Here's another one. I will have one more chapter for you all tonight. So let me know what you think.
Chapter 28: A Fresh Start
Ashley's POV
It's been a week since the whole ordeal with Aiden and Kyla, and it still kind of freaks me out a little. I didn't even see them coming and I still have no idea what that whole thing was about. I mean considering that I'm apparently the center of everyone's plan, Aiden's lack of sanity seems a little overboard at the moment. But who cares, right? I mean now that him and Kyla went all psycho on everyone, no one wants to help him. I'm just glad that everyone is basically ok.
Kyla lost a lot of blood from the gunshot and Aiden lost a lot of blood from being cut with a pocket knife and shot in the arm. They're both still in the hospital which is kind of nice. There's a strange calmness around town and people are almost letting their guards down. Almost. I mean the Mayor is still the Mayor so it's not like they're gonna throw a party or anything.
Anyway, Clay and Spencer suffered mild concussions from being hit on the head with some rocks. The doctor told them that they were lucky because it could have been worse. Spencer also had this sort of vertigo moment when she passed out. The doctor said that she was dehydrated and that the dehydration coupled with her current stress level and the concussion caused her to pass out. They did keep them both in the hospital for observation for a few days, but they're home now. Safe and sound.
But it's weird how everything is right now. Looking back on what happened that day I realize that it could have been prevented if I just didn't walk away. Don't get me wrong, I am pissed beyond belief that it was my best friend who died that night and no one told me. But, I can't blame Spencer. I really don't think that she played a part in it. And it's not just because I love her or because she told me her story. I believe her because there's something so innocent in the way that she told it. She had so much emotion and a person who can take another life, doesn't understand the value of the emotional toll involved with something like that. They are almost always incapable of showing any sort of emotion or remorse. It's usually like having a date with the devil or something.
What gets me more is the fact that I cannot figure out what game everyone is playing. I don't know if I really trust Glen, Madison, Clay, and Chelsea. I mean, sure, they're being all nice and supportive right now, but I can't help but think that they're only doing it to save their own asses. And what's even more interesting is that Spencer is barely talking to them. She'll walk into the local coffee shop and run into them and then like clockwork you could cue the awkward silence music for like fifteen minutes. It becomes an all out staring contest between her and them until they realize that other people are watching them carefully. I just don't get it. But I have conceded to the fact that I'm probably not going to understand everything surrounding this whole bizarre situation.
And don't even get me started on the awkwardness that surfaces when Spencer runs into Mayor Jenkins. That man is seriously holding a grudge and I know it's because she could basically ruin him forever. Spencer has so much dirt on just about everyone in this town that it makes me wonder how one person can have such a strong hold on an entire town. Here there is not a system of checks and balances. It's a system of if we're nice to her then maybe she won't actually go through with this. And have I mentioned the insane amount of reporters who have come to this town trying to get interviews and find out the dirt. And no one is talking. It's kind of funny to see them run out of town one by one. But I guess we need to find entertainment somehow. So why not at their expense?
Anyway, back to what I was saying. Mayor Jenkins has called more town meetings in the past week than I have seen the entire time I have been here. Of course, Spencer isn't invited but that doesn't mean that she doesn't know what going on. That girl has more spies in this town than the damn CIA. Hell, she could be her own intelligence agency at the rate she's going. But who's counting? And what's even funnier about this whole thing is that no one who's giving her information knows about the others who are doing the same thing. I guess they're trying to save themselves from an earth shattering lawsuit. They could lose everything, so why not stay on her good side? But I still don't even know if it's possible for an entire town to actually go bankrupt but I have a feeling that I'll find out.
I'm walking through town like I do every morning to get my paper and coffee, and I can't help but think that I've entered some kind of twilight zone. It's kind of like these people are from some alternate universe because for some reason everyone has become all solemn and shit. I mean it's amusing and all but you would think that it was the end of the world. And maybe it is, but you would think that these people would want to enjoy what's left of their lives as they know them. Like they say, you can run from your past but eventually it's going to catch up to you and force you to face it, head on. There's no hiding from one's past indiscretions and there's no hiding from this either. Maybe they just don't want to deal with it. Who knows? What I do know is that I need some damn coffee.
I go into the local coffee shop and place my order. While I'm waiting for the barista to finish making it, I look around the place and everyone is looking down at their respective tables and clutching their coffee as if their lives depended on it. Uhh…did I miss something? That's a little odd and out of character. Even for these people. The barista hands me my coffee and I scan the room again, thinking that maybe it was just some odd coincidence. But everyone still has their heads down. What the hell is going on? Maybe it's just the people in here.
I walk outside expecting to see the solemn faces of the people who inhabit this town, but instead all I see is the top of their heads. Seriously, this is getting a little weird. I mean they may feel beat but for the love of God it cannot be that bad. I gotta get back to Spencer and see if she knows anything. Hell, I gotta get back and see if she'll actually talk to me for more than two seconds today. Did I mention that she hasn't spoken much since that day in the woods? No? Well...she hasn't and it's killing me. But I love that she came after me and faced up to Aiden and Kyla. And I think that's it's the whole thing with Kyla that's been bothering her. I mean how would you feel if your own sister wanted you dead? I bet you wouldn't be too thrilled about it and neither is Spencer.
I continue walking down the street towards the apartment building and with each step I become more determined to find out what has all of these people afraid to look at anyone. Obviously they all have some repressed issues or something because this is just pure insanity. My cell phone rings to life, bringing me out of my thoughts. I throw the paper under my left arm while holding the coffee in my left hand, and take the phone out of my right jacket pocket. I roll my eyes as my mother's name flashes across the caller id. I flip open the phone and bring it to my ear.
"Hello?" I say a little annoyed that she interrupted my quest to find the apparently insane.
"Really Ashley. You could lose the attitude."
"I'm fine mom. And you?" I say continuing my journey home.
"Good. But I didn't ask how you were doing."
"I noticed. So what's up? It's gotta be pretty important if you don't even care how I'm doing."
"I'm coming to visit." Uhh…What?
"What? Why?"
"Does it really matter Ashley? We need to talk and I think that we need to do it in person."
"Mom…if this about Spencer I don't want to hear it." I say getting more annoyed by the second.
"Ashley just be at the airport at two tomorrow afternoon."
"Mom I…" CLICK!
She seriously just hung up on me? Oh this is going to be a fucking nightmare. I know it. What the hell could she possibly have to say to me in person? I mean all she's been doing for the last week and a half is bitching to me about Spencer and who she really is and blah…blah…blah. Quite frankly I'm a little fucking tired of the Spencer bashing. Besides it's not like this town is going to welcome her with open arms or anything. They've all gone off the deep end and the outcome doesn't look too pretty. It's like they're possessed. Well, if nothing else tomorrow should be interesting. I wonder what could possibly make her fly all the way out here. Hell, I wonder about a lot things…don't I? I'm gonna have to work on that.
I finally get home and make my way to Spencer's apartment. I let myself in and I swear that this apartment is so fucking quiet that you could hear a damn pin drop. I see Spencer sitting on the couch and her eyes meet mine as I sit down next to her and place a small kiss on her forehead. She gives me a slight smile and as I place the paper on the coffee table I notice all of the papers spread on and around the coffee table. My eyebrows raise and I give her a confused look. Hey it seems to be working for me these days. I bring my eyes back to meet hers and she takes a deep breath.
"You wanna know why everyone's acting weird…right?" What? Can she read minds now or something?
"The thought crossed my mind once or twice on my way back here." I reply taking a sip of my coffee.
"Well, it's a bit strange but here it goes."
Please like my day could get any weirder.