GREEK TRAGEDY
::  xvii. | shock after shock

A woman screeching was coming from the tv. It was some kind of thriller movie the girls were watching. As in girls, there was Ryland, Ashely, Alexa, Haley, Brooke, Peyton, and Anna. It was a girls night at Haley's place and well, they just wanted to get to know Anna to see if she was good for the pack, minus all the drama with Peyton.

Just as the movie continues, the killer running after the girl —— Haley squealed a bit as she abruptly stood up.

"I forgot about the ice cream."

Alexa picked up the controller and paused the movie as Haley made her way to the kitchen, followed by Peyton and Brooke.

Haley pulled out some bowls, spoons, and then soon the vanilla ice cream. Eventually, everyone was sat around eating as they engaged in small talk. Ashely, Anna, Alexa, and Ryland sat near the couch while Brooke, Peyton, and Haley were near the counter —— all of them enjoying the ice cream.

As the spoon filled with ice cream met Haley's lips, a thought came to mind as she glanced towards Anna, "So, Felix came over here to use my shower because the shower at your house was broken?"

"Uh . . "

Brooke quickly nodded, "Yeah."

Haley's eyes shifted towards Brooke, "Huh."

"Brooke —— " Peyton intervened.

Brooke passed the blonde a look, basically telling her with her eyes to shut up.

Haley saw the interaction and began speculating some more, "Wait, you don't have a bed do you?" Then it clicked, "Did you —— ? God, please tell me you did not have sex in my bed, Brooke?"

"I'm already washing your sheets."

Ashely mumbled across the room, "Gross."

Everything began to unravel, Haley listed about three things Brooke was in the wrong for. Then Brooke did about the same, she mentioned a lie and Nathan. Then Peyton intervened again and Haley basically told her to shut up, which riled her up a bit.

As the cat fight began, Anna, Ashely, Ryland, and Alexa all sat on the sideline watching.

"You know, if we're talking about bad behavior, you might want to sit this one out."

Peyton scoffed, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Brooke subconsciously blurted out, "Oh you know, you and Lucas getting it on."

Brooke's eyes grew wide, realizing what she said and Ryland's hand met her mouth in shock that Brooke would just blurt that out.

Ashely slowly stood up from her seated position, "What?"

Ryland's free hand grasped Ashely's arm, "Brooke was just joking. She didn't mean anything by it." Her eyes darted towards Brooke, "Right?"

Ashely ignored her, her attention focused on Peyton, "Does this have some truth to it?"

"I —— "

Ashely's shoulders sunk in despair, "Can't believe how stupid I've been." She pulled her arm out from Ryland's hand and headed to Haley's room to gather her things.

Of course, all the girls followed after her but Ashely locked the bedroom door, so she wouldn't talk to anyone.

As Ashely gathered her things, Ryland pulled Brooke to the side to have a quick chat. The two were in the kitchen by the fridge.

Ryland hit Brooke's arm, "What the fuck, Brooke."

"Ow." Brooke rubbed her arm, "It just slipped."

Little did they know, they weren't as quiet as they thought they were.

Alexa and Ashely were standing there as Alexa asked, "Ryland, you knew?"

Before Ryland could say anything, Ashely quickly made her way to the door and left.

The whole room was quiet, no one knew what to say, kind of except Ryland.

"She just needs time." Ryland spoke aloud, "And space."

• • •

The next day, everyone was at school and going about their day. However, it was very noticeable that Ashely was nowhere to be found and that since Chad hasn't pummeled Lucas yet, that meant he didn't know.

Ryland was at her locker, staring into the abyss when Lucas approached her.

He lightly tapped her shoulder, "Hey."

Ryland turned around and she wasn't pleased, "You fucked up."

"I know. Do you know where she is?"

Ryland shrugged, "Probably at her house, wallowing. That's what I would've done if I found out my boyfriend cheated with one of my best friends."

He spoke softly, his hands in his front pockets, "Who told her?"

Ryland thought for a moment before answering. She realized her and Brooke were becoming a bit of friends and Ryland isn't one to throw her friends under the bus, "I don't know, but regardless . . you should find a way to make it right. You and Peyton."

With a nod of his head, Lucas was off and Ryland could only hope it was to Ashely.

• • •

As soon as school wrapped, Lucas immediately headed to Ashely's place. Her parents were out of town again, so pretty much anyone was free to come over which gave the Scott boy an even more advantage. First things first, he had to make sure Chad was nowhere to be seen. Him and Chad weren't on the best of terms and well, he fucked over his ex best friend's sister.

As soon as knowing he was in the clear, Lucas was in his truck and to Ashely immediately. He didn't really know what he was going to say or do. All he knew was he had to talk to her and hope that she won't hate him forever.

Once pulling in front of her house, he hopped out the truck and headed towards the front door. However, he didn't need to knock because Ashely had already opened it.

She stood between the doorframe, "Leave. Now. I have nothing to say to you."

"Then just listen." Lucas pleaded, "I'm sorry. However you found out, it's not how I wanted. Me and Peyton were going to tell you. It was going to stop . . eventually."

"Eventually? Lucas, do you hear yourself?" Ashely scoffed, "Wow, when did you and Nathan switch places?"

Ashley turned on her heels about to walk back in the house when Lucas blurted out, "I took the test!"

Her back stayed facing him, "The results?"

"Positive."

She bit the inside of her cheek, hated hearing that word. Sure she was pissed at him, but her care for him did not waver. However, she did not want to show him any of that type of affection.

So, all she said, "Good luck to you then."

Ashely shut her front door and left Lucas out there, all bewildered and lost.

As he began to make his way back to his truck, Ryland was just answering the landline in her kitchen.

"This better not be that creep who keeps calling ——— "

"No, creep." Brooke began, "But a little horny? Yes."

Ryland lightly chucked, "What's up, Brooke?"

"Two questions. You spoke to Ashely? And you going to that dance coming up soon?"

"No, giving her some space. Besides, I don't think she wants to talk to either of us right now." Ryland paused for a brief moment, "And to answer your second question . . . maybe."

"Well, I think you should come and I think we should ambush Ashely."

"Ambush?"

"Mhmm. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow."

A thought suddenly came to Ryland's mind, "Are we friends, Brooke?"

"I'd say so."

A small smile spread across Ryland's lips.

Things were finally looking up for the two after absolutely hating each other for a period of time. However, Ryland just hoped for whatever Brooke had plan for Ashely was not going to make her hate them even more. The blonde was glad to gain a new friend, but she wouldn't dare lose the one who's practically been with her through everything.

a/n:
things are happening &&
got a lot more planned. Luke
was not it this chapter smh.