After running her mouth to Student Services, cradling her stomach and looking miserable, she was finally allowed to leave for the day. The walk to the parking lot wasn’t rushed, she took her time strolling leisurely down the walkway enjoying the now cloudy afternoon, procrastinating. Her destination was home and the impulse to run to her car and speed down the busy streets wasn’t there.

It was never there when she had to go home to Christine.

The Porsche came into view, Raife Davie’s second child. He loved the car, his brown eyes always twinkling with joy at the sight. It must have been contagious because at the time, Ashley felt the same way about the expensive Porsche. Especially when they rode in it together, feeling the sun on their skin and the wind in their hair. Ashley laughing at her father and the outrageous things that spilled from his lips, the skin around them always painted with dark stubble.

‘I love ya, Angel.’ He’d say picking her up off the floor and hugging her to him, his dark sunglasses coming closer as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

‘Nooooo.” She’d whine turning away from him. ‘Not til you shave.’

The feel of his short prickly facial hair against her skin always bothered her. She hated it banning him from kissing her whenever it was present on his face. Now, she regretted turning him down, wanting her father’s affection now more than ever. How stupid she felt thinking he’d be in her life forever. Staring at Raife’s car, fighting back tears, she wanted to go back in time and allow her father to kiss her no matter what was on his face. She still missed him, every day was the same, and time didn’t heal shit.

Reaching the car, her fingers paused at the door handle. She wasn’t ready to leave. Her eyes were still stinging from her thoughts. And then there was Christine. She’d be surprised to see her home early from school. She hated when she faked an illness to leave. Hated the fact that she was nothing like her when she was in high school. A cheerleader with a thousand friends, good grades, cute boyfriend and gushing teachers.