Rays of sunlight streamed through the glass balcony doors, where only hours ago a raging storm played out behind them. Ashlin’s opened her eyes, momentarily dazzled by the unexpected light. She groggily sat up while pushing the blanket off of her, rubbing crick in her neck the couch had left. The spacious living room was warm from the sunlight that had been absent when she arrived yesterday.

The complete turnaround was slightly jarring to her. She brushed her fingers through her hair as she reached over for her phone. She had a single text message from her father asking if everything was alright, she only spared a moment to send him a brief reply.

Tossing the phone on the couch she padded softly into the kitchen, noting the microwave clock reading just after seven. She had risen rather early for the time that she had finally fallen asleep. She had watched the storm for another ten or so minutes before she her eyelids were too heavy to hold up. But she had also felt strange, like eyes were on her.

She heard soft commotion from somewhere in the back of the apartment. Someone else was being an early bird with her. As she walked around the huge kitchen, the expensive nature of the apartment wasn’t lost on her. The siblings lived in an upscale part of Seattle and that didn’t surprise her one bit. They had two of the most renowned surgeons in the country for parents, a little bit of spoilage was to be expected and Ashlin had gotten used to it. Rebecca never bragged about how rich her parents, but Ashlin could tell that she knew that she never really had to want for anything.

Ashlin’s own parents were well off as well, especially her father. He was a highly skilled architect who pulled in six figures a year and her mother was a surgical nurse. They were paying for her college, but she had a job so that she could have money to spend if need be. Ashlin hated the idea of them sinking thousands of their hard-earned money just so that she could spend semesters painting and sketching. It was only at their insistence that she enrolled at all, understanding their reasons all too well.

Ashlin began rummaging through the cabinets, looking for something to sustain her until Rebecca woke up. Though she had said something about a café across the street but, Ashlin had no idea when Rebecca would actually get out of bed. So she had to at least find something small so she didn’t starve. Pulling a crumpled bag of coffee from behind a half empty jar of peanut butter, Ashlin cast about for the actual maker only to come up empty.

“They would have coffee but no coffee maker.” She muttered as she put the coffee back on the shelf.

“Actually, we do have one.” Ashlin started at the soft reply and whirled around to find Richard leaning against the wall, watching her rummage through the cabinets with a shadow of an amused smile on his lips.

“Dammit, you scared me.” Ashlin gasped with a shaky laugh. He smiled apologetically. “Um, yeah, I couldn’t find it…” She trailed off as she watched Richard walk over to the pantry, reached up to the top shelf and pull down a small coffee machine. He turned and showed it to her with a small smile. She flushed slightly with embarrassment.

“See? Practically right in front you.” Richard replied as he took the bag from her hand. “Rebecca’s actually conscious and getting ready. You probably should do the same, unless you want her waiting on you.”

“Ha…yeah, I know how she gets. Ready for what, though?” He came much too close to her as he reached past. She could smell the clean fragrance of his body wash he was so close.

“Becca’s taking you to breakfast, I think. Surprised she could even drag herself out of bed.” He replied with a smile.

Ashlin chuckled again and thanked him, before heading back into the living room to her suitcase. She could feel Richard’s eyes watching on her, but she didn’t let it bother her too much. His stare didn’t feel as invasive as before but, it still made her slightly uncomfortable.

Sitting back on the couch in the living room, Ashlin dragged the suitcase toward her with a huff and began sifting through the contents until she found her outfit. Picking her bathroom necessities out of the now disheveled luggage, Ashlin headed to the guest bathroom. Locking the door behind her, Ashlin placed her stuff on the counter before switching the shower on. In moments the steam was swirling around the ceiling.

She tested the water with a hand and was glad she did. Ashlin gasped and jerked her hand back; the water was scorching hot. She tentatively moved the shower head to where it was facing the wall and moved the dial more to cold.

Ah, the dreaded fire shower, we meet again, Ashlin thought as she waved her scalded fingers.

Ashlin recalled she had the same problem back in her bathroom in Chicago, when she and her mother had relocated to their new apartment downtown. Ashlin had foolhardily jumped into the shower without testing the water. It was if she had been set on fire. She remembered her mother resisting the urge to break into laughter at the sight of her sitting on the bathroom floor with angry red splotches all over her fair skin. She smiled a little as she tested the water once more and, finding it cool enough, stepped into the shower after undressing. She wondered idly as she washed her hair what exactly Rebecca had in mind for her stay here.

I’m not going to any wild parties, Ashlin vowed to herself as she worked the shampoo into her scalp, or to any crazy clubs. After the all that she had been through since she had last seen her best friend, after all that had happened…she needed this to be a peaceful, recuperative getaway. Her mother had understood that, had even relented to her wanting to go in the middle of the semester.

It seemed to be working, Ashlin felt at ease, more than she had in long time. There was something about being here, somehow the distance made all the problems Ashlin left in back in Chicago so insignificant now. But there was more to it than just that, it felt for the first time she was truly awake. Ashlin felt as if she could finally cast away the nightmare of the past couple of years.

Ashlin felt more like her old self. She didn’t know why and she didn’t want to question it. She didn’t know how fast it would be to leave, so she would take what peace she could. She cut off the shower and stepped out into the steamy bathroom. After wrapping a towel around her, Ashlin wiped the condensation from the mirror, smiling slightly at what she saw. It was good to see her eyes bright again, her smile simple and easy after being forced for so long. It was so good to see that girl now, after thinking that she would never live again. Ashlin’s smile widened as she spared herself one last long look before moving on to get ready.

Ashlin was just finishing her makeup when a sharp knock made her jump.

“Hey, you done in there yet?” Rebecca’s muffled voice came through the door. Ashlin cast one last look at her appearance. Her hair fell down her shoulders and disappeared to fall to the middle of her back. She was lucky she had her mother’s hair, after brushing it out she didn’t have to really do anything else with it. She had a little make-up on, not really enough that people would overly notice. To answer her question, Ashlin opened the door with her things cradled in her arms.

“Oh, well, don’t we look pretty.” Rebecca commented as she followed Ashlin back to her suitcase.

Ashlin smiled back at her friend as she threw on her coat, “Eh, I basically wake up like this.”

“Then I guess that hour spent in the bathroom was all touch up?”

“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Ms. Harper.” Ashlin chided playfully as she wrapped a grey scarf around her neck.

Rebecca merely laughed, “Well, if you’re finally ready, Ms. McGuiness, shall we go?”

“We shall.”

The sunlight was blinding but the air was still frigid as they made their way across the busy street, the frail vapor of Ashlin’s breath barely visible as she walked behind Rebecca. She glanced up at the tall building as Rebecca led her to a small coffee shop that was built into the side of the hotel. The enticing bittersweet aroma of coffee and fresh baked goods swirled around as an older man pushed past them through the door, nearly knocking Rebecca over.

“Yeah thanks, I’m not walking here or anything!” Rebecca angrily called after him as Ashlin shook her head, an amused smile on her face. “Asshole…you see that guy?”

“Yep, certifiable asshole.” Ashlin caught and held the door, slipping in after Rebecca, who was still grumbling. As she walked in behind Rebecca, Ashlin looking around at cramped, yet cozy café. The lighting was low but the light streaming in from the windows more than made up for it. The shop was painted in subdued earth tones with tasteful paintings in the narrow spaces between windows. Small booths lined the walls while high tables with stools were scattered between them. Soothing acoustic guitar drifted through the speakers mounted on the wall.

Not bad, Becca’s definitely refined her taste a bit, Ashlin thought approvingly as she glanced up at the menu over the bar.

Counting themselves, there were only four people in the shop, a man who seemed to be reading in one of the corner booths and an older woman sipping on some coffee, her eyes glued to her phone. Ashlin had glanced over them, not really paying attention to details, before turning to order a small black coffee and a blueberry bagel. Rebecca ordered her coffee, and then paid without giving Ashlin a chance to offer money for her half. Rebecca just smiled and said not to worry about it when Ashlin shot her a look of exasperation.

“You are on vacation; you shouldn’t have to pay for anything.” She merely said as she led the way to one of the high tables near the front of the cafe.

“I’ve saved up for this trip, Becca. You don’t have to do that…” Ashlin replied as she sat down opposite Rebecca, only to sigh in defeat when Rebecca simply waved her hand, dismissing Ashlin’s protests.

“This place reminds me of that little café by my old apartment…you remember that place?” Ashlin asked as she sat down opposite Rebecca at one of the tables.

“Yeah, we used to go there to study. The owner used to give us free coffee because you drew her a portrait of her daughter…wouldn’t be surprised if she still had it hung up there.” Rebecca mused as she stirred her coffee. Without taking her eyes from the her cup, she asked, “So, how are you? I haven’t seen you since graduation…I mean we’ve video chatted at least twice a week since, but it isn’t the same.”

Ashlin’s throat tightened, “I’ve been…I’m better than I was.” Rebecca looked up. “But you’re right…it isn’t the same. You left me…right when I needed you the most.” Her words were inflectionless, it was a mere statement. Were there had once been anger and resentment, only hollowness remained. It was that hollowness that filled her eyes now as she looked up at her friend. She had grown used to the abandonment so she wasn’t angry, not even when the guilt washed over Rebecca’s face.

“Ash…” Rebecca sighed heavily as she looked away. “I couldn’t. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stay there in that house. Not after that.”

Ashlin nodded, trying reassure her with a small smile, “I know. I know and I understand. I might’ve done the same. I’m not mad at you, Becca…not anymore.”

“I should’ve stayed.” Rebecca murmured as she wrapped both hands around her cup.

“No…I’m glad you didn’t…I’m glad you didn’t have to see me like that.” Ashlin smiled sadly before taking sip of her still scalding coffee. “I’m just glad that I get to be here now.”

“Me too.”