He's Not Ordinary

Days passed and Ashley continued with her normal routine, going to work very early everyday and coming home really tired in the evenings and every night, as usual she had bad dreams. Everytime, Ashley woke up panting from another nightmare. She was always drenched in her own sweat. Why did scary looking creatures have to chase her all the time? She became afraid of the thought that she might someday be chased by monsters. 

But monsters don't exist, do they? They were only heard of in stories or movies but she didn't believe or think that creatures that looked like that existed at all in this world.

Ashley turned to look at her alarm clock beside her. It was only a matter of minutes before the thing rang. The nightmares woke her up earlier today. Sighing, she got up and went into her bathroom to freshen up. When she was done, she picked her bag and headed for work.

It was the last day of the month and she was going to be getting her paycheck today. Days like this were the best days of her life. She needed money to survive and when the end of the month drew near, she just couldn't wait. Also, she earned a pretty reasonable amount from the job which could at least last her till the next payday. 

"I see you've made your phone more comfortable." Natalie Chuckled, "If that's the right word to use." She said to Ashley when they didn't have anyone they were attending to.

"Yeah... It has really helped. I feel less lonely at home now thanks to it and you." She chuckled.

"Awww I can only imagine how lonely it must be like living alone. And you never want to come out and have fun." Natalie said.

"I've been lonely my whole life. The times I feel less lonely is when we're here working together. But that has changed now, I've got something to keep me from being lonely at home."

"Babe, times will also come when you'll get tired of the phone. It's time you stopped avoiding the world, dwelling on what happened in your past and relate more with new people. Have fun." Natalie told her.

"I'm not sure. I'm scared more people would only just hate me." Ashley said shaking her head.

"I'm also scared you'd hate me too if you found out certain things about me." Ashley said that part more to herself but Natalie still heard her.

"You can't know that until you've told me." Natalie said and Ashley looked at her.

Natalie sighed.

"Apart from working here together we can always go have fun during the weekend but you never want to and you know what? From now on that is going to change. Fortunately it's Saturday tomorrow and since we'll still meet here, I'll wait till Sunday. Whether or not you like it we are hanging out through out the day."

Natalie didn't give her a chance to argue or refuse so Ashley just gave in. Natalie also knew about what her friend had passed through before they got to meet each other and become good friends. Even though she didn't know about the strange things happening to Ashley, she knew that the girl had really gone through a lot in the hands of people, especially when she was still at the orphanage home. Ashley also tried to be strong through those times and Natalie always admitted it that indeed her friend had really been strong. Another person might have committed suicide.

Of course Ashley had thought of killing herself a lot of times but she also didn't want to give the people that hated and despised her the satisfaction they wanted of seeing her dead. She also thought of her parents, she never knew them but she knew they won't want all this for her, she felt that wherever they were, they won't like to see her going through all the problems she was going through and most importantly she felt they won't want or like to see her give up so she was going to endure until someday hopefully a miracle happens and all this suffering ends and she gets to meet people that would love and cherish her.

It seemed she had started to meet them because she knew that Natalie was not just a friend but also a blessing to her. And if that miracle had started happening then why hold back when she asked for it? She was going to loosen up and start having fun as Natalie had said. Ashley had been too lonely to even think about anything like fun even when she became friends with Natalie. It took her till now to realize that she needed to loosen up, mix up and have fun.

It shouldn't be so hard. Though she was scared but there should be a few more people like Natalie out there who would or might love her as well.

When Ashley just sighed and nodded in agreement to what Natalie had said, Natalie put her hands on the girl's shoulders

"Hey," she called and made Ashley look at her "Maybe there are things I don't know about you yet but you're my best friend and as long as you're my best friend you're not going through anything alone okay? I'm here with you and whenever you feel ready you can let me know what's going on with you alright?" Natalie told her with sincerity in her eyes.

Ashley couldn't hold back the tears that flowed out from her eyes and Natalie hugged her.

"Thanks Natalie."

"Oh come on," Natalie chuckled "You don't have to thank me. What are best friends for?" She said again and Ashley smiled.

"Now, you wouldn't want customers to see you crying would you?"

Ashley laughed and quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

When they had closed for the day, they were also paid for the month. Both girls were really excited. This was always an exciting day for any worker so they had all rights to be excited.

Natalie took a cab home while Ashley walked home as usual. Natalie had always been worried everytime they parted ways ever since what happened to Ashley. And this night again she was worried.

Ashley walked home fast even though the streets were still busy. She was happy she got home safely. After she laid down to sleep, Ashley felt it again. Like someone was in her room watching her. Quickly, she got up and turned on the lights but she didn't see anyone even though she felt it. Slowly she turned off the lights and went to sleep curled up under the blankets.

What was she thinking? No one was ever there everytime she looked but she still felt it.

The next day at work, in the afternoon while she was serving a customer's food she saw somebody standing at one of the windows. It was a man. Who was he? And why would he be standing at the window looking into their shop? Was he a beggar? He didn't look like one.

The man's eyes widened when he saw her looking at him as if he realized that he had been caught spying but he didn't go away.

"Do you know him?" Ashley asked Natalie after she put the customer's food in a tray.

"Who?"

"The man by the window." Ashley answered and gestured towards the window where the man was standing. Natalie turned to look then she frowned.

"Uh.. there's nobody by the window."

"What do you mean there's nobody by the window? Can't you see the man there? He's putting on a black T-shirt and a black cap." She told Natalie and the lady just looked at the window and back at Ashley confused.

"Ashley I don't see anybody by the window." She said again "Are you sure of what you're saying?" Natalie raised a brow in question.

The man had a surprised look on his face then began walking away and Ashley kept looking at him before the customer who had ordered something shouted and she quickly went to serve him.

When she got back to the counter, Natalie looked at her.

"Are you sure you saw someone?"

"Yes and he just walked away." Ashley said. If Natalie didn't see him then that meant it was just her. Was that why the man seemed surprised? That she could see him?

Wow, she really did have a problem. But the man was a human being how come no one else saw him? If it were to be a spirit or a monster that only she saw she would still understand it. But if the man was surprised that she could see him then he probably wasn't ordinary.

"Ashley is this one of the things going on with you?" Natalie asked and Ashley turned to look at her.

Slowly she nodded "I guess. Very weird right?" She chuckled dryly "I sense a lot of strange things."

Natalie didn't say anything.

"Do you hate me?" Ashley asked surprising her friend.

"Babe! I don't hate you okay. Remember I told you whenever you are ready you can tell me what bothers you. You just did. You're my best friend remember and I don't hate you, that is not enough reason for me to hate you."

Ashley was relieved.

"You'll be fine I promise just take your time okay I'll be all ears whenever you're ready."

"Thanks babe."