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I HATE YOU
:: xxix. | what you mean to me

One week had gone by and graduation for everyone else besides Ashely was only one day away. Everyone was excited and happy, but for Ashely it wasn't any of that. Though she wasn't graduating, she still had things going on. For example, Rachel decided she was going to leave early to meet her parents. The part that bothered Ashely the most was that Rachel was leaving in general.

She couldn't believe after all this time, Rachel was leaving again. Rachel didn't even talk to her about it or consider her, she was just going to up and leave. After all they been through, she thought she was at least important to the redhead.

Ashely sat on her porch as she waited for her friends to come get her. Night was peaking and the senior party was going on at some cool location. Brooke and others decided to ask Ashely if she wanted to join because they didn't want her to be by herself even though it was only for seniors.

Soon enough, that red comet pulled up in front of her house. There sat Peyton in the driver's, Brooke in the passenger's, and Chad in the back. Ashely got up and approached the vehicle that was blasting loud music.

Peyton turned it down as Chad spoke, "What up, sis."

Ashely didn't need to open the door, she jumped on in one leg at a time before the music turned back up and Peyton speeding off. Her hands were in the air as her hair was blowing in the wind. It almost felt magical, like this is where she needed to be. She could never imagine another group of friends. Though they have their fair share of drama, she wouldn't give them up for the world.

• • •

As they arrived to the secret location, there was still a bit of light outside. Everyone soon got out the car once Peyton parked on the rocked road. The group soon dispersed to look for some of their other friends.

As Ashely walked around to maybe find some of her friends or something to drink, she didn't expect to see someone who she thought would never come back. As soon as the two connected eyes, the two ran into each other's arms, holding each other in an embrace.

The blonde soon pulled away, "I didn't know you were coming back!"

Alexa swung her arm over Ashley, "I believe we have the same friends who are graduating tomorrow."

The two shared a smile as they began to walk around and chat for a bit. Alexa and Ashely shared so many things, catching up because apart they missed so much about each other. Ashely told her about Nicole, her parents, and how she unintentionally cheated on Rachel which now is a running joke. Alexa then proceeded to tell her about her college adventures and whatnot.

As the two continued to chat, Rachel approached the two.

Rachel was a bit hesitant because Alexa never liked her, even before Rachel started dating Ashely. Now Rachel never was one to seek anyone's approval, not even chad and Ashley's parents. But with Alexa, it was different. She was the only friend of Ashely's that absolutely hated her. Everyone else either is frenemies or just friends — Alexa was neither.

Rachel cleared her throat, "Hi."

The two turned towards Rachel who stood in front of them with an awkward expression.

"Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you." Alexa spoke.

"Me?" Rachel's eyes grew wide, "You never want to talk to me."

"I have something's to say. So if you don't mind?"

"Uh — yeah, sure." Rachel was still surprised by this.

Ashely watched as the two headed to talk somewhere private, "Be nice you two!"

As Ashely turned on her heels about to head elsewhere, her bother then approached her with a calm expression.

"Hey, where are those two headed off?"

Ashely shook her head, "I have no idea. I just hope they play nice."

Chad nodded agreeing before lightly nudging his sister on her side. She looked his way and he gestured with his head to follow him.

• • •

"I know I give you a hard time." Alexa began as her and Rachel sat down on a bench next to each other, "It's mostly because I care about Ashely so much and I've seen first hand what you did. I also knew you were a bitch before actually getting to know you."

"And now?" Rachel turned to her.

"You're still the bitch who broke my friend's heart — but that doesn't mean people can't change."

The redhead spoke softly, "Thank you."

Alexa then stood up, "Just so we're clear Rachel, we will never be friends but you're tolerable."

Rachel stood up as well, "Good enough for me."

Just as the two shared slight smiles, Lucas approached the two. His arms were crossed over his chest, but he wasn't angry. He felt a warmth. Though he was just supposed to get Alexa, he thought Rachel needed some warmth too. So as the nice guy he is, he included her.

He guided the two to where the rest of the group was and they were all by a lake that was a little walk from the graffitied house.

Chad was giving out candles and lighting them when the rest joined the group. He continued to pass them on and lastly was Lucas before he began to speak.

"Can't believe we're all graduating tomorrow." The Donovan boy began, "Can't believe jay's not here with us. A little over a year ago, something tragic happened then it continued. We lost people we deeply cared for — Keith, Jay, and Jimmy." He continued, "I just want to honor them tonight because they were great people who shaped us to who we are today."

Tears began to trickle down Ashely's cheeks, "To those who shaped us — to Jay." She raised the lit candle in the air.

"To jimmy." Mouth spoke up, raising his candle as well.

"Keith." Lucas chimed in.

"They'll never be forgotten." Nathan raised his as well, soon following everyone else.

All their candles were up in the air. Almost everyone holding onto each other. Rachel and Ashely had their arm around each other's waist, same as Nathan and Haley. Brooke had her arm around Peyton's shoulders. Everyone else stood around taking in the moment and breathing heavily for what's to come.

None of them were scared of what life could bring but that didn't mean they weren't nervous. Some of them were looking forward to tomorrow. However, others wondered what happens after tomorrow?

a/n:
only one chapter left )):

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