DESPERATE

Chapter 36

Ashley sat with her friends on the bleachers after school.

"Sarah," Ashley began. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Of course. Ask." Sarah replied.

"Is your last name Whitlock or Danvers?"

Sarah looked shocked. "What are you talking about?"

Riley and Corkie looked shocked as well.

"Don't lie Sarah. We saw it in the list Ashley gave to the teacher this morning." Lily said.

"It's Whitlock." Sarah said with a sigh.

"But why don't you answer that?" Ashley asked

"Is Valerie your sister?" Riley asked.

Sarah sighed. "Valerie's a year older than me. You all are. But Valerie is my cousin, not my sister. I skipped a grade and I also decided to go for a different surname because I didn't like Valerie and always fought with her so much. People know me as Danvers but Whitlock is what is on my records.

"Is that all?" Riley asked.

"Yes. Just like Val, a car comes to pick me up too. But I told my driver to pick me up at the place where I usually leave you guys when we walk home. But he brings me to school though."

"Wow, Sarah... I can't believe this." Corkie said.

"Then how come Valerie is so calm about this?" Ashley asked.

"I told her not to tell anyone."

"Makes sense." Riley said.

"I'm really sorry for lying."

"It's ok." Ashley said.

"Yeah we just wanted to know the truth." Lily said.

"Thanks."

They stood up and walked outside the gate. They were about to continue thier walk home when someone called out Sarah's name from behind. They turned around to see a woman walking towards them.

"Sarah. Where have you been?" The woman said walking towards them. She glanced at Ashley and eyed her in distaste which didn't go unnoticed by Riley, Lily and Corkie.

Ashley looked at the woman, the same person she had seen talking to Leah at Valerie's house.

"Mum. What are you doing here?" Sarah asked.

"I came to pick you up." She said. Just then Valerie came out with Ava and Owen. Olivia looked at her the same way she had looked at Ashley whicch also didn't go unnoticed. If Valerie noticed, she didn't show it. Instead she walked towards her.

"Hello Aunt Olivia."

"Hi auntie Olivia." Ava and Owen said.

"Hello kids. How are you?" She said totally ignoring Valerie.

"We're fine." Ava said then turned to Ashley and rushed to hug her.

Olivia was shocked to see this but she tried hard not to let it show. But of course... Riley and Lily noticed.

Ashley patted Ava's hair. "Hey baby."

Valerie looked at Ashley. "See you tomorrow. C'mon Ava let's go, Bruce is waiting."

Ashley nodded.

"Ok. Bye Ashley." Ava said while Owen waved before they walked away following Valerie.

"Come on Sarah. Let's go." Olivia said to Sarah.

"Hold on I want to give Ashley something Sarah said pulling Ashley aside.