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The long night of revelations and new uncertainties stretched on ahead. But this time, I did not face it alone.
I awoke the next morning feeling bone weary, as if I hadn't slept at all. Dawn's rosy light was just starting to creep in through the blinds as I blinked gritty eyes and tried to get my bearings.
For a disoriented moment, I didn't know where I was. Then it all came flooding back - the violence at home, Enzo rushing me away, finding sanctuary with Ashley.
I sat up slowly on the inflatable mattress Ashley had graciously given me for the night. My troubled spirit may have found temporary refuge here, but my mind was still churning with fear and uncertainty over the unfolding situation with Leonardo and my family.
I kept replaying those panicked moments over and over - Enzo urging me to run, the screech of tires peeling out of the driveway, my unanswered desperate calls to Leonardo. What fresh hell had my reckless forbidden love ignited?
The not knowing was agony. I needed answers before my overactive imagination spiraled into the darkest scenarios. Most of all, I needed to hear Leonardo's voice again and know he was safe.
As if summoned by my troubled thoughts, Ashley stirred nearby and rolled over to face me with a sympathetic smile.
"Rough night, huh?" she said sympathetically.
I raked a hand through my tangled hair. "That's putting it mildly. I feel like I didn't sleep at all."
"No wonder, after the crazy stuff that went down," Ashley said through a yawn, sitting up and stretching. "Do you at least feel a little better than last night?"
I considered the question. While my frantic desperation of a few hours ago had faded, the knot in my stomach remained. The not knowing was eating away at me.
"Honestly? I don't think I'll feel fully okay again until I get some answers," I confessed. Anxious frustration simmered just under the surface. I needed to be doing something, not just waiting around helplessly.
Ashley nodded thoughtfully. "No kidding. I can't even imagine how stressful this all must be for you."
She stood up and pulled me into a hug. "But we're going to figure this out, okay? I told you I've got your back."
I returned her embrace, emotions swelling in my chest. However catastrophic things felt, at least I didn't have to face any of it alone like usual.
"Thank you," I whispered. "For everything. You have no idea how much that means to me right now."
Ashley gave me one more fierce squeeze before stepping back, blinking rapidly. "Of course, hun. You don't have to go through tough stuff by yourself anymore."
She took a deep breath, composing herself and then grinning brightly. "But enough sitting around moping. Let's go whip up some breakfast first!"
Before I could protest that food was the furthest thing from my mind right now, Ashley had taken my hand and was gently tugging me towards the stairs.
"Come on, time to get out of our heads for a bit," she cajoled. "Nothing cures anxiety like waffles, am I right?"
I had to smile reluctantly at her insistence despite my troubled heart. Ashley's cheerful resilience was infectious. And maybe she had a point - I needed to be fully fueled for whatever lay ahead.
Down in the cozy kitchen, Ashley handed me a frilly apron emblazoned with 'Kiss the Cook' in cursive. I couldn't help but laugh a little slipping it on over my pajamas.
Soon we were dancing around to pop songs on her retro radio, gathering ingredients and mixing up batter. Under Ashley'splayful direction, I found myself laughing more in those moments than I had in weeks. For a little while, I could pretend everything was light and breezy, that life was just sleepovers with my best friend.
As we waited for the waffles, Ashley caught me off guard with a sudden fierce hug. "I've missed this, you know. Having fun, being silly together," she said softly.
My chest constricted with emotion. I hadn't realized how heavily my family burdens had impacted my friendship until this moment.
"Me too," I whispered thickly.
It was far too easy to let my web of responsibilities and secrecy isolate me. But being here with Ashley, reminded me that a life outside of obligation and danger still existed. And that choosing time for joy with loved ones was never wasted.
When we finally sat down to eat, Ashley kept the conversation upbeat, chattering about school gossip and plans for the ski trip coming up. I knew she was trying to distract me from anxious thoughts, and I was endlessly grateful. The temporary bubbly escape did help settle my nerves.
But as we finished eating, Ashley's expression shifted to something more serious. She set down her fork and met my eyes.
"As fun as this morning has been, I know you're still worrying about figuring this whole messy situation out," she prompted gently.
