"He was unexpected.
I truly did not expect him,
or his effect on me,
my heart,
my mind,
my feelings.
He was the calming sound
of the light, pitter-patter of drizzle
on an April Sunday morning
in my brutal, destructive hurricane."

-s.g.

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The air tickling Ashley's skin, though mundane, held a warmth of freedom in it.

After ages, she smiled wholly, the dimples deepening as she checked herself in the mirror.

Her face was full, not chubby, but not bony either. For once she didn't cringe. The layers of her ex-friend, makeup, were terminated completely.

Her night-like hair danced as the wind played with it. She giggled and walked ahead.

There was something comforting about nature. Butterflies and moths, one beautiful and the other plain, lived in harmony. There was no prejudice, no hate, no tears and certainly nothing fake.

A group of sparrows and a robin hopped together on the dewed grass. The sparrows chirped and the robin sang--their voices though different, were minded by none.

Why couldn't humans be this way? Why was someone different regarded as an outcast?

She was a Cooper, a member of one of the wealthiest families in Aurora, but she didn't want anything to do with money.

The green leaf for her was a necessity--not an object of obsession like her mother had made it.

She would rather be penniless and have her mother back. The inanimate things were successful in making a doll out of her mom.

A doll, who wanted nothing but perfection, luxury and the satisfaction of making others like her.

Ashley was a victim of the dollhouse game, but she escaped--even though the door was minute and she was a giant.

All it had taken was a minute of courage and denial and now, she was free. Free to continue being herself.

Elena and Kate had done a great deal for her. But they wouldn't be around forever and she had to do things for herself now.

Before she could sit on a wooden bench, an approaching pair of neon-green sneakers stopped her.

"Your mother won't like dust on your clothes."

Ashley glanced up, two eyes; the personification of chocolate, meeting hers.

If pestering her with hellos at the parties her mom held wasn't enough, Christian Wellington was here as well.

"Are you stalking me, Christy?" Ashley couldn't help the irritation exuding from her voice.

"Are you bothered, Ashy?"

"It's Ashley."

"It's Christian."

She scoffed and he scoffed as well.

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Stop being childish."

Christian rolled his eyes too. "Stop being granny."

"It's 'Stop being a granny'."

Christian chuckled. "If that makes you feel better, I will make mistakes all my life."

Ashley chose to stay mum. It was better to watch her green surroundings instead of talking pointlessly.

She sat down the bench and eyed the different trees.

"Your mother will be mad, Ashy, your clothes are caked with dust."

He extended his hand. "Please get up," he said softly. "I'll clean this seat for you."

Let her mother be mad. Ashley was tired of being perfect. A little dust wouldn't kill anyone anyway.

Money and people could either make a person or destroy them. A windfall had blinded her mother's eyes, to the point that she was lost. If that wasn't enough, her so-called "gals" had filled her mind with ideas that she had to live her life.

People should definitely live their lives to the fullest. But was leaving a family behind--a daughter, who had no siblings or mates and a husband, who busied herself with work to battle his loneliness... right?

A hand placed gingerly on top of hers, gave her a jolt.

Christian's right hand had cleaned almost the whole bench, except the place where she sat.

His left hand was still on top of hers, where he stroked the skin with his thumb.

Ashley gasped slightly and removed her palm from under his. She quickly got up and stood as far as possible.

"Hey, it's done, you can come back." Christian waved.

Ashley waved, signalling a bye with a smirk.

"Don't go." Christian whimpered, then let out a small laugh. "Please stay."

"Not interested." Ashley took small steps backwards, her eyes still glued to his warm ones.

"Come on, I like your company, Ashy."

Ashley giggled. "Too bad I don't, Christy."

"Goodbye, Chris," she whispered and quickened her walk.

"Will you be here tomorrow?" he yelled, his mouth cupped between two of his hands.

"In your dreams," she yelled back with a laugh.

"Be my girlfriend." His chuckle echoed, calming her.

"Why me? You will find better ones."

Christian sprinted towards her, the smile never leaving his pale face. "You are pretty."

"And you are annoying."

He held her wrist and pulled her closer, mischief glinting on his face. "Come on, don't go, I will be bored to death here."

Ashley bit her lip, his touch spreading a sense of protection in her. She liked it but didn't like why she liked it.

The warm chocolate of his eyes sparkled with mirth, his lips slightly curved upwards in a half-smile. "I will die without you."

"Meet you in hell, then." Ashley winked and ran away.

The run wasn't prolonged as she came to the park the next day, the day after it, and all the days of the month.

What was an annoying chance encounter, turned into her favorite dawns.

Her hope to see him never dwindled. He was present every day, he cleaned the same seat for her and asked her to be his girlfriend.

His lighthearted tone and mischievous smiled gradually turned into seriousness and adoration.

Their presence was enough to create a special bond--two lonely souls brought together by friendship and banter.

Ashley's heart felt the change. The lines between friendship and love blurred--especially when his hand in hers sent sparks through her... apart from warmth.

No matter how hard her past was, she strived to make her present beautiful and her future bright with him by his side.

Christian had found Ashy and Ashley had found Christy.

👽👽👽

Hey, people! How are you all? 💖 First of all, I wanted to say thank you × infinity to all the wonderful readers, who have supported The Alien Memory👽. I'm still staring at the 11K reads. Overwhelmed is too small a word to describe what I'm feeling right now. Thank you so much once again. :)

This Bonus Episode is written for InfiniteFlame14350, who has been an amazing reader and wanted Ashley to find love. The part about Ashley's mom is added coz my good friend, MariChat3, wanted to know about her.

What do you think of it?

Did you like it? Choose one: yay/nay.

Next up will be Bonus Episode 3 for my good friend, _Enchanted_Princess. Stay tuned to know what it's about.

Keep smiling! 💕
Lots of love❤💙
Sakina

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