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I HATE YOU
::  xxviii. | night terrors

Ashely sat in the car with July, he pulled up to an enclosed area. He parked the car and turned it off, before reaching in the backseat for a plastic bag. His hand soon reached in, pulling out two bottles.

"I don't drink." Ashely mentioned after seeing the bottles in his hand. He just tilted his head and gave her a look with his brows furrowed. "Ok — fine." She caved, "I just wanted to seem responsible."

He handed her one of the bottles, "You'll be fine."

She hesitantly took the bottle, "You do know how old I am, right? I'm 19."

"Oh — I'm 21."

She nodded understandingly, "Therefore, I can't drink and you will get in trouble for handing me this."

"Last time I checked . . " He sunk into his seat, "There's no one else around. So what do you say?"

She paused for a brief moment, looking around as well, "Fine."

So Ashely opened the bottle and July opened the bottle he held. The two clanked bottles together before taking a big gulp of the alcohol. It stung the back of their throats but in a more satisfactory kind of way.

From there, the two carried on with conversation. Getting to know each other better, life, family, future, etc. To Ashely, July was becoming a really good friend but that's not the way he saw it at all. He saw it as a possible opportunity, an open door — but the door wasn't open at all.

As they continued to laugh and talk while drinking, that's when Ashely's phone was going off in her pocket. She pulled it out and the caller ID read Brooke. She pressed the green button and held the phone up to her ear.

"Is everything ok, Brooke?"

"I don't know. Chad and Peyton aren't here and I find that weird. Should i be worried?"

"Don't be." Ashely began, "I'm sure they're playing hookey. Maybe they decided to ditch."

"I don't know. That doesn't sound like Peyton. She's pissed at me for sure, but she wouldn't miss this."

"I don't know what else to tell you."

"Thanks, anyway."

After Brooke hung up, Ashely then gave her full attention back to July. She and him resumed their conversation as she spoke, he began to lose himself at the sight of her. Her words were going through one of his ears then out the other, muffling almost.

He was infatuated by her.

So lost and wrapped into her, he began to lean forward. Before Ashely could react and move out the way, his lips were already on her's. She immediately pushed him back, appalled. Just by her reaction, he began to feel embarrassed.

"I have a girlfriend, July." She told him.

"And you're gay!" He spoke hysterically, out of embarrassment.

"I'm bi, but sure." Ashely continued, "I did not get that vibe at all. I literally thought we were hanging out as friends."

He looked to her, "Friends? This is a date."

Ashely didn't know what to say or process any of this. Her eyes just grew wide as she turned and looked out the window, sinking into her seat. She couldn't believe he was this delusional. Now she felt as if this whole situation was just awkward now.

• • •

As the night went on, nobody knew of Brooke's, Peyton's, and Chad's situation. Psycho Derek was back and he was after Peyton even harder this time around. But this time, it didn't end the way it did before. Peyton fought back this time but with the help of her boyfriend and supposedly best friend.

Peyton and Brooke used a cheerleading move that they remembered, kicking derek tumbling down the stairs. Chad was finally getting back up from being kicked in the face and that's when he met the two at the top of the steps. They all walked down the stairs slowly. Derek pounced back and Peyton kicked him again, knocking him out.

Chad stepped over him, "I'll call the police."

"Wait — " Peyton called out, "Give me two minutes." She then proceeded to continuously kick derek in the stomach with Brooke watching from behind.

Soon enough the cops arrived. They told them everything, psycho derek was put on a gurney while being cuffed to it. After everyone left, Chad took the girls to his house because they didn't want to be alone.

While they began their way there, Ashely was trying to get out of awkward position. So she made up an excuse and asked July if he could take her to a friend's house but in reality, that friend was her girlfriend.

• • •

After pulling up in front of the house, Ashley got out and said goodbye to him. July soon pulled off and Ashely began her way to Rachel's front door. She didn't really expect anyone to be there considering Rachel and Brooke were both at prom to her knowledge.

But with that in mind, none of that stopped her from knocking on the door at 10pm. With the expectation of no one being home, she was shocked that someone was — someone who definitely did not expect.

Rachel happily let her in. The two then began to head upstairs in complete silence before Ashely asked the big question.

"Why aren't you at prom?"

The redhead simply shrugged, "Couldn't get in."

"Why?"

Rachel walked into the bedroom, "Because I got expelled."

"What — !" Ashely closed the door behind them, "Can he do that? How did this happen?"

Rachel sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed, "I stole test answers."

Ashely sat next to her, "Why would you do that?"

"I don't know." Rachel lied, "I was being dumb." Not wanting to talk about it anymore, the redhead quickly changed the subject, "How were you spending your night?"

Ashely awkwardly chuckled as she began to tell her girlfriend about the kiss and the date that she had no idea that it was a date. She explained that he kissed her and she immediately pulled away.

She thought Rachel was going to be upset, but no. Instead, Rachel began to laugh a bit which kind of stunned Ashely because Rachel gets jealous sometimes and a little protective — but it was completely different this time.

Still snickering, "How'd you not know it was a date?"

Ashely's tongue clicked, "I thought we were hanging as friends."

"Can't believe you cheated on me." Rachel joked.

Ashely immediately went into a panic, "Technically I didn't and I just explained everything to you!"

Rachel lightly chuckled, "Ash, it's ok. I'm joking."

Ashely playfully pushed Rachel before the redhead offered to take her home. The two were joking around as they left the room, heading downstairs to the back door. Ashely admitted as they both got in the car that she felt a little tipsy.

Rachel just looked towards her as she started the car, this look was different from others. It was filled with love, lust, desire — everything all at once. She has never loved Ashley more than this moment right then.

As they began to head to Ashely's home, her phone began to ring. Ashely picked it up and Chad spoke on the other line. He told her about everything that went down and how the two were going to stay at their house for the time being. After the call ended, Ashely asked Rachel to push the gas. She didn't need to explain anything because usually when Rachel's asked that, she knows it's an emergency.

• • •

It was the next morning and everyone slept at the Donovan household. Brooke and Peyton with Chad, Rachel stayed with Ashely. No one wanted to be alone. After the traumatic experience that Brooke, Chad, and especially Peyton had to face — being alone was the last thing they wanted. Also, Ashly just wanted the comfort of her girlfriend.

As everyone continued to sleep, the doorbell began ringing over and over. Ashely groaned as she sat up because she knew if she didn't, it will keep ringing and she also knew her brother wasn't going to get up.

Only in her bra and shorts, she got out the bed and picked up her onesie that was laying on her chair. She slipped into the pink, bunny onesie as she yawned.

Rachel fluttered her eyes open and saw Ashely exiting the room to go answer the door. Rachel got up as well and just in her shorts with a blank tee, she began to make her way out the room also.

Once Ashely reached the door, she swung it open and there stood skills. He looked like he was ready to seize the day and a bit urgent.

"Dude, it's nine in the morning. What do you want?" Ashely spoke in a monotone voice.

"Is your brother here? Just gotta check in on my dog." Skills asked. Ashely moved to the side and let him in. As he walked in, skills bumped into Rachel who was approaching the front door as well, "You're here too."

Rachel nodded, "Ash is making it up to me cause she cheated on me last night."

The blonde rolled her eyes, "It was unintentional."

Skills shook his head, "Cheating is never unintentional my friend."

"Just go upstairs." Ashely spoke in an annoyed tone as she then turned to Rachel, "You're going to hold that over me forever, aren't you?"

Rachel put her arm around her girlfriend's shoulders, "Forever and ever, sweetheart."

The two then made their way back up stairs to join Chad and skills on whatever they were talking about. Also, Ashely and Rachel just wanted to see how Chad was doing and the girls, considering the night terrors that happened the night before.

a/n:
only two chapters left )):

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