pte

ike the small talks would never end with everyone a little uneasy and careful not to mention too much about Delilah, figuring that would upset her, an endless summer with a lot to catch up on

breathed agitatedly as

k in. Less than an hour back in school and she was already feeling exhausted, wishing she could sk

as she heard a

e," Evans teased resting a hand against a locke

they were in each other's arms almost

r magnified compliments?" She said

e," he grinned; now stroking he

voice said. It was Marcus and Charlie close

aimed, ecstatic to

bunch now settled, hoping for a response from anyo

eriff is treating this like another teen runaway, why on earth would she r

w how she talked about running off to California and becoming a pop star."

e's not dumb enough to go through with it" Ashley object

one, you maybe, with a subtle hint perhaps." Evans blurted,

native I wouldn't have told the sheriff or her grannie now?" Ashley huffed, th

g the end of their gradually escalating discussion and the b

sits with their teacher Mr. Shelb

ester," Ashley muttered as she t

our faces, you all had a fun summer I take

t Simon? He continued now starring at a puny kid seated in front triggering the

s." Simon retorted cheerfully and

was seeming to die out. A young attractive man of Irish descent he was and could easily be t

ining us from Phoenix, please give a

ection. The sight seemed to stir up murmurs from the c

figure standing some yards away? She swallowed dryly

elt the warmth of the sun, eyes the color of a midwinter sk

ar figure was that of someone familiar b

lson, a pleasure meeting yo

the room focusing on no one in

ad changed, looking a lot like her missing half. Ashley was elated to see her old-time friend no doubt

ed on her but could do nothing other than seeming focused

really you?" wh

She nodded as they exchanged heartwarming smiles across. What had brought city girl l

s and most headed for the c

she walked along the hallway, the same I

made her way with her lunch to a bench away from everyone

fore she was joined by

if we join?" Ashle

said sharply, flashing

ad over here is Evans, my boyfriend." She gestured as they all s

too delicately. He looked like the type of person to stare a

d-shaped face with a few dark strands that dropped perfectly ab

om privy scrutiny by

as a friend, must be one of your little secrets I pr

e type to blush over cheap compliments but anything other

lovely meeting you" h

line had been," she thought managing to squeez

ced you like a minute ago, "Ashley said rolling her eyes. Th

What happened? You never came back to visit?" Ashley

could say I got caught up with life in the city and never

high," Lovely said, unwilling to share the details of her sad declin

ond there, I thought you were--"Ash

ble with her brows drawn closer. She could sense the deafening te

said breaking the awkward pause. "She's being mis

her I must say," Marcus d

oks a lot like her If she were twice as pretty

s short of words. This explained the stares and fai

ther awkwardly. She was beguiled by this new revelation but ch

r park and search for--I don't

already done that? They still came

wn hood in a city, let's all just try to relax." Charlie chimed. "My parents are hosting a fundraiser for th

needed a break from the Lilah saga, though it felt

too," he said, ga

I'll have to as

d as the boys chuckled softly, now

ly who did not know w

s grandma after school hours. Wanna tag

ee a lady whose missing granddaughter looks a lot like m