In This Cruel World

The Incident

Michael had mental arguments for the rest of the night. 'Michael, you just couldn't help yourself huh? You had to turn your head around and kiss her. You know she has a boyfriend! Why would you do that to yourself? Now Ashley probably doesn't want to be around you knowing that you like her and she doesn't like you back'. Michael's conscience was angry with him and it made Michael have doubtful thoughts about Ashley's and his future. His heart is trying to hold on to the possible relationship that Michael desires for with Ashley. Finally, Michael opened his eyes ,and the blazing sun greeted his eyes. Michael got out of bed in hope of a good day. He went downstairs to get breakfast.

Meanwhile, Ashley been up since 7 in the morning. She needed to think about what happened with her and Michael. In addition to her stress,she also needed to think what she's going to say to Grant. Ashley knows that Grant isn't going to like what he's going to have to hear;She knows that for a fact. 'What are you going to say to Grant? "Hey, my best friend kissed me and I enjoyed it"? Oh no. Not that. If Grant found that I liked the kiss,he would be even more furious with me! Oh why did Michael have to kiss me? Or matter of fact,why did I have to kiss his cheek? None of this would've happened if I kissed his cheek!' Ashley checked the clock on her wall. It was now 11, four hours she had been up thinking. 'I hope this day goes well. Just tell Grant what happened and hopefully, he will understand and just let me off the hook'. Ashley got up from the bed and got dressed.

Michael was now talking to his brother Jermaine about what happened between Ashley and him. " Ooh you kissed her? That's what I like to hear bro!" Jermaine said enthusiastic. "Yeah but here's the thing.Ashley already has a boyfriend!" Michael said burying his face into his hands. The enthusiasm in Jermaine's voice had disappeared. "And you kissed her knowing this?" "Yeah, what do I do?" Michael said with desperation. "You talk to her, that's what you do" Jermaine advised Michael. "Ok,thanks Maine!" Michael said nervously going out the house to talk to Ashley.

Ashley looked at Grant with sad eyes. Grant showed up while Ashley was getting dressed. Ashley's mom opened the door for Grant and then left out the door to get groceries. "So, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Michael?" Grant said demanding. "Yes. Grant, I'm sorry to tell you this but Michael...did something he wasn't supposed to do. He-he-h-h-he...he k-k-k-kissed me! He kissed me", Ashley said afraid but then sadly. Grant stated at her with this look that terrified Ashley. 'Oh no. Oh god, not that face. No no no NO! PLEASE NOT THAT FACE!' Ashley's heart pounded in her chest. It was the next moment that Ashley know that Grant was infuriated.

Michael walked up to Ashley's house and knocked on her door. After 5 minutes of no response, Michael noticed that the door was unlocked. Michael walked in , closing the door shut. Michael was walking into the living room when he suddenly heard a high-pitched cry from upstairs. The high-pitched cry sounded like a female. 'Ashley.' Michael's conscience said. He hurried up the stairs, following the sounds of the high-pitched cries that continued and echoed off the walls of the house. When Michael finally found the room where the cries were coming from, the cries stopped. The door was closed. Michael opened the door to walk in upon a horrific sight. Ashley was bruised up on the floor ;blood seeping out from her head. There was no one else in sight. 'It's that jerk Grant! He did this!' Michael's intuition said in anger. Michael ran up to Ashley. "ASHLEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? ASHLEY? ASHLEY!" Michael's eyes started to water. Michael shook Ashley to wake her up but she wasn't responding. Michael hurriedly called the police. The police told Michael they would be there in 10 minutes.
Ten minutes later, the police and ambulance showed up just in time. The ambulance crew picked Ashley's body up and put her on a gurney. The ambulance carried her out of the house and put her in the truck. Ashley's mother was informed by Michael and she's crying. "Will my baby be ok?" Ashley's mother asked. "We will do the best we can to make sure she'll be alive ma'am" One of the guys from the ambulance crew said. "Ok, thank you", Her mother said sniffling. The ambulance crew was ready to go. Ashley's mother got in the truck looking at Ashley, hoping she'll be ok. The ambulance rode to the hospital while Michael stayed with the police.
"Do you know what happened?" One of the detectives asked. "No but I have an idea on who hurt my best friend" Michael replied.