13) Hello, Ashlee -ALEX-

Beth's mom drove us all back to her house.
     "Toby, you and Gabe can sleep in the living room. I don't think it's a good idea to wake your parents up at 2:58am."
Gabe laughed a little.
      "No, I guess not."
      "I'm gonna go up to my room, and I don't care when you go to sleep. You guys have been through a lot. Just make sure to get some sleep though." Beth's mom headed up the stairs, and the five of us sat in a circle in the living room floor. Nobody said anything for awhile.
     "It's finally over, isn't it?" Beth asked us.
     "Yeah, I hope so. Beth, just so you know your dad isn't all bad." Ashlee turned to her.
     "I just can't stop thinking about when he died. The car crash was all over the news, and the police had confirmed that there wasn't a survivor. I don't even care anymore. I lasted almost nine years without him, so I'll be good." We sat around and talked for a few more minutes before us girls decided to go to bed. Beth was the first one to leave. Then Gabe walked with Ashlee to the staircase in the hall. It was just Toby and I left.
     "You know, we never really got to talk about last night."
     "Oh yeah, that." I said and Toby moved closer to me.
     "Yeah," he brushed a stray hair from my forehead. His hand stroked my face and don't get me wrong; I liked it, but I wasn't used to it.
     "I really like you, Alex. I never got to realize that when I was with Ashlee."
     "It all makes sense now." I whispered.
     "I sure hope so because..." I though Toby was going to say something else, but he didn't. Instead he leaned in and kissed me.
     "Ummm..dude?" We broke away from each other. It was Gabe.
     "Go, we can talk more later." Toby smiled at me and I left to go  upstairs. As I was walking up the steps I swear I heard Gabe say,
     "Way to go man, 'bout time." I laughed to myself as I walked down the hallway, and joined in on the laughing in Beth's room with her and Ashlee. Sometimes things never change. Ashlee may not of always been a great friend, but I had a feeling that this time things would be different. Right now everyone I cared about most, was safe and sound. We still had to go into the station later for questioning, but for now everything was almost perfect in a way. Bethanny finally stood up for what she thought was right, Ashlee actually told the truth for once, Gabe had gone a whole 24 hours without annoying me, Toby broke free from Ashlee and confessed his true feelings, and I, Alex De'Angelo, took a chance on the people I love. I slowly drifted into sleep, keeping the satisfaction of knowing that everything was fine and that nothing could go wrong. The big mystery was finally over, and Gabe, Ashlee, Toby, Beth, and I could finally rest without worry. For now, at least.