Ashley was getting restless. Her eyes kept diverting away from her assignment, which she hardly attempted. She kept spinning her pen in her hand, biting her knuckles in anticipation.
Sitting right next to her was Sara. Sara was unimaginably calm. She had already solved fifteen out of the twenty questions in the assignment and her eyes were totally focused on what she was doing. The two sat underneath a tree on the school grounds.
Ashley's eyes found themselves staring at the blue sky. Three days ago, Richard had told her that he would tell her everything about himself and also someone else... Ethan. Richard and Ethan... could Mom's stories have been true? Ashley thought. Was Richard the same guy Ashley had heard of in her mother's stories? He had already told her that he was fifty thousand years old.
At this point, nothing should have really surprised Ashley but this...
Sara tapped Ashley's shoulder. Ashley turned and looked into her friend's eyes. Sara was worried about her.
"I am fine Sara, really," Ashley said. "It's just that a lot has happened over the past few weeks."
"There you are, guys."
Sara was about to make some hand signs but was interrupted when they heard Claire's voice. Claire's red hair matched her white top and dark blue jeans beautifully. Standing next to Claire was Samantha, who wore a smile as bright as her red T-shirt and white jeans she was wearing.
Claire and Samantha sat near Ashley and they all started catching up. Ashley felt a lump form in her throat. She hadn't realized how much she missed her friends. Most of the past days were spent training with Richard and Sara, getting a clear sense of who she was and what she would do next. Throughout the conversation, Samantha and Claire didn't even bring up the fact that Ashley had been ditching them.
"Guys I..."
"So how 'bout we all go swimming by the beach after school," Samantha interrupted.
"That's a great idea,' Claire added.
Ashley lost her words. Claire and Samantha were angry with her. They didn't want to show it but they were. Ashley's lips curled into a small sad smile. She wanted to tell them everything that was going on but every time she thought about it, images of Alex kept flooding her mind. Ashley remembered what Jacob said. He said he killed Alex because he blamed her for what he became. According to him, if it wasn't for Alex hitting him with her car, vampire blood wouldn't have found its way into his system.
Though Jacob had said all this Ashley knew deep inside that Jacob must have killed Alex because of her close ties to her... but then again... perhaps this is what Jacob wanted; for Ashley to feel guilty... for her to...
Alex's head was throbbing and felt heavy. Jacob was still out there and her being around Samantha and Claire would only put them in danger. Sara was a different matter. She was a hunter and knew how to defend herself.
And so was Adrian...
Ashley couldn't take it anymore.
"Ashley, what's wrong?" Samantha asked.
Ashley didn't say anything when she got up and headed for the school building. Her eyes were stinging and becoming watery and her body was shaking. She entered the hallway and made her way to the girl's bathroom.
No one was inside...
Ashley let out her emotions and wept. She pressed one of her hands against her chest and another was on her mouth to muffle her cries.
It hurts... it hurts so much...it was all my fault... Maybe Stacy should have killed me that day she thought. Maybe then Jacob would still be alive... maybe Alex would still be...
Ashley found herself on her knees.
She heard some footsteps approaching. Ashley got up, into the mirror and wiped away any trace of her sorrow.
If only her problems would disappear as easily she thought.
Two girls entered the bathroom. It was Britney and Mila; Alex's younger sister.
"Hi Captain," Mila exclaimed, her pearl-green eyes lighting up with happiness. Those eyes... those eyes reminded Ashley of Alex. Mila was just like her late sister; determined, strong, trustworthy, and caring. When everyone was deciding on who would become the new Captain of the Storm Riders, Mila was the first to suggest Ashley's name.
"M-Mila hey," Ashley replied softly. "Britney, we've missed you."
"Thanks, Captain and thank you for the flowers you've been sending," Britney replied. Britney had been in the hospital for almost three weeks now.
"You are a Storm Rider Britney and my friend... It was my pleasure," Ashley said, hugging the blonde girl.
"Are we having practice this afternoon?" Britney asked.
"I won't be able to make it," Ashley said in an apologetic voice. "But if Mila can handle being the Captain for the day I don't see why not."
"R-R-Really Ashley," Mila said. She was the new Vice Captain and this would allow her to learn what it meant to be one.
"I don't know," Mila continued.
Ashley placed her hands on the small girl's shoulders.
"Hey... I know you can do it," Ashley said.
"Me too," Britney added.
"Alright, I won't let you down Captain," said Mila.
Ashley patted Mila's head. In her heart, Ashley knew that what Mila was really saying was, 'I won't let you down... Alex'. Mila was a grade below Ashley and she was one of the most hardworking and dedicated people Ashley knew. If anyone could handle the Storm Riders, it was Mila Grainger.
"See you around," Ashley said as she left the bathroom.
She was just about to make a turn to the corridor when she bumped into Adrian. She felt like she hadn't seen him for ages.
Adrian smiled. Ashley bit her lip inside as a pang of guilt surged through her body. All those times she had been angry with him... when she thought Adrian couldn't be trusted... when she didn't answer his calls or talk to him. Throughout that time, Adrian was protecting the town... protecting his friends, family... protecting her.
Ashley wrapped her hands around Adrian's waist and rested her head on his chest.
"H-How have you been Ashley," Adrian asked in a soft voice.
Her hug tightened and tears formed in her eyes again.
"I know he's your boyfriend and that you care about him... But Adrian will always be a Hunter first. If he finds out you're a mermaid..."
Those were Richard's words. Ashley knew she could trust Adrian. She wanted to tell him everything that had happened to her but...
She looked into his dark eyes.
"Adrian I..."
Ashley, it's time...
It was Richard's voice, only it wasn't coming from anywhere close. She could sense that Richard was in the natatorium.
Ashley looked at Adrian. She gritted her teeth and said, "I have to go... talk to you later?"
"Sure," Adrian said, forcing a smile on his face.
Adrian simply walked away without saying anything else. Ashley wanted to... she wanted to run to him... She...
Ashley couldn't take it. All it took was a few steps and she grabbed Adrian's hand. Adrian had just turned to face her when she kissed him.
Ashley slowly pulled away from the kiss and said, "I promise I will explain everything, Adrian... I promise."
This time a genuine smile was on Adrian's face. He knew she was telling the truth.