// Chapter twelve //

Ashton didn't know how to react to situations like this. He didn't know how to help a friend deal with their grief, so he turned to the only person he felt could truly help; Alicia. Her advice was just for him to be there. She had told him, her words still fresh in his mind, "she is grieving her brother's death, Ash. Okay, you weren't around for when he died and you may be five years late but don't let that discourage you. It's grief and it's not a phase. She won't get over it. All you can do is be there and win her trust back. You got this." The advice had seemed more sincere coming from her. From anyone else, it would have seemed like every other thing someone would have said but Alicia made it sound original.

So due to this when he saw Serabi at school the next day, he summoned up the courage he's hidden for five years and walked up to her.

"Hey Serabi." He gleefully said.

"Don't come into my life after five years and play best friend's card. I don't need the pity, Ashton." She said and picked up her pace.

Ashton understood she was grieving and what not but it still hurts being rejected.

He waited in the cafeteria for her to come but she didn't. He knew she didn't eat lunch in cafeteria, he'd never once seen her there but he just held on to that little piece of hope still that she will come. The bell rang and she hadn't shown up. Ashton sighed, picked up his bag and threw his tray away before walking to his next period.

"Give her time, Ash." Alicia laughed over the phone when Ashton told her what happened.

"It sucks, Alicia. It really sucks. She's acting like our past together didn't exist." Ashton ran his hand through his silk hair.

"Do you blame her?" Alicia said. "You left for five years and didn't talk to her, it's not your fault and I get that, I do, but does she? To her, you abandoned her, you left her for five years and both of you went out, she told you about her brother and you talked to her, it all looks like pity to her and that's the last thing she wants or needs."

"So what do I do?"

"Don't pity her. Be there for her. Look, Ash, I gotta go. Tell me how it went later." Alicia cut the call. He still wasn't sure what to do. How could he be there for her? What did it mean to be there? And how can he be there if she doesn't let him in.

He had no clue what to do but he knew he had to get his best friend back.

He picked up his computer and opened a social media. He doubted she will be on any social media given her current situation but he thought it couldn't hurt to try. He looked her up and she still had her old account but it hasn't been updated for years. It was something at least, Ashton thought.

He requested for a friend request after changing his name to something far different from his usual names so as she wouldn't know it was him.

He was both surprised and happy when she accepted the request.

There you have it!!! So, I hope to see you guys soon.. lots of love