Chapter 38

Ashley snuck her boyfriend out of the house before Charlie suspected a thing. She felt an insane amount of guilt as her interpreter made them breakfast, "So is it safe to say you and Johnny are on good terms?" It was an innocent question, but it didn't stop the painful squeeze in her heart. She hadn't told Charlie what had happened with her walls and the whole stupid arranged marriage with Derby. She especially didn't tell him about the fight with her boyfriend.

What makes you think we weren't on good terms before? If she could, Ashley would kick herself. When he arrived yesterday morning, she noted his change of behavior, even Mandy commented on his moody attitude. "What's up with him." The cheerleader voiced out when Charlie gave a sharp nod of acknowledgment instead of his usual bright smile and verbal greeting. He made it his personal mission to remember each and every students' name and face so that they wouldn't feel left out. Ashley did not bother to go ask him what was wrong right away. One of the many things the two had in common was how they liked to be comforted; being lifted alone for awhile, then eventually after they've cooled down, they were more than happy to spill their hearts out. However, because of his question, she knew that he knew about the holes in the walls and Charlie most likely knew about the attempted arrange marriage with the Harrington brat; she had no intention to tell him anything.

Charlie pursed his lips, his light blue eyes darken slightly out of pain. "So you're going to start avoiding my questions and lie to my face. Okay," he mumbled softly. He was confused whether he was stabbed in the back or that pain he felt was from lack of sleep. Either way, she didn't trust him enough to talk to him and it hurt like a bitch.

Charlie, I would never lie to you! Ashley signed. Her own heart squeezed achingly against her rib cage. Charlie dropped the spatula from his grasp, "But you never told me the truth either." His voice was calm, like the dead sea. He didn't raise his voice at her like a parent would, he didn't speak out angrily like a betrayed friend, he didn't glare at her. No, what he did was way worse; he spoke to her with such a broken, calm voice like he was tired and plainly done with the whole conversation— as if he had he given up on her.

Ashley frowned, her throat closed up slightly, prepared to cry. Dreaded heat coursed through her veins and down her spine, her hands grew clammy, and she gulped loudly. "Did you even plan on telling me what he did to you?"

'No'

Yes.

She felt sick to her stomach. Although she didn't tell him about her fight with Johnny, she admitted to herself that she would have lied to the man who had been with her thin and thick; to the man who she had never once, lied to and via versa.

Well, actually, he didn't do anything to me.

Charlie rolled his eyes, he moved to grab two plates and served the food. "Ah yes, and the craters that spread out the walls weren't because you made him mad. If he hates the color grey so much then he shouldn't be in your dorm room— in fact, he shouldn't be in the girl dormitory at all," he sassed. Initially, Charlie was worried. He wanted to march up to Ashley's room and inspect her for possible injuries her hot-headed boyfriend might have inflicted on her. His worry was replaced with anger after Johnny had shown up at the house the day before, then that morning after Ashley had snuck him out through the back door (yes, he knew Johnny spent the night. He might trust Ashley but he wasn't stupid) his anger was replaced with sadness. He thought he knew everything about her, guess he was wrong.

She reached out to him as he set her plate in front of her, but he moved his hand out of the way. Hurt flashed on her face.

"Is it me?" Charlie whispered sadly. "Is it because I'm not with you anymore?"

Ashley's heart broke into pieces, the blood in her veins froze. Did he blame himself? She couldn't believe it.

Charlie felt guilty, the whole reason why he worked for the Smiths was that of her, to take care of his little Ash. A month after school had started, Charlie showed up to her classes less and less until early October he had completely stopped altogether. He figured with Ash's new friends and Petey, who knew sign language, she would be alright and no longer need his assistance. Especially now since he played the huge role of guidance counselor and replaced Mr. Burton as the gym teacher. There was no such thing as free time for the man.

The result of his busy schedule came to one conclusion: their relationship became a big ass mess.

"I never meant to neglect you," Charlie apologized hoarsely.

She shook her head vigorously, No! Don't be ridiculous Charlie. It's all my fault! I should have never kept things from you. I figured that there are things I can do myself. You have your plate full as it is and I guessed what you didn't know wouldn't hurt.

Charlie opened his mouth to protest, but the ringing of Ash's phone cut him off. Johnny's name flashed on the caller id, his name alone put the interpreter in a sour mood. "I don't want you seeing that boy anymore Ashley Sierra Smith, you're ending it today," he blurted out. The spoon filled with scrambled eggs froze mid-air, Ashley's mouth slightly gaped. The ringing stopped seconds later, then it started again.

What? She ignored her phone, she couldn't believe what he wanted her to do. Break up with Johnny? Never.

Why?

He gave her a look, "You know why."

Ashley dropped the spoon, it clattered on the plate, the eggs made a mess on the counter. Look, Charlie, I understand where you're coming from, but you are in no position in telling me what to do.

He raised he brows, "Excuse me? I am your legal guardian, your best friend. I have every right in telling you that you're making a mistake in going out with that boy." He countered, "How dare you say I am in no position in protecting you!"

She slammed her fist on the counter, fed up with the men in her life who constantly insisted that she needed their protection. Everyone knew she could fight, the jock incident for example, hell even the wrestling matches Mr. Burton forced her into doing. Everyone knew Ashley was the smartest person in town, her family and Charlie knew that. No one dared to mess with her; she had the power to destroy anything or anyone.

She was sick and tired of people thinking she needed their protection. Ashley Smith was more than capable of defending herself.

I don't need you to be there for me all the time and I sure as hell do not need you keeping me safe like I was a damn princess. You out of all people know I can handle everything thrown my way.

"I know that! I only worry about your safety when you're with him."

Ashley paused, You can't possibly think Johnny would physically hurt me, do you?

His silence answered her question.

She scoffed, then decided she could no longer be in the same room with him. His distrust in her judgment was like spitting in her face. Ashley took a bite out of her toast and gulped down her cup of milk, the sound of the chair scraped harshly against the pristine tile floor.

I'll see you in P.E. Mr. Williamson.
——
"I hate your crappy ass, inbreed, brainless friends, Ash."

Jimmy banged his tray down on the table, the amount of venom in his voice almost poisoned the food. Ash would have asked what was wrong, but the busted lip and bruised eye was a dead give away. "I went to the gym down in Old Bullworth Vale and did that stupid boxing tournament last weekend. Besides getting my ass somewhat handed to me, at least I won that lighthouse."

Ashley chewed her food in amusement. Pinky gave her the rundown with Jimmy and the preps last night, she should have felt bad, but she was excited to have Jimmy repeat his side of the story. "...then I had to kick some ass by my lighthouse with Ricky backing me up. I swear those filthy rich kids are working on my last nerve."

She smiled, woe was the tale of the Great Jimmy Hopkins. He continued to revive his weekend thrills. Just when Jimmy thought he was close to beat the snotty preps in their place he was sent three steps back. It was that no good Tad, little asshat was the one who began to stir up trouble.

What do you plan on doing about him?

"Plan on doing what to who?" queried Jimmy.

Tad.

Petey piped in, "I suggest that you don't confront him; he and the rest of those trust fund morons get enough violence at home."

Ashley frowned deeply. Not only was she sick of her friends' need to watch over her, she was pretty annoyed with all the violence between the cliques. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried to stop it all, it wasn't enough. Ashley hated the idea of Jimmy go up against Tad in a fight, she knew Jimmy was pretty damn good in a brawl and she knew Tad's abusive home life. Despite the prep's snobbish attitude that almost rivaled Derby's, Tad was a decent guy who deserved more than the abuse his father put him through. Ashley scowled at an invisible spot on the table, she remembered just how evil Tad's father could be.

Flashback:
Tad had invited all the preps to his house one evening during summer. Ashley had yet to form a close bond with the clique, so she graciously accepted his invitation when he had shown up at her home. Tad had been instructed by his parents to bring the Smith over, an indirect way to land in her family's good books of course, but Tad was personally intrigued by the young heiress. He had heard many good things from Pinky, how she was a terrific listener, how sweet and kind she was with any person she came across, no matter how disgustingly poor they were. Her Ashes was a real person and not some standard rich kid, something Tad always secretly wanted: a sincere and honest friend who was also in the same tax bracket, and Ashley was exactly it.

Once all the preps arrived, they gathered on Spencer's lanai. The group of friends laughed and talked about their servants, nannies, Aquaberry fashion, and other haughty topics that made Ashley's blood boil. She kept to herself, away from the dunces she was forced to tolerate, but not too far away to make them notice. A clamor of obnoxious laughter boomed, Ashley rolled her eyes and took small sips of her sangria.

"How do you like your sangria Ash? I hope it is to your liking," Bryce offered to include her in a conversation. He noted how distance she was and even he promised his father that he would befriend the Smith as well.

Justin pointed out, "Pinky mentioned you're Mexican, we figured you'd appreciate the diversity."

She simply smiled dumbly like she was taught to. These people thought a ridiculous Hispanic beverage was diversity? Clearly, they all needed to reevaluate their thought process.

After a while, a loud bang sounded out somewhere from the house, angry footsteps neared the lanai. A tall middle-aged man with cold light brown eyes appeared the suit he wore was a dull color that made him more monotone and dreary. In short, Ashley had an instant dislike for the man.

Tad stood up straight the minuted the man revealed himself at the door. "Tad, may I have a word with you."

"Yes father," he responded flatly. Oh, so he was Tad's father? Their interaction sent a shiver down Ashley's spine. Their brief interaction reminded her of her own relationship with her own father. She did not like it one bit, but what could Ashley do? She shook her head then moved to take another sip of her drink but stopped. Ashley noticed how quiet everyone had gotten, compared to their loud chatter before Mr. Spencer had shown up. Her brows bunched up in confusion as she looked at each of their faces and noted their solemn expressions.

I'm going to the bathroom. She typed rapidly, too eager to get out of the room for a bit.

Pinky jumped up from her seat, a painfully obvious fake smile adorned on her cherry glossed lips. "Uh, can't you wait? We were about to um-" her hands waved wildly, she struggled to come up with a lie, "Chad, didn't you have a game you wanted to play?"

Chad spit out his drink back into his cup, "I did?" Parker elbowed him, "I mean yea. I wanted to play charades." Everyone clamored in agreement. Derby, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, a loose smug smile hung on his lips. "Oh let the girl go to the bathroom, it's up the stairs the third door to your left."

Ashley smiled in relief, Thank you Derby

She left in a hurry, happy to leave the room. Ashley didn't get to hear Pinky scold Derby for having sent her to that bathroom.

Just as she reached the bathroom, she heard muffled yelling then followed by a raucous thud and soft cries. There was a door, slightly ajar, across from her and she couldn't help but sneak a peek. Mr. Spencer paced angrily around the room, he leaned against the fireplace with rage that oozed out of his body. "I knew you were a worthless son, almost as worthless as that no good, no chin having son I got locked up in Happy Volts. I swear boy, if this year ends without you on top of the food chain, then Bullworth Academy will be much more pleasant than home. I promise you that," Mr. Spencer fumed.

Ashley feverishly looked around the room for Tad who wasn't in the room— or so she thought. A painful groaned drew her attention to the floor. She saw Tad desperately cling to the coffee table to hoist himself. Swollen eye, busted lip, a bloody cut on his temple, and horrid reddish-purple bruise that covered his entire left cheek. Ashley covered her mouth before a gasp slipped out and made the situation worse. She thought too soon when Mr. Spencer noticed a small blunt trophy on the shelf. Ashley watched in horror as Tad pleaded for forgiveness, but his cries were mercilessly ignored and his father threw the trophy directly at Tad's head. She was about to rush in to stop that heinous monster when Tad saw her through the open crack. She froze under his gaze, unable to move or breathe. Her heart cracked as he smiled weakly at her, his eyes begged for Ashley to go back downstairs and pretend nothing had happened. They both knew if she did anything, the moment she and the others left Tad's punishment would be much more severe than the few marks on his body. Ashley nodded frantically, her stomach turned and tossed like waves crashing into a storm. She forced herself to remove herself from the hallway, the very atoms in her body protested, they yearned for her to go back and save Tad, but she would have signed his death wish more than anything.

Ashley returned to the lanai, a sharp pain and dread closed in her throat. Derby opened his arms with a mocking smile he tried to pass off as loving, decorated his face. She glared at him something fierce. That sleazy ball knew what Mr. Spencer's intentions and yet, the Harrington sent her to that fucking bathroom specifically.

"Don't make that face darling, we've all been there.." Gord comforted or at least tried too as she sat between him and Parker.

Ashley couldn't look any of them in the eyes, so she left. When she got home, she hugged her family tight and thanked them for loving her.

End of Flashback

Ashley stabbed her broccoli viciously, what she would give to beat the sense into each of her friends' parents. She truly had it all, the wealth, caring friends, and a family who cherished her.

Do me a favor Jimmy, he gazed at her questioningly, "Yeah?"

Please go easy on them.

"No promises."
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A/N: I SWEAR TO THE LORD I POSTED THIS CHAPTER LAST NIGHT, YET I WAKE UP TO SEE CHAPTER 38 NEVER EXISTED! WTF. Please let me know how the chapters look because Wattpad is screwing me over and the fast I can get feedback the faster I can fix the mistakes.

Anyways, IM BACK BITCHES. I'll try to post more often but I don't have a definite posting schedule because those are cancer.

Also, shoutout to @emivan_hoes for the new cover! As they say, New Year, New Me 😂😂😂
Thanks a bunch I love it.