The Game We Play

Chapter Eighteen

Ash shoved the rest of her belongings in her backpack and walked out of her last class for the day. Maia and her always drove back to school together so they tended to meet up by the school's front entrance.

"Bold of you to get Savanna in trouble." a girl stated, leaning against the brick wall outside her classroom.

"I didn't do anything, she did it to herself." Ash responded. "Now if you don't mind, I've got a friend that I don't want to keep waiting."

"Friend huh? Isn't she your sister or something?" she asked.

"Yes? Your point?" Ash snapped, losing her patience.

"I think you're still living in a fantasy that your life is normal. Your daddy left you, your mom didn't want you, and your brother might as well be dead. You're lucky you even have someone like Maia- but you don't even consider her family!"

Ash froze. She was right, and it hurt.

"But what would you know about it?" Laurence asked, striding up beside her. "I've seen you before, switching from guy to guy and throwing them away once you cant spend their money anymore." he smiled innocently and wrapped his arm around Ash.

The girl glared at him for a moment before tossing her hair and walking away.

As soon as she was out of sight, Ash began to bawl.

"Hey shhh- it's okay." he murmured softly, pulling her into a hug.

She buried her face into his chest for a minute, his warmth soothing her easily. "I-I'm sorry..." Ash mumbled into him.

He softly ran his fingers through her hair. "Hey- lemme text Maia. I'm gonna take you out to cheer you up."

She pulled back and looked up at him, embarrassed by her emotional outburst. "You don't have to Laur." she sniffled.

"C'mon Ash, let me be here for you." he said with a smile.

"Fine." she conceded as he sent a message to her... sister.

She realized she'd been holding onto his arm and quickly let go, standing shakily on her own.

"Hm, I've got an idea princess." he said with a smirk.

"Princess...?" she questioned.

He quickly slid his arms behind her back and under her knees, picking her up bridal style.

"Laurence!" she yelled out in surprise, her face flushing.

"Would you rather have a piggy-back ride?" he teased.

"N-no! I'd rather you put me down!" she burst out, flustered.

"Awe, I won't drop you. I promise." he said, his smile widening.

Ash pushed on his chest before he finally sighed and put her down.

"D-Don't do stuff like that..." she said quietly.

"Are you blushing?" he looked at her with a grin.

"Shut up!" she yelled, punching him lightly.

"Ouch!" he yelped, holding onto his stomach where she had hit.

"Oh- I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" she asked, concerned.

"This is the end of me... tell my mom... I love her..." he dramatically joked.

"Oh come on! Stop joking around." Ash rolled her eyes.

"Your wish is my command." he said, bowing with a flourish.

She rolled her eyes again and smiled, heading for the front door with Laurence walking beside her.

"I'm sorry..." he apologized quickly. "I always walk to school since I live right down the road so I don't really have a car."

"That's alright." she smiled. "I don't drive either since Maia always takes me."

"Well, would you accompany me to the nearby ice cream place?" he asked.

"Sure!" she agreed.

It was no secret that Ash had one hell of a sweet tooth. Chocolate in particular was something she couldn't resist.

The two walked down the street, chatting until they walked inside the establishment.

"Now, I owe you from the last time you covered me when I forgot lunch money. Let me cover the cost, okay?"

She thought about it for a moment. "Hm- I suppose that's fair." she concluded.

They got to the front of the line and she got a double scoop chocolate cone while he settled on a banana split. After paying, they brought their sweet treats over to a window booth and sat down.

"Thanks again Laurence." Ash said with a smile, biting into her ice cream.

"Seriously, don't mention it." he responded kindly.

The sharp light of the afternoon sun framed his face and illuminated his eyes. He looked up at her, and she quickly shifted her gaze to the cone, embarrassed to be caught looking.

"So, are you and Conner a thing?" he asked casually.

"I'm not sure." she answered honestly. Ash wasn't sure where they stood after last night.

"I see." was all he said, taking a big bite.

For some reason she felt reluctant to let him know about the kiss.

"Either way, at least he's not treating me like a child anymore." she said.

He looked up at her before lightly grabbing onto her hand. "You're definitely not a child, Ash. I know for a fact that you can take on the world and win."

She felt her face heating up and pulled back her hand.

"Heh- thanks..." she mumbled.

"I'll be right back." Laurence excused himself, heading to the bathroom.

Ash looked out the window and saw that it was starting to get late. She noticed a figure walking past the building. They suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.

Her curiosity having been peaked, she stood up slowly and walked over to the door. She opened it with one hand, holding her cone in the other, and stepped outside.

She looked around and couldn't see anybody. Weird. She was about to head back in when she was grabbed from behind. She yelled out, but her assailant clasped their hand over her mouth.

"You're going to pay, bitch."

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What's this? Two updates in one day after not updating for weeks? I've never heard of consistency. Writing longer chapters is actually more fun than shorter ones! Please vote, comment, and stay safe <3