CHAPTER 5:

When Marissa spoke Ashley snapped out of her thoughts and back into reality. She stopped staring at the house and followed the other two inside. Right afterwards Summer and Brian came in.

The inside was even more overwhelming to Ashley than the outside. Intensely watching the environment she landed in she didn't notice someone coming towards them until she already was there. She looked up she saw a red haired woman had joined them.

When the woman looked at her she felt as if she was being checked out for something. The woman's eyes went from her head all the way to Ashley's shoes. 'What the hell?', Ashley thought as she watched her in surprise.

Finally the woman looked up and smiled to Marissa. "And who's your new friend?", she asked.

"Mom this is Ashley, Ashley my mom", Marissa said before she walked further without saying another word. Ashley followed her while she quickly said "Nice to meet you mrs. Cooper."

"Julie", she heard the woman say behind her, when they went into what seemed Marissa's room.

Also this place looked amazing. But this time Ashley made sure not to let anyone notice it. She casually took a seat on one of the chairs as Marissa plumped down on the bed with Luke. The other two took seats close to Ashley and she waited for either one of them to start talking about the party. But instead an uncomfortable silence followed in which Ashley had no idea how to behave.

Luckily for her someone else made sure the silence didn't last for long. Because all of a sudden loud pop music was blasting through the walls. Ashley saw how Marissa furiously got up and ran out of the room. Curiously Ashley peeked around the corner and she saw Marissa walking to the room next door, knocking on the door and shouting to make her voice rise out above the music.

"Kaitlin we are trying to work, put down the sound", Marissa repeatedly said. But Ashley heard it was no use, the music stayed as loud as it was. She also saw Marissa trying to open the door but apparently it was locked. After a few hard pulls at the door Marissa finally gave up.

"Dad", she now yelled as she walked past Ashley to a room at the other side of hers. She knocked on the door and Ashley heard a soft man's voice saying Marissa could come in. Ashley slowly made her way to that room and watched Marissa talking furiously about Kaitlin disturbing them.

Ashley saw the guy had an extremely worried look on his face, even before Marissa did her saying. But nevertheless he looked like a sweet dad. The tone of his voice when he spoke to Marissa, the nice words and the fact he made time for his daughter no matter how busy he was made that sure in only the briefest of moments. She quickly took a step back as she saw Marissa's dad standing up so he could go talk to his other daughter.

When he noticed her he gave her a smile and said "Hey, you're a friend of Marissa's? I am Jimmy, her dad. Now if you excuse me I have to talk to my youngest one."

Ashley nodded and made herself as small as possible against the wall as Jimmy passed her.

"Now that is settled", Marissa said as she walked back to her room with Ashley on her heels. Back there the others were chattering and Ashley was happy the dead silence was at least over.

"So Ashley how did you end up here anyway?", Summer asked out of nowhere when Ashley took her seat again.

"Ehm what?", Ashley said, taking by surprise. She suddenly wasn't so sure if she should be happy about the fact the silence was gone.

"Well you're new to Newport you said", Summer explained. "So how did you end up here anyway? In the middle of the school year."

"Ow my dad… we move a lot", Ashley said. Hoping that answer was enough to satisfy them with. She quickly added "So the party; what needs to be done? When is it anyway? I know absolutely nothing about what you guys have done for it already."

Apparently her little distraction thing worked because in no time they were discussing the party and not her anymore. Ashley felt relieved that the subject had changed and listened carefully to the others. Most of the stuff was already finished, it better be the party was in two days already. Nevertheless Ashley came up with a few good idea's and when they were finally done she felt good about the afternoon. She really got along great with the other four and the fact they liked her idea's did her good too.

The time went by fast and when she looked on her watch she saw it was already pretty late. Knowing her dad wouldn't appreciate it when she got home too late on her first day she stood up. "I really should be going now, is there a bus station near?"

Luke stood up and offered "I could bring you home if you want too?"

"Nah it's okay", Ashley answered as she waved her hand to motion him to sit down again.

"Okay", he said as he shrugged and took his seat on the bed.

This time Marissa stood up and laid her arm around Ashley's shoulder as she walked her outside. Saying a few quick goodbyes Ashley listened to Marissa who gave her directions to the nearest bus station. "Thanks", she said when she stood outside.

"Well see you tomorrow at school", Marissa said as she waved to Ashley and closed the door.

"Yes tomorrow", Ashley mumbled as she turned around and making her way to the place Marissa had explained to her. But she didn't get very far, because before she even left the entranceway she suddenly stood still. She thought she heard something next door, a familiar voice.