DESPERATE

Chapter 32

"Did you find anything?"

"No. But she's with her. They've been ok this past few years."

"Is that all?"
"She works at Mavis. Christian's secretary."

"What should I do now?"

"She's not running anymore, but trying to hide. Let's leave her for some time."

"Ok."

"Hey Riley." Ashley said as she stepped out of her house the next day.

"Hi. I was just coming to knock."

"Sure. Let's go." Ashley said falling into step with her as they walked to school.

"I have good news." Ashley said again after they had walked for a while in silence.

"What's that?"

"Lily's moving to LA."

"Wow really. That's nice."

"I know. Now I have my two best friends in one place."

"Two? Who's the other one?"

"You silly." She chuckled.

"Me?"

"Yes you. You've been with me ever since I moved here, my first friend, neighbour and don't lie you want me as a bestie too."

"Ok maybe I do." Riley admitted and they both laughed.

"There's something else."

"What's that?"

"I kind of went to my mom's room to search for the key...." She trailed off.

"Yeah so? Did you find it?"

Ashley re-told her ordeal and just like Lily, Riley burst out laughing too.

"Stop laughing. Lily had the same reaction when I told her."

"Who wouldn't?" Riley chuckled. "But you tried."

"I searched the whole place and still didn't find anything. Do you think she's suspicious?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe we'll continue when Lily comes. The more the merrier. "

"She's also coming to our school to."

"Which day does she arrive exactly?" Riley asked.

"Saturday."

"That's quick. I think she'll catch up."

"Yeah."

They had arrived at school. A familiar car stopped right in front of the school's gate. Valerie, Owen and Ava stepped out. They saw Ashley and Riley walking inside school and Ava and Owen rushed towards Ashley.

"Hi Ashley." They said in unison.

"Hey guys. How you doing?" She replied ruffling Owen's hair.

"Who's this?" Ava asked gesturing to Riley ignoring the question.

"This is Riley."

Valerie walked up to them. "Come on guys. Give Ashley a breathing space. Go to class."

"She's not dying is she?" Owen asked.

"What kind of question is that?" Valerie asked.

"Bye Ashley, bye Val." Ava said then her and Owen ran off.

"Valerie just sighed then looked at Ashley. "See you." And she walked away.

During recess, Valerie walked up to Ashley and Riley in the hallway.

"What's up?" Ashley asked.

"Well just wanted to tell you that my dad said we did a wonderful job on our project." She said flatly.

"You showed him?"

"Apparently my mom told him about it and he asked to see it."

"Ok. That's nice. Anything else?"

"Nope. That's all. You don't need to come over again since we're done. I can handle the rest. But you can if you want to see Ava."

"No don't worry."

"Ok then." Valerie turned to leave.

"Hold on." Ashley called her back.

"Yeah?"

"Friends?" She stuck out her thumb with a small smile on her face.

"What am I supposed to do? Touch your thumb back with mine?"

"What are you guys...Five?" Riley who had been quiet asked.

"Yeah I'm not doing that."

Ashley brought her thumb down. "Ok but..."

"Yes. We're friends now. You're not bad after all."

Ashley smiled.

"I gotta go now."

"Ok bye." She said and Valerie nodded and left.

Don't forget to vote.