Chapter 2: Settling In
Summary: Ashley has always tried to be the perfect girl. Not wanting to disappoint her friends or family. However, when does the need for perfection cross the line? And what other secret is Ashley hiding that she is too afraid to tell anyone? Will the ones who love her more then anything be able to get Ashley the help she needs?
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or any of the Degrassi characters. or any of the songs by Evanescence.
I linger in the doorway Of alarm clock screaming monsters calling my name Let me stay Where the wind will whisper to me Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story
A doctor walked up to Ashley. She had long brown hair, and was just a couple inches taller then Ashley. "Ashley Kerwin?" She asked. Ashley nodded, not bothering to look up. "I'm Dr. Brennan." She said gently. "Can you come with me please? Mrs. Kerwin. You can wait out here." Kate nodded, and Ashley shrugged, and slowly stood up. She wrapped her arms protectively around herself. Following the doctor into a room. "Could you please step on to the scale? Backwards?" She asked? "Why backwards?" Ashley asked, her voice barely audible. "Because it makes things easier. Trust me." She said. Ashley didn't argue. Truth be told, she was scared too. She did as she was asked, stepping backwards on to the scale. The doctors eyes widened a bit, on how skinny she was. "Thank you." She said. Ashley nodded stepping off the scale sitting down. "Ashley, can you tell me what your daily meal plans are?" Dr. Brennan asked. Sitting down in one of the chairs. "Um... Breakfast... A bottle of water, and some gum. Lunch? Diet Coke and some celery, and carrot sticks. Dinner? Like half a cup of rice, and water." She said. The doctor nodded, writing the info down in her notebook. "So that's like what 200 calories a day?" Ashley shrugged. "250. Max." She stated. Dr. Brennan nodded, taking another nore. Ashley nervously chewing on her lip. "Ashley, can I ask you when this all started?" Ashley didn't reply. Just sitting there. "Ashley?" She asked. Again no response. Dr. Brennan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing deciding it'd be better to let Ashley talk when she was ready. "Um... About a year and a half." She finally answered. She nodded and wrote it down in her notebook. "Why? What made you stop?" She asked. "Food is fattening. I don't want to get fat." She said simlply. In fact it was to simple. Though part of it was true, their was a huge chunk as to why that was left out. Dr. Brennan knew that, but didn't push her on it.
Kate sat out in the waiting room. Praying Ashley would be OK. She was horribly shocked by Jeff's death, but knew if she acted as such when she got the call, Ashley would be concerned. Ashley had enough to deal with right now, and didn't need this. Jeff came running in. Putting on the role, of the concerned father figure. "Kate..." He said panting. "Is Ashley OK?" He asked catching his breath. Kate looked up and shook her head, as Jeff took a seat. "She will be though. My baby is a figther." Jeff nodded and stroked Kate's cheek. "I just wish I could've seen the signs. You know?" She swallowed. He nodded and pulled her into a hug. "Does anyone know how long this has been going on?" He asked. Kate shook her head. "No." She said. Jeff nodded. "And now there's all this stuff with Robert." Kate said tears in her eyes. "What happened?" He asked. Kate sighed. "He... He was killed today in a car accident." Kate swallowed, tears stining her eyes." Jeff's eyes widened. "Does Ash know?" He asked. Kate shook her head. "No. Not yet. She has enough on her plate right now." She said. Jeff nodded. again pulling Kate into a hug. "It's going to be OK. Trust me. Everything will be OK." He said. "Um... Question though." He said. "What?" Kate said gently. "When is Ashley coming home. Don't you think it'd be better for her to cope with people who loved her?" He asked. Kate shook her head. "No." She said. "She needs to be here. Where people can come. I'm going to be here a lot." She said. "She does need someone here. So you and Toby will have to fend for yourselves for a while." Kate told him. Jeff bit his lip. "I don't know. I just think it'd be better if she was home." He said. "No." Kate said firnly. "You and I both know we can't give her the help she needs. Jeff, she's killing herself here. It's nothing that we can resolve." Kate told him. "She needs professionals." Jeff sighed not wanting to sound too suspicous. Although Kate was wondering why he argued wotj her, but decided to let it go. Thinking it was nothing.
Meanwhile, Ashley sat, clutching her knees. Dr. Brennan tilted her head. Looking at Ashley concerned. "Ashley?" She asked. Ashley swallowed. "What?" She sniffed. "What's on your mind?" Ashley bit her lip. "Nothing." She lied. Dr. Brennan again raised an eyebrow, crossing her legs. "Ashley?" She asked again gently, but firmly. Ash sighed. "Look can I just see where I'm staying?" She asked. Dr. Brennan nodded hesitantly, figuring it might actually be easier if Ashley got intp a place where she'd be staying. "Follow me." She said. Ash stood up and followed her
As they got back in to the waiting room, Ashley saw Jeff sitting with Kate and froze in fear. "Mr. and Mrs. Kerwin?" Dr. Brennan asked. "Um, Mr. Isacs." Kate said correcting the doctor. "Sorry." She said. "Um... Anyways were about to get Ashley setted into her room." Dr. Brennan explained. "So I was wondering if you'd join us?" Kate nodded of course she said. Her and Jeff stood up. Ashley's eyes quickly glued to the floor. Kate walked over. "Come on sweetheart. Let's get you settled." She said softly leading Ashley to her room.