Ashley's POV:

At last, I reached my destination after a long six-hour drive. I can't hold the excitement in my heart as I look at the house from the window of my Audi.

A breath of fresh air caress my face as soon as I step out of my car. I always love the fresh air here in Aspen where my best friend Trixie live.

She became my best buddy and more like a sister to me whom I trusted my life. Funny to say but we met unexpectedly here in this place that drag us together three long years ago.

***flashback***

''Hey, Miss! What are you doing here?'' I heard the voice of a woman that drag me back to my reverie.

I can feel the cold air in my skin since I'm just in my black sleeveless blouse and denim shorts paired with my white sketchers running shoes.

But I didn't respond to her call nor turn to face her. I know she's probably wondering why I'm here, alone. I don't give a damn of what she'll think coz I don't even know her.

I realize I'm not even familiar of this place. I just took the bus aiming to go away from Fort Collins. Far enough to pick up my shattered self after everything that I witnessed in that place. Confused of where to go and what to do, I took off the bus in the middle of the road and started to wander until I found myself in the woods. For what? Maybe to think. . . to ponder on the fast happenings in my life.

But now, I don't know exactly what I am doing in this place, near the cliff at the end of the woods.

''Miss, I don't know what you're up to. I mean. . . I don't know you exactly. Don't tell me. . . Oh my! If you're planning to jump off that cliff you better think twice.''

I can hear her starting a conversation with me while trying to sound as calm as she can. I know she's just trying to destruct me from whatever plans I have in mind.

''Whatever your problem is, jumping off that cliff is not the solution. It's not the end of the world yet.'' she continues as if it will help but I doubt if it will.

But I feel agitated. She doesn't know what I've been through. She's talking to me as if she knows everything.

''You don't know what I feel so don't talk as if you know me. As if you know everything because you don't,'' I muttered to her. I felt angry, hurt, disappointed, down and cheated.

''Okay! I'm sorry for my rudeness. Sorry for intruding in your privacy here, but if you already made up your mind, then you better tell me how can I possibly contact your family to tell them that you end your life here.''

Ending my life? I was stunned when those words hit me. Am I really gonna do this with myself? Am I that selfish and merciless to end my own life that will surely bring agony to my family especially my parents? Am I that kind of person? I'm getting confused.

I never fail to feel the love of my parents for me and my siblings. They're the best parents anyone could ever ask for. And I am here, Ashley Greene, 19 years living in this world suddenly wanted to end my life in a place that I haven't been into.

"That's the least I could do for you to have a proper burial because if not... well,  you'll just be eaten by wild animals down there and you'll be gone like you never existed at all. What do you think?" her words make me travel back to my senses again.

I heard her right?  Wild animals? Of course,  what should I expect? My heart was beating fast like dozens of horses running wild while thinking of what she's saying.

I can hear her slowly taking a few steps towards me aiming that I won't hear her coming closer to where I am standing.

Then she stop when I slowly move to face her. She was struck when she saw me in tears. The tears that I was trying to hold back, slowly run down my cheeks.

I can see pity in the woman's eyes. Pity for me, of course!

Damn! Why pity me? Am I that hopeless?

Then she walks towards me and quickly grab me away from the cliff. I was surprised but I run out of strength to fight her. She was thinking that I am really in trouble that I decided to end my life.

"Are you alright? Anything I can be of help to you?" she asked when we're far enough from the edge of the cliff.

I burst out to cry as I found an ally with all my agony. She hugged me tightly and tap my back at least to ease the pain I felt and to let me know that she is a friend. I pour all the tears I was holding back on her shoulders. I felt really exhausted when I felt her arms around me. She just hold me and comfort me in her arms.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble here. I am not thinking right and I'm so sorry." I admitted. I felt better after that outburst. She was surprised that I talk.

"It's okay, Miss. I should say sorry too for being rude to you,  for dragging you here. I just wanna be sure that you're safe." she asked for apology which she shouldn't.  She helped me and saved me from my foolish decisions.

"It's okay, at least you just tried to make me realize that I am making the wrong decision. Thank you miss. . .?" I asked here. I stared at her and she's pretty in her simple ways. She's just my age if I'm not mistaken.

"Trixie. I'm Trixie Corbett! I live down the hill. How about you?  What's your name?"

"I'm Ashley Greene. I was taking a bus from Fort Collins.  I just passed by this place and decided to stop to breathe some air. I didn't know I'd come this far. I'm really sorry."

Sucks!  I remember what happen again and felt the pain  in my heart.

"You're blessed with that beautiful face and obviously you came from a well-off family but why do you wanna do that?" she's curious and I can see in her eyes that she won't stop until I told her why.

"You seems smart but it didn't show a while ago." she continued. "I'm sorry for saying that but whatever your problem is, there's a solution to that. Whatever heartaches you felt, it will ease in time. Suicide is not the solution." Trixie said wanting me to realize my foolish decisions.

"I know that now. Thank you for saving me. I owe you my life Trixie."

"It's okay. I hope it won't happen again, Ashley. Life is very precious. You should be spending your life to the fullest and spend it with your family rather than waste it." she's doing a lecture now. I can see the maturity in her words and she really cares.

I remember my eldest sister Akiesha who use to lecture me at times I've done some mistakes which mom seldom does. Mom always had her ways of comforting us after and making us feel that it's normal to make mistakes but we should learn from it.

"I owe my mom a million apology for being an idiot. . ." but I was not able to finish what I want to say when it suddenly rain.

I feel the raindrops on my face and it lightens my feeling. I spread my arms in the air and look up the sky savoring every drop on my skin. I smiled at Trixie who smiled back at me. I can see her playful grin and her eyes telling me everything will be fine.

Right at that moment, I know that she will become one of the important people in my life.

The place is called Hillstown,  a small town in Aspen. I can see the agricultural lands spreading like blankets. Different kinds of crops were planted and there are domesticated animals too. A small town with a very simple life.

We play in the rain like kids enjoying every raindrop, the green meadows and the fresh air. I felt like we were long time friends who starved for each other's company for a long time. We were not able to notice the time until it was almost dark already.

Trixie decided to take me to their house down the hill. I was able to meet Trixie's mother who was preparing dinner when we arrived in their house. Her mother is very sweet, caring and loving. I remember my mom back home and I felt a strike of guilt because of my stupidity. I felt loved with Trixie's mother. Her ways of attending to is during dinner until we were set off to bed.

Her room was small but very clean. She offered me a pair of pajamas and a newly bought undergarments. She's really kind like her mother.

I spend the whole night talking to Trixie about my life and my heartbreak which made me decide to do that crazy decision a while ago. I felt better as I tell my story to my new found friend. That started our new friendship. A strong friendship that lasted until now despite our distance.

***end of flashback***

"Hey, cheesenut! I miss you." those words brought me back to my reverie and I saw my best friend Trixie smiling at me.

"I missed you too coconut!" I was grinning as I hug Trixie tightly that she almost choke.

"You wanna kill me, huh? Trixie said jokingly while holding her chest. I examine her at arm length and realized how much I miss this woman.

I let out a laugh and said "Of course not! I just missed you so so so much and I missed Nana too." I said referring to her mom. I missed Nana's cooking and I'm starving.

'Then let's get inside. Mom is waiting for you. She's excited to see you. She kept on talking about you last night over dinner that I almost got jealous, dearie." she joked.

"Oh, I missed her too. Come on let's get inside." and we held hands while walking towards their house.

At last! I'm on my second home again.

It's good to be home!