New Beginnings

Ben's blunt observation caught Ashley off guard, his gaze fixated on her worn-out clothes. "Your clothes are very messy and have holes," he said, his tone innocent but his words laced with a hint of pity. Ashley's face went red with embarrassment as she looked down at her outfit. She had grown so used to wearing the same old clothes that she had almost forgotten what it was like to have new, clean ones. She nodded sheepishly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I guess," she said, her eyes avoiding Ben's. Emily, ever the curious one, chimed in again. "Do you have a phone, Ashley?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest. Ashley hesitated, feeling a pang of shame. She hadn't had a phone in a long time, and the thought of not being able to afford one was a painful reminder of her past struggles. She whispered a quiet "no". Karen's expression softened, and she shot Emily a gentle glance. "That's enough," she said firmly but kindly. "We will get Ashley new clothes and a phone. We'll take care of all that." A few minutes passed, and the group continued to eat in comfortable silence. Ashley took a sip of her milkshake, her mind still reeling from the conversation. She looked at Karen and John, seeking answers to the questions that had been swirling in her head. "Will I have to move schools?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. "What part of the state do you guys live in?" she added, her eyes searching for reassurance. John and Karen exchanged a glance, and John spoke up. "We live in a small town about an hour outside of the city," he said. "As for school, we'll talk to you about that later, okay? We'll figure out what's best for you." Ashley nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. She was excited at the prospect of starting fresh, but she was also scared of the unknown. She took another sip of her milkshake, her heart racing with anticipation for what the future held.