________________________________________

I HATE YOU
::  xxi. | new era

Ashely left to Bradford University in England a month before summer ended. Her parents were resilient in getting her into a good college. She had the grades and with all their business trips, they had the money. Though she was very excited to start college soon, she was sad to be away from her friends and girlfriend. She still couldn't believe only a day till the first semester began. She wasn't sure if she was ready for any of it or where to start. So far as of her dorm, she was the only one there.

She was laying on her bed with her legs hanging off the edge, kicking them back and forth as she stared at the ceiling. Then all of a sudden, the dorm's door suddenly opened and Ashely could only think it was probably her roommate. Ashely sprung up and sprinted out her room. She abruptly stopped in the living room, once she realized who it was.

"Hey, you think you can help me?"

"S-sure." Ashely was hesitant as she leaned down and picked up one of the bags.

Her roommate finally turned around and saw her face, "Ashely?"

Ashely sighed as she stood up, looking Nicole dead in the eye. She never thought in a billion years that she would come face to face with the person that tormented her and Rachel with hateful, homophobic words. Till that day, she never gave Nicole a single thought. Man, when she calls Rachel later — Rachel's going to have a lot to say.

• • •

It felt weird not having Ashely and Alexa around for everyone, but especially for Chad and Rachel. It was senior year for the remaining Tree Hill residents. A lot can happen and a lot will.

Long distance has been tough on Rachel but Ashely was lowkey thriving right then in that time in her life, away at college. Peyton and Chad became exclusive even though he had to risk a lot for it. Him and Lucas were no longer friends. Nathan and Haley were still amazing as ever, them being one of the best married couples their friends have ever seen.

Other than Ashely, Rachel only really had Brooke and Chad to turn too. Everyone else still very much didn't like her — hated her. She knew this would be a challenge but she didn't think it was going to be this hard.

The redhead pouted as she plopped on her bed. It was now two in the morning, one day before senior year started for everyone. She knew Ashely would be awake because it's seven in the morning in England, not that bad of a time difference.

Rachel pulled out her phone as she glanced at sleeping Brooke. She turned to face her closest door as she opened her phone, then dialed Ashely's number. After two rings, the blonde finally answered.

"Hey, rach. Should you be sleeping it's late over there."

"I wanted to hear your voice first. You got your first class right?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah, excited. You're not going to believe who my roommate is!" Ashely exclaimed, "Do you remember Nicole?"

"Bitch with a rat face Nicole?" Rachel whispered, "From middle school?"

"Yeah and why are you whispering?"

"Brooke's asleep." Rachel mentioned as she turned slightly to check on her friend who was tightly wrapped up in a blanket.

"Well, I got to go. Class starts soon and I don't want to be here when Nicole gets back so love you. Bye."

Before Rachel could even get a word in or a quick I love you back, Ashely had already hung up. Rachel sighed as she put her phone on her nightstand. She got under the covers and began to try and sleep. If she could survive two years without Ashely then she could survive a year. She made a vow with herself that she was going to have the best senior year.

• • •

"That doesn't make any difference." Ashely interrupted one of her classmates, "If you really read the book you would understand briar would've done it if she admitted it or not."

"And why is that?" The professor asked Ashely, encouraging her to continue.

It was an English class, Ashely was planning on majoring in literature. The class was assigned a book over the summer and their first day, everyone is supposed to talk about it — kind of like a book club. Ashely binged the book as soon as it came in the mail, she was eager to read it.

Just like her buddy Lucas, she was a huge book nerd. Which meant, she wasn't shy to tell her opinion after she's read it.

"Her brother was a bad guy which is why she murdered him. She wanted to save her family. She would've killed him regardless if she told her family the truth because she's the only one who knew it and who seen the real him." Ashely elaborated more of her response.

The professor nodded intriguingly as he brows furrowed. He was pleasantly surprised by Ashely's resilience. He could tell she was open minded, smart, objective and logical. He was practically in awe of what she brought to the class.

Soon enough, everyone continued discussing about the book and once that wrapped, he handed out papers which was the syllabus. Then he passed out journals, explaining that they will be used for like book reviews, notes, etc.

After another two hours, the class wrapped and Ashely just packed up her things ready to head to school the next class. Just before she was even out the door, the professor stopped her.

"Ashely, hold on a second." He closed the door after the last student.

"What's up, professor Clark?" Ashely was chill with her words.

He turned to her, "We're friends here, call me Brian and you were amazing for your first day. I felt like you connected and really read the words."

Ashely innocently shrugged, "I do like reading."

"Hm." He nodded, "Listen, I host a book club starting at the beginning of semesters and the first meeting is tonight. I'd really like if you could come." His accent was seeping through, along with his boyish grin.

"Yeah, sure." Ashely eagerly nodded, "When and where?"

"At eight tonight, bon voyage coffee shop — off campus." His arms were crossed over his chest, as his eyes followed her expressions — trying to read her face.

"See you tonight, Professor—" She caught herself but corrected, "Brian."

Ashely headed on out, going to her next class which was creative writing. She was excited, so far the day wasn't going as bad as she thought it was. Already the teacher's favorite and been invited out with some other students . . what could possibly go wrong?

• • •

Back in Tree Hill, everyone was taking advantage of their last of summer before senior began. Eight thirty in the morning and nobody wanted to waste anytime.

The whole group was at Karen's Cafe. Lucas and Nathan combined two tables, so everyone could be together. The whole table was quiet at first, none of them knew what to say and it was still early in the morning; most of them were still tired.

"Where's Chad?" Peyton noticed her boyfriend wasn't there.

"Not here because Lucas is." Rachel took no shame in her words. She practically lived for drama.

"If he were here, I wouldn't be." Lucas admitted.

Mouth chimed in, "Can't you guys just drop this already?"

Lucas just shrugged as he got up to head to the counter with Haley to get everyone coffees.

As they were all at Karen's, Chad laid on his bed thinking about everything and how much he was missing his bestest friend and sister, Ashely. She was 3,857 miles away and he didn't know what to do with himself. Those two were thick as thieves since the day Chad was born, he's never been away from her. Always had his sister by his side and now everything was different.

With his thoughts circling around in his head about his sister, he grabbed his phone from his bedside table and immediately called her. She's been gone for nearly two months and it's been really weird for him.

Luckily for him, she answered on the first ring.

"Missing me that much already, huh?" Ashely couldn't help but troll him a bit.

"You could say that." A smiled spread across his lips, "What you up to?"

She sighed, "About to get food before my next class in two hours. You?"

"In bed." He paused, "It's weird not having you around — different. I'm not sure if I like it."

She spoke softly, "Same, lil bro."

The two siblings continued to talk about whatnot. Ashely gave him advice about Lucas and everything. They talked about the parents and when she would be coming to visit.

Just talking to his sister cured everything for him — he felt better. He felt like everything was going to be ok and he knew it wasn't the end of the world. He knew he was going to see her again . . it was just the matter of when and Rachel knew too.

a/n:
first chapter of act 3!!

PLSSS COMMENT
UR FEEDBACK OF
THIS CHAPTER OR
THOUGHTS