Manipulated Vunerability ~ HSMTMTS AU

Chapter 10

"First day back!" Ashlyn exclaimed as she hopped into her boyfriend's car, closing the door behind her as she set down her backpack. "Excited?" She asked was she buckled her seatbelt.

"Mostly." He responded, smiling at her before beginning to drive.

"First days are pretty nerve racking, but... we just get to see everyone again!" She beamed. "Even if I've seen them all in, like... less than a week."

"It's exciting either way." He shrugged.

"I'm just so bummed we don't have our lunch together this year." She frowned slightly. The information had been discussed briefly over text, but not yet in person. "It's, like, the only class we could have had together. Besides drama."

"Me too, I love being with you. Especially at lunch, there's something about being annoyed at other people and schoolwork that makes it all the sweeter." He joked.

"On the bright side, um..." she cleared her throat. "They don't have lunch together."

"They?"

"Ricky. Her." Ashlyn said with disdain, mostly towards Lily.

"Oh, right, yeah. Maybe lunch with Ricky and Nini and Kourtney will just feel, you know, right again. Not right without you, of course... but the old friends. Before all this and before Ricky and Nini dating."

"I hope so, because he sounds enjoyable when he isn't with Lily. He's just... it's upsetting that she gets to him."

"Yeah. I really hope things are better. I think they're getting there, really, this time."

"I bet they are." She smiled softly. "In the mean time, as always, I'm here."

"I love you, Ashlyn Moon." He put his hand out. She put hers in his.

"I love you too." She stated simply. Then a comfortable silence was born, before Ashlyn turned on the radio. Minutes passed as they sang along, their voices fairly weak because of the time. They made to the parking lot, leaving the car and starting to the school building hand in hand.

"Come talk to me between any classes." He kissed her hand lightly. "If you need to, if you want to."

"You too." She smiled. "Heck, burst into my classroom if you need me. Maybe not if you want to, you'd probably get in a little trouble." She joked.

"Well, once again, same to you." He chuckled. They approached the school, where many of their friends already were, and became engaged in several conversations.

Ashlyn was barely hungry by the time lunch rolled around, but she knew if she didn't eat she would end up hungry soon. So she began to eat. She didn't share her period with Seb, Carlos, or Gina— which was extra disappointing since there were only two periods juniors could be in— which resulted in her quest for a table being difficult. She had plenty of friends, but she didn't realize how few she had outside of their friend group.

Who she was really longing for.

She made her way to a table that held a few other people, 2 girls and 3 boys. They were all in their own conversation, and she sat as far from them as she could. Unfortunately, with circular tables, that was hard.

"Oh, hey." One girl acknowledged her.

"Hey, I'm Ashlyn." She got out her food, hoping these people would be nice.

"That's a really pretty name. I'm Rose, this is my boyfriend Joe." She gestured to the boy beside her.

"Nice to meet you guys." She smiled.