Shattered Asylum

Chapter 58

I'm not going to get into what Grandma did to us over the weekend, let's just say all of us are still traumatized by it.

It's been awkward talking to her since, but I'm sure it'll be a funny story down the road. We've got two weeks left before Thanksgiving break, and I can't wait to stuff my face with all kinds of foods.

As soon as I walk through the halls, I feel the strange, heavy atmosphere. Everyone's still taking Daniel's passing pretty hard.

I reach my locker and start putting my things away, when I sense someone approaching. I turn my head, and my stomach twists as Ashley makes her way toward me.

My body tenses at the sight of her grim expression, her eyes blazing with determination. "Avanie!" She screams, turning heads as she storms toward my locker. She doesn't stop until she's pushing me back against the lockers.

"What the hell?!" I hiss, the metal digging into my back.

"You did this! You made him do it!" She yells, her voice raw with rage. A mix of surprise and confusion floods my face.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, my voice shaky.

She grabs my shoulders and slams me against the lockers again. "I hate you! You killed him!" A sob wracks her body, and she slaps me across the face as hard as she can.

Her nails scratch my skin, and I barely have time to process what just happened before she's on me again.

"Ashley! Stop!" I yell, pushing her off me. People slow their steps, some watching, some whispering, unsure of what to do. She continues slapping me, her words a blur of anger I can't understand.

"No, no, no!" She cries, breaking down. Her body collapses against mine, and I stand there, frozen, not knowing how to react as she screams into my chest.

What the hell just happened?

A tear slides down my cheek at the sight of her breaking over someone who broke me. "W-why did he leave me?" Her face contorts in agony as she clutches her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks as she lets out a guttural, heart-wrenching cry.

I stiffly wrap my arm around her, patting her back awkwardly, trying to offer some semblance of comfort despite everything.

The crowd around us has grown, some students whispering, others teary-eyed at the pain she's showing. I'm overwhelmed with emotions I can't process, anger, hatred, sadness.

Somebody, please help me.

She collapses to the ground, her hand tugging at my hoodie. I didn't realize how much she loved him. I thought she was only after him because I was "dating" him. I glance through the crowd, hoping to find a familiar, supportive face.

I let out a breath of relief as I watch Grayson pushing his way through the students. His eyes are filled with concern and confusion as he reaches us.

"What's going on?"

Before I can say anything, Ashley scrapes herself off the ground and throws herself at him.

She wraps her arms around his shoulders, burying her face in his neck, her legs locking around his waist. "Please... hold me. It hurts so much," she begs, her voice muffled against his shirt.

Her desperation makes my stomach churn, and I can't help the sharp pang of jealousy and discomfort that twists in my chest.

I fight to keep my emotions in check, even as a sense of unease settles over me. I know she's hurting, but everything between us is built on hatred.