T H I R T E E N

ARABELLA.

"You're ready? " Ashley asks as I stride into the living room and I hum, moving around the couch to give Winnie a peck with a pull of her cheek, to which she smiles before I straighten up.

"I don't hear Dex's car. " Ashley says when our eyes meet and I nod. "He isn't here to pick me up. "

"Why? Is he alright?" She questions and I move away from her view. "He should be. "

Ashley turns her head to me, the all too familiar questioning look on her face. "Do you want to explain?"

"We're sort of not speaking at the moment. " I tell her and she lifts her brows, "And what's the reason for that? Best friend's fight?"

"We had a disagreement over my choices. " I explain and she smiles. "That sounds like something that always happens. "

"He wants me to stay away. " I reveal and she leans over the couch. "And are you going to do that?"

"I don't want to, but what alternatives do I have if he doesn't want to speak to me? " I raise my shoulder and Ashley holds out her hands to me.