That's... that can't be right. So I may have freaked out, but I sure as hell didn't delete such a disturbing message. It's just... gone. And to think I could have showed it to Aster, it would've actually proven something. Oh god, maybe I am crazy. Now I don't even know if that message was real. Aster should be here soon, I gave him the address not too long ago, he said it should take him about half an hour. Should I call him? No, that will only make him panic. I look at the clock. Still got five minutes until he's here. I rush over to the bathroom and splash water onto my face. I breathe deeply. A loud bell rings from the hallway as I nearly dive my head backward. God, I'm way too jumpy. I have to relax or else Aster will just plain send me away.
“Comin', hold on!” I yell as I run to the door. I yank it open, washing the water from my face. Aster seems to have been looking elsewhere. He looks at me and smiles.
“Long time, Briar. You look thin.” Aster says as he gives me that stupid grin of his.
“You look fat.” He bursts into laughter, we both know that's bullshit, the guy is practically a figure of perfection. And yet, he looks different. It's been way too long. “Come on in, Aster. Want a drink?” I open my fridge and scan through my alcohol supply.
“No no, it was actually quite a hazardous drive comin' here. I'd rather not risk it, it was hard enough sober.” he says as he sits down by the island. I pass him a soda and sit across from him. “Nice place ya got here, Briar. Beats your old place by a mile, huh? Open, roomy, yet quaint. I like it.” he says as he examines the room.
“Yeah, I haven't gotten too used to it yet, it's only been about a week or two since I really settled in.” I crack open a beer.
“I wish you had told me about this whole move-in situation. You really caught me off-guard.” Aster looks hurt.
“I needed to get out. Things just didn't seem right back home. Call it cabin fever, I suppose.” That was true, I just never felt right.
“You got a job? Holding up a steady lifestyle, perhaps a woman in your life?” He smiles, but I can sense that he doesn't mean that jokingly.
“Yes, yes, and no. Got myself a steady gig at the Blank Page down the street, it keeps me busy so I don't do much. As far as women are concerned, too much is on my mind to worry about it.” Or even think about it, for that matter.
“Yeah, I don't know what's up with you and the dating scene, man. You practically drifted away from Lily for God knows what reason. Hell, maybe you just don't like to be tied down.” Aster laughs off that serious memento. Lily. I shake the thought of her out of my head.
“Things just didn't seem right with her, Aster. Everything didn't seem right. Everything still doesn't seem right...” Here goes nothing.
“Really? You sound alright to me.” Aster says.
“No, Aster. I've been unwell.” How the hell is he going to take this...
“Unwell? You mean like, sick?” He leans in, concerned.
“Unwell? You mean like, sick?” He leans in, concerned.
“I don't really know. I...” I sigh. Get it together, Briar. “I've been hallucinating things lately.” Aster gives me a grim look. He looks around, confused.
“You serious?" He gives me a look of disbelief. "Have you been taking anything, drinking too much or something? Hallucinations aren't something that just happens.”
I sit there, silent for a moment.
“You serious?" He gives me a look of disbelief. "Have you been taking anything, drinking too much or something? Hallucinations aren't something that just happens.”
I sit there, silent for a moment.
“...Hm. It must be the sleeping pills I'm taking, I suppose...” Aster wouldn't understand. I can't tell him.
“With alcohol in your system? It's no wonder. You should be more careful, Briar. I mean it.” I've never seen him so serious before.
“Alright, alright. I'll be more careful next time.” Damn it all...
“You better. You sure there's nothing bothering you, Briar?”
“I'm alright, Aster. Promise.”
“Okay. Listen, you can call me whenever, alright? I'll be around. I'm gonna get going.” He says as he stands up. I smile.
“We're such different people now, aren't we, Aster?” I reminisce on the memories. He smiles at me.
“I guess so. Heh, I suppose we finally-”
“FINISH.”
I see nothing but that word splattered across the walls. Across the table. Across his face.
“-ed growing up. See you around, Briar.”
He leaves.
…
The door closes behind Aster. I sit there, catatonic. I burst into tears.”
