Chapter 7
First week in April
Chelsea looked down at the notes she was taking. 'I hate English' she thought sullenly. She looked up from the notes to watch Ashley and Jack flirt. 'Great' she thought. Just what she needed to see. Ashley and Gabe had gotten in a fight but seemed to be ok with each other. Chelsea had hoped that a fight, any fight, would send Gabe running to her, but none of them had. She sighed inwardly. Always her luck. She was feeling more alone these days, since Tasha had hooked up with Jon. They were always together, and Tasha never seemed to have any time for her anymore. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she missed the bell.
Gen tapped her on the shoulder. "Umm Chelsea? The bell rang like 2 minutes ago."
"Oh!! Shoot you're kidding?" Chelsea jumped up and gathering her notes and went running off to her other class. "Thanks!" she called over her shoulder at Gen who just nodded.
Gen wasn't having a good week. She had gotten rejected from her first choice college, and she was certain Jack was going to ask Ashley to prom. Who was she going to take? She looked around the room. There was always Trey…however Kelli would disown her in a second if she dared to take him. And then there was Anna, there wasn't one minute she wasn't worrying about her.
She snapped out of her daze when Blake walked in. "Hey Blake!"
"Hey Gen! I got another one of those calls again." Gen looked at her strange. "You know, from that guy I don't know who said that I didn't say hi to him and called me a bitch."
"Ohhh I know what you mean. What did he say this time?"
"It was weird. You know how like 3 weeks ago in Ash's psychology class?" Gen gave her clueless look again. "There was this guy/girl who wrote "I want to rape all the girls…." ? Remember that? Well he mentioned it."
"Ok that's just strange. Is he in that psych class?"
"He didn't say. I'm going to talk to Ashley 4th period and have her listen to convos with the guys in the class. But he didn't exactly say that he liked it either." Blake sat and thought alittle. "But he said that he thought the guy who wrote that rape note was a genius."
"Oh My God. Blake. You have to find out who this guy is. If he thinks that guys a genius…which he's NOT, hes a pervert and a sicko at that. This guy has the same mind frame. He may want to rape you!"
"Whoa Gen, calm down!" Blake whispered back. "I'll write you a note." Class began and the 2 wrote back and forth, trying to figure out who it was.
******
Rachel and Ashley half listened to the teacher and half listened to the guys conversation over in the corner of the psychology room. "You catching anything?" Rachel whispered to Ashley.
"Not a thing related to the rape thing. I don't think he's in this class. Everyone knows about it."
"It could be ANYONE." Ace pointed out from her seat behind Ashley. "If the whole school has heard about it, it could be anyone."
Ashley nodded. "I feel bad for Blake. What if this guy isn't joking around? What happens if he's like a stalker?"
Rachel sighed. "I hope it's a practical joke. And just that."
"Yea lets not think of that Ash." Ace added. They all changed topics rather quickly and finally the bell rang.
*******
The final bell rang and Liz dashed out of science. 'Thank God that ordeal is over with.' She thought to herself after listening to the longest lecture known to science about how they shouldn't test gravity by throwing a roll of paper towels out the window. Personally, she found it hysterical, but her teacher just didn't have a sense of humor.
She opened up her locker, stashed her books inside and headed out of the school for the weekend. She waved hi to Gen and Ashley who were getting in their cars and ran up to Jess and Dave.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Liz!" Jess said smiling. "I hear Gabe's not fighting with you, he's fighting with Ashley!" Liz was pretty sick of hearing this. It was the norm for her to get in a fight with Gabe but when Gabe fought with Ashley, it came as the big shocker. Whoopdido.
"Yea well…they fight too…just not as often. What are you guys doing this weekend?"
Jess looked to Davey who just shrugged. "We may go shopping tonight. Have you found a prom date?" When Jess mentioned shopping, Davey looked as if he might vomit. Liz laughed.
"No I don't have a prom date," She said bitterly. "Who could I take?"
"Gabe. DUH!" Jess hit Liz over the head. "Well anyways, see ya later!"
Liz grunted (hmmm remind you of anyone?) "Bye!" Liz climbed into her car and honked the horn as she passed Jess and Dave getting into his car.
******
Ace stared at her blank computer screen. Actually she was supposed to be writing a large paper on that computer but she just couldn't pull herself to do it. So she picked up the phone to call Blake. It rang 4 times then the answering machine picked up. 'Hey guys, it's Blake! Leave me a message and I'll try to get back at ya!" Beeeeep.
"Hey Blake!! It's Ace-make sure you call me back!" Click. She hung up the phone and dailed in Ashley's number. It rang twice and was instantly picked up.
"Helllo?"
"Ashley? Its Ace!"
"ACE! HI! Yo, aren't you supposed to be writing that paper? You warned me to not let you do this."
"Do what?" Ace whined.
"Call me. You are PROCRASTINATING!" Ashley shouted over the phone, laughing.
"Yea, so what? You do too!" Ace stuck out her tongue at the phone.
"Yea but I don't have to write a big paper due Monday." Ashley guessed Ace would be sticking out her tongue so she stuck hers right back. "I'm going to Starbucks tonight with Jack. You coming?"
"I have to write a paper remember?" Ace snickered. "Yea I'll come…I'll just write the paper Sunday night!"
"Good! I'll be there around 8. Liz and Gabe are coming-"
"Whoa…I thought you and Gabe were fighting?" Ace interrupted.
"Not any more. We made up about half an hour ago."
"Well that's good! Oh! Are you asking Jack to the prom?"
"Mayyyybeeeee" Ashley moaned. "Who are you taking?"
"I have no clue. Lets not talk about it."
"THANK YOU!" Ashley cried. She hated prom, and even though she could go to prom with Jack she just didn't have the guts to tell him. "Well I'll see ya at 8ish. Bye!" The 2 hung up and continued doing…what they were doing. Which was probably nothing!
*******
BAM! Jack slammed the ball into the backboard. Gabe and him were at the batting cage letting out some loose anger. Plus here they could talk things over without anyone else butting in.
"So prom. What girl you takin?" Gabe said slamming another ball into the net.
"I'm going for Ashley. You think she'll go with me?" Jack swung and missed. (ouch)
"With the way you're swinging? No." (double ouch)
"Seriously man. Do I even have a chance?"
"Yea you do. I know all the girls are trying to convince her to ask you."
"Damn. She's not convinced. That's not good for me!" Jack swung and this time made contact sending the ball flying at the backboard.
"You know how she is."
"I do?"
"You're closer to her than I am!" Gabe said taking a breather.
"Man, women are so confusing." Jack just shook his head.
"When you gonna ask her?"
"Tonight at Starbucks. Pray for me."
"You don't need it! You'll get the girl." Gabe hit one last shot into the backboard. "I'm calling it a day. See ya tonight."
"Later. Who you asking to prom?" He called through the fence.
"Nobody. I'm not going to prom."
"Oh yes you are!"
"Later man!" Gabe called revving the engine. He took off, leaving Jack alone in the cage.
"Looks like your friend ditched ya!" A staff member called over from the booth.
"Ouch. I don't think so!" Jack picked up his bat and headed to his car. Ashley HAD to say yes. Otherwise he wouldn't go to prom.
******
Ashley and Jack arrived at 8:45 and was greeted by the usual crowd.
"You're late!" Ace shouted coming through the door. "What were you 2 up to?!" She smiled evilly.
Ashley looked at Jack. "Oh the usual. Fooled around in the back of daddies car, proceeded to get the cool whip and chocolate syrup out and then fucked until the cows came home. Which was pretty damn early." Ashley gave Ace the look. "Come on, really Ace! What do you think we were doing?!" Jack was smirking.
Ace burst out laughing. "Exactly what you just said!" The others were laughing as well and Ashley and Jack pulled up chairs.
"I'm sure Jack wouldn't mind that." Gabe said reaching over and punching Jack. Jack just punched back, glaring at him.
"OK boys, quit it. Someone get me an iced chai." Ashley said.
"A wha?" Trey looked confused.
"An iced chai. Its tea only cold with cinnamon in it."
"Is that the stuff that makes us really hyper?" Gen bounced up.
"Yea!"
"Oh no. You two are NOT getting that!" Jack said looking back and forth between the 2 girls.
"Gen, shall we?!" Ashley stood up and Gen followed.
"Oh boy. This could be interesting." Max commented. Steph just giggled. She loved the stuff too.
Ashley and Gen returned and happily sipped their drinks. The others chitchatted and every once in a while they would get in an argument. Not a big one, but it always happened. The managers of Starbucks were used to it by then.
At around 10:45 the group started to break up. "See ya guys later!" Ashley called over her shoulder as she headed off to her car. "Jack you comin?"
"Yea yea yea hold your horses." He said goodbye to everyone and climbed into her car. The whole ride was either in silence or Ashley blabbering about something.
"What's wrong with you? You're awful quiet." Ashley glanced over at Jack who was deep in thought. "Jack? Did I say something? Is this about what I said before?" Ashley was hoping it was the latter. Jack finally snapped out of his trance-like state and looked over at Ashley.
"What? Did you say something? I'm sorry."
"Oh I just asked what's wrong."
"Nothing. I'm just…thinking."
"I can tell!" Ashley laughed. "What are you thinking about?"
"You." Ashley glanced over at him quickly.
"Why? I mean, what about me?"
"Nothing bad."
"What about though?" There was a long pause. "Fine you don't have to tell me."
"No. I will." He rubbed his chin for a few minutes before he began. "I was thinking about prom. Do you have a date yet?"
Ashley's senses all seemed to tune in at once. "No I don't have a date yet."
Jack smiled. "Would you…like to go with me?"
"Sure!" Ashley grinned. She finally had a date for prom!! Jack let out a sigh of relief.
"That was easier than I thought."
"Why would it be hard? We're friends and all."
"I know, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to go with me or someone else."
"You shouldn't have worried. I was going to ask you. If I didn't, Jess or Liz or Ace would have killed me." The 2 laughed. Ashley pulled into Jack's driveway and waved at Mrs. Kelly who glanced out the window. When she looked away Jack gave Ashley a little kiss and said goodnight.
"Was that an offer before?"
"What was an offer?"
"What you said to Ace…" Jack laughed and got out of the car.
"No Jack. I mean sure you got a yes out of prom, but that doesn't mean you get a yes for everything else!" Ashley just laughed, and honked at him when he stepped in front of the car. She backed out and made a silent 'Yes' to herself.