Rivalry

Viridian Lofts. 9:30 P.M.

Hey guys!!!

Here's a new chapter of Rivalry just 5 days after the last one! I hope you guys enjoy it!

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Viridian Lofts.

            Monday, October 22. 9:30 P.M.

Ashley reaches for her phone which resting on her bed.

A smile appears on her face, and she tightens the white towel wrapped around her body as she slides her finger across the screen. "Hey Louis."

"Hey Ashley," Louis says from the other end. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Ashley replied, putting her phone on speaker and placing it back on her bed. "Just got out of the shower."

"Really?" Louis asks, his voice laced with curiosity. "What are you wearing?"

"Not the type," Ashley responds as she dries her body with the towel.

"Not the type to tell a guy what you're wearing?" Louis asks, curiosity still in his voice.

"Yeah," Ashley says, putting on the black panty shorts on the bed. "I'm not into that stuff."

"You should really tell your exes to stop spreading such rumors then." Ashley closes her eyes, "Damn it." Her words are lost to Louis who continues talking, "They don't put you in the best light."

"Is that why you're interested in me then?" Ashley asks angrily. Mad at both at his words, and at herself for slipping up. "Because if so-"

"No, it isn't," Louis interrupts her. "I'm actually glad you're not the type." Louis chuckles to himself, "Carlos actually warned me about listening to those rumors."

Ashley closes her eyes as the years she spent ignoring the rumors and fueling them by doing so come crashing down with Louis. Realizing she has nothing left to lose, she says openly, "You should listen to Carlos more often." Grabbing the black tank top on the bed, Ashley puts in o while adding, "He may annoy me sometimes, but he's got my back always."

"You guys are really close," Louis states and Ashley nods, forgetting he can't see her. "You, Carlos and Angela."

"We bonded in a high level," Ashley responds, taking the phone off speaker and putting it on her ear.

"Because of your family problems," Louis muses and Ashley raises an eyebrow. "Carlos told me about it. You guys have been through a lot together."

Carlos you blabbermouth. "Nobodies' perfect," Ashley simply says, wondering what Carlos hadn't told Louis.

"I know," Louis says with a sigh. "My mom exchanged me for the life of the rich, remember?"

Ashley nods, exiting her bedroom. " Yeah, I remember. Guess we're all fucked up in one way or another."

"You seem to be doing fine, considering everything that's going on with your parents," Louis observes and Ashley lets out a laugh as she walks down the stairs. "Or not."

Ashley sits down on the steps as her laughter turns into hysterical tears.

"Ash? Are you okay?" Louis inquires worriedly.

"No," Ashley whispers, sobbing uncontrollably. "My dad has a daughter." Louis sucks in a breath. "He moved her and her mother to our home and has been a complete jackass to me." Ashley can't seem to control the words coming out of her mouth as she vents out to Louis, "He gets annoyed at the little things I do. Things he was once okay with." Louis remains silent on the other side, letting Ashley pour out her emotions. "All we do now is argue, we can't seem to have a conversation without one of us getting upset. And to add to it, Sarah wants to control me. She's putting all these new rules in place that's making my dad act so strict." Ashley takes in a deep breath, passing her hand through her teary face, "And I know I'm sounding like a spoiled brat, but it's too much."