Ashley never seemed to like using doors. My family always stood in the kitchen and waited for her to come in through the window that was just above the kitchen sink with her school bag trailing in behind her. ‘Hi mom.’ she’d say. Paula, my mother, would always reply,’For the last time Ashley, I am no your mother.’ Ashley always smiled at Moms phrase. ‘I know Mom. I’m the daughter that you never wanted. Aren’t you just so excited to see me come in your window every morning? It’s kinda your fault ya know. Once you feed something, it always comes back. It doesn’t help that you stand her and wait for me either.’ I’d laugh at Ashley’s comments to the usual phrase. Everytime she stepped into the living room a plate of food was waiting for her. She graciously sat down and ate like a wild animal. Mom would remind her to use her fork. She’d brush her off and use the spoon instead to pour more syrup on the stack of waffles. Ashley and I were Best friends. Everyone knew it. We have been ever since the start of Elementary school in which Ashley shared her afternoon snack with me after Aiden accidentally crushed mine with his big feet. Ashley and I were a team. Two peas in a pod. Nothing could end our relationship. Absolutely nothing. So I thought.

It was a normal day. Ashley had climbed through the window, recieved her meal and was off to school with us. But today she was off. Her bag wasn’t with her. I asked where it was, but she kinda rolled it off her shoulders. I didn’t push the matter. She was probably nervous about the Track meet against a rival school. It wasn’t a serious rivalry, more like a friendly competition rivalry. Ashley was the top runner on King High’s Track team. I’d always go to her meets and watch her. She’d never lost a event that she was involved in. The mile was her best event. She could do it in under four minutes. I swear, that girl ran like a horse. I know it sounds silly, but she really did run like a horse. Never did she seem to get tired. No matter how hard she ran. When we got to school, Ashley went into the birls bathroom. I went in after her, to make sure she wasn’t throwing up in nervousness. But she was. I knocked on her stall, she said she’d be fine. I didn’t believe her. ‘Spencer just get to class okay!?’ she yelled. I was a little taken back. This wasn’t Ashley. Ashley Davies never got sick before a Track Meet. Especially one that could get her a scholorship into college. I left her alone like she asked. ‘See ya later than Ash.’ I called to her before leaving the room. I could hear more splashes in the toilet and the sound of her retching. She’ll be okay Spencer. That’s what I kept saying to myself. But she wasn’t okay. That day I didn’t see her in Science, or Spanish, and I definetly didn’t see her at the Track Meet. We lost by a couple of points. I stayed the entire game hoping that she would show up. My brother stayed with me. He and his ‘girlfriend’ Madison. She was giving me looks the entire meet like she wanted to say something to me. When my brother was starting up the car, she got her chance. ‘Look after your girl Spencer.’ she said. What the Hell was that supposed to mean? Did she do something to Ashley? No. She didn’t.