A New Chapter

Chapter 1

"Ashley sweetie, are you awake?" I crack open my tired eyes and furiously blink away the blinding morning sun.

"Ashley? You don't want to be late." My moms soft voice speaks again getting closer and closer to my room with each word.

"I'm up mom! I'm up." My sleep filled voice comes out as more of a series of groans than actual coherent words. Which apparently did not convince my mother as she barges into my room and rips my duvet straight off me.

"Mom what the fu-." My moms stern stare makes me reconsider my choice of words; "-dge! Fudge."

"No cursing while Amelia is in the house! You know she repeats what she hears." I nod understandingly as I sit up and let out a monstrous yawn.

"See, I'm up." I give her a lazy smirk as she deepens her scowl, but I can see the corner of her lips twitching up; trying to conceal a smile before retreating back to the kitchen.

I hop up and make my way to my bathroom; I brush my teeth as I dance along to a song playing from the radio down stairs.

I lazily comb my blonde locks and throw on a pair of blue skinny jeans and a pastel pink crop top jumper.

As I walk down the stairs the giggles radiating from the kitchen get louder by the second.

"Mommy!" Amelia's jam covered smile beams over in my direction as I put on my white converse runners.

"Hello baby girl." I pick her up and smother her face in kisses, jam covered and all.

Her delightful giggles fill the house yet again.

"If you don't go now you're going to be late Ash." My mom speaks up as she sips her coffee. I sigh and put Amelia back into her pink high chair; giving her one last kiss on her forehead before grabbing my school bag and waving goodbye to my mom.

~~

As I enter the high school parking lot; my hands are clammy and a nervous lump has formed in my throat.

I find a parking spot close to the entrance of the school but I'm too nervous to even exit the safety of my car.

I haven't been here in four whole years. Homeschool and high school are two very different worlds.

A loud bang on the passenger window breaks me out of my thoughts as I scream at the top of my lungs and curse whoever thought it would be a good idea to put me in an early grave.

The door opens and a brunette hops into the passenger seat grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"Morning! I can't believe you're actually here! Senior year is going to be so much better than the last four years without my partner in crime by my side."

I let out a small laugh at my best friend Sophie's enthusiast personality. She notices my lack of said enthusiasm and frowns; "What's wrong? You're not reconsidering coming back here are you?".

"No, no I'm not, I'm just... I'm just nervous. I haven't been here in four years and the last time I was here, I was a fourteen year old pregnant 'slut'." I huff and rake a hand through my hair.

Sophie sighs; "Nina that bitch. I can't believe we used to be friends with that thing. Spreading rumours when she didn't even know the whole story!" She let's out a frustrated breath and shoots me a sympathetic smile. "It will be fine. Okay? I'll be with you every step of the way."

We exchange smiles as the warning bell goes off.

~~

Being back in high school is weird to say the least.