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I bit the corner of my lip until it bleed but kept my eyes steady. This wasn't how I pictured our first meeting. By the look on Ashley's face, I'm guessing it wasn't how she did either. The air became too thick to breathe catching all words in our throats. It weighed down my lungs, crushing my chest and for a split second I was worried that my legs wouldn't be able to hold up the extra weight.

A lot of people - the ones who still talk about her, well I guess that's everyone - don't know how smart she is. Ashley Davies always had a plan. And the first time I saw her without one, she holding a gun instead.

This would be the second.

"You two have met before? Fantastic!" Mr. Lakey seemed out of place. His energy was too overwhelming; there wasn't any room for that, for any happiness. I wanted to ask him to leave, but all moister had left my mouth sufficiently suffocating me. Or maybe that was just her presence that was doing that. "Right, well..." He paused for a moment, maybe finally picking up on the tension. I don't know how he could miss is. I was looking at her like she was a ghost. She had been one for over two years. A ghost. A memory. Clearing his throat, Mr. Lakey's voice once again cut through the air. "Ashley, Spencer will be showing you around. I know I offered but I'm new too so, well... yes. I guess I'll just leave it to ya." Ashley forced a smile in his direction and a soft "thank you." The sound of her voice caused an unwelcome visceral reaction. I began to feel sick again.

The psychology teacher picked up his brief case, gave me a crooked smile and thanked me. He walked past me as I rubbed my arm nervously and over to Ashley who had finally taken a step into the classroom. I found it ironic that it was a psychology teacher bring us together again. Or maybe it was God who was doing this. I needed to know who to hate, or thank, or more feasibly question the motives of.

Now that we were completely alone I desperately wanted someone else here. Anyone who could prevent us from being forced into conversation. What was there to even talk about? The truth was out of the question. Over the last two years the thought that Ashley might not even know the truth herself started to become a viable possibility.

"What are you doing here?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but it came out shaky and soft. She ran a hand through curly locks trying to maintain her composure. The light blonde streaks in her bangs had completely faded amber eyes had faded to a muddy brown. Her hair was still dark, but the curls were wilder, her hair longer. They framed her thin face which was reduced to her natural tan, the carefree beach glow only a forgotten token of who she used to be.

"I got out in August and -"

"You know that's not what I mean." It came out harsh and even I'm a little surprised. Ashley seemed taken aback too, not used to me being so forward. I took a few steps towards her while still keeping a few yards between us. Ashley is like a black hole: anything that gets too close is completely consumed by it. "Why did you come back here - to this school?"

"I..." She faltered and looked down at warn blue converse. And even though I had taken in her physical appearance - the longer hair, the thinner frame - this was the first time I had actually looked at her.. I had seen this look a total of three times in my life and it took one who really knew her to know that Ashley Davies was absolutely terrified.

I waited patiently for her to say something so I could go, or stay, or finally get one straight answer from her. Suddenly she stopped cowering by the doorway and stood to her full 5 feet, 4 inches. Her infamous facade was back and it was such a familiar mask that I hated her for pulling it on now.

"I figured," she started again, her eyes dark and flashing, "that this might not be the best idea. But what's one more mistake?" Her eyes flickered down to my necklace and she turned on her heel to leave. "I know where everything is," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. My jaw clenched painfully and whatever emotions that were raging inside me were too mixed together to sort out. Infuriation was definitely one of them though. But it didn't really matter now because Ashley was already slipping around the corner and out of sight.