Recovery -Justin Bieber/SIO sequel-

Chapter 7: Reunion

Kennedy King: 

"Is someone else joining us for dinner tonight?" Isabel asks in confusion. 

My breath hitches and I clench my fists. Lila, one of the maids, returns with a worried face.  A few gasps are heard around the table. 

"Hi everyone." Ashley timidly smiles.

"What is she doing here?!" Isabel asks under her breath and I sink further back into my seat. My dad stands up with open arms and hugs her and Kory follows to hug her.

"It's so great to see you." Dad smiles and she laughs, her eyes locking with me in the process. I look away.

"Come, sit. It's great that you're here. We have news!" Dad moves to sit back down. Ashley sits right next to Ross who tenses. "Hey, Bro." She tries, but he purses his lips and turns to give her a false smile.

Ashley notices the tension and frowns a bit. Her red hair falls over her eyes and she flicks her head to swish it to the side a bit. 

Food starts coming around and everybody can feel the tension in the air. Isabel looks full on annoyed, Ross is silent and barely looks up from his plate, Kory is picking at her nails and my dad is quiet as he looks around the table. "Well," He starts, "I had some news, but it looks like they will have to wait for another time. Ashley, when did you come back?" 

Dad and Ashley go into a full conversation when Isabel slides her chair back abruptly and stands can. "Can I be excused?" 

Her arms are crossed and she looks like she lost all patience. 

"Well... sure, but-" Dad doesn't even finish because she's already turned away and disappearing out of our view.

Ross slowly places his fork down and pushes his chair out and stands up, not even bothering to excuse himself.

"Well..." Kory breaths out as she pushes her plate away. "I feel sick. Must have been all that mash potatoes." She awkwardly laughs and stands up as well.

"Kory," Dad sighs, standing up as well and goes right after her. When he's an earshot away, Ashley let's out a sigh. "Guess nobody's really excited about my return."

"Well obviously," I mutter and Ashley purses her lips.

"I see," She pushes her plate away, "I think it's best that I go. I'm currently living in a hotel, but I'm signing papers for an apartment soon. I think I'm going to contact my dear friends soon. I miss Tisdale,  Alexandra and Vanessa. I wonder if they know that I'm back." 

I want to remind her that they weren't friends anymore, but then the guilt would eat me up. It was partly my fault for that.... and for the fact that our siblings dislike her.

I keep my mouth shut instead.

There's a small smirk in her tone as she gets up and walks away. The sound of the door opening and closing is heard and I sink back into my seat.

Lila slowly walks over with a tray of mash potatoes. "More potatoes, Miss King?" 

~

"She's back?" the girls gasp. I nod, "Yeah, I thought I would give you guys a heads up. She's completely different now, too." 

"I can't believe this. I thought we were done with all her games." Lee (Ashley Tisdale) scoffs, leaning against Chris. He wraps an arm around her and smiles down at her. 

"She's been taking to Rosaline, I'm not surprised. I think she came by a few times too. They've been hanging out, mother and daughter time, you know?" He tells us, throwing a french fry into his mouth.

The red in Chris' hair has faded and now it's just black contrasting with his bright icy blue eyes. He checks the time on his phone, "I gotta go. I'm taking Alexis to the movies." He smiles and so does Lee. She leans up and he kisses her lips quickly before pulling away to look at the rest of us, girls. "Bye," He waves, slipping his phone into his pocket with the other hand.

When he's gone, Lee leans back into her seat, heart eyes were practically on show. "He's so sweet with his little sister." She dreamily sighs.

We all giggle and I lean forward to grab a french fry from the basket in the middle of our table. I had messaged the girls to all meet up to tell them the news. Nobody was exactly happy to hear about Ashley's return.

"So?" Alex had said, "She's changed, what makes her think we'll forgive her for what she did?" 

"Guys," I sigh, "It was also my fault for what happened." Vanessa waves me off, "Don't be silly. You've done nothing wrong. It's not just what happened with the switch. Ashley has done so many terrible things in the past. You literally showed a better part of her that we didn't know existed. And it clearly wasn't true since it was you the whole time." 

"Kennedy, you're a much better friend than Ashley ever was and ever will be," Lee tells me with a pointed tone. 

"But I feel like I pulled you guys all apart." I bow my head in shame. They were Ashley's friend first.

"You did nothing wrong, Kenn," Alex places a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it." 

I smile at the three girls gratefully. I'm so glad I met them, even in the situation that it was taken in.

"I say we head out tonight?" Lee suggests. 

"Can't, I'm meeting up with Logan. He's shooting a movie soon so I want to spend time with him before he leaves. We already made plans." Alexandra tells us.

"I have a photoshoot early tomorrow morning so I shouldn't." Vanessa sighs, running her painted nails through her dark hair. 

Lee looks over at me, "Looks like it's just us two." 

Once we all leave, Lee and I head out to get our nails done. She gets a manicure and a pedicure and while I just get a manicure since I refuse to let anyone touch my feet. 

"Why don't you just move in with him?" Lee asks. 

The girls know about Justin wanting me to move in. "Because, I feel like it's too early for us." I tell her. I watch as the manicurist coats my nails in nude color. They look nice. 

Lee just shakes her at me and the day goes on until her phone starts to buzz. She frowns, "Unknown." She mumbles. "Hello?" 

Her mouth falls into an 'O' shape. "Hi, Ashley..." 

My breath hitches. She wasn't kidding about getting back in touch with her friends. Lee glances back at me and raises a finger as in to say 'one second' and she moves aside. 

Five minutes later she returns, looking a little annoyed. "She wants to meet up... with all of us." 

"Are you going to?" 

"If the rest of the girls do. Did she really change?" 

I don't answer for a bit. I think it over before replying, "Yeah," I nod, "I think she did." 

But in my heart I can't help, but feel like I was wrong. 

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A/N:

Hmmm.....

IM WATCHING GREASE YAY! 

-Diana