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I HATE YOU
:: xvi. | the aftermath

It's been a week since the shooting. School had been canceled and now it was the first day back. Nobody was sure if they wanted to go yet and then finding out about Keith's death? Lucas had it the worst. He didn't even want to hear jimmy's name. Brooke had been there for him for the past couple of days, apparently they're dating and that was bad news to everyone. Ashely was happy for him, she thought he'd never find someone because of how she ended it with him but she was happy she was wrong.

Ashely though, she was laying under her covers while staring up at the ceiling, debating whether if she should go to school or not. Her mind was still contemplating when the door bell rang. Sadly, she had to be the one to answer it since Chad was in the shower and her parents were away once again. She sighed getting up, throwing the covers off of her. She put no effort into walking downstairs, she wish she could just ignore it but that would end up in the door bell ringing over and over again— which would be annoying.

Once she reached the door and opened it, she immediately wrapped her arms around the person. She was happy to see him, happy to see Lucas after everything he's been going through. Lucas' arms were wrapped around her as well. And as they hugged tightly, he mumbled something, "You were always the one to help me feel better."

Ashely pulled away and looked at him, "That's not true. You have your mom and Brooke. Your mom . . she needs you more than ever, Luke."

He quickly changed the subject, "You going to school?" Ashely just shrugged, she wasn't sure if it was time for her yet. "Well I'll be there."

"Are you ready for that?"

"No, but i can't hide in my house forever." Lucas made a solid point and Ashely got it.

Going back to school will always be scary because of knowing what happened but you can't let that incident dictate the rest of your life.

Lucas gave her a small shoulder pat before turning around and leaving to school. Just as the door shut, footsteps were heard coming fast down the steps. It was was Chad obviously.

"You almost ready for school?" He soon realized she was far from it, "You're not dressed."

"Cause im not going." She simply said.

"I get it." He nodded, "If you need anything though . ."

"You too." She tapped his shoulder for reassurance as she went back upstairs.

As Ashely closed her door, she heard the front door open and close. All she thought about was what else could go wrong? Everyone's already been through enough. Then Rachel came to mind and how she was going to talk to her soon whenever she found the courage.

• • •

Everyone was basically at school. Lucas, Brooke, Peyton, Chad, Nathan, Haley, skills, mouth, Alexa, and rachel. They thought it was about time since it's been a week and the only way to move on is to continue life. Sure, this event will always stay with them but it's not like they can go back in time.

However, Rachel was going around asking about Ashely's whereabouts.

"Have you guys seen Ashely?" Rachel ask Peyton and Alexa.

Chad walking by overheard, "She's at home."

Rachel watched as Chad continued on his way before she went to the parking lot, got in the car and drove to Ashely's house.

She was worried, she wanted to make sure Ashely was ok and considering Ashely kinda risked her life just to be with her on that very day . . well maybe there was something else to it and Rachel wanted to know for sure. Once she reached the house, she parked right in front of it then made her way to the front door. She was a bit hesitant but rang the doorbell anyway.

Ashely wondered at first who it could be since everyone she knows was at school, but like all the time, she went downstairs to open the door because she didn't want to hear it ring countless times. She grasped the knob and swung the door open.

Seeing Rachel there, she was a bit surprised. Before the shooting, Rachel kind of completely ignored her so after the shooting, she thought Rachel would go back to that. Guess she thought wrong.

"What do I owe the surprise?" Ashely moved to the side to let Rachel in and then closed the door behind her.

"Just wanted to see how you were." Rachel spoke softly.

"Well . . " Ashely began her way back to her room while Rachel followed, "There was a shooting and like many of us, i was stuck in the room with the shooter, so yeah I guess I'm good." She finished in a sarcastic tone.

"Stupid question, I get it." Rachel mumbled, "But I honestly came to see how you were doing."

It was silent the rest of the way to Ashely's room and since her parents were once again out of town, she had no need to close the door— to hide Rachel.

"You know.. . " The blonde began, "I think about that day everyday. It's kind of hard not too. You would think my brother would've been the first on my mind when everything went down . . but he wasn't." Ashely finished, "I was so worried about you."

Rachel was sitting on the edge of Ashely's bed, listening as she spoke. She understood every word and she was worried about her too. There was so much she wanted to say and just watching her lips move, her blonde hair swaying, and seeing her green eyes . . it just made her think about what she's missing.

"I was worried about you too."

Ashely looked at Rachel in her eyes before replying with, "How are you and cooper?"

"He broke up with me. He found about my age."

"Oh—", Ashely wasn't sure of what she's supposed to say to that, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I was actually relieved."

Their eyes were still connected.

"Why's that?"

"Do you even have to ask? I love you, ash." Rachel stood up and made her way over to the blonde.

"I love you too." She replied softly, "But if this is going where I think it's going— I want us to take our time."

Rachel bit the inside of her cheek as she slightly smiled at Ashely. Ashely returned the smile and as they were lost in each other's eyes, her phone went off. It was ringing from her bed.

She walked over and picked it up, it was her brother calling. She pressed the answer button and put the phone up to her ear.

"Everything ok?"

"I'm at jay's house. Just get over here and call Alexa. It's an emergency!" Chad quickly spoke before hanging up.

Ashely's mouth was slightly opened, she never heard her bother act like that, unless it involved her. Just the words Jay and emergency, she can only think of the worst things possible.

"What's wrong?" Rachel could just tell by Ashely's expression.

"Can you give me a ride?" She completely ignored the question and just stared blankly at her.

to be continued . . .

a/n:
im sooooo scared y'all ))):

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