Ashley woke up, and found herself lying in Mark's bed.
"Shit, not again." Ashley moaned and rolled over.
"Mark", she called, not wanting to reach over and shake him.
"Mark", she called again.
A groggy Mark answered. "Ash?"
"Mark, we overslept." Ashley sighed, and Mark turned over to look at her.
"You certainly did," said a voice coming from the other side of the room, it was Kate, her mother. She was standing by the doorway, her face was dimly lit by the downstairs lights. She walked toward the foot of bed, and stood there, staring at Ashley and Trevor.
"Mom!" Ashley screamed. "How did you get in here?" Ashley pulled the covers over her, while Mark just rolled, back on to his stomach, and buried his face in his pillow.
"Well, I called Ellie, and her friend, I think his name was Trevor, answered the phone. He told me, not only where you were, but where Mark kept his spare key. What a lovely young man, he certainly knows you well Ash." Kate was still very calm, not what Ashley expected. Maybe it was because they had been through this once before.
Ashley glanced over at Mark. He was still half-asleep. Ashley doubted he really knew or cared what was going on. He was tired.
"Ash, let's go." Kate's voice got firm.
"Yeah, sure, let me put something on." Ashley groaned, as she climbed out of the bed. She stumbled around the dark room, looking for her clothes.
"Ashley, I would appreciate it if you didn't flaunt yourself so much in front of that boy, but then again, this is the last time he'll be seeing any part of you." Kate turned toward the door. "I'll let you say your goodbyes", and then she walked downstairs.
Ashley quickly pulled on her jeans and her t-shirt, and then rushed over to the bed. She climbed on top of the bed and sat next to Mark. She shook him a little, before rubbing his back.
"Mark," she said. Ashley was trying to control the sobs. Mark sat up, and wrapped his arms around Ashley. Her head lay on his chest, and she listened to his heartbeat. They stayed that way for a few minutes, neither one spoke. It was a sad, lonely silence. Ashley let the tears fall quietly down her face, and on to his chest. Ashley looked up, and saw a single tear roll down Mark's face. He quickly wiped it away.
"Ash, I hate this. We can never be together for too long, someone always has to pull us apart. Ash, I did not know how or when to say this, but I love you. I really care about you." Trevor looked down at Ashley, she averted her eyes, and they didn't talk for a couple more minutes.
"I love you too, Mark," Ashley finally whispered. "This isn't over, no way, not again. Mark, I'll swear I'll see you again. Very soon, my mom isn't going to keep us apart. Not after this night." Mark kissed Ashley, it was a slow goodbye kiss, the kind of kiss you never want to end.
Mark broke the kiss, and started to speak. "Ashley, I love you, I really do." Ashley got off the bed, and Mark did as well. They stood at each other staring, Mark gave Ashley a hug, and then she left.
Early the next morning, Ashley put on some sweats, and walked down the stairs. Toby was eating, and Kate was waiting by the door.
"Morning", Kate said grimly. Kate was still in her bathrobe, looking like death. "Ashley, I have a surprise for you. Remember that boy Trevor I was telling you about? He seemed so concerned about your well-being, I figured that he could keep and eye on you. He offered, and I thought that was sweet. He thinks that Mark is bad company, and I believe he's right. He'll be here shortly to walk you to school." Ashley's mother grinned slightly.
"Mom! How could you? That kid is a psycho. We used to be friends, but" Ashley paused, she didn't want her mom to found out about Trevor.
"But what ? But what Ashley? You fell into the wrong crowd and started sleeping around? This boy seems to genuinely be worried about your well-being. Sorry Ash, if he doesn't watch you, I don't know what else to do. I don't want to send you away, you're not crazy, you don't suffer from any problems, and it seems like the only answer, for now anyway."
There was suddenly a knock on the door. It was Trevor. He was staring as Ashley with his spaced out psychotic glare, and somehow, Ashley found his smoldering, lustful stare sexy, but she soon snapped out of it. You're with Mark now, she thought. The guy you're in love with.
Ashley opened the door and walked outside, but before her mother could get a word in, she slammed it and started walking down her driveway.
"Hey Ashley," Trevor said in his singsong voice.
Ashley didn't say anything, but continued to walk down the driveway, and onto the sidewalk.
"Ashley, talk to me, Ash, c'mon, I just wanted to help you." Trevor jogged a little to keep up with Ashley's pace.
"Ash, look!" Trevor's voice was getting more agitated by the minute.
Ashley kept walking, and kept ignoring Trevor.
Suddenly, she felt a hand grab her shoulder, turn her around, and grab her wrists, which made her drop her books.
"What are you doing?" Ashley yelped. She tried to break free, but his great was too strong, his hands seemed to be bolted to her wrists.
Trevor gave Ashley a steely glare. "Ash, don't ignore me. I was only trying to help your mom. I didn't know she was going to make you break up with Mark, not that I'm complaining." Trevor flashed his trademark sexy grin.
"Trev, let me go", Ashley started to pull away, but that just made Trevor's grip tighter. He kept staring into her eyes, watching her. Watching her inhale, and exhale, watching her eyes as they bore into his.
"I can see it Ash, you like it. You like being roughed up a little bit. You like me being in control. I know you do." Trevor smiled.
Ashley couldn't help but be a little turned on by him. He was so hot, and his desire to be with her was driving her wild. She liked the way he had the iron grip on her arms, and hated it at the same time. She liked the way he stared at her, as if he could see into her soul. Snap out of it, Ash, snap out of it.
Before either of them could say another word, a car passed them, and it stopped.
"Hey, Ash, need a ride to school?" It was Paige.