(Ashleigh's POV)
I crouched in front of my new fridge, my hands still clutching a can of GG Grape as I listened to Ryan’s footsteps retreating down the stairs.
Then the house settled into silence again, like everything was back to normal. As if nothing had happened. As if Ryan hadn’t just been hanging out in my room for the first time in years. As if I hadn’t felt… something stir in the hollow of my chest.
I swallowed, staring blankly into the fridge—at the perfectly lined-up cans and the soft glow of the LED lights—but not really seeing any of it.
I should have felt relieved that he was gone. But I didn’t.
My gaze drifted upward to the shelf above my desk.
To the old PS2.
A soft ache settled in my ribs.
I used to love that stupid thing.
I could still remember the excitement. The
