Ashley, an introverted 18-year-old senior at Jacksonville High School, has a guarded demeanor shaped by her complicated past. The impact of her childhood trauma has left her with lingering issues regarding maternal relationships. Currently, Ashley i...
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Ashley was sleeping deeply during her third-hour AP World History class. She had stayed up late the previous night studying for a chemistry test, and the exhaustion had caught up to her. She was dreaming about a summer day at the beach when she was suddenly startled awake by Mr. Reed's stern voice. "Ashley, you're wanted in Room 135," he announced, breaking through the haze of sleep. Disoriented, Ashley sat up abruptly, her heart pounding from the sudden awakening. She looked around, her classmates staring at her with curiosity. Why would she be called down in the middle of class? She rubbed her eyes, gathered her belongings with shaky hands, and made her way out of the classroom, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her.
As she walked down the hallway, her anxiety grew with each step. Room 135 was the counselor's office, a place she had never had reason to visit before. Her mind raced with possibilities—was it about her grades? Had something happened at home? The questions swirled in her head, making her heart race faster. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself as she reached the door to Room 135. With a trembling hand, she opened the door and stepped inside. The office was small but inviting, with bookshelves filled with colorful books and a few potted plants adding a touch of life. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a brunette woman sitting at the desk, typing on her laptop.
"Hi, you wanted to see me?" Ashley asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. The woman looked up from her laptop, her eyes warm and welcoming.
"Yes, sorry, I was just sending an email. Please, take a seat," the woman said, gesturing to the chair opposite her. Ashley nodded lightly and sat down, still feeling a bit disoriented and unsure. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her mind still buzzing with unanswered questions.
"Ashley, is it?" the woman asked, her voice gentle as she tried to put Ashley at ease.
"Yes, that's me," Ashley replied, her head lowered as she struggled to make sense of the situation. She felt a mixture of confusion and apprehension, wondering what this meeting could be about.
The woman spoke softly, her voice slightly raspy but kind. "Well, nice to meet you, Ashley. My name is Ms. DeLuca. I'm the school counselor, or social worker to be exact." Ashley nodded again, still unsure of what to say. The title "social worker" made her even more nervous. Why would she need to see a social worker?
"W-why am I here?" Ashley stammered, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew the work social workers did, but she couldn't think of any reason why she would need to see one. Was there something wrong at home that she didn't know about? Ms. DeLuca seemed to sense her discomfort and smiled reassuringly.
"Ashley, you're not in trouble, if that's what you're thinking," she said softly. Ashley felt a small wave of relief wash over her at those words, but her curiosity remained piqued.
"Okay," she responded timidly, feeling slightly more at ease but still confused. Ms. DeLuca closed her laptop and leaned forward slightly, giving Ashley her full attention.
"I just want to have a little chat with you," Ms. DeLuca said. Ashley finally lifted her head and met the counselor's gaze, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. What could this possibly be about?
"How are you?" Ms. DeLuca asked gently. Ashley was taken aback by the question. It seemed so simple yet felt loaded with meaning. Why was this woman, who she had never met before, asking her how she was?
"I'm fine," Ashley replied flatly, unsure of what else to say. Ms. DeLuca looked at her, clearly not convinced by her answer. There was something in her eyes that told Ashley she wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.
The counselor proceeded to ask a series of check-in questions, each one more probing than the last. How were her classes going? Did she have any close friends? Was there anything bothering her lately? Ashley responded vaguely each time, feeling increasingly frustrated and cornered. She didn't understand the point of these questions and just wanted to get back to class. When Ms. DeLuca finally seemed to be done, Ashley couldn't hold back her irritation any longer.
"What was the point of asking me all that?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration and confusion. She didn't see how any of this was relevant.
Ms. DeLuca's smile was gentle but piercing, a knowing look in her eyes that made Ashley's stomach churn. "I'm sure you recall having a journal that you wrote in with Mrs. Alexander?" she said softly, yet with a hint of something that felt like a challenge.
Ashley's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing back to those days in ninth grade. Of course, she remembered. Mrs. Alexander had been more than just her Algebra II teacher; she had been a beacon of support during one of the darkest times in Ashley's life. The journal they had shared was more than just a collection of thoughts—it was Ashley's sanctuary, a place where she could unload her burdens without fear of judgment. It had been her lifeline, a silent witness to her struggles and triumphs.
Ashley had always been an introvert, her emotions bottled up tightly inside. She believed that talking about her feelings made her weak and naive. In a world where trust had always been a fragile thing, she couldn't afford to let her guard down. People's intentions were always suspect, and vulnerability seemed like an invitation for hurt. But Mrs. Alexander had offered her something she had never experienced before: a judgment-free zone. Through their written exchanges, Ashley had slowly begun to open up, her words flowing onto the pages with a freedom she had never known.
The memory of that journal brought a surge of panic that made Ashley's chest tighten. "I recall. Why?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and apprehension. How did this woman know about that journal? Mrs. Alexander had promised her that it would remain between them, a sacred pact of confidentiality unless there was a threat of harm.
Ms. DeLuca seemed to sense the turmoil within Ashley, her expression softening with understanding. "A teacher was alarmed about something written in it. So, I'll ask you again. Are you okay?"
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Ashley felt her throat tighten and her eyes prick with unshed tears. The betrayal cut deep, a sharp sting that left her reeling. She had trusted Mrs. Alexander with her deepest fears and hopes, believing that her words were safe. The idea that something she had written had alarmed her teacher enough to break that trust was devastating.
Ashley's mind raced, replaying the countless entries she had penned in that journal. What had she written that could have caused such concern? The panic turned into a mix of anger and fear, her emotions swirling chaotically. The sanctuary she had found in those pages now felt like a trap, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable.
Ms. DeLuca's eyes never left hers, offering a silent promise of support. But Ashley couldn't focus on that now. Her trust had been shattered, and all she could think about was the betrayal. Her voice, when it came, was thick with emotion. "I said I'm fine," she replied bitterly, standing up abruptly as if to physically distance herself from the hurt.
"Are we done now?" she asked, her tone cold and defensive.
Ms. DeLuca nodded curtly, understanding that pushing further would only cause more harm. "Yes, we're done," she said softly, her eyes filled with compassion.
Ashley stormed out of the office, her heart pounding in her chest. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each step back to class feeling heavier than the last. Betrayal, confusion, and anger swirled within her, making it hard to breathe. She had let her guard down, only to have it used against her. The weight of broken trust settled heavily on her shoulders as she walked, and she vowed never to let anyone in again. Her heart was a fortress now, and she intended to keep it that way. *
Hello loves! This is my first ever time writing a wattpad story, or story in general so please bare with me. There will definitely be some mistakes until I get comfortable with writing. Updates will not be consistent yet as I am just getting started. Let me know what you think of the first chapter! <3
