eight

"So, you're telling me that Mr Ventresca left you because he couldn't pay the amount to some Jerico guy and now you're locked with his son named Michael" Ashley said.

"Yes" I sighed, clearing my throat.

"Nice excuse, try making up a good story next time!"

"I'm not lying Ash, you have to believe me" I said and a tear rolled down my cheek.

"H-how do you expect me to believe this?" she said and there was silence for a moment as I couldn't think of a way to make her believe it.

"What happened?" suddenly Michael asked and I lowered the phone before speaking up.

"She isn't ready to believe me" I said in a loud whisper, sobbing a bit. I couldn't believe that my own best friend wasn't trusting me.

"Ask her to come here" he said and I was in shock.

"What?!" I almost screamed and suddenly I heard Ash's voice blaring from the phone, I placed the phone near my ear again.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"You don't believe me right?" I said. "Fine! I'll text you the address, come and take a look, I hope you believe your eyes since you don't believe me." I said and hung up, before messaging her the address and shoving my phone in my pocket.

"I hate everyone, I hate this mansion, I hate your father and I hate you!" I screamed on top of my lungs before bursting into tears.

"Wait, how is this even my mistake? if you would've slept peacefully last night, we would never end up in this situation. Now would you concentrate on the pancakes because I'm hungry as fuck."

"Are you like twelve?!" I snapped.

"On a scale of 1 to 10? Hell yeah" he said sarcastically.

"Sierra?" I heard someone's voice and I realised it was Ashley's voice.

"Ashley's here." I said and both of us started walking towards the living room.

When we came out of the kitchen Ashley was standing near the couch looking here and there for a moment and finally her eyes landed on me.

"S-Sierra" she stuttered and there was a awkward silence. Suddenly she came running towards me before wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me tighter than ever and I hugged her back with my free arm because apparently the other connected to Michael. "I missed you so much" she said breathing in my hair.

"I missed you too" I said and she finally broke the hug before lifting her gaze to Michael. "This is Michael."

"Nice to m-meet you." She stuttered, raising her hand for a handshake.

Michael glared at her for a good 1 minute before smirking and finally shaking hands with her. "So you're Ashley?" he asked and Ash nodded with a little smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't believe you. I didn't believe my best friend oh my god!" She said placing one of her hands on my left shoulder.

"I forgive you, I should have told you at the first place." I said, slightly pursing my lips.

"So what were you guys doing?" She said clapping her hands with a huge grin.

"Pancakes" Michael sighed before dropping his head in disappointment.

"I was making pancakes, come join us" I said and she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"How can you manage cooking in this state?" She said. "I'll make the pancakes"

"I don't care whoever makes it, but at least make it fast. I have no control on my stomach." Michael said shamelessly and Ash passed him a smile before walking inside the kitchen and we both sat on the gigantic chairs.

After having a good amount of delicious breakfast made by Ash. I passed her a satisfied smile which she instantly passed back. "So when are you coming to school?" Ash asked with a serious expression and I shrugged.

"I really don't know Ash" I said, disappointment clearly evident in my voice. She sighed and nodded before taking a sip of water from her glass.

I stood up from my chair and tapped on Michael's shoulder, who was busy concentrating on the last pancake left in his plate.

He stood up, dragging me towards the sink and I kept my plate in the sink and he did the same. "I'll ask dad" Michael's voice interrupted me and I turned my head towards him.

"Ask him about what?"

"About letting you go to school" he said and I was a bit shocked but before I could utter a word Ash cut me off.

"Really?!!" She said jumping on her spot. "That's so sweet of you"

"I don't think he'll let me. Wouldn't he'll have this thought at the back of his mind that I'll run away?" I asked facing towards Michael and I heard Ashley's huge sigh behind me.

"No he won't" he said and I gave him a questioning look. "I'll be going with you"

"Wait, what?!" I said raising my voice.

"Yeah or else dad actually won't let you go alone." he said and suddenly I wrapped my arms around him, surprising myself as well as him. "Hey, my wrist hurts."

"Promise?" I asked still not breaking the hug.

"Promise." he said and suddenly I heard Ashley clearing her throat and I finally realised that I've been completely ignoring her presence. A little blush crawled up my neck and I dropped my head, looking at the floor in embarrassment.

"Um..the party's today" Michael said, changing the topic and I was confused for a moment but then I realised that he was talking about the party he's forcing me to go to.

"Michael, I'm not going to any party in this state" I said making it clear.

"But-"

"Will anyone tell me what party and who is throwing it" Ashley said cutting him off.

"Christian Spencer" Michael said.

"What? Logan and I are invited too" Ash said excitedly.

"Wait, how are you both invited?" I asked.

"Sierra you don't remember Chris from the football team?" Ash asked and then it hit me. Christian Spencer is a member of the football team at school also know as a jerk. He tries to hit on any girl who walks by him.

"Oh" was all that I could utter.

"Guess we're going to the party" Ash said clapping her hands excitedly.

"But-"

"No buts" I was cut off by Michael you was apparently smirking.