Misery

Chapter 1

Spencer's POV:

So, it was three years ago to the day. It was the day that my entire life changed. Not only was it the day that we buried my brother, Clay, it was also the last day I saw her. She was my best friend.

I guess I should explain myself a little better. My name is Spencer Carlin, I am 24 years old, and I teach Kindergarten. Back then, I had a best friend, her name was Ashley Davies. We'd been best friends since preschool. Somewhere along the way I realized I had feelings for her. I never got the chance to tell her, because after my brother's funeral, I just took off from Los Angeles. I couldn't deal. I flew back home to Ohio and moped around for about a year. Then, I decided that Clay wouldn't want that. So, I went back to school and got my teaching license. Well, now my job has taken me back out here to La La Land. I want to find her. I want to tell her everything. But, who's to say she even lives here anymore? Well, that's why I've decided to call Kyla, Ashley's sister. Hopefully this goes well. Wish me luck!

"Hello?" Kyla asks, as she answers her phone.

"Oh! You answered! Hi Kyla, it's uh…it's Spencer." I replied, taking a shaky breath.

"Holy shit! Spencer? As in, Spencer Carlin?" she asks.

"The one and only." I answered.

"Oh, my god! It's been forever! How've you been, girl? Is everything okay?! I mean, we haven't heard from you in 3 years and now all of the sudden you're calling? Did Glenn die now or something? Paula? Arthur?" she rambled.

"I know! It has been forever. I've been okay. Yes, everything is fine. No! Glenn isn't dead, or my mother or father. They are all alive and well. I'm actually calling because I have found myself back in La La Land, my job brought me here. Anyways, I was wondering if you would like to meet up for coffee. Maybe we can catch up? Oh, goodness, now I am rambling aren't I?" I breathed out.

"Oh, thank God! Meet up for coffee? I mean, yeah. Sure. Why not, right? Where were you thinking?" she asked.

"Oh, hmm. How about the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf off of Sunset? At about…5:30? Would that work for you?" I asked, while checking my watch.

"Ooh! I love that place. Yes, 5:30 is great. See you in about a half an hour." Kyla replied.

"Okay, great! See you then." I replied. I hit the end button and head out to my car; a vintage Mustang. I get in and make my way to Sunset. I pull in to a parking place and head inside.

"Hello, ma'am! What can I get for you today?" asks the barista.

"I'll take a large blended Carmel Macchiato and a biscotti, please." I tell the barista.

"Okay, that'll be $6 even, please?" she tells me.

"Perfect. Here's a $10. Keep the change." I said, as I grabbed my order and made my way to a table in the corner. I pull out my phone and check the time; it's 5:28, Kyla should be here any second now. I know it's only Kyla, but I'm still really nervous. 3 years is a long time. What am I going to say? Should I just straight up ask her about Ashley? Do I wait for her to bring her up? I am so caught up in my nervousness that I didn't hear Kyla coming until she was literally right in front of me.

"Spencer! Hi! Wow, you look fabulous!" Kyla exclaims as she grabs me and pulls me into a fierce hug.

"Thanks! You look wonderful as well, Kyla." I replied, hugging her in return. "So, sit. Please." I add, gesturing to the empty chair.

"Good idea. So, what was it again that brought you back out here?" She starts off.

"It was my teaching job. I teach Kindergarten, and basically, I was transferred out here." I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

"So, you've been in Ohio all this time?" she asked.

"Well, I mean, yeah…for the most part anyways. It took me a whole year to actually get and up get motivated. What happened 3 years ago really took it's toll on me." I said, sighing.

"Well, that's understandable. You'd just lost your brother, that's not something people just get over. It seemed like it hit you pretty bad. Bad enough to just up and leave without saying a word, to ANYone." She said, making sure to emphasize that particular word.

"Yeah…I don't really have a good excuse for that. All I can say is that I'm sorry and hope that's good enough." I replied.

"Yeah, and that's not really up to me. You know eventually you'll have to see her, right? And talk to her?" Kyla asked.

"I know I can't ignore it forever. I'm going to have to face what I did, eventually. I just hope she doesn't punch me or something. I'm quite sure she hates me." I said.

Kyla scoffs, "I'm quite sure she doesn't." she says, laughing.

"What makes you so sure? Does she say otherwise?" I asked nervously.

"No, she doesn't. Quite the contrary, actually. But I think she's deflecting, you know?" she answered.

"Oh, that's promising. So, she DOES hate me." I stated.

"She says she does. None of us believe her. We can see it in her eyes. Well, I can anyways. I can't speak for the others." She tells me.

"If I could go back in time, I would at least tell her what was going on with me. Maybe she would've come with me. All I know, was that I had to get out of here. I couldn't be here…it hurt too much." I said, sighing.

"I can see that you're still broken over it. It weighs heavily on your mind, doesn't it? The whole situation?" Kyla asks.

"Yes, of course. I know that I broke her heart. Hell, I broke my own. I hate myself for hurting her. But, I can't turn back time. You know, I'd like to talk to her, see if I can at least explain the frame of mind I was in at the time. She doesn't have to forgive me or anything. I just want a chance for her to hear me out." I breathe out.

"I can try and talk to her, if you'd like me to?" Kyla offers.

"I…sure? Why not, right?" I reply. During a lapse in conversation, I begin eating my biscotti. "Would you like half? Sorry, I haven't eaten since before the plane ride out here. That was 3 days ago!" I rush out.

"3 days? Geeze, Spencer! No, I'm okay. Thanks for offering. You shouldn't do that to yourself, it's not healthy." Kyla responds, worriedly.

"I know, I don't usually do that. I've just been off in another dimension, I guess. Being back out here was like a culture shock all over again. If you know what I mean." I explain.

"Yeah, I get the gist of what you're saying." She says. "So, what plans do you have for today? Are you going to stop by Clay's grave?" she adds.

"Ohh…yeah. Those are the only actual plans I had. I uh…haven't even told Glenn that I'm back yet. You're the only person who knows. Aside from mom and dad, of course." I respond, sighing and grabbing my necklace.

Just then, Kyla's phone starts ringing. "Shit. I have to get that. Hello? Oh! Ashley! Where am I? I'm having coffee with a friend. Which friend? Uhm…a friend that you haven't met yet. What's their name? Uh, Gabby? Yes! Her name is Gabby. We met at the gym. I'm not lying! Sheesh! Let you talk to her?! What the hell, Ashley?! I don't have to answer to you! You're not my mother! I'm hanging up now! Bye, sis!" she practically yells, hanging up her phone.

"So, hi Kyla, my name is Gabby. Nice to meet you." I say, holding out my hand for her to shake.

"Oh, my god. I am SO sorry about that, Spence." She exclaims.

"Oh…no one's called me that for years…she gave me that nickname, ya know?" I say, my heart stinging a little bit.

"Shit, I forgot. It just became second nature to call you that. So, I apologize." She apologizes.

"Kyla, stop! It's fine! Really, I swear." I assure her.

"Okay. Anyways, I'm afraid that if I don't leave soon she's going to track me down, and I'm pretty sure you're not ready to face her yet." Kyla explains.

"Okay, no problem. It was great catching up with you. We'll have to hang out again, soon. I have your number, so I'll text you." I reply, getting up to hug her goodbye.

"Sounds like a plan girl! I look forward to it." She says, grabbing her bag and walking out the door.

Alright, well off to the cemetery. Better make sure I have Kleenex in the car. I've got a feeling I'll be bawling my eyes out by the time today is through.