Me, Myself, and You

Chapter 5

Ashley 

I got off Mason's motorcycle and took off the helmet. I pulled my shirt down and brushed my fingers through my hair. I looked around at everyone staring at me. I looked down at my feet and I felt Masons' fingers intertwine with mine. 

We walked into school with whispers filling my ears. I let go of his hand and walked to my locker. 

"What are you still doing here?" I asked him. 

He leaned against a locker and looked at me, "I'm your boyfriend. Isn't this what couples do for each other? Wait for them no matter what." 

I shrugged my shoulders and closed my locker. 

"What the fuck is going on here?" Melony asked coming up to us. I could tell she was pissed. 

"Why are you so pissy about it?" Mason asked standing up to make him taller than Melony. 

"Look Melony...it's a long story. I promise I'll tell you later but I need to get class." I said nodding my head to assure her I was going to. 

She stared Mason down, puffed, and then walked away. I let out a sigh of disappointment and let Mason hold my hand. 

Luckily Mason wasn't in any of my classes so at least I would have a break from him. I sat in the back of the class and started to pick at my nails.

 "Ashley?" a small quiet voice asked from behind me. 

I turned around and saw a little girl with acne, braces, and glasses. 

I smiled at her, "What's up?" 

"I'm Bailey and you probably have never seen me around before, but I think you're making a really bad decision." she said really quietly I could barely hear her. 

"Um excuse me? What do you mean I'm making a "bad decision"?" I already knew what she was talking about. I'm pretty sure everyone either saw and knows about me and Mason. Hell even the teachers. 

"I mean Mason is a bad guy, and you're so- so innocent." she said pulling up her shoulders at the end. 

"I don't want to be rude Haidley-"

"Bailey." 

"Right, Bailey. But you don't know me, and Mason is a really sweet guy. After he hit my car he came to my house with flowers, just please don't assume bad things about a person." I said smiling at the end. 

I turned around and gently slammed my head onto my desk before she could say anything else. Luckily the bell rung so I wouldn't have to suffer anyone else telling me what I'm doing is wrong. 

*** 

Mason drove me back home but the day was filled with pestering and questions. I'm pretty sure by the end I just stop responding. Melony is coming over so I can give her the real reason I'm doing this. 

Currently I'm sitting on my couch, watching Freaks and Geeks and eating a strawberry pop tart. Honestly I have no idea how I'm not obese. 

"Ok bitch, you got some explaining to do." Melony said as she plumed down on the couch. 

"How did you get into my house?" I asked looking back at the closed front door. 

"Your door wasn't locked which is a stupid idea especially if you're gonna be SEEN with Mason Lane." she said   trying to find the most comfortable position. 

"Look I'm being forced to do this." I said brushing off crumbs from my lap. 

"I'm not buying it." she said looking not amused at all.

"Remember when I told you a long time ago I thought my father owns a really bad business?" I asked throwing my blanket off of me.

"Yeah? But I thought you said it was complete horse crap." 

"I thought it was, but apparently it isn't. One of my dad's "coworkers" came to my house yesterday. He said my father is dead and that I needed to sign a piece of paper saying that I am the closet living relative to my father." 

"I'm sorry for your lost Ash but did you at least read the paper before you signed them?" she asked sounding actually really concerned for me. 

"No, no matter what I'm not gonna do anything with that business. I'm just gonna keep on doing what I'm doing and I'm gonna totally try to forgot about. And my father was never really around so I guess I released all the sadness yesterday." I said shrugging my shoulders and picking the dirt from under my fingernails. I know it's gross but it's satisfying  for me at least. 

"Ok now how does Mason tie into this?" she asked leaning in. 

"He came to my house yesterday and somehow he knows about my father and how I'm a Clarkson. He threatened to tell everyone at school if I don't pretend to date him." I tried to explain better but quite frankly I didn't understand it enough to explain it well. 

"I don't trust him. I think he's doing something really bad." she said with a look of question of her face. 

"I don't trust him either, but Mel...nobody can know that I'm associated with a gang." I sighed in disappointment. How could my father put my life danger like this? How could any father? 

"I'm be there for you. I promise."

And that's when Melony and I shared one of our famous hugs. A hug where we can feel the same emotions. It's so special cause it's rare. 

Aren't I lucky to have her?