FOREVER AND ALWAYS

The Love Tunnel (1)

It was a new week, Broody had called to apologize over the weekend, he promised her and Ashley launch later that week. Julie had managed to balance her grades. She had been working extra hard, taking extra credits and doing assignments even when she was on break at work. She was in her third year studying Medical microbiology the university of Seattle. Julie initially wanted to be a nurse but after a failed first attempt, she just went for whatever seemed easier and she surprisingly got in. Her grades were currently good, so she was at peace.

Things were actually pretty okay. Her dad was doing good as far as she knew. He had stopped drinking after going for a two weeks retreat, even though she didn’t know how long he could last like that, it was still progress. She had spoken to her mum and she also was fine.

Walking back from class she got a text, Ashley asked if she could come over, for something “important”. She had planned to do some research at the library, sighing, she called an Uber.

Going over to her place she knocked on the door, Ashley opened and ushered her in, a grin on her face.

“So what was so important that you made me leave my plans for?” she could already see Ashley smiling mischievously

“And you know today is my day off” Julie added

“Hush now” Ashley places one finger on her lips dramatically “I know classes have ended for the day, and about your plans, I have better, we’re going out, Broody texted. He got us tickets to ecstasy” she said wide eyed “and what better way to spend off work than at a park, you know, having fun”

Ecstasy was an amusement park that had just opened at the other side of town, she heard the place was really fun and they had amazing joy rides, not to mention the expensive tickets. She had only seen videos of it and the place looked beautiful. The last time she went to a park was with her mum, and that was almost a year ago. After her parents got divorced, her mum moved out. They usually rotated custody, but Julie had been spending more time at her dad’s place, so she became a little distant from her mother. Maybe it was pity but she felt she had to take care of her dad, Jesse. He became miserable after the divorce but changed in a way, he wasn’t angry, just depressed, he attempted suicide once. Tried to drown himself but some people saw him and helped. That was when she decided he needed more help than her mother.

“Wait, you mean now? Like going out now “ Julie asked

“Well not now, but later this evening, maybe 6 or so. I texted you so we could go pick up something I ordered. It’ll only take 30 minutes or so, then we can get ready. You can go change and meet me here by 5:30. They’ll pick us up by 6” she listened to Ashely list out everything.

“What do you mean ‘they’? I thought it’s just us and Broody, who else is coming?”

“Sam” Ashely replied to see Julie eyes widen,

“Remember? From the party, he’s a friend of Broody’s , he talked to you when we were leaving”

Oh she remembered him alright, how could she forget, she just didn’t expect he’ll be going with them.

“Yeah, I remember” Julie tried to appear calm. There was something about him that made her uneasy, hearing his name brought his face back to her mind and she felt uneasy again.

Sensing this, Ashely said “don’t worry, it’ll be like a double date. You’ll enjoy yourself, trust me”

Julie chuckled “is that really it or is it about you enjoying time with Broody?” Ashely laughed and hit her arm playfully.

Broody and Ashley had dated briefly, early during freshman year. Julie really liked their relationship as they looked good together, Ashley tall and shapely, confident and Broody, well built, although a bit shorter. They broke up two months later because he drank too much and Ashley said she couldn’t stand him when he was drunk, it sounded like a minor issue and Julie felt there was more to it but that’s all the information she got from her friend. Ashely could be that way sometimes, never oversharing and only telling what she wanted others to know. Apart from that Broody was a sweet guy and Julie knew they still had feelings for each other.

It was almost six by the time Julie returned to Ashley’s apartment. She didn’t want to look underdressed which she felt she usually did so she wore the leather pants and jacket Ashley had gifted her that Christmas, she hadn’t worn it more than once. She wore black boots and parked her hair in a pony tail, her face was bare except a little gloss in her lips. The guys came at the exact time mentioned.