It had not been easy, but Hayden managed to break through Ashley a second time after the incident at work. Hayden knew better than to let her keep working once she was in the mindset she was, so he called in the next shift supervisor early, and he took Ashley home around 1 pm. Hayden tried what he could, but it was clear that it would take a little time to snap her out of it again. Six days later, and Hayden did it the same way he had the first time. Having to be firm, but gentle too by reminding Ashley to call him Hayden, and if she wanted something, she needed to speak up and tell him. Of course, now, Hayden was dealing with Ashley always looking miserable, and upset with herself thinking that she upset Hayden with what happened at his job. Hayden told her many times that it was okay, and there was nothing that could have been done. Ashley said she understood, but her behavior showed otherwise. Thankfully, though, Ashley hadn't forgotten anything this time around. Hayden was about to use that to his advantage to bring back some of her happiness.
"Ashley," Hayden said to get her attention.
"Yes, Hayden?" Ashley looked at him softly.
"I'm heading to the store for a few things, would you like to come?" Hayden inquired.
"Okay," Ashley nodded as she got up, then retrieved her shoes from by the door. Ashley grabbed her purse and left the house with Hayden. The two got into the car, then headed towards the store.
(Berkian General Store & Market)
Hayden pulled into a spot as he shut off the car, then got out. Ashley did the same, walking beside him as the two entered together. Hayden picked up the few things he needed for the house or car, then he walked with Ashley back towards the electronics section, specifically; the cell phones.
"What are we doing back here? Did your phone break?" Ashley asked.
"Last week you asked me if I'd take you to get a phone, and we never got around to it then, so here we are now," Hayden smiled.
"Y-You remembered?" Ashley said, a bit shocked.
"I did. Why don't you browse around them, and pick the one you want," Hayden suggested. Ashley nodded with a small smile; then she started looking at the different types. Of course, there was more to consider than just the type she picked. Ashley had to check out the plans too, so she would know what she'd be paying for every month. Ashley found one plan that offered unlimited minutes, text, and web for $45 a month. The phones available from that carrier were good too, but unfortunately, they weren't in stock today.
"Can I help with anything?" asked a male associate.
"I was wondering if you have this phone in?" Ashley asked, pointing to the advertised picture of the device.
"Hm. I don't believe so. It's a very popular model, but we get a new shipment on Saturday if you'd like to come back then. You can pay for everything now, and when it comes it, we'll put one aside for you?" the man offered. Ashley looked at Hayden, knowing that he usually worked Saturdays and Sundays.
"We can return on Sunday for it, Ashley. Don't you remember? We took Sunday off because we're going to the park with our friends. Alicia and Eli have it off too. We'll stop here and get it on the way there," Hayden reminded.
"Oh, yeah. I did forget about that. Okay, then yes. I'll pay for everything now," Ashley smiled. The associate nodded.
"And would you like to purchase the plan now too, or that day?" he questioned.
"I'll wait until Sunday for that. Thank you," Ashley informed. The male nodded as he went to the register to cash her out. Hayden cast a glance at the picture of the phone Ashley wanted, and he blinked a bit. It was the same exact one she had before she went missing, and he wondered if she recalled that from memory because Ashley had just gotten that type of phone as a Christmas gift from her father, who passed away just three months later five years ago. To Hayden's knowledge, Ashley couldn't recall anything from her Sophomore Year and beyond that point. So why did she instantly pick the phone she used to have? It's the first one she looked at, then kept looking, but would always go back to it with a broad smile. Hayden supposed that he should worry about it; the phone was pretty cool anyway.
"All set?" Hayden asked Ashley when she came back over while stuffing a receipt in her purse.
"Yep!" Ashley replied cheerfully. Hayden smiled; he loved how happy she looked.
"Well, let's head to check out so I can pay for this stuff, then we can head home," Hayden said. Ashley nodded as they headed to the front of the store together. However, Hayden didn't go home when they left the business. Instead, he detoured and took her to their old elementary school. Hayden parked along the side of the road, then shut off the car.
"Where are we?" Ashley asked.
"Doesn't look familiar?" Hayden asked.
"Well, it's the elementary school, Hayden, but why did we come here?" Ashley wondered.
"I come here at least once a week. I love sitting on the swings; you used to as well. It was your favorite thing to do at recess time. Would you…like to join me?" Hayden questioned. Ashley thought about it for a moment, then she nodded. Hayden got out, and she followed as they walked through the gate together, then towards the swings. Approaching them, Ashley stared gently. "Something wrong?"
"These were the two we always used," Ashley mentioned. Hayden smiled as he saw her lips curve into a small one.
"That's right. Come on, for old times sake?" Hayden held the swing by the chains as Ashley turned and sat herself down on it. "Bet I can still swing higher," he teased.
"Pfft, when could you ever swing higher than me, Hiccup? Don't even lie to yourself; we both know who has always won that bet," Ashley remarked, then looked up at him as he was smiling down.
"True. Can't blame a guy for dreaming, right?" Hayden said as Ashley looked back to the sand, smiling, and trying the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
"Push me?" Ashley asked as Hayden moved his hands down the chain until they were over hers. Ashley tensed a moment before his hands grabbed the base of the swing, then he pulled her backward before rushing forward. Ashley gripped the chains hard as she closed her eyes, then she felt Hayden pushing her each time she went back. Finally, she opened her eyes and smiled wide. Ashley loved it! Hayden came out from behind the swing when she started pumping her legs to keep herself going. Hayden chuckled as he sat in the other one, kicking himself off and swinging with her.
Ashley looked over at him with a huge smile on her face; the two of them were swinging lightly in sync. Hayden put his hand out as Ashley let go of one of the chains, and put hers in his. "Remember how we used to stop when recess was over?" Hayden asked.
"We used to jump together," Ashley answered with a laugh as they came forward once more and jumped, both losing their balance on the land, then rolling to a stop in the sand. Hayden and Ashley panted, both laughing as they'd landed with Hayden on top of her. "A-Are you okay?" he asked.
"I am. That was…so much fun! Gods!" Ashley calmed down a little. "Thank you, Hayden,"
"There's the Ashley I know," Hayden said. All he wanted was to see that bright smile she always wore on her face, the happiness, her laughter. Hayden had missed it so much, and this little excursion had been just enough to bring it back. It might have been small, but it meant that with more trips down memory lane, and doing things they used to do together; Ashley would heal, and remember who she used to be, and return to that person as well. Ashley pushed Hayden off with a laugh; then she grabbed his hand.
"Let's do it again, Hic!" Ashley said.
"Sure thing, Asty," Hayden nodded as he followed her back to the swings.
(Sunday; Middle of August)
As Hayden promised, before leaving for the park with the dragons; Stormfly too, they stopped at the store so Ashley could pick up her phone, and then also pay for a service plan. Ashley picked up the one she had selected a few days before, and then they left the store with Ashley very excited to get to the park. Hayden decided to bring the dragons because it seems that when Ashley was with him, Stormfly was responding more, and it made him wonder if Ashley had been working with Stormfly at all, but he doubted it because Ashley had asked him why Stormfly was so skittish and afraid. Hayden informed her that it's because Stormfly was found abandoned, and after she was brought in had shown signs of neglect, abuse, and malnourishment. Ashley didn't like hearing that, and Hayden assumed that it was because Ashley had been through something similar. Today was the one they were meeting up with their friends, and everyone was bringing their dragons along.
Arriving at the park, Hayden and Ashley got out with the dragons and walked to the spot the friends said they'd meet.
"There you are!" Hailey smiled.
"Sorry. Had to go pick up Ashley's phone," Hayden admitted.
"Phone?" the friends blinked.
"Ashley wanted to get a phone, so I took her to the store a few days ago to pick one out. It was out of stock, she paid for it anyway, and a new shipment came in yesterday. We went to grab it on the way here," Hayden explained.
"Can you help me set it up?" Ashley asked him.
"Of course," Hayden nodded as they took their seats on the blanket, then brought out the food they agreed to bring. After that was done, Hayden opened the phone package with his pocket knife and handed it to her along with the charger. Hayden pulled out an external battery charger and plugged the phone in to charge while he read over everything else. Hayden got the phone set up from his own. "Do you want your old number or a new one?" he asked.
"I can do that?" Ashley asked.
"Get your old number back? Yeah. Apparently, you already have an account with this service; it was just suspended because you didn't pay your bill when it was due. I assume this about the time you went missing. I can activate this phone with your old number if you want?" Hayden offered.
"Well, sure. Makes things easier I guess," Ashley nodded. Hayden began typing again, then powered on the new phone while putting his down. Hayden dialed a three-digit code, listening to the options, then tapping on the number pad. After that, he smiled and ended the call before handing it back to her.
"All set. Activated with your old number, and once we get home; I can get your contacts back too. You backed everything up to the online server," Hayden told her.
"Yay! You're the best!" Ashley threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Hayden chuckled and hugged her back. "I'm gonna let it charge before I do anything to it," she said.
"Perfect, then we can get down to enjoying our picnic," Roxanne grinned. The day continued normal and peaceful. The dragons were playing with one another, but Stormfly was sleeping under a tree in the shade, not taking an interest as it had been in the past.
"Still no luck with her, huh?" Hailey frowned.
"Not really. I had some progress at the house, but maybe pushing her into a public setting so soon wasn't wise," Hayden shrugged.
"Well, if we can't get her adopted by someone else…Perhaps you can take her in, Hayden. She obviously does better with you," Hailey tried.
"I already have three dragons. The most she does at my house is come out to eat or push a ball around, that's it," Hayden sighed. Ashley looked at Stormfly again as the others continued talking; she felt bad that the dragon had suffered needlessly, a lot like herself. The poor thing was likely upset, terrified, and untrusting as she was. Ashley watched as a man walked by Stormfly, then stopped and looked again. Stormfly instantly shrunk away looking scared.
"Still alive?" the man said. Ashley saw Stormfly make eye contact with her, eyes pleading for help. Ashley patted her lap as the dragon got up and tried to get to her, but the man stomped his foot, forcing Stormfly to stop. "You're useless and stupid. You couldn't even follow commands, that's why you got beat," the male continued. Ashley had more than enough when she saw this male raise his hand to strike Stormfly. Ashley got up quickly and rushed to get between the two, and she stopped his hand from making contact.
"Ashley?!" Hayden said with concern, shocked also. Ashley's eyes narrowed, and Hayden saw a flicker of fierceness return as his eyes widened. Ashley turned the man's wrist, then shoved him back.
"You leave Stormfly alone," Ashley demanded.
"Psh, and what are you gonna do to stop me? That is my dragon. I've been looking for her," the man insisted.
"You're a damn liar! I just listened to you say that she's stupid and useless! You admitted to beating her because she wouldn't follow commands! You're the bastard that abused, starved, and abandoned her!" Ashley glared.
"Don't make me have to hurt you, girl," the man warned as he raised his hand to backhand her this time. Hayden was up, ready to jump in, but he stopped when he saw Ashley raise her hand to block herself. Ashley grabbed the wrist a second time, turning herself to elbow him in the gut, then return to facing him.
"You lost the right to call her yours when you abandoned her. Stormfly is mine because I adopted her!" Ashley raged.
"Since when? You can't just claim someone else's property as yours! Any officer would agree!" the man sat up as Ashley stepped on his chest to keep him down.
"And I'm sure they'd agree with you trying to hit her too. That hit that my friends and I ALL saw you attempt to do. Plus you tried to hit me! Stormfly is a dragon; a living, breathing, animal! I can't stand people like you! Stormfly is not a fucking piece property you piece of shit! Now, why don't you pick yourself up and get lost?" Ashley demanded. Ashley picked Stormfly up, and the dragon didn't run from her. "You're alright now; I won't hurt you. I know how it feels to be locked up, and hurt if you didn't do as you were told. I'll keep you safe, I promise," Ashley smiled to Stormfly. The dragon looked at her; the licked her cheek while nuzzling against her light pets on the head.
"You're going to regret that, bitch!" the man lunged for her. Stormfly got on Ashley's shoulder, then Ashley grabbed the man's arms while they were out. Ashley hooked her leg behind his, then yanked it forward to make the man land on his back. Ashley stepped on his chest and glared.
"My name isn't bitch; it's Fearless Ashley Hofferson, and don't ever forget it. Stay away from my dragon, or you will regret the day you ever crossed my path. You feel me?" Ashley said. The man gulped under her stare, then nodded. Ashley stepped off, then returned to her group of friends, sitting down and holding Stormfly in her lap, petting her lovingly as the dragon purred with content. The friends didn't know what to say; Ashley kicked this guy's ass in just a few moves, very much like how she used to do before everything happened. Hayden was proud because he knew that his Ashley was in there, and she just made an appearance! Ashley even called herself her old title; Fearless Ashley Hofferson. It was dubbed when they were kids because Ashley didn't fear anything. Ashley was coming back, despite what she's been through, and stronger than ever.
