Behind Her Hair

Ashley

"Eww Jake, stop!"

It's so easy to make boys do what you want when you can put a flirty tone to your voice. They will bend head over heels for you.

"Come on Ashley, I know you think it's cute." He continued to blow bubbles into his soda. He can be so disgusting! I like him anyway though. All our friends laughed, I guess we were being cute. It's kinda our thing.

"I need someone to conduct a study about how boys can be assholes but also be cute as hell." I said, and everyone laughed.

I probably woulda stayed there for a while, but as I was looking down at my soda when I was gonna grab it, I glanced at my watch and got bad news.

"Oh shit! It's 5 already! Mom said I had to be ready for dinner by 5:30!" I exclaimed.

"I'll take you home," Jake said "My car's in the parking lot. Eleanor, do you think you can drive everyone else home later?"

Eleanor said yes and Jake and I rushed out of there. It was a smooth ride back. Well until he pulled up to my house, and started to walk me up to the door.

"Jake! What are you doing? If my mom sees you, she'll kill me! You know she doesn't want me dating!" I whisper-yelled at him.

"Sorry babe. I'll let you walk up alone if you kiss me goodbye." He grinned. GOD he's so annoying! But I kissed him anyway and walked in.

I was hoping to sneak up to my room so Mom didn't know how late I was, but I can never get anywhere in this house without Mom knowing. She caught me at the staircase.

"Ashley, we need to talk." This can't be good.

" . . . I know the divorce has been hard, but that is no excuse to bully other students! You are better than this. Can you imagine how embarrassed I was when the school called me to tell me that someone saw you tripping an innocent girl in the hallway, then insulting her right to her face?" I've been caught. I had to say something before she kept rambling.

I tried to say what she wanted to hear, but I guess not.

"Look, I'll say I'm sorry tomorrow, but do you have any idea why I did it? Because you and Dad got divorced and I had no control over what would change my life! I had no say in custody, no say in anything you and Dad did. You can get away with ruining my life and childhood, but I can't get away with anything, can I?" I yelled.

"It's not about that! This is about you bullying other students! Did you ever stop to think that pushing another down would not lift you up?" Mom said.

"Oh that is just bullshit!" I muttered.

"Go to your room and think about everything you said and did today. I'll give you dinner up there." Mom said.

I run upstairs and collapse on my bed. I know I shouldn't have yelled at her, but what else could I have done? Sit there, silent, while I get lectured? I don't do that.

I went on my phone and texted Jake for a while. Later, Mom brings my dinner up. We still have company, so if I wanna eat, I have to do it in here. I guess I should apologize to her for earlier.

"Mom, I'm sorry for shouting earlier. And swearing. I guess I was just mad. I only bullied the girl because I wanted to feel in control, when my life was falling apart."

"I accept your apology, Ashley, but you still need to learn the consequences to your actions. You're grounded this weekend. Goodnight Ashley." She replied.

Wow, that sounded sincere. I was just telling her what she wanted to hear, but I guess the truth seeped in.

I only bullied other students so it would not seem like my life was worse than theirs. Emma was different though. I was just mad at her. I don't know why, but I just am. Maybe it's cause she looks so emo. She always wears her headphones around her neck. And the way she hides behind her hair. It's cute, but it feels like she is secretly beautiful, but doesn't want the world to see it. I can see it though. I don't know why I am rambling, especially about Emma . . .

Holy shit.

744 words. Better than last time!

A/N: I'll try to update every week. I'm going for about 20 chapters.