Chapter 11

I feel confused and somewhat psychotic. I wanted all the love I could get in the world but I was also growing tired of the drama that had to come with it. My mom parked the car and as soon as we walk into the ice cream parlour I rush to the most enclosed space you could find in the place. Window seats were cool, but enclosed areas in restaurants and ice cream parlours were everything. I never really cared to admit it but it always took me to the day we went to KFC as a family and we sat at the darkest and somewhat enclosed booth in the food outlet. I carry that amazing day with me - always.

"I'll go order, Neapolitan or vanilla?"

" I'll have vanilla please." "I thought we were d new things today?"

"Mom you're the one suggesting 'new things' you, Mrs original?"

She left without answering but however left me with a smile plastered on my face. My mom always makes me feel strong she has common sense when I didn'- it's an always thing really.

I keep getting thoughts on everything that has happened. I keep remembering that I would have to go back to school tomorrow and face the horror of Robin knowing my business. I keep thinking of the snickers that would come and the endless questions that would follow.

"Did you really do it?" I keep wondering if being honest would hurt me and if lying would be worth it - Robin would definitely drag me for it.

The problem is not asking out a guy - only if he says yes but the moment he rejects you then you would be labeled as "stupid" and anything else they would be happy to call you and they do say it to your face.

My mom returns with the tubs of ice cream and I am pleased to see that she even went through the extra lengths of getting me oreos. I wish every moment of my life could have these kinds of surprises and not the Nick kind of surprises.

"How was the test?"

"It's postponed to tomorrow."

"Well I'm glad but I also don't like how you spoke to Jody this morning." here we go.

"Well she should mind her business."

"I won't be disrespected by you, I don't like how you treat Jody."

"Of course you don't, I'm trying not to disrespect mom, you but stay out of whatever happens between Jody and I"

"What is it anyway that made you cut the school day short, like I said I know you are not sick, what are you up to in your senior year Ashley, you know it's important."

"I said I was not feeling well, that's it and I'm not really doing badly at school."

"It'd better not have anything to do with a boy. The mini skirts and coming home feeling down, are you sleeping with Nick?" The moment she said that I chocked on the oreos.

She overstepping the line, I don't do what she just accused me of and how the hell does everyone know of Nick?

" woah okay, no I'm not sleeping with anyone." I said the anyone really slowly I need her to understand that none of that is happening. I know have been very strange and boy crazed lately but as far as sleeping around is concerned a lot could go wrong - Kylie is one example.

" Then why the hell have you changed? You are not the Ashley I know anymore. Is this why you wanted to "make friends"?

I cannot take the lecture but I do not want her mad at me, it makes life difficult but she's being irrational.

"You really need to chill," she shot me murderous glare; I knew I had to stop but sometimes you had to be brutally honest to get your point across.

"because I'm not really doing what I'm not supposed to be doing and don't worry about my school work I'll be fine I promise.

" Ashley, your GPA dropped, you've been saying the same thing for the past two years, have you even started with your college applications? Don't even think of telling me about your SAT, it's not the only thing that will let you become a college student.

She's attacking me in every way she can. I had the highest SAT score in our school but she won't give me rest because of my GPA the one thing I've been struggling with for so long; two years to be exact.

I decide not answer her or rather drag the conversation on. I did enough of that this morning with Robin and Richard.

***

My mom and I finished the ice cream in silence. It was not really hostile however it was not pleasant either. She decided on the way to the car that we should go to the mall and have some shopping done "might find find something you never knew you needed" she said. She can be one heck of an impulsive buyer if she wants (you'd be surprised how much that occurs).

We went around town and ended up at Topshop. The store seems to be filling up with teenagers however most learners should be home from school by now unless they have extra mural activities keeping them at school.

My only hope is to not bump into anyone from school.

"What do you think?" my seemed not to be interested in giving a teenager (aka me) the satisfaction of thinking that she'll entertain her nonsense by giving her the silent treatment. Her speaking to me does in any way suggest that I am off the hook; I'd be foolish if I thought otherwise.

"It's pretty." I said. My mind is messed but the top is really, really pretty. It's a combination of a blouse and a shirt however you can't use the buttons to open it up. It's beige in colour and gives off the impression that it's was made for NYFW or some royal event. It's made out of silk and has some flowers embroidered on the sleeves.

This is what therapy looks like.

"So do they have one in my size?" I asked my mom. It seems as though I am joking but I want the top.

"Maybe when you work." my mom joked with a wink.

"Hello Ashley." Just as my mom and I looked back at the top. The voice sounds familiar. It would be useless to act as though I do not know who greeted me but it would help my case if I acknowledged them.

"You left class really early and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"You are..." my mom put on her annoyed face on and at this point I feel as though nothing could be worse than what was unfolding before my eyes.

Nick (the boy I'm supposedly messing with) and Robin standing before my mother and I knew that this was bound to be horrible.