REMINISCENT

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: this isn't a fairytale (FINAL EDIT)

Ashley's POV
I haven't been to school for the past three days. I needed a break—a real one. Chanel's been less than thrilled about it, but between all the assignments they've been piling on, she hasn't had the time to come over and lecture me in person. Thank God for small mercies.

Honestly, I'm relieved. I wouldn't even know what to say to her. Well... maybe that's a lie. I do know. Yup, you guessed it—Mother Nature decided to make a grand entrance and let me know I'm not pregnant. Cue the sarcastic applause.

In other words: I got my period.
And of course, because the universe has a sense of humor, it came right after my emotional drive the other day. To top it all off, I was wearing white jeans. White. Jeans. Can you believe that? I could've cried on the spot. Actually, I did. Ugh.

Naturally, I used it as the perfect excuse to stay home and wallow in peace. No one questioned it, which was great. But today's officially my last day of hiding out, so I guess I'll be rejoining the land of the living tomorrow—just in time for the beach party.

On the bright side, Mom's been on afternoon shifts all week, so our new tradition has been falling asleep halfway through whatever random movie we find on Netflix. It's been kind of comforting, honestly—just the two of us, curled up and zoning out after long days.

So, here I am now: lounged on the couch, half-watching some cheesy rom-com while I wait for her to get home. It's not much, but it's exactly what I've needed.

.....
About an hour into the movie, which I decided would be better to watch upstairs in my room instead of downstairs alone, there was a sound coming from down stairs which alerted me to pause the movie. I looked at the time and saw I had at least an hour to myself before mom returned from work

When I listened closely, I heard it again. The rattling of the front door knob made me gasp and grab my calculus book from my nightstand. The intruder started up the steps. Did I not remove the spare key from where we hid it

I slowly walked to my bedroom door and hid behind it to surprise the intruder when I jump him. This might as well be the dumbest and bravest thing I've done in my life, this person might be armed for all I know, but if they were would they unlock it and not just break in?

When my door cracked open, I closed my eyes and threw my heavy book at my attacker and heard him stumble and fall.

I was just about to pounce on them when I saw who it was "Chanel?" I called

She looked back at me with forks in her month and spaghetti and meatballs sauce on her face, oops

"why the hell did you jump me?" her voice was dangerously calm

I gulped taking a few steps back "Chanel I'm so sorry I didn't know it was you.... I-i thought--... "

she cut me off by jumping up to her feet "you thought what Ashley?!!!! What?! " she screamed in annoyance

"I thought you were an intruder" I whispered scared if she heard me it will anger her more

"An--" she pinched the bridge of her nose "that's it!" she ran to my direction and lounged herself on me making us fall with a loud thud

She straddled me and tickled my sides "C-chanelll" I screamed in laughter "stop i-i'm" more laughter "ooonnn my-y " laughter "pee-" she continued "I'm ss-orry.....periods!! " I screamed

"too bad" she smiled

"you're so-o evil! " the door bell rang which caused her abruptly stop. She got up and smiled triumphantly at my crimson tinted face

She winked at me then skipped downstairs to check who it was, while I laid on my spot on the floor too weak to get up

I heard voices downstairs "is that everyone? " oh noo I'm only in an oversized T-shirt and socks. I looked to my right and saw shorts I had thrown out of the closet this morning "thank you lord!!" I slipped them on just as Emma rushed in and looked at my empty bed