A Deal With the Devil

Chapter 17

Kassandra's POV

Ravanna looked at me just then as if she was in shock.

"Kassandra, can I talk to you alone?"

I turn my head back to Ashley and look at Ravanna with indecision.

She glances at Ashley and smiles slightly, she leans towards me and place a sweet kiss on my brow, she lingers for a moment and pulls away.

"I need to configure my student standing in regards to my attendance but afterwards I will return to you. Go. Talk with your friend."

I look at her and nod, squeezing her hand.

She squeezes mine in return and glances at Ashley before she leaves.

I turn to Ashley, who is looking at me as if I'd just grown some malformed appendage.

"Where did you two meet and how long have you know each other, how come I've never seen or heard of her?"

Ashley's expression is one of hurt and I feel guilty for keeping anything from her.

"Well..." I'm trying to think of the most logical explanation but then it comes to me.

"We met at the hospital, we've only known each other about five weeks."

Ashley nods, "So for about as long as you've been in the hospital?"

At my nod she gestures for me to continue.

I think about how to answer her other questions, "She's new to the area so maybe that's why you don't know of her?"

Ashley accepts the explanation with some suspicion but looks confused, "And she responds with 'to love you' when I ask what her intentions are with you."

I can see why she's worried, had I been in her shoes I would have thought anyone who came to that response was moving too fast. Focused on love bombing in order to create a quick connection, one that relies on codependent behavior and characteristics to later alienate them from their friends and support systems.

Maybe we are - moving too fast- I just don't know what the protocol is when you sell your soul for love.

"We've gotten close, I guess, and Ashley I know that it seems weird. Trust me, I know it is weird  but I really like her."

Ashley searchers my eyes and I'm really not sure what for but she sighs and nods.

"Ok but if this one hurts you, I'm kicking her ass."

I chuckle at thought, she would most certainly try.

"Ok, thanks for looking out for me Ashley."

She smiles in a way that reminds me of Ravanna's smile, I think it's because it's almost.... sad.

She comes close to me and we hug and for once I don't have to worry about containing a scream.

I'm not hurting anywhere, save for the feeling of soreness from my ribs.

For the first time in a long while, I'm not carrying bruises.

I'm not wearing freshly made cuts and I breath a sigh of relief. I squeeze Ashley harder and she does the same. 

"You haven't hugged like this in a while."

"I know," I say over her shoulder, "I'm sorry."

"That's ok," she whispers.

We pull away and immediately Ashley starts up her rapid fire questions, "So, what's her name and how old is she?

We start walking towards the office, I feel bad for not telling Ravanna the way.