The secrets we keep

chapter 2

Staring at myself in the mirror, I try to calm my nerves but it seems impossible. I was about to go back to school. After surviving so long under the radar I was about to be thrown in the deep end and turn up unannounced to a place filled with my old friends who I didn't even say goodbye to. I wanted to stay on the down low as much as I could so I went with a plain navy dress, one of the few choices in my wardrobe that didn't scream attention but still hugged my body in the right places. I had no intention to claim my status back at school and in fact wanted to stay as invisible as I could under the circumstances; which didn't seem likely.

"Ashley hurry up you're going to be late!" My mum shouted up the stairs. I huffed to my reflection and  checked myself over a couple minutes longer then begrudgingly grabbed my bag and dragged myself downstairs.

Kevin was waiting at the white marble island in the centre of the kitchen, a coffee mug in one hand and his phone in the other. He looked up as I turned into the room and stood slouched against the doorway, looking as miserable as I felt.

"Ready to go to school?" he said, overly amused as he downed the rest of his coffee and left the mug on the counter, checking the time as he did so.

"Where's Maddy?" I replied, noticing how quiet it now was in the house.

"Your mother has taken her to playgroup, she left a second ago so it's just you and me, Princess."

I practically scoffed at him. At one point I thought Kevin's pet name for me was endearing when we actually got along. Now it literally made me feel sick.

"Yeah let's not do that shall we?" I said as I threw my bag over my shoulder and stalked over to the door, hearing Kevin slightly chuckling behind me as I pulled open the door and reluctantly headed over to his Audi.

The car locks chirped open signalling for me to get in as I yanked the door open and shoved myself down in the passenger seat. Kevin placed a bag he must have been carrying in the back and then slid in next to me, reversing out the drive onto the main road.

My anxiety levels were at an all time high and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I didn't have anywhere else to go or any money to leave so I was stuck. But I couldn't help but think that I could have tried harder. I didn't have to get in that car when it turned up to Lisa's house but a part of me wanted to come back because I just needed answers or an explanation to what happened the night before I left.

"I have to come in with you to sign some forms." Kevin said, snapping me out of my thoughts. We were only a few minutes away from school and I could feel my nerves suffocating me. I had asked to apply to the school across town and start somewhat fresh but it wasn't up for debate considering Bridgefield was considered the elite option compared to Cranford High. Not like I hadn't mingled with people from there too that I should have avoided.

"Great." I replied, knowing that as soon as we got out the car everyone's eyes would be on us due to the fact Kevin is somewhat a celebrity in this town. That didn't play in well with my plan to attempt to stay invisible.

As we turned into the gates that were now wide open and welcoming the students that were drifting in, I subconsciously slumped lower in my seat to avoid any staring towards us. It was a wasted effort though as Kevin decided to park right outside the main doors where everyone had to walk past.

When he took the keys out of the ignition he turned to me with a big mocking smile on his face, rubbing his hands together fawning excitement.

"Are you ready for your first day back?" His smug tone that he'd had for the last two days was about to make me lose it. I stuck my middle finger up right into his face and pulled the door handle, allowing me to escape from the car but become trapped here.