Page 21 of Echoes of Us
Sarah rolled her eyes but smiled faintly.“Come on.Let’s go out.Breathe some air before you drown in your own tears.”
The sun was bright, casting long shadows across the courtyard.Ashley walked alongside Sarah, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her jeans.The cool breeze carried the faint scent of freshly cut grass and something else–coffee, maybe, or the hint of flowers blooming from a distant garden.
The chatter of students surrounded her, a mix of laughter and the clipped tones of hurried conversations.Yale’s beautiful buildings loomed above them, their intricate stonework gleaming in the golden light.It was beautiful, but it wasn’t hers.
Ashley stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard.“I think I need a moment to myself.”
“Sure thing,” Sarah said, eyeing her wearily.
Ashley walked to a small, secluded part of a neat garden, the sun casting shadows over her as her chest tightened.
Feeling the panic rising in her, she closed her eyes and let the sounds and smells take over her.
This must be a blessing,she thought.Because if it’s not, then it must be hell.
Her hands trembled at her sides as she drew a deep breath.The reality of where she was–or when she was–pressed heavily against her chest.Losingeverythingjust to be thrust back into this world of youth and possibility… It wasn’t freedom.It was a prison.
This isn’t real,she told herself, her jaw tightening.It can’t be real.
Ashley clenched her fists, the anger and grief swirling into a tempest inside her.She stretched her arms out, tilting her head toward the sky.
“I’ll prove it,” she whispered.“This is a dream, and if it’s a dream, then I need to wake up.”
Before anyone could stop her, she let herself fall back.
The fall felt endless, the air rushing past her, a fleeting moment of weightlessness.
She fell, and fell, and fell… But instead of hitting the ground, she landed into strong, steady arms.
“Are you okay?”
The voice was familiar–too familiar.Ashley’s breath hitched as she opened her eyes, her heart pounding.
Warm gray eyes, so soft, so achingly familiar, stared back at her.Relief rushed through her as she gasped, “Cole!”
The man above her smiled faintly.“Sorry to disappoint.It’s Dale.”
Her body stiffened.A sharp exhale of disbelief left her as she stared at the man holding her.He didn’t just look like Cole–hewasCole.She would have known those eyes, that face, anywhere.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.
The gray eyes gazing down at her were softer, slightly larger than Cole’s.His nose, though similar, lacked the faint bump that Cole’s had.His smile was the same, yet not–lighter, almost boyish.And his features carried a sweetness, an openness that Cole’s rarely did.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”Dale asked again, his brows furrowing slightly.“You’ve been staring at me for a solid minute.”
Ashley flushed, scrambling to her feet and stepping back.“I-I’m fine.Sorry.”
Dale tilted his head, his expression curious but kind.
“Excuse my friend,” Sarah’s voice cut in as she jogged over.She hooked an arm through Ashley’s and dragged her a step farther back.“She’s just been broken up with and is having an existential crisis.”
Dale’s smile widened, and he nodded in understanding.“Oh, I’ve been there,” he said.“Sarah, right?From Eddie’s class?”
Sarah blinked, caught off guard.“How do you know my TA?”
“He’s doing his master’s in physics with me.He talks about you all the time–and says you’re top of the class.You should seriously consider majoring in physics.”
Sarah blushed, waving a hand.“I am.”
