When The Stars Cross
Chapter 4
By: Erynn*Alice
Ashton walked into the building which was buzzing with excitement. Smiles and 'welcome backs' were tossed in her direction. She was so glad to be out of the house and back into the world. It was noon and even though most of the office wasn't in, business was still being done. Not even Ellie was in to welcome her back. But it was just fine with her, more reason to go about with a normal day.
Before Kai had died, she signed on to work with a new musical magazine. After her brush with death, the editor decided to let her come back whenever she was ready; she was so valuable to the making of a great publication. Ashton had starting working there a few weeks, even days, before she left. It was nice to be back, it was like the first day all over again. She was ready to get back out into the world and start living.
She wondered if Joel had 'started to live' again.
She walked over to her desk, papers were piled up. A sigh floated from her lips into the busy air of the office. The bustling atmosphere suited her just fine.
"Hey, hey, hey, kiddo!" It was her editor, Sophia. "It's nice to have you back, maybe we can get things going more smoothly now. It's been so hectic without you. We've been dealing with these rookies, the shots are horrible." Sophia thrust some pictures into Ashton's hands. "Look at them. I don't know what those kids are thinking; these aren't meant to be put anywhere but a damn hot fire! If I wasn't in need of photographers, I'd fire their asses."
Ashton thumbed through the pictures which did look pretty scrappy. "I see what you mean. I can retake a few of them, but if we want them in the next issue, I guess we'll just have to do some touch ups. Have you talked to them about these?"
"Talked? Talked is an understatement, dear. I gave them hell! They deserved it. This is a major publication, they need to put out more of an effort. If I wanted it to look like a three-year-old took these, I'd hire my son!" Sophia picked up a few of the papers. "We'll just do touch ups on all of them. No need to get behind on the next issue. Here are some shots that we need to get. You can choose whatever ones you want, then pass the rest on to those goddamned kids." Sophia began to walk away, then turned around quickly. "I marked the lead stories. I really want you to take those the most so those will have the best pictures. Anyway, it's your choice."
Ashton nodded and took a seat at her desk. She checked out the sheet with names of singers, actresses, bands, athletes, and just about anyone with a ridiculously high income. She was hoping that one of the shoots would be Good Charlotte, but was let down when their name was left off the list.
She picked out about eight stories, then passed the list onto her other photographers. After setting up appointments with various agents and the journalist writing the story, she settled back into her seat with a couple hours to spare. It wasn't long before she was surfing the net trying to get rid of a bad case of boredom.
It wasn't uncommon for her to check out Good Charlotte's website every now and then, even before all the drama she checked it at least once a week. Now she found herself doing the same thing, just to see his face. She clicked a button that had a link to their tour schedule. Her mouth dropped.
San Diego, California, had a concert scheduled in two days. She couldn't believe it, she'd get to see him again, show him that she was alive. Ashton glanced over the letters and numbers yet again to just make sure it was correct. It was.
Sophia's door to her office was open, she took advantage of an opportunity and ran in there. "Sophia, I need to ask you a favor!"
She lifted her head up from a couple of photography proofs. "Ashton, honey, I'll give you my life if you can just fix these pictures, they're horrible! Come look at these!" Sophia was always buried up to her neck in work, Ashton understood that the world outside the office was non-existent in her editor's eyes. She wondered if Sophia would even understand. She was a single parent who never believed in love; how could she ever understand what Ashton was feeling? How could anyone?
"I'll re-shoot! I'll do anything, I just have a huge favor!" Ashton pleaded and pushed the shots down onto the desk, it was time to talk business. There was no way Ashton was going to let such an oppertunity slip out of her hands. "Sophia, there's this concert in two days..."
She held her hand up to Ashton's face, stopping her in mid-sentence. "Say no more, child. Just tell me where it is and I'll get you a press pass." Ashton's face lit up. "You just have to re-shoot these by tomorrow, we go to print on the night of that concert of yours."
"It's done, Sophia! You have a deal!" Ashton ran around the side of the desk and engulfed her editor in a hug. "You don't know how much this means to me..." Her voice trailed off as tears slowly piled into her eyes.
She'd get to see him again, just one more time again.
Hey, it's me. it's good to hear your voice.
but it's been too long, it's been too long.
Since I've held you in my arms.
But the night is young and so is my heart when we walk together.
Hey, it's me. It's good to taste your lips.
but it's been too long, been too long.
But i still remember our night together.
when you held me tight, like the night we said "goodbye".
where we walked together.
Well this is my one last chance to say
Goodbye to you. in the story light. ya.
so i'll take every second they give before we expire. ya. whoa-oa.
we thought we'd last forever but all that faded away.
forever and forever ended today. All my tomorrows and yesterdays.
were burried in this mess i've made for you you're my catalist.
you've started the fire in my heart.
now we're crossed the fog lines and its too late to stay.
and i'm the only one left on this star left on this star.
and i'm the only one locked on this star locked on this star.
and i'm the only one ya i'm the only one.
And i'm home...and i'm home and i'm home and i'm ho-o-ome.
yes i'm home yes i'm ho-o-o-ome.
("Forever Ended Today" by Remember Maine)