Echoes

Chapter 5- In Denial

04/04/18

Ashley's POV

   She was bleeding. Right there, on the edge of the bed. I wasn't sure on what to do because of panic, but I knew she wasn't herself that time.

   A blade with blood on the floor. One Gab dropped while trying to cut herself. She regrets doing it and that's why as soon as she tried to cut, she dropped it. Her facial expressions confused me, I couldn't tell if she was shocked, or what. It's like this cut was nothing but she sat there crying quietly. Sobbing as I quickly patched her other arm this time. I could've been there for her. I should've not left her.

Gab's POV

   Ashley wrapped my other arm this time. I didn't know what I was doing. The voices from last night kept me up, so that's why I waited for Ashley to get out of bed. "My siblings must be worried." I let out a sigh. "Gab, listen to me. They--" Ashley stopped. She was thinking about something and I couldn't tell what it was. But I felt like it's something she knew even before I did. She wanted to tell me something. She needed to, actually. "Never mind, I got breakfast prepared for you. Interested in burned eggs I made? Hahaha. Wait!!! THE EGGS!! I FORGOT ABOUT IT!!" Ashley screamed. I couldn't help but laugh as she rushed down the kitchen, almost tripping.

Ashley's POV

   Luckily, I turned off the stove. "Phew." I sighed with relief. While cooking the rest of the egg with rosemary leaves, my specialty, I couldn't help but think of what I almost said to Gab. It would be too soon if I told her about her, well, uhm. "Family" as she calls it. I'm not going to let her go home yet. I mean, who's waiting for her anyway? And I didn't mean that in a bad way, I'm literally saying that because no one is in that house but her. It's too soon for me to tell you as well, reader.
   I called Gab down for breakfast and told her to sit down. She ate like a cow and I knew that dumbass child was starving. Glad to know she likes my cooking ;). Again, I let her go absent today. I know how much she cares about her grades but, she's an A+ student and I mean, does she even need school? Gosh, she's basically suffering at Melmore High.

   Around after lunch, a bully name Aizey (ay-zi), came to my house looking for my best friend. "Where is that little bastard, huh? We had a quiz today in Calculus and I failed because of her! Let me in! I know you're there bastard! Come out and face me! You'll regret this for life!!!" she said, as she started pushing me inside. I pushed her back going outside and I grabbed her uniform, place her face close to mine with a warning: "Come back here again, and I'll make sure your ass won't be able to sit down in Calculus class tomorrow." I said, deepening my voice to threaten her. "I'll come back here with my gang and I'LL MAKE SURE YOU REGRET THIS FOR LIFE! Just wait and see, Ashley Jay. WAIT. AND. SEE." she said, as she slipped off my hands from her uniform. "Get lost!" I screamed while she was walking away, pissed.

   I went back up to Gab and she asked "Haha, what was that about? You guys seemed pretty tensed." I didn't know what to tell her but why not tell her the truth? Nothing's going to go wrong. "Aizey came over to ask for Calculus answers because she failed today. But the test is over so, why?" We both bursted out laughing. "Funny how people can be so stupid, right?" said Gab. "Yeah, haha. We should study for that Calcu make up test tomorrow. So, you brought your bag? "Oops, forgot. Well, it's not my fault you're holding me hostage in here just because you love meeee." She chuckled. "Ugh, fine, I'll get your stuff for you, cutie. I'll be back in 10."

   I went to Gab's house and unlocked the front door with her keys. I opened the door to see no one inside, and a huge mess. This place was full of sore energy, negative as I could tell. Walls, as brittle as Gab's little heart, and the creaks from the floor of every step I make, as loud as her cries as night. It was hard to look, for the last time I've been here was the last time I saw her mother. The house was filled with joy and laughter. And now all of those are gone. I went up to her room, devastated as I saw a cracked picture frame of her siblings in a picnic. She smashed it while crying in one of those nights she would cry alone, she told me. I got her dusty school bag that has not been touched for only two days. Got out immediately because it gave me the creeps.

   Finally went back home and went up to see Gab looking through our old pictures. She was so happy back then. I grabbed her arm and gave her a forehead kiss, reminding her that I loved her dearly. Got out our textbooks and studied until 11:56pm.

   I hugged her goodnight and she said: "I'm afraid. What if those voices come back? What will I do?" and I said "Okay fine, I'll cuddle you until you fall asleep, is that okay?" "That's better." she replied.

The next day...

Aizey came back. And this time, she wasn't alone...