" Dang! Ashley!... wake up for Pete's sake!"
" Good lord , what is it this time? "
" Where did you get a teddy from? "
" A friend...
" nevermind, that's not why I'm here"
" then why are you here?"
" Mom's traveling today
" what? she didn't even tell anyone" Ashley climbed down her bed, cladded her feet with a pair of flip flops and marched downstairs with Glenda trailing behind.
" Mom!" Ashley called out, immediately she got to the living room
" in the kitchen dear" Mrs Meryl responded sharply.
Ashley stood by the door watching her mom struggle to make some coffee
" don't you think you should slow down a bit?"
" I could if I had all day"
" you didn't tell anyone you're traveling "
" my apologies sweethearts, it's work and I got the call this morning around 4:30am"
" you can work from home, most people do it "
" I'm a Travel nurse"
" when will you be back then?" Glenda inquired
" I'm not certain "
" but...
"okay girls my time's up" Mrs Meryl dropped her mug of untouched coffee and immediately hurried to get her bags. There was an Uber already waiting outside to drop her off at the Airport
" be good girls for mummy" Mrs Meryl got into the vehicle and it zoomed off almost immediately. The girls stood watching the car take a left turn into the Jeff's street and then disappeared.
" Are you crying?" Ashley asked
" what? No! " Ashley shook her head and walked back into the house
" what are we having for breakfast Glen?"
" since we're already late for school, I'd say bread and jam" she said whilst wiping a little traces of tears from her face
" seems okay with me" Ashley shrugged
" Go have you're bath, I'll prepare breakfast "
" what about you?, won't you bath?"
" already did"
" huh?"
" yeah, while you were asleep "
" wow... Mom's gene is quite strong in your system "
" what was that?"
" Nothing " . Quickly she scurried off to her room to freshen up and in a lickety split she was already done, had her breakfast and was off to school.
" Oh there you are" Poppy's annoying voice welcomed her as she walked in
" okay this is the part where I leave you " Glenda whispered
" are you for real?"
" ugh yeah, I'm tryna avoid trouble " Glenda whispered again then left
" I thought you two always stick together... why is she leaving you alone?" Poppy scoffed
" isn't it obvious?.... you're about to spill poppy-cock and she clearly doesn't have time for that neither do I" Ashley turned to leave but Poppy immediately got in her way.
" Poppy-cock?"
" I don't repeat myself to dimwits " Poppy stared daggers at Ashley who was completely unmoved
" you're in luck Ashley, I didn't come for a fight, I came to drop a warning... Stay away from my boyfriend " Ashley chuckled
" Look me in the eyes Poppy...I would never stoop so low " she said, laying emphasis on each word, Ashley brushed past her, making her way out of the hallway
" Zed and I are dating!" Ashley stopped dead on her tracks, she could feel a smirk forming on Poppy's lips
" What's the matter?, cat cut your tongue?" Poppy asked with an air of victory
" You've really impressed me" Ashley turned around
" huh? "
" wow.. she applauded
" I'm guessing you didn't hear me clearly, I said...
" don't bother, I heard you loud and clear I have just one question... What did it take to get into his bed?" Poppy went silent
"aaaah...so I thought " she chuckled then walked out.
Ashley was indeed taken aback by Poppy's revelation, she feigned the fact that she was a little bit hurt in front of Poppy, she just couldn't let her get through her. " it's probably a ploy to get her away from zed or maybe not" Ashley thought to herself
" you came in late today" Zed's voice jerked her off her thoughts
" I over slept" she smiled wirly
" cool... not like you missed anything important"
" uhm...zed?"
" yes" he responded with a smile, his eyes were bright and for a moment she scarcely knew whether they held dreams or reality
" what's going on... nevermind"
" C'mon say it" he coed gently
" I must've forgotten what I wanted to say" Zed stared at her for a moment as if to uncover what she was trying to hide.
" it's okay" he finally spoke, although still determined to figure out what was bothering her.
Several Teacher came in and administered lectures to the students, Ashley on the other hand,had her mind wandering far off, she'd barely paid attention to any of the lectures
" I can't be close to zed if he's seeing poppy"
" You haven't the foggiest idea if they're together or not" her subconscious spoke
" I had my chance to find out the truth and I blew it". Discussing withe herself, she didn't realize she was alone in class, everyone had gone out for lunch break.
" Aren't you gonna have lunch or something?"
" huh?"
" it's our break" Karl explained
" y..yeah " she stuttered
***
" I haven't seen Ashley, I wonder what she and Poppy fought about this morning" Glenda thought
" what's are you thinking about?" Jack questioned, grabbing a sir beside her
" just wondering where my sister is" she sighed
" you shouldn't be worried about Ashley, she'll be fine besides, she could be anywhere, in the art room, in the library, anywhere at all PS she can take care of herself"
" I didn't say she can't take care of herself I'm just worried plus she had a fight with Poppy this morning" Glenda explained
" what happened?... oh there she is"
" where?"
" she's speaking with the janitor, behind you" Glenda watched as her sister had a little chit chat with the janitor and was headed towards them
" Heyyy! " Ashley greeted as she got close " so I've got news"
" what news?" Jack and Glenda asked
" There's a new amusement park, down Elmore street... who's coming with me?"
" Aaaah" Glenda drawled, Ashley could hear the disappointment in her voice
" what is it?"
" Glenda and I are going out today, sorry Ashley, maybe some other time"
" You don't have to apologize, I'll find someone else to go with"
" How about that one?" she pointed at Zed who had his gaze on her the whole time
" definitely" she feigned a smile " See you later sis".
Ashley took her leave exiting the cafeteria, she moved straight to the library immediately she got in, she grabbed a book and headed to the tail end of the library. She hadn't gotten into the second chapter of the novel she was reading when she fell asleep.
Ashley felt a gentle tap on her shoulders reluctantly she raised her head, using her hands to wipe her face
" school's over for the day" the librarians said
" omg did I sleep that long?", without waiting for a response she hurried out of the library.