// Chapter ten //

Ashton knew he had to go and see Serabi. He knew she was different, he just didn't know what had changed or why. She was usually bubbly and smiling, now he couldn't remember the last time he saw a smile on her face.

He went over his decision reminding himself that he was not making a mistake, so he knocked thrice rapidly on her door. He knocked again when no one answered and this time Cree answered.

"No shit!" Cree's jaw dropped open. He must have thought he was a ghost or something. "Ashton Wave. Wasn't it five years ago I saw your ass." Cree had said more to himself than to Ashton.

"I know. Is Serabi around?" Ashton asked cutting the formalities short.

"Yes. She's in her room." Cree said and pointed behind him.

"Can I see her?" He asked.

"I'm not so sure she's in the seeing someone mood." Cree said highly skeptical.

"Please." Ashton did not only plead with his words but eyes as well.

Cree sighed, "if she screams, you are outta here." He moved aside for him. Ashton smiled at how their home had remained the same over the years, not that he expected it to change. He smiled to himself reminiscing about their memories they've made her.

"You still recall your way around, yes?" Cree pulled him out of whatever trance he was in.

"Yes." He nodded and walked up the stairs.

He tried pushing the door open but it was locked. He tried a couple more times like the door would sense he wanted to come in and magically unlock itself.

"Go away, Cree." He heard her soft voice.

"Serabi. Open up it's not Cree." He said, knocking softly. When he didn't hear anything back from her he said, "Serabi, please open up. It's Ashton." Whether it was the please in his voice or the desperation that sat at the edge of his tongue, whatever it was, he thanked his lucky stars that she opened. She was standing in front of him with her black curly hair falling over her shoulders and dressed in a top and knee length shorts.
She walked back inside leaving the door open as an invitation for Ashton to come in, he gladly took it and walked in closing the door behind him.

"Can we talk?" He sat on the edge of the bed beside her, shoulders barely apart.

"About what?" Her sweet melodramatic voice didn't sound the same as before. Now it sounded like it was forced in a way.

"Let's go out to somewhere and we'll talk." He knew his chances of her answering or agreeing were slim but he suggested it anyways. Shock and happiness filled him when she said, "let me grab my jacket."

It started to feel like the old Serabi was back but he knew it wasn't that easy.
People don't just come back brand new after facing whatever trauma. If only he knew her trauma so he could help.

Sorry guys but I can't do more than one update this Saturday, I'm extremely tired and it's late here but just have to update. Thank you all for staying with me through all this, and for supporting me, I reached over a hundred!!!! I'm so happy and grateful!!!

And I just entered the Aurora awards, wish me luck!!

In case we don't speak again during this week, have a safe splendid week! Love you all!!