THE DAY THE SKY TURNED BLACK

Ali sat in the park playing nervously with her phone. This place was her safe haven. This is Ashlyn’s and hers spot.

Everything was quiet. The sky was filled with bright stars and cold summer air caressed Ali’s cheeks as she shuffled her position a little bit. Soon she felt wetness on her cheeks. It was raining.

“Great! Just perfect!” She threw her hands in the air expressing her annoyance.”Just what I needed.” She picked her sports bag up and made her way to the car. Slowly she opened the door and took one more glance at the peaceful park that was once filled with laughter. Ashlyn’s laughter. “I miss her so much.” Ali was beating herself up over what she did.”I really fucked up this time.” She got in the car and drove home without noticing that she dropped her phone on the way to the car.

“Whit, I can’t just sit and do nothing! I need to find her. I called and she is not answering.” Ashlyn quickly took her keys and ran out of the house. She ran to the parking lot and entered her Mercedes. As soon as she turned the engine on, radio started. It was Whispers in the dark by Skillet. She didn’t mind turning it off. She really liked that song.

“God, I hope nothing has happened to her..” Ash nervously bit her nails and increased the grip on the steering wheel. The first place she could think of was the park. She quickly dialed Ali’s number and hoped that she would answer. Still nothing. It was ringing but no one was picking up..

“Fuck Ali, come on!” Ash became terrified and every second that she was in that car was a second more that she wasn’t with Ali.

She finally arrived and didn’t even bother closing the door or shutting the engine off. She tried to call for her but no answer.

“I’ll try the phone one more time. Please answer…” Ash quickly called Ali but a familiar ringtone was somewhere near her. Was Ali here the whole time? Or even worse, what if something happened to her?

“Ali, baby, are you here?” Ash followed the ringtone carefully, already prepared for a fight if someone attacked her.

The disappointment on her face was clear when she found the phone on the ground 2 ft from the bench. She quickly picked it up and turned the screen on. It was definitely Ali’s phone which Ash knew by their selfie on the background. She was thinking of the worst possible outcome. Something happened to Ali. She noticed that it was getting way too late and decided to check Ali’s house once more.

The drive to Ali’s house was torture for Ashlyn. The rain wasn’t helping either with the way it was pouring. The only thing that needed to happen was that one moment in which Ash wasn’t looking at the road. She lost the control over her car and swerved to the right, hitting the tree that was nearby but the crash was so strong that her car rolled multiple times and landed on the roof.

Ash woke up feeling a warm blood pouring down her face, her head was hurting and she barely made it out of the car. Seeing what happened, she took her phone and called Whit.

“Yo Ash, where u at? It’s really late and we have practice in the morning so you better get yo ass back to your house because I am sleeping there tonight.” Whit was switching through TV channels trying to catch that one popcorn that fell to her lap.

“Whit, I fucked it up bad..” Ash somehow managed to say but Whit knew something was really wrong.

“Ash, what happened?! Are you okay?!” Whit stood up and started getting dressed.”Where are you?”

“I crashed the Mercedes. I think I’ll be okay, just, could you pick me up?” Ash wiped the blood of her face and pulled the piece of broken glass from her palm.”I was driving to Ali’s house-“

“I’m on my way!” Whit jumped to her car and drove to Ashlyn. As soon as she arrived her heart almost stopped and she froze in place. There was broken glass everywhere and Ash was covered in blood even though she tried to wipe it off.

“Jesus Christ Ash, are you okay?!” Whit cupped her face and inspected her from top to bottom.”We need to take you to the hospital!” Ash protested and looked back at her crashed car.”I will be fine, just.. Call the police and tell them what happened and please drive me home.” Ash took her time to walk back to Whit’s car as she was talking to the police. A couple of minutes later they arrived and took Ash’s statement. They were free to go.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?” Whit placed her hand over Ashlyn’s as she focused on the road.

“No, I’m fine, don’t worry. I guess you are driving to practice tomorrow.” Ash glanced to Whit and smiled weakly.

As soon as they got to Ash’s house, she took a shower and inspected her body. There were a couple of bruises on her ribs that hurt a little and some more on her shoulder. 

I just hope no one will notice tomorrow. Yeah Ashlyn, no one will notice a big cut on your fucking head. Great job! On top of all that you didn’t even…Oh God, Ali! I still don’t know where is she. I hope she didn’t hear about the accident..

Ashlyn’s thoughts were interrupted by Whit’s knocking.

“Ash, you okay in there?” She patiently waited for the response. “Yeah, coming right out.” Ash got dressed and met Whit in the hall.

“If you need anything, I will be sleeping on the couch. I will wake you up at 7 and if you won’t feel good that will be more than enough time to drive you to the hospital since coach added a few more practice sessions.” Whit hugged Ash and their ways parted.

The next morning Ash woke up at 6:44. The sun was shining through the curtains and the smell of freshly cut grass filled her room. She opened her eyes and looked around remembering last night.

“Oh god, not the Mercedes..” She got up and felt like crap, but she was determined to finish today’s practice. She knew that it was the only way she could see Ali.

Whitney was preparing breakfast for both of them by the time Ash got down the stairs.

“How are you feeling?” Whit placed the dish in front of Ash’s seat and wiped her hands.

“Okay, just a little bruised, but nothing serious.” Ash took the pancake and sat down looking at the plate.

“You sure tough guy? You seem kind of down.” Ash sighed and put her pancake down.

“You think I’m not tough?” Ash joked as she approached Whit ready to tickle her.

“I take it back! Ash, don’t, please!” Whit backed away and started to run to protect herself.”I see you are okay. Go eat and we will get going.”

Ash ate her breakfast and packed her sports bag. She walked downstairs and put their bags in Whit’s car. They arrived to the stadium a couple of minutes later which felt like hours to Ashlyn. She just wanted to see Ali, she wanted to make sure that Ali was okay.

They entered the locker room and their teammates were discussing defenses and passing the ball when doing counterattack. Ashlyn looked for Ali and saw her putting on her jersey.

She looks so beautiful. And she is okay..

Ash’s thoughts were interrupted when she realized that Ali was looking right at her, concern all over her face. Ash quickly looked down and walked away. Whit had a locker next to Ali’s and Ash’s was on the other side. She opened her locker and gave a reassuring nod to Ash. Ali was confused and when she saw Ash’s head cut, she lost it.

“Whit, what happened? Why does she have that cut? Is she okay?” Ali bombed Whit with questions.

“Calm down, she’s okay. I guess. Look, this is not my thing to tell so if you want to know, talk to her. I’m not the one who was out all night looking for you.” Whit raised her brows and shut her locker door. She picked up her bottle and walked out.

Ali didn’t hesitate for a second and went up to Ash. She was trying to put on her shoes but was having a hard time considering all the bruises on her ribs and shoulder.

“Ash, what happened? Are you okay?” Ali carefully placed her hand on Ash’s shoulder and Ash jumped back feeling the pain.

“Yeah, everything is okay. Just had a little accident.” She didn’t look at her; instead she tried to tie her shoes which led to her throwing her shirt after she didn’t succeed.”Fuck! I’m sorry..”

“Ash, talk to me. Please..I’m sorry that I ran like that and Whit told me that you went out and searched for me yesterday. I’m sorry about everything!” Ali kneeled in front of Ash who was holding her shoulder. “Do you need help with that?” Ali asked pointing at Ash’s shoes.

“If you don’t mind..” Ash sat patiently as Ali tied her shoes. As she was done, she placed her hands on the bench, preventing Ash to run. “What happened Ashlyn?” Ali knew the situation was serious because Ash wouldn’t tell her what happened and she knew that Ash won’t talk about it because it involved Ali.

“Did I do something wrong beside act like a total child?” Ali raised Ash’s head so that she could look into her eyes. That cut on her head was distracting her and she felt like she betrayed Ash. She promised to her that she will be with her no matter the situation.

“How did you get that?” Ali begged Ash to tell her.

“Look I don’t want you to freak out, okay? Promise me you won’t.” Ash finally looked in Ali’s eyes. She could see the dark circles under her eyes and she immediately knew Ali didn’t sleep either.

“I promise, just tell me.” That didn’t sound really reassuring and Ali knew that.

“I was in-“Ash’s sentence got interrupted by Kelley.

“Yo Ash, Solo didn’t come today, she is sick or something so you are #1 today. Coach sent me to get you.” Kelley shut the door and they could both hear the sound of her cleats hitting the floor.

“We gotta go.” Ash got up and tried to walk away but Ali grabbed her arm. That sent the jolt of electricity down her spine. She loved her touch and that was the only thing she needed right now.

“We are not finished here. After the practice, you and I are gonna talk.” Ali’s hand lingered a little too long on Ash’s for it to be just friendly.

The whole team was doing drills as they were preparing for the mini game that was always played at the end of the practice. Kelley and Whitney were practicing with Ashlyn. They were shooting balls at her but she never dove to defend.

“Yo Ash, get your head in the game!” Kelley said.

“Sorry.” Ash didn’t say much and she knew that this won’t end well.

As soon as Kelley shot at her, she dove and a loud scream filled the stadium. She was on the ground holding the place where the majority of her bruises were. On her ribs.

Whit was the first one to run to her, positioning her on her back.

“Ash, what hurts? Hey, talk to me, what hurts?” Whit was trying to pull her shirt up but Ash stopped her. “Ribs.” She somehow managed to say in between the sobs.

What was that? Someone is lying down..oh god, it’s Ash..No no no no..God no, not her

Ali started running and felt like the time had stopped. She was so fast by Ash’s side that it even surprised her.

“Ash, what’s wrong?!” Ali wiped the tears of her face and held her head in the place.

Whit told the girls to call the coach as she got up and pulled Ali with her to the side.

“Ali, listen to me. I know Ash will probably be pissed at me for telling you but I don’t care.”She continued as Ali was looking at her, panic all over her face.”Yesterday when she was looking for you and couldn’t find you, she sat in her Mercedes and-“Whit’s confession got interrupted by Ali as she was covering her mouth with her hand and started to sob uncontrollably.”No no no, Whit tell me that she didn’t-“

“Yeah, she crashed her Mercedes on the way to your house. I told her that it wasn’t a good idea but she wanted to make sure that you were alright.” When Whit finished Ali turned to Ash and she was still on the ground with all of the teammates around her.

She approached Ash and kneeled beside her talking Ash’s hand in hers.

“God, I’m so sorry. I was such an idiot.” Ali cried holding Ash’s hand as the cold wind dried their tears. Even the universe knew that it was time for them to be happy.

“It’s okay princess. I will be..okay.” Ash tried to get up and Whit helped her. They made their way to the bench and Ali sat next to her.

“Ash.. I-“Ali tried to apologize again.

“Don’t. It’s okay, really. It was my decision and therefore it was my fault.” Ash took Ali’s hand in hers.”I’m glad that you are okay. I don’t know how I would go on living if I lost you.” She admitted as she played with Ali’s fingers that were entangled with hers. Ali stared at her, eyes filled with tears.

I won’t lose her again.

She scooted closer to Ash and hugged her. It felt natural again. It felt like she just got her world back.

“I will never, ever, do this to you again.” Ali was referring to the whole situation. The kiss. The fact that she ran away without even listening to Ashlyn.

Ashlyn looked at Ali and thought just how perfect she was. She glanced at her lips for just a second before distancing herself.

“Umm..Could you maybe help me get to the locker room? Whit will probably drive me home now so..” Ash asked looking at the ground.

“I could take you!” Ali offered a little bit too quickly which made Ash glance at her one more time.”That is if you want it, of course.” She tried to defend her way too quick response.

“Sure. If you want to.” Ash tried to get up and Ali helped her supporting a bit of her weight, actually as much as she could considering that she was in every way smaller than Ashlyn.

They made their way to the locker room and Ash sat down. She felt like she just ran a marathon and Ali noticed. She wanted to help so she offered to help Ash get changed.

“We should probably get you changed.” Ali attempted to pull Ash’s shirt off but she stopped her.”Oh come on Ash, it’s not like I haven’t seen you shirtless already. We had so many sleepovers that I can’t even count anymore.”

“No, it’s not that..I just..I can’t really get the shirt off.” Ash tried to look everywhere except at Ali.

Ali’s eyes widened at the realization. Ash was in bigger pain than she thought.

“Show me!” Ali demanded as her shock turned to slight anger.”Ashlyn Michelle Harris, don’t make me say it again.” She crossed her arms and started to walk towards Ash. She raised her hands up.

“Fine! Fine, I’ll do it. Just.. You’ll have to help me.” She got up and Ali approached her. Slowly they pulled Ash’s shirt off and she was standing in her tank top and shorts. Ali looked down to her ribs and saw that the majority of her torso was bruised. Tears started to fill Ali’s eyes as she was dragging her hand across the bruises.

“Oh my God..” She was speechless.

“It’s worse than it looks.” Ash tried to calm her down but she just continued to inspect her. She turned her around and saw the bruises on the back, near the spine in the upper right corner. “Why..Why would you..” Ash interrupted her with a hug. It was one of those which Ali loved the most. Ash hugged her and Ali buried her head in Ash’s neck feeling her pulse. At least she was alive. Ali got another chance.