4. The call

"Hello?", he asked.

"Hey …". First I hesitated, but then I asked the redhair, ,,Did you just cry?"

The other side of the phone stayed silent.

For the first time my redhaired little friend stayed this silent and I got nervous.

"Gab ..."

"Don't worry Ash, nothing's wrong. ... You wanted to talk?"

After hearing his sad try of an excuse and his voice cracking, I was really undecided between bawling my eyes out because Gab sounded horrible or being the cold asshole and pretend I hadn't noticed.

"Can we meet up in 10 Minutes? Do you know the playground near our school?" I didn't know if it was the right decision, but it was everything I could do in this situation.

Finally he gave me a quiet ,,Ok." and I have to admit that I hurried to cancel the call and to get to this playground.

Damn me and my weak heart.

When I arrived, Gab already sat on one of the swings.

Honestly I was a bit scared to approach him in this situation, because I didn't know what I should expect.

"Hey Gabriel ..."

When I saw his smile, he showed me as an answer to my greetings, to cover up his pain, my heart hurt.

It was late in the evening and pretty dark outside, but even then I could clearly see his black eye.

"Ash, are you ok?"

That question threw me so much out of the train, that I couldn't think of a response.

" ... You're asking ME that? ... Aren't you going to tell me something?"

"Like what?" Gab asked and tried to avoid my gaze.

"Like why you cried on the phone or why you have a black eye. To be honest I don't know how to react. But you don't cry or get a black eye because your happy or doing well."

A long silence follows where the redhair stares into the sand in front of our feed.

"I don't really fit in at school. That's why I'm relieved to have you to talk to."

"Everyone sometimes feels like they don't fit in.", is what I answer after a moment of silence.

"You know, the people at school don't like me. Teenager can be quite mean ..."

"I know what you mean. For me, crushes can be really hard."

"So you and Austin DID fight?" Gab burst out.

 Now it was my turn to look down.

"I-is that weird? That I have a crush on ..."

"What? Why should it be? And why crush? Aren't you two together?" The little one looks at me as if i was an alien from out of space.

As a reply I shake my head.

"No, we're not. You know, I lived in an orphanage in Miami Beach, because my parents were murdered 13 years ago. My grandma couldn´t take me in because she was old and frail, and I didn´t have any other relatives. Luckily, against all odds, the family Wilston took me in, a problematic teenager. … Vanessa, my new mom told me today, that my grandmother wants to stay in contact with me … I don´t know yet."

Gab listened to me and nodded.

"Do you want to stay over at my place today? I guess, you don't want to go home and worry your parents." I offered.

"That would be great actually. Thanks man."

Later that evening Gab and I were cuddled up in our blankets on my bed.

After long talks and a few cries from Gab, he fell asleep. When the little guy was sleeping you could see that he was more relaxed than before.

Seeing him sleep so peacefully I got a bit jealous, because I couldn't think of falling asleep that night with everything going on.

My phone was flashing and drawing my attention away from my thoughts.

Austin:

-        Hey, are you ok?

        You didn't answer my last message and I'm really sorry about today. I just wanted to ask if we could talk tomorrow, because I would like to clear the air between us if your ok with that.

         I really like you and if I didn't hurt you too much I would be happy to stay friends.

         Love, Austin.

After reading his message I turned off the phone, staring at the ceiling and wondering about what to do.

Would it make any sense to talk tomorrow if I'm gone after that anyway? Wouldn't it make thinks even worse? Should I make him hate me, so it would make parting easier? Or should I talk it out with him and then leave with no regrets?

Too many questions with no answers.

When we woke up the next morning I couldn't remember what time I fell asleep.

My gaze drifted over to the redhair in my bed, he looked back at me, both bleary-eyed and stared at each other.

"You ready for school?" I asked and yawned.

"Well, I'm ready as much as you are." He answered me with a yawn. 

It felt good to have someone to accompany you at school and for once not to be alone.

At this evening I convinced myself to take the phone and call my grandmother.I

t ringed once. It ringed twice. Three times.

I counted the rings with deep breaths and tried to keep my nerves.

“Hello, Daniella Quinton speaking?“, the phone was finally answered.

“Grandma Nona, it´s me, Ashley.“

“Ash, my darling! How are you, baby?“ Her voice was rough like sandpaper, but left a feeling like honey and made me a bit teary eyed.

“Nona, I missed you! … Are you ok?“

“Sweety, I´m so sorry I can´t take care of you, hopefully the family you´re with is treating you well. I will always love you and I miss you.“

“Nona, you wanted to talk to me about something, Mom told me.“

,,Yes. Vanessa is such a nice woman. … I wanted to tell you … Do you remember the day your parents died?“

“Yes, why do you ask?“

“That day your parents, my son and daughter in law weren´t only murdered by The Honey Budgers … you were a witness of that day. And I´m afraid that the gang found out, that you were there and saw them.“