𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 ! robin buckley [rewriting]

021. running up that hill

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TWENTY ONE!
running up that hill
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

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         Ashley Parker was stuck on 'babysitting duties' again, which were the exact words that the Harrington male had used to describe their current situation. She couldn't help but find amusement in his frustration, knowing that a combination of factors were contributing to his negative state. His ego was still bruised at the fact that he wasn't allowed to tag along at Pennhurst with the other girls and was forced to stay back to be with her and all of the younger teens.

But his frustrations were not shared by Ashley, who was totally normal about the task. She just saw it as spending the day with a group of fourteen year olds, who had been allowed to stay up past their bedtime for years at this rate. Their parents had yet to call around the town in a frenzy because they believed they were responsible enough to look after themselves. She didn't see them as kids and was comfortable with them going off on their own but she kept an eye on them as a way to keep Steve from ripping his hair out.

The only thing that made her feel uneasy about this entire situation was Max Mayfield, whose back had been practically painted with the symbol of death. Her days were numbered and that was terrifying to say the least. She didn't know how much time she had left until she was greeted with the grim reaper himself. She wanted to bury that thought in the back of her head, desperately hoping it was real but she subconsciously knew that her life was hanging by a short and very thin thread.

The atmosphere in the Wheeler basement was dense with a cold but unpleasant silence as nobody dared to speak during a moment like this. Ashley was seated on the old couch that was falling apart at the seams and the springs dug into her skin with any slight movement she made. She was trying her hardest to act nonchalant but she couldn't stray her eyes away from the younger girl's figure, practically staring at her as if she'd suddenly combust into flames. She knew that her sentiments were shared by the males, who were all acting in similar manner.

Max Mayfield could practically feel everyone's stares on her, despite having her back turned. It was as if they were standing right behind her figure but in reality, they were a only few feet away and watching her every movement with careful eyes. She couldn't help but become uncomfortable by their looming presence, not wanting to be treated as a fragile porcelain doll.

"I know you guys are staring at me." Max spoke gently, instantly breaking the silence that clung to the air.

"What, sorry?" The males were practically stumbling over each other in an attempt to avoid the accusation of staring.

Ashley couldn't help but roll her eyes at their inability to act nonchalant. "You guys are so painfully obvious that it hurts."

"I don't know how you think your eyes boring into the back of my head will protect me from Vecna." Max pointed out in a sarcastic manner.