The Silver Lining

Chapter - 14

The next day when Ashley entered in the class with a big smile on her face, Melissa almost fell from her chair, making Ashley chuckle.

Melissa immediately cornered her, staring intently, and asked, “Who was the guy?”

Ashley frowned, “What guy?”

“With whom you got laid last night,” she wiggled her eyebrows.

Ashley groaned, shaking her head in disbelief. “Seriously, Melissa?”

Melissa laughed, wrapping arms around her shoulders. “Well, you can't blame me for having such dirty thoughts as it's the first time I've seen you so happy,” She looked at Ashley, raising her eyebrows, and added, “Without me, of course.”

Ashley rolled her eyes and went straight to her seat, not bothering to reply.

Melissa following her but before she could ask her more, Leo appeared out of nowhere and plopped down on the seat beside Ashley. “Hey Ashley, how's it going?” He grinned.

Leo was so friendly with her, something that shocked her. Surely, he had helped her in the morning when she was on the verge of breaking down and joined them at her house for breakfast. Not to mention, her aunt practically dragged Leo inside their home, after knowing how he helped her when he dropped her back.

Earning a questioning look from Melissa, Ashley glared at Leo, tilting her head towards Melissa, and Leo immediately changes the topic. “I mean, you had a massive headache yesterday, so how are you now?”

“I'm fine,” Ashley grunted, flipping through the pages of her notebook.

“Oh, okay. Tell Aunt Jenna that I loved her pancakes and I'll surely drop-”

Ashley interrupted him with a groan, “Leo!!”

“Yeah?” He gulped, noticing her sudden change of behavior.

“I'll pass the message. Now go. I'm trying to study here,” Ashley muttered angrily. She was trying hard to calm her anger but couldn't help with the slip up of Leo.

Stupid Leo!

He shouldn't have mentioned anything in front of Melissa. Now she wouldn't leave her alone without knowing everything.

After her break down, Ashley assured Leo that she was fine but he insisted on dropped her home. They chatted the whole way to her back house, and Ashley couldn't help but feel happy for making one more friend. Her lips curved in a upward direction, remembering the afterward morning incident-

“You won't invite me inside?” Leo smiled mischievously.

“Don't push your luck,” Ashley chuckled and waved him goodbye but that was the moment when her Aunt suddenly opened the door, making Ashley freeze.

Her Aunt didn't notice Leo as she pulled Ashley into her arms, noticing she was home. “Thank God you're back. I was so worried, Ash.” Then she broke the embrace and asked her, “Are you okay?”

Ashley nodded, feeling overwhelming. Her Aunt was worried about her. Suddenly, she felt guilty for giving her a cold shoulder. All the time, when she was trying to get along with her, Ashley never acknowledge her efforts.

Her chain of thoughts broke when Leo cleared his throat, “I'll leave now.”

“Wait,” Aunt Jenna called him, “who are you?”

“Leo,” He replied nervously, glancing at Ashley.

“He is in my class,” Ashley decided to save Leo from the misery and answered her, “He was out for a run and found me back there when I was… you know…” Ashley let out a breath and added, “He walked me home out of concern.”