Chapter 14 Whistleblower

Ashley and Matthew walks to the bus station while eating a fish cake they bought earlier. It is a fine evening to walk and chat together with someone after a long day of disappointment. Ashley is giggling suddenly thinking about how the day has turned up.

"What's so funny?" Ask Matthew. He realize that Ashley has been giggling without a reason.

"Nothing. I just think about something." Ashley continue to eat her fish cake.

As they are waiting for the bus, Ashley's phone ring. She picks it up quickly.

"Tyler? What is it?" Ashley ask. She is not really close with Tyler because they usually chat in the group chat. Receiving a call from Tyler is not a usual thing.

"You have to come here!" Tyler is panting in the phone.

"Why? What happen?"

"Things are getting serious. You have to come to our school now!" He stress the words.

Ashley glance at Matthew a bit. He was chewing the fish cake in his mouth while blowing the hot soup in a cup. This is not the right time for Tyler to call and ruin her moment with Matthew. Looks like she has to skip this moment and hope for next time.

"Is Wendy there?" Ask Ashley.

"No! We can't reach her since this morning. After our meeting, she got a phone call from her father and left us." Tyler explain.

"Okay. I will be there. Send me the location." Ashley act like a pro. She wants to look cool for Matthew.

She end the calls and look at Matthew.

"You have to go?" Ask Matthew. Ashley is faking a smile.

"Goodluck! See you tomorrow!" He still eating his fish cake. Looks like he does not even bother with her stuff. Aren't you the sweetest wishing me goodluck for not knowing what am I about to do? Ashley shook her head.

After receiving a text from Tyler. Ashley call a taxi and proceed to the location. Matthew was left with two cups of fish cake.

"You forgot your fish cake.." Matthew looks sad.

It is almost midnight. Tyler and the club members are discussing in the conference room of his school. The conference room is actually for the directors and chairman having their meeting. But since Tyler is the president of the student council, he can use any room he likes.

"Does Wendy knows that a Year 2 entered the contest?" Ask Jay.

"Age does not matter. Even if he skip a year, he does not practically against our rule." Alexia explain.

"You guys, what is the problem here? Aren't you guys has already announce the winner? Isn't it over?" Ashley try to middle. She stays silent for the past few minutes because she only want to observe them.

"Here's the problem, Kevin Nin told all of the school's director about this contest. He expose us and the alpha leader prize. Even we are already finish the final examination, the school has a right to expel all of us because of making this STUPID CONTEST!" Eric who has been sitting in the corner of the room finally speaks out his rage.

"What?" Ashley looks every face in the room. They look afraid.

"THIS STUPID IDEA OF YOUR PRESIDENT HAS RUIN US ALL!" Suddenly Eric has gone wild and pointing his hand towards Ashley. He is blaming all the fault to Wendy now.

"Aren't you guys the one that agree to this? Why is it her fault then?" Ashley confuse.

"Kevin Nin is from your school. Before the final examination begin, shouldn't your student council members should check who the participants were." Jay try to interrupt them. Ashley scoffs.

"Since he is from you school, you guys should take care of this matter and explain to all the school boards." Alexia is taking Eric side.

"Okay, now you're blaming the school?" Ashley totally does not want to be in this mess but since she is the only representative from her school, therefore everyone is pointing the fault to her now.

"Wendy need to take the responsibility. As for now we can't reach her. If the school board is calling me and want to expel me, I will expose that is all Wendy's fault. I won't risk my position to this...bullshit contest or game!" Eric fire up. He just can't get hold of himself any longer.

"Can't you see that we're all in the trouble? Don't just think about yourself! Selfish!" Tyler shout back at Eric.

"So you're taking Wendy's side huh?" Eric glance at him. The atmospehre turns to cloudy and dark. Ashley could smell the bitter smells from the alpha group. It stinks.

"I'm not taking any side. Whatever the situation is, we are in this together." Tyler try to calm down.

"By running away from the problem? Like Wendy did?" Eric provoke, he grab Tyler by his collar.

"She's not running away!" Tyler in defense mode.

"Explain why she didn't pick up her phone?!" Alexia interrupts.

"Aren't you too protective over her? Just because you and her are from the same foundation group??!" Eric cross the line and bringing up the politic matters.

Ashley couldn't stand the fight any longer because she feels dizzy with all the smell lingering in the room. She carefully walk and stand between Tyler and Eric.

"That's enough.." Ashley say while touching both at their shoulders. Eric and Tyler automatically takes a step back. Looks like they are in control. The atmosphere is calm again.

Eric banged the conference table with his hand showing his anger and left he room with a loud door's close. Alexia and Jay follows Eric not long after that. They looks confuse but still angry with what just happened.

"You should go back. It's late." Tyler sit down on the chair without looking at Ashley. Ashley nod. She uses her power again but now she controls them.

"Aren't you going back?" Ask Ashley. Tyler sigh. He shook his head. Ashley left the room quickly.

There are no more bus after the midnight hours. Ashley takes a long walk to her house. She has a lot to think about while walking. Especially Eric and Wendy. They are good friend and always cheering up each other while working together. One problem has occured and they can't solve together as a team and end up of blaming each other. Is this a truth friendship or just a business relationship? Why people always blaming each other and not try to talk it out? If this is a part of being an adult, she does not want to be part of that. Ashley sigh.

"Should I quit the school now?" Ask herself. By right, she doesn't have to be involve with all the matter that happened. She doesn't have to worry about entering a college because she wasn't intend to further her study. But there is more to think about.

"Wendy is my friend." Ashley takes a deep breath. She is now at the bridge and there is a river under the bridge. There are a few cars on the road.

"Friend huh.." Ashley stop. She looks up at the sky. Wondering if she could find any answer if she stares at the moon and stars. The half moon shine brightly in the sky. Bright more than the stars. Ashley looks at the moon for a while.

"Wendy Scott! Who do you think you are??!!" Suddenly she shouts.

"Don't ever call yourself as my friend if you are not showing up to school tomorrow! I will find you no matter what!! Do you hear me?!! I will kick your butt if you try to run from me, understand??" Ashley shout. She almost fell into the river but luckily she grip the bridge handle to support herself.