Having A Great Time With Sage

Chapter 8: Ashley

We rode in silence the entire way home. I could barely keep my eyes open. Julie got off of work a lot later than either of us had anticipated, it was almost one in the morning. As we walked inside Julie set her purse down on the table in the entryway.

"Get some sleep Ash. Gotta be up bright and early tomorrow." She sighed, rubbing her eyes, accidentally smearing mascara across her face.

"What for?" I paused, turning around at the base of the stairs to look at her.

"Whaddya mean 'what for'? For school, it's Friday tomorrow. You sure you didn't get knocked in the head too?"

I shuffled my feet somewhat awkwardly, "I'm not going to school tomorrow." I muttered, knowing that she wouldn't approve.

Julie made a noise somewhere in between a shocked laugh and a scoff. "Oh, you're not? Did they invent some new holiday while I was at work today? I sure hope they did because I know you wouldn't have the audacity to tell me that you decided you're playing hooky."

I looked down. "I don't want to go tomorrow, I just want to be with him."

Julie was fully laughing at this point. "I don't get it, I just don't get it Ash, after all this time, how have you not grown up enough to realize that the world just doesn't revolve around you?!"

"I love him!" I shouted in defense, my face burning a warm pink.

"But not enough to think!" Julie stunned me, "Not enough to think about any of the consequences of your actions!

"You can't keep dodging classes or trying to sneak out because the truant officers are going to come and beat down our door to take you away. Everything I have done was to try and keep our little bit of family together, but of course you don't see that. What, did you think I wanted to give up my life to try and keep this roof over our heads? Did you think I wanted to raise my little sister all alone? No!"

I started to tear up, but Julie kept on with the lecture.

"I had to plead with them to let me keep you, but now it's like trying to leash a rabid dog with a fraying rope, you're going to pull too hard and you'll be gone forever and then I won't be able to do anything to help. They'll take you away and ship you off to some girl's home; you'll have to leave all of your friends, your school, and if he even makes it, your little boyfriend behind! You'll be alone and we'll never get to see you again!"

She sighed, "You never think. You don't care."

Tears were already pouring down my face. I struggled, trying to say something. Finding no words I turned, ran upstairs and slammed the bedroom door shut.

I buried my face in my pillow and cried. I didn't ask for any of this to happen. I didn't want mom to die, or dad to leave, or Sage to get hurt. I know Julie was just frustrated and she didn't mean to hurt me, but everything she said cut deep. I wished I could just get away from everything, so I could stop being a burden. So I could see Julie again one day and not have to fight with her again, not hold her back any more.

I pulled my journal out from under my pillow, the thought of writing about what happened today made me feel sick, so I just tossed it aside, it slid part of the way under my dresser. I just wanted to sleep, to not have to think about it all. I changed into my pajamas and crawled under the covers. I tucked my knees close to my chest and fell asleep, waking up what felt like five minutes later to my alarm clock.

I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling for a few minutes before deciding to get up and get ready for school. I showered and put my hair into two long braids, opting for jeans and a t shirt, pulling on the big sweatshirt from last night, it was warm and comforting. I pulled on my shoes, looking around for my bag before realizing I left it at the school yesterday.