whatever happened to love??

Chapter 17

i went and locked myself in the bathroom .

oh God! oh god! oh god !! what was i even thinking kissing him like that?
i should have pushed him away then and there ... never gotten close to him...
thats it! i have to leave ... right now ! it doesnt matter if they dont know ... i will just call a cab or something and just get out of here . yes thats what i have to do .

after few hours later, quitely packing up my bags...  i was tiptoeing outside my room to go hoping no one is there to stop me... as im about to reach the door i hear a voice say ,"where are you going ? " i cringe at being caught and slowly turn around to find Ashley standing there.
I go towards her as she sit down on the sofa looking exhausted.
" i was just ... uhm... i was just going out for some air." I said , hoping she would believe me ..
" with your bags in hand Elena? Who are you kidding ? " she said sarcastically...
"Ok fine ! I have to go... get back because of some work. Tell Megan and Archie that I had to leave ."
As I turn to leave Ashley says, " ok... i will... but listen eliza ... I think Archie and Megan are only staying here together because of you and if you leave..."
" No you're right.", I sigh " I should stay here. If not for anybody else. They are really trying to get along for me and put aside their differences."
My shoulders slump and I go to sit besides her on the sofa .
"But why are you awake so late at night Ashley? Is everything okay?", I ask.
" Well....", she says with her posture stiff and her head facing down.
" No! Its okay if you don't feel comfortable telling me all this .. I mean ... I know we aren't really that close. Its okay. Just know I'm here for you.", I say.
Ashley turns her head up to me with tears brimming in her eyes. She has always been such a private person. Never sharing her own problems with anyone.
Well except James whom she considered really close to her.
Looking at her I forget all about my problems and just hug her.
I hear her silent sobs while I keep rubbing her back. After sometime when she calms down, I say," you know ... I can bring a nice glass of warm milk... it really helps sleeping at night."
But Ashley is already shaking her head.
" No thanks Elena, I don't really like milk. Anyways, thanks for just now and I'm sorry you had to see all this." , she says.
" hey, dont mention it silly. I know James is really close to you and all but I'm here for you too. We know each other since school and I know we're not close but I'm here for you ok?" I say to her.
" yeah", she smiles slightly, " and i would really appreciate it if you don't mention about this to James. He'll get worried and be after me all the time and I'm just not ready to tell anyone."
"No problem girly, its our little secret.", I give her a grin.
" okay then! I'll go back to my room now. Goodnight Elena."
" Goodnight Ashley" I say as I drag my stuff back to my room.
Its gonna be a really long holiday. What I didn't notice was a dark figure standing there watching this scene unfold quitely.