Where the Sun Sets

Part 7 | Maynard

"I'm so sorry, it's Jenna," she explains.

Ashley hurriedly answers the call. From what I can hear, it sounds like Jenna was flipping out wondering where Ashley has been.

"Everything's okay Jen!! I'm with Kian. We're just at the beach," she replies.

"Wait, what? You just saw Kian at the party, what do you mean you don't know him?"

I run my hands through my hair. I forgot to tell Ashley that-

"He goes by Maynard? That's weird," she glances at me, "He said his name was Kian, but okay."

I smile awkwardly at her, realizing that I may have been part of the confusion...

~

"So... Should I call you Kian or Maynard?"

Ashley is sat next to me on the bench facing the beach. I had explained that I better go by my last name since all my guy friends call me that. She nods understandingly.

"Jenna calls me Ash, so you're more than welcome to do the same," she shares.

I smile at her and she smiles back. By now the sun is set and the moon is all that there's left. The sky grows darker and more blue. Ashley holds her knees to her chest.

"Are you cold?" I ask.

"No, I'm okay," she replies.

"Here."

I take off my gray zip up and wrap it around her. She was definitely cold to the touch. It was a nice summer breeze, but with the ocean it was surely freezing. Ashley seems like the type to brush things off to not inconvenience others and I find that sweet.

"You know," I start, "you can tell me if you're cold. I don't mind Ash."

She relaxes a bit and smiles to me.

"Maybe we should call it a day," she suggests.

A part of me doesn't want this moment to end, this day to end. Ashley brushes the sand off her legs and starts to stand up. I follow along.

I grab her by her wrist to stop her abruptly. My mind goes blank, but I can't bear to imagine an end to this. I have to tell her before I go abroad, forever.