as I drifted off in my sleep.

-For not falling into his trap that night.- She murmured as she hugged me tightly.

-Mmm? Good night.- I said, trying to analyse what she wanted to say, but tiredness overcame me.

-Goodnight, Sash.-

...

-Sasha, babe. Get up! It's time for them to have some breakfast. I know it's the weekend, and you don't have school, but it's late. - A sweet, loving voice said to me. I hadn't heard it in a long time.

- Mmm? Another 5 minutes. - I didn't want to wake up, I didn't want her to disappear, I wanted to hear her one more time.

-I told them not to stay late. Come on! - That wasn't my mum!

- It's late - The voice was changing. It was getting thicker and hoarser.

I sat up quickly in bed and looked around me. There was nothing in the room. My heart was beating faster than ever. My body was shaking until I felt dizzy, and I let myself fall back on the bed.

-Get off, you're too heavy, I can't breathe! - I stood up and saw my friend pulling the blanket over her eyes.

I decided to let her sleep a little longer. Her face reflected how much she cried yesterday.