I spoon my yoghurt into my mouth and look around Pinkberry. The place is actually quite crowded today. Ash appears on the seat across from me, and I look back at her, startled.

'Hello,' she greets me with her toothless grin. I kind of just stare at her.

'Where have you been?' I ask.

'Oh, I see. You're just pretending not to know about what I've done because you're secretly still mad at me for doing it. Well, I'm sorry,' she says. Her gaze is playful but serious.

'Sorry for what?' I honestly have no idea what she is talking about. Why won't she just say it?

'Fine. Be that way. But you know I can't say it aloud.' she concludes. She pauses before asking, 'So, what did I miss?'

'I moved into a new flat. Say... what should we do about the diner?' I reply.

'Umm, I know I'll probably still live there. Maybe shifts?'

'Shifts? How long of shifts?'

'Maybe morning and afternoon. 5am to 1pm and 1pm to 10pm?' she suggests.

'Sure. Which one do you want?'

'Probably afternoons. I can never wake up before 7,' she grins.

'Okay, I guess,' I say. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about seeing Ash again. I am curious about where she's been, and of course, I've missed her, but why won't she tell me where she was? And I am angry with her, but not for the reason she suspects. I'm mad at her for abandoning me without a notice. The Diner had been closed for days because of her disappearance! I simply couldn't run it myself. 'Where will you be staying?' I ask.

'Back at the diner again.' she answers. 'You?'

'221B Baker St.' I say. She's silent for a moment, as if she's trying to figure something out in her head, like that girl Molly did as well.

'So... Sherlock is dead, then.' she begins.

'Yeah, so?' I shrug.

'What do you think of it?' she asks nervously, as if I'm fragile and bringing up the topic will shatter me. I can't imagine why she would think that.

'I was there when it happened. I saw him jump. Afterwards I did some research on him. Turns out he was a detective.' I sigh. 'I met his friend at the crime scene. John Watson. Poor man, his friend committing suicide like that. I heard they were even in a relationship! Did you know?'

'Relationship? No--they weren't... You didn't know he was a detective? But I thought you and him...' she trails off. Her face is purely confused. 'Weren't you and him together?'

What? Has she gone insane? 'What are you talking about?! I've never met Sherlock in my life! Where have you been? A parallel dimension?!'

'No, you really--oh, wait, so now you're denying knowing Sherlock, too?! What happened to you while I was gone? Alright, fine. You go and be difficult. I'm not dealing with this right now. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.' she says, heated, and gets up.

I watch her as she leaves. I didn't mean to make her angry. Honest to God, I did not know Sherlock at all! And nothing happened to me while she was gone! At least... I don't remember anything happening. As well, I didn't mean to go off on her. That whole "parallel dimension" stuff was uncalled for; I'm regretting that.

After I get up and leave Pinkberry, I call on a cab to take me back to 221B. On the way back, I ask for the cabbie to take a detour. We drive by the Diner and I spot a new sign in the corner of the door's window. It reads, OPEN. I sigh, and a ghost of a smile plays on my lips as the cabbie drives on.

~~~~~

I opened up my account yesterday and I had 52 notifications. Seriously guys. 52! And most of them were all thanks to AmandaDream! Thank you--this chapter is dedicated to you! 

~Sofi xo

WC: 631

Edited 4.1.19