Author's Note : I'm not sure I found the right lyrics needed for the chapter...hopefully the lyrics will work alright.
The tall blonde boy stood towering behind her. He was always the tallest, made everyone else look short. Coaches always tried to get him to play basketball or football, but he maintained his "punk look" and sat under the bleachers at games, making fun of the jocks or looking up the cheerleader's skirts when they went to go sit down. He was even more tattooed than the last time she had seen him.
"What are you doing back in town, Ashton?" he asked. It was Aaron Escolopio she hadn't seen him in years. He used to be the drummer for Good Charlotte, but he left the band some time ago. The only way she knew this was through the news, she tried to keep up to date on all their shows, awards, lives. Joel was always in the back of her mind.
Ashton looked at Aaron quizzically. "You haven't heard?" She asked. It was amazing, there was someone who didn't know about Kai. If it were anyone, it'd be Aaron. He was always last to know.
"Haven't heard what?"
"Do you remember my friend, Kai?"
"Kai, how could I forget her. Benji really loved her. Too bad she moved." He paused. "Is she back in town, too?"
She hung her head down low and let out a little bit of a laugh. "You could say that." A smile seeped from her lips, trying to keep tears from falling. "She died."
His mouth dropped open. Nothing came out. Aaron couldn't believe what he had heard. "Kai? No..." He shook his head. "How?"
The two walked over to the lounge area and sat down. "Eating disorder. She became a model, it didn't really help her too much."
He shook his head in disbelief. "No way." He leaned back in his seat and ran his hands over his face. "Kai, Kai...she wouldn't have done that to herself."
Ashton nodded. "I know. That's what I thought." Aaron leaned forward and stared her in the eyes. "Do you want to come to the funeral. I mean, everyone is probably going to be there. She was the most loved girl in Waldorf." The last sentence slipped from her lips in a cynical tone.
He nodded. "Yeah. Do you mind if I tell Benji? I'm sure he'd want to say goodbye." She nodded and they went their separate ways. In two days they'd meet again in the cemetery to say their last good byes.
Aaron walked out the door of the hotel. He jumped in the car and headed over to the Twin's house. He hadn't seen any of the boys in a couple months at least, he only wished this visit could have been on better terms.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the driveway of their new house. It was big, and it was all theirs. He was so happy for his friends. He through the car in park and walked up to the door. A few other cars lined the driveway. He figured they were Paul and Billy's added to Joel and Benji's. Only a couple years ago, he would have just walked in without ringing the doorbell, but he knocked this time and waited for someone to answer.
Joel through open the door and looked surprised to see his friend at the door. "Aaron!" He greeted and hugged the blonde. "What brings you here?" He stepped and made way for Aaron to walk in.
"I wanted to talk to Benji about something, but it looks like everyone is here. They might be interested, too."
Joel nodded and led Aaron out onto the porch. "Aaron's here." Everyone turned around at Joel's words. They all got up and exchanged hugs with Aaron. After a bit, everyone settled back into their seats.
"What's up, man?" Billy asked, amazed to see his friend.
Aaron took his sunglasses off and set them on the table. "You won't believe who I just ran into."
Paul said, "Christina Ricci. She's hot."
Aaron laughed, it was classic Paul. "I went to go see my friend who was staying at the hotel across from the highway, and I ran into Ashton Keats."
"Ashton?" Joel said immediately. "Why is she in town?" He smiled a little bit, just knowing she was close gave him a bit of hope.
Aaron's eyes shifted over to Benji who was sitting across the table. "She's in town for Kai's funeral."
Benji leaned forward. "What do you mean? Kai's, she's..."
"Ashton said she had a bad eating disorder and that her modeling career didn't help it much."
Benji looked at the ground. "When?" Joel put his arm around his brother. Benji was hurting, Kai was the love of his life.
"Ashton didn't say. The funeral is in two days. I'm going, you should go, Benji. Say goodbye."
"Do you think she'd mind if I went?" Paul asked.
"I want to go, too." Billy rubbed his chin in thought. "She was a good person."
Aaron nodded at his two friends. "She said that everyone was probably going to be there."
"We should all go. I mean, we all knew Kai." Joel looked down at his brother. "You need to say goodbye."
"I know." He whispered. "I just wish I could've had a second chance with her." The tears began to flow freely from Benji's eyes. He had loved since Kai, but he never loved anyone like he had loved her. It tore him apart. She was gone for good. It wasn't distances that separated them, now it was worlds.
Joel couldn't believe it. Why was the world so twisted? How come the only reason that the door opened for him to see Ashton again was when her best friend was dead? He wanted to see her, to see how she was doing, see if there was any hope for him, but the guilt that surrounded the whole situation was unbearable.
"Absence makes the day grow longer" by Cursive
Please hang my raincoat
I guess that I'll stay a while
While I wait on the return
It seems the distance you've made
Has since lost its meaning
Meanwhile, I've meant to ration my thoughts
To help quicken this sloth driven day
As I wait, my joints slowly stiffen
They're warning me that something is nearing
Disaster...
Disaster...
Hailstorm...
Memories like fireflies
A green hue of imagery
But much too random to see clearly
And I don't recall much between you and me
Grey and cloudy
This tragedy plays itself over again in my mind
What's my line
Where are the cue cards
Memorize my actions, my discourse
Like a discontented fool...
This just won't do
It's no use
These crushing days
Absence made your heart bruise
You're all bruise
You're all bruise