I tell my friends and quickly stand and toss the remainder of my food.
On the way to the observatory I practice out loud over and over again what I'll say to her. But to my surprise, when I get to the observatory, Ashley's not here. I check the balcony and behind the stage, but nothing. I sit in the dark for a little while, just in case she comes, but my watch beeps letting me know that I'm late for P.E., so I quickly make my way to the rugby field. After all, I already promised myself that today I'd make it to all of my classes...for a change.
P.E. is intense. We are running a lot and are doing some stupid relay thingy at the end. And of course Ashley is AWOL.
Gage: "A lot happened in Ohio, Spence, maybe she just needs some time." She explains to me as she takes a long pull of the cigarette dangling from her mouth. We are currently running laps around the track; Gage and I are in dead last as we talk about Ashley.
Spencer: "I know I just wish she'd talk to me." I say through ragged breaths. "Having a knife to the throat..."
Gage: "No, no. That's not what has her upset." She tells me evenly. Like seriously, we just hit the second mile mark and she's smoking, how is she not dying?!
Spencer: "What do you mean?" I gasp out as I wipe away some sweat on my forehead.
Gage: "If I know Ashley, she's more concerned about you, not herself."
Spencer: "Me? But I'm fine. And if she is so concerned than why isn't she talking to me?" Gage just shrugs and pulls on her cigarette again. "Fantastic." I grumble miserably.
Mr. Riley: "Erikson, pick it up!" I hear the P.E. teacher yell at Gage.
Gage: "Shit. Okay, Carlin, you're on your own." She tells me as she flicks her cigarette. And she's off. I slow to a walk as I watch her pass everyone else. I stop and place my arms on my head as I take in what Gage said. I think about how Ashley was in Ohio, her words to me in the hotel room about how'd she do anything for me. How behind her words I saw and heard something else. Something I didn't want to think about at the time. Something that worried me then and scares me now.
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