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I HATE YOU
:: xiii. | lean on me

It's been a week since Ashely found out about the older guy, then she found out it was uncle cooper. She's heard about him but never met him until she saw deb with him over the weekend. She couldn't believe that's who Rachel's been seeing. She wondered how long but she had a guess it was probably since the summer. Since that starry night, she hasn't spoken to Rachel. She couldn't, she didn't know how or what to say. The fact that Rachel didn't say anything yet, just made her pissed off. She finally told Rachel she loves her and Rachel didn't even say it back. What the hell is she supposed to do with that?

Ashely walked down the halls, latched arms with Peyton and Haley as they headed to the library. Once they walked through the doors, they found an empty table that was close to the windows. They all sat down and immediately pulled out their books. It was quite peaceful. No one was talking, they were all focused on school. As Ashely moved onto the next problem of her homework, Jay came to mind. She was worried about him and she needed someone to talk to. So she looked up and glanced between Peyton and Haley before finally speaking, "You guys know Jay chestnut?"

Haley lowered her book from her face and Peyton pulled an earbud out one of her ears.

"Jay? Yeah." Peyton replied as a concern expression formed on her face.

"Why?" Haley asked.

"I don't know, he's been acting weird and . . " She leaned in to whisper so no one would hear them, "The other day I caught him smoking."

"I thought he quit?" Peyton whispered as well.

"He lied I guess." Ashely shrugged, "I don't know— I think something's wrong but he's not talking."

"So what do you want us to do?" Peyton leaned back into her chair, still talking at low volume because they're in a library.

"Nothing." Ashely leaned back in the chair, "I'm just scared for him." Ashely's mind wandered off as she finished her sentence. She thought maybe she should talk to her brother since he's close to Jay as well. She knows Jay will listen to him because he usually does. Once she decided on a definite decision, she stood up and shoved her things in her bag before hurrying out the library.

Peyton and Haley thought to mind their business about whatever is going on with Ashely but they speculated that it has something to do with Rachel. So nothing new for them.

Ashely texted her brother as she wandered the halls. She told him to meet her in the parking lot behind the school. As she waited, she saw Rachel and Brooke walk by. They were heading back in the school and her brother walked out. Of course, Rachel being curious watched as Chad left the building and her eyes followed him to Ashely.

Ashely sensed Rachel looking but didn't look back, she just stared at wherever until her brother approached.

"Hey, what's up? What's with the Morse code? S O S." He stood in front of her, referring back to her texts from his phone.

"You need to talk to Jay. It's serious." She was quite concern.

"Is he using again?" Chad wasn't quite careful with his words.

"He's smoking but if you're referring to what I think you are, since when?" Ashely demanded.

Chad avoided eye contact, "For a little bit now."

Ashely hit his arm, "How stupid are you? You know about his problems."

"He said he has it handled this time."

"This time? He's a drug addict for Christ sake!" Ashely exclaimed, "They always say they have it handled, then they don't. Do you really want it to get that far?"

Ashely was right and Jay has been down that road before. It was hard for everyone when he overdosed a year and a half ago. He kept it well hidden that he was doing drugs and his mom finding him . . . it was so sad and heartbreaking. After he left the hospital, he had to be on watch for awhile and gained his mother's trust back. Ashely's just scared that this time he won't come back and it'll be her fault for knowing and not doing anything to prevent it.

"We should tell someone." Ashely commented and she was about to go and tell but was yanked back by her arm.

"No, we are not. Listen, he told me in confidence. Just let me deal with this, ok?" Chad pleaded.

"If he ends up dead, I'm blaming you." Ashely snatched her arm back and then continued her way back into the school building.

• • •

School was out and Ashely had just gotten to her room from entering the house. Her emotions were everywhere. She was worried, scared, sad, angry. It just didn't have to do about Jay, it was also about Rachel and her brother. She couldn't stop thinking about that fire at dan's car dealer. She felt stuck. Time was moving and she was standing still.

She tossed her bag on the floor and plopped on her bed, then pulling her phone out her pocket. She immediately noticed there was a text from Jake. She smiled seeing his name, then pressed on their conversation. He texted, how'd it go with Rachel?

Just seeing her name made Ashely's smile turn into a frown. She closed her phone and tossed it to her side. She was laying peacefully on her bed until she heard a commotion outside her window. She frantically rose up and and went to look out her window. She saw Brooke outside the front door arguing with her mom. She knew exactly why that was as well. Ever since the whole Rachel fiasco, her parents doesn't allow girls in the house anymore even if they're just friends. Same goes to Chad because they're afraid of whatever girl he brings home, Ashely's gonna get the hots or whatever.

She quickly rushed downstairs and to the door.

"Mom, she's just a friend." Ashely approached the two.

"Do I have to remind you of the rules?" Her mom turned to look at her.

"No." Ashely sighed, "I'll only be a minute."

Her mom turned on her heels and stepped back into the house, "Be glad your father's at work. This would've been a lot worse."

After the door closed, Brooke rolled her eyes at Ashely's mom's statement. Ashely bit the inside of her cheek before turning in Brooke's direction, "She's right you know. I would probably be locked in my room and you would be long gone."

"Jeez." Brooke crossed her arms over her chest, "Didn't know how tough it was for you."

"Well I don't like to broadcast it so . . . and neither does Chad." She mumbled towards the end.

"Since you only have a few minutes, I'm just going to cut to the chase. What's going on with you and Rachel? You guys were like buddy buddy, now she doesn't like when you're brought up and you don't even acknowledge her in the halls." Brooke rambled.

"Brooke, she's the last thing I want to talk about right now." Ashely seemed a bit closed off.

"Everything ok with you?" Brooke was genuinely concerned.

Ashely nodded, "I swear."

The conversation fell silent and Brooke was just giving a sympathy look. She knew something was wrong but she didn't want to push.

"Ashely!" Her mother called from behind the closed door.

Ashely glanced at Brooke, "Looks like the timer went off."

"I'll text you." Brooke stated as she began walking backwards to her car.

The front door swung open, "Ashely Rose Donovan. Now."

Brooke waved bye before turning around and finished heading to her car. Once Brooke was in, Ashely turned around and walked back inside her house. She didn't say anything to her mom on the way in. She just walked passed her and back up to her room, closing the door behind her.

a/n:
something scary is about to come 👀

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