CHAPTER 4 - PART 2:

Usually concentrated on the classes Ashley now couldn't keep her head with English. She never had to deal with something like she had to deal with now and due to this inexperience she really was lost about what to do.

When the time slowly passed by she decided to first see what this afternoon would bring her, before thinking of what to do when she would face Seth again tomorrow. Maybe, just maybe, this afternoon she would get the chance to talk with one of the other four about why they didn't like Seth.

Ashley was relieved when she heard the school bell rang again. For the last time that day. She quickly grabbed her stuff - only one book this time - and made her way to her locker. Spotting Marissa and Luke there she smiled as they called her name. She quickly dropped her stuff in the locker and took only a few things out of it she would need the rest of the day. She didn't had any homework yet so she could safely keep the pile of books in the locker this time.

"Okay, ready?", Marissa said as Ashley closed her locker.

Ashley nodded and looked how Luke and Marissa walked to the exit. She followed them and asked "So what exactly are we going to do?"

"Well first of all we are going to meet up at my house", Marissa said as she saw Summer and Brian and waved for them to come over and join them.

"Hey Coop, Luke, Ashley", Summer said as she waved back, completely ignoring the fact Marissa was talking. "Your place as usual?", she went on and nodded towards Marissa.

"Ehm yes", Marissa said. "I was just saying that to Ashley. So if you don't mind?"

"Of course not", Summer answered not noticing the annoyed tone her friend was talking in.

"Okay where was I?", Marissa said rhetorically. "Ow right, my house. Do you have a car or do you want a ride?"

"Is it far?", Ashley asked carefully.

"Well by car it is not. So I guess you want a ride then?"

Ashley nodded.

"I'll explain the rest to you on our way home okay?"

"Okay", Ashley answered as she followed Marissa and Luke to Luke's car. Summer went with Brian to another one parked close by. Ashley took a seat in the back and buckled herself up while Luke started the engine and they drove away.

"First things first Ashley, are you new to Newport or just our school?", Marissa asked.

"New to Newport."

"Aha. Well first thing you need to know is that we have a lot of parties here. Some fun, most of them not. But unfortunately we have to show up at every single one of them. Simply because we organized them ourselves or just to let everyone now how muche care about Newport and the thing the party is being held for in the first place. But usually no-one knows and they only come for the free drinks and to brag about how rich they are", Marissa said. "Lots of fun", she added sighing.

"Wow ehm okay", Ashley said, trying to understand everything what Marissa was saying.

That moment Luke drove onto the entranceway of a beautiful and huge house. Ashley gasped as she saw it. When Luke stopped the car she hopped out of it and stared at the building. She thought back of the first time she saw Marissa and how she found her the typical Orange County girl, now she knew she was so right.

Marissa noticed the way Ashley looked at her house and joked "Welcome to castle Cooper".