Second Generation

Amanda's House

When we walked in Amanda's apartment, I noticed some grocery bags.
"Amanda, you didn't have to buy me food or anything," I said.
"I know, but still. You need food and snacks." she objected.

Looking around the apartment, I saw that nothing had changed. It still looked empty. My house would look empty too, if I wasn't there.

"Okay. I have some food and snacks over here if you want some. You will sleep on the couch tonight and you have the tv to yourself. I'm going to take a shower real quick and be right back, okay?" Amanda looked at me with her promising blue eyes.
"Okay," I stated. I looked around the empty apartment as she walked off down the hallway.

I took a handful of snacks and Mountain Dew and sat on the couch. It was Monday so nothing was on. As I flipped through the channels I saw the Billboard Music Awards were on. It was on last night too.

Taylor Swift had her World Premiere of her Bad Blood music video and it was great. I was so excited about it. She's amazing! Mom is taking me to her concert in June.

Nicki Minaj was singing with David Guetta. The song was called "Hey Mama." She was wearing a black bra thing when Amanda walked back in the living room. Her long blonde hair was still wet. She was wearing sweatpants and a tank top. She took a seat on the gray couch beside me.

"You like this stuff? She's in her bra!" she exclaimed.
"Well yeah. She sings what she wants and she doesn't want anybody to get in her way."
"She just sounds too cocky."
"That's what Dad would say," I murmured.
"Well, he's right. I mean, you shouldn't be watching this stuff."
"Do you always take my parents' sides?" I questioned.
"If they're reasonable."
"Whatever," I rolled my eyes.

Everybody always takes their side. Amanda got closer to me. I looked up at her like she was crazy.
"Can I help you?" I asked annoyed.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Trust me. I know when there is something wrong with someone. You can tell me anything," Amanda was very convincing when she said that. I decided to get up and walk away.
"Where are you going?" Amanda questioned.
"To the bathroom. Wanna join?" I rolled my eyes. With that, I stomped to the bathroom and slammed the door. I wonder if Mom or Dad wanted her to ask me that I thought. I looked at my phone. My lock screen was a picture of me and Maya. My hair was brown with a purple streak. Maya had a green streak in her blonde hair. I remember that night perfectly. Maya and I went to the hair salon to get our hair colored for a party later that night.
*Flashback*:
"Let's go!" Maya screamed at me. The music was blaring and the lights were flashing.
"Why? We are just having some fun!" I screamed.
"The police are coming! We are underage! Let's go!" Maya grabbed my hand and pulled me along. Someone took my other hand and pulled us both backwards. Looking at the person in front of me it was someone I definitely knew.
"C'mon girl. Don't leave now!" The voice said. Seeing him, I definitely wanted to get out of there.
"No we need to leave now." I said looking at Maya.
"Here! Take another shot!" He shoved one down my throat.
"Stop! Don't touch her!" Maya screamed. I started coughing. I looked around for an Exit sign. Everything was crazy. I saw double. The lights kept moving, the people were in slow motion, I was going to throw up. The next thing I knew, is that I was thrown on the ground.
"Where's Maya? I need to leave!" I repeated.
"No! You're not going anywhere Princess."
"Oww! Stop! Help me! Somebody help me! Help! Get off me! Maya!" Tears were streaming down my face. Was this seriously happening?

"Run! Run! The cops are here!" Voices in the background were screaming different things. I was still on the ground, laying there, traumatized. Glass was breaking and there was banging on the door.
"NYPD! Open up!" The door flew open. It was Fin and Nick.
"Oh my God. Amaro, get a bus. It's Ashley."
Fin was saying something to me, but I passed out.

I woke up to my dad and mom talking to Nick and Fin. They were yelling. I blinked a couple times to clear my vision. I was in so much pain.
*Flashback over*:

I walked out of the bathroom and sat down beside Amanda again.
"You were in there for a while. Everything okay?" Amanda asked.
"Yeah. I'm good. I was just feeling a little sick," I lied.
"So, what's up?"
"Nothing. I'm just tired." I said plainly.
"Were you crying?" Amanda had a worried expression on her face.
I quickly touched my face and wiped away the tears that were forming again.
"Uhm no. I'm fine." I lied, clearing my throat.
"Your mom isn't a good liar either." She sighed. She took her phone out and started texting someone.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Oh nothing," she said, lying.
"I'm going to take a shower." I said.
"Kay. You know where the towels are and stuff." She said looking at her phone.

I got out of the shower and threw on plaid pajama pants and a tank top.
"What are you doing?" I demanded as I walked down the hallway. Amanda was going through my phone and my bags.
"Umm... Your mom told me to um, make sure you packed school clothes for tomorrow." She said getting away from the suitcase.
"Umm yeah. I think I know how to pack my own clothes." I shook my head in disbelief.
"What are you doing on my phone? Wait don't tell me, mom wanted to make sure I wasn't sending nudes?!" I yelled. I was so mad at her! If I never needed to go to an adult, she would be the first one, but not now.
"Elliot wanted to make sure you were okay and you weren't getting blackmailed or anything." Amanda looked at me straight in the eyes like they were asking me for forgiveness.
"Okay, well I'm going to bed." I said flatly.
"You should brush your hair at least, Ashley. Please, don't push me away."
"Amanda, I just don't feel comfortable telling you my personal problems. I don't tell anyone anything. I'm fine."
"You were crying earlier. You need to talk to someone."
"No! I'm not my mother. I don't need to pay for someone to listen to my problems." I was so mad. My hands started shaking.
"Okay, okay. Is there someone who you will talk to? Maybe Fin, or Nick. What about you bring Maya over and you two can talk?" She was very concerned with me for some reason. Was I crazy?!
"Aren't they all sleeping? And besides, isn't Nick undercover with Mom and Dad too?"
"Oh, so you want to talk to Nick? Well good news, he isn't working today or tomorrow so I can call him now."

When Amanda was on the phone, I went to the fridge to get a drink. Amanda was talking so low on the phone. "well, she won't open up to me and she was crying earlier. She's reminding me of how Olivia was after her experience with Lewis. Okay, I'll see you in 20 minutes."

"Nick is coming over soon, Ashley."
"Okay. Cool," I said calmly. I was freaking out. I can't tell him what happened to me.

I ran to the bathroom and started crying again. I looked at myself in the mirror, my brown hair was hanging in my face. I looked around and saw a razor. I never cut myself before. I decided to cut my thighs because it was easier to hide than my wrists. I pulled my pants down and cut my left thigh from the inside to the outside. It felt so good. I never imagined that this would make me feel so much better.

I cut until I was numb.
"Ashley are you okay in there!?" Amanda asked.
"Yeah. I'm just washing my face off." I said. I pulled my pants back up and took baby steps out to the couch.
"Are you okay? You are walking funny."
"Yeah. I hit my foot off of the corner of the island thingy." I lied.
"Haha okay."
There was a knock at the door and Nick came walking in.
"Hey Ashley." He said bending down to kiss my forehead and sitting beside me.
"Hey," I sighed.
"You look really pale.... Are you okay?" Nick said standing up.
Just then I blacked out.