Blondie Brownie

#forty#

She cringed when she saw them.

A girl pounced on her and hugged her tightly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Maia asked with tears in her eyes.

She shrugged.

Skye came up to her and squeezed her shoulder, "Oh, Ash. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Ashley said softly, "I'm so thankful for you guys."

Maia smirked, "Don't you go soft on us, Whitman. We're here to dress you up for the ball, Cinderella!"

Ashley shook her head, "I don't even have anything to wear."

Isobel held up a bag, "Got you covered." 

She shook her head, she really had the best friends ever.

Maia held up a grey dress with a little slit on the stomach. "Perfect isn't it?"

(A/N: Picture of Ashley in the dress above)

Ashley frowned, "But it's sleeveless." 

Maia looked confused, "So?"

Ashley almost looked shy, "Uh, I have bruises on my arms."

Maia looked even more confused, "So?"

Ashley's eyes filled up with tears as she looked down at the floor.

"Bruises are battle scars, hun." Skye reminded her.

Isobel nodded, "Yeah, you're a warrior."

Ashley choked down a sob, "I love you guys."

Maia grinned, "Yeah yeah, now go wear the dress."

Ashley obliged, and once she was done she looked at herself in the mirror.

For the first time her eyes didn't fixate on the purple bruises on her wrists.

For the first time, she felt beautiful.

OMG ASHLEY-BOO I LOVE YOU.

I'm going to see Fantastic Beasts tomorrow YAY.

~Rue.