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After getting my things out of storage, I settle into my new apartment. Remi stops by and helps me unload my truck, and we grab a pizza after.
I also stop by Tyler and Chloe’s for a visit and I try to have fun at a beach party, a big bash to celebrate the start of winter break, but it just doesn’t feel right. I don’t stay long.
I’m grateful for the Monday after, when I have my first shift back at work. I throw myself into my job, and pick up every available shift they’ll let me.
The holidays pass quietly and I don’t even stay awake to ring the new year in. Why bother?
I work, eat, sleep, and repeat. The same pattern every day.
And when classes start up again come late January, I think I finally might be so busy, I won’t have time to even think about being sad. But what a fool I was.
Because not only did sadness follow me around everywhere, it made sure to let me know it was still there.
One day in early February, I’m walking through the campus square when I hear someone call my name.
“Hey Asher.”
I turn around to find Sienna standing behind me. One of the last people I expected to see. Especially here of all places, where she’s no longer a student.
“Hey.” She looks different with her hair cut shorter and her fancy clothes. I almost didn’t recognize her.
“How are you doing?”
“Not great. But it is what it is.”
“It hasn’t been easy, that's for sure.”
Awkwardness grows between us and when she doesn’t say anything more, I wonder why she even approached me in the first place. “Well, I gotta get to my next class. See you around.” I turn to go when she calls for me again.
“Wait Asher. I wanted to tell you I’m sorry for the way I acted when I was with Mason. There was just a lot of shit going on in my head and I regret a lot of my actions. I know my apology isn’t worth much, but I wanted you to know.”
Her words take me by surprise. She definitely is no longer the Sienna I remember.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Mason may have broke up with me that night, but I still love him and a part of me probably always will. He saw the good in me when a lot of people didn’t.” Sienna blinks and looks away.
“He was pretty awesome like that, huh?” I smile and she returns it, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
“He was. I work in the administration office so come by and say hi sometime. See you around, Asher.”
“See you.” As I watch her walk away, I think about how much one incident in your life can completely change you as a person.
Mason’s death affected so many of us because that’s how much effect he had on others.
As his best friend, I will make sure his memory lives on.
Because everyone should have a Mason in their life.
Even if only for a little while.
ChapterSixteen
Madison
It’s the worst fucking Christmas of my life.
