Chelsea grins just as evilly, only Ashley is capable of bringing this side out in her, "Getting a little overconfident now that you won 2 out of the 3 previous bets, huh? Ok, what do you want?"
Ashley looks Chelsea up and down, "Well…" Chelsea's eyes bulge out at this until she starts laughing, "Relax Chels, I was just messing. Unfortunately for you, I do not want you. Let's see… whoever wins at the end gets to decide what they want, that way I'll have time to think of an equally embarrassing thing for you as you did to me last time. What are the terms?"
"Since we just met her, I'll give you until the end of the semester. She's going to be a tough one I'm thinking."
Ashley shrugs, "Deal." She stands and walks over to her dresser pulling out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She goes into the bathroom to change out of her uniform. Walking back out she grabs a pair of sweats and a shirt for Chelsea who changes also. Once she's out of the bathroom Ashley heads for the door, "Come on, and let's go mingle; I need to get Madi back for that lovely comment."
"Ash you did already, remember? You let it 'slip' that she slept with you."
She looks surprised at this, "Chels, that's not getting back at her; that's only defending myself. Come on, I want ice cream too now that I think about it."
Chelsea lets out a sigh, and follows, "Ok, let's go mingle, get back at the devil, and feed you."
They leave the dorm and head down to the dining hall where a lot of their class mates are. Ashley walks over to the food, grabbing a vanilla drumstick cone and scans the room. She spots a few of her friends, "Chelsea, come on," grabbing her arm, as she catches her making googly eyes with some unfamiliar dark skinned boy, and drags her over to a table. "Hey all."
A few look at her and smile while some of the others say hello to Chelsea. A raven haired boy looks up and smiles, "Hey Ash, I was just telling them about Miss C."
"Chelsea please tell Aiden to stop attempting to converse with me, and that the only reason I put up with him is because of my sister."
Chelsea smiles, choosing to ignore her comment and sits down next to him, "Ashley and I were just discussing how hot she is. She seems nice though, and different."
They all nod in agreement as Ashley sits down next a short brunette with wavy hair who has the same features as her, "Hey sis, when did you get back?"
"Unfortunately this morning, my flight was cancelled so daddy had the company jet bring me. I hate when I have to rush around, it gets me all flustered. My room isn't even unpacked yet and half of my things are still in New York. What about you?"
"Saturday morning. I came straight here from London instead of going home, I didn't want to risk running into mom so I just had Toby ship my stuff here."
The girl lets out a small chuckle, "You mean you didn't want to get lectured about college and how you don't live up to her standards?"
"Let me guess, you got the lecture again?"
She nods, "Yeah, she caught me just before I was leaving. You know how it goes, 'Kyla dear," she imitates their mother perfectly which earns a snicker from Ashley, "let's be a little more focused on schoolwork this year instead of those silly little plays you put on. Janie's daughter did an internship this summer in one of the top law firms and it was quite embarrassing when I told her you were at some art school for the summer." She rolls her eyes and lets out a small sigh, "If only she could be more like daddy…"
Ashley nods at this as she starts to eat her ice cream. Soon the whole table falls into easy conversation about their summers, Ashley's fashion internship in London, Chelsea's art show and trip to Italy, Kyla's performing arts school, Aiden's basketball camps, and a few others trips. During the conversation Ashley notices a particular blonde walk in, only now she is no longer in the clothes she was previously wearing, but rather a pair of jeans and blue fitted long sleeved shirt. She walks over to the kitchen area and gets in line.
She winks at Chelsea who also notices and begins to stand, "I'll be right back I need something to drink."
Ashley gets in line, cutting a few sophomores so she is directly behind Miss Carlin, "Hey Miss C, how are you?"
She turns around and smiles when she spots Ashley, "Hey I'm ok, how are you Ashley?"
"I'm good, just thirsty."
She nods at this, still smiling, "so have you decided on what book you're bringing to class tomorrow?"
Ashley shakes her head, "No come on Miss C, I just got out of your class like a half hour ago. Besides if it's my favorite book, I should already know what it is right?"
She nods, "Yes, but for some it proves to be difficult when it comes down to it," she then steps forward, the line moving now. Grabbing water and an apple she turns back toward Ashley, "Well I'm off to the library; I'll see you in class tomorrow. I'm looking forward to see what you bring; a person's favorite book can tell you a lot about them. Oh and don't forget our little chat about the uniform…" With that, she smiles at me once again and leaves the line, walking out of the dining hall.
Ashley lets out a small sigh as she grabs water, deciding it would be too creepy if she followed her to the library. Although, she did take the time to mention where she was going didn't she? She shakes her head disagreeing with her thoughts and heads back to the table, only to find Chelsea smirking at her.
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The next day drags by. Ashley has received homework in every class thus far, and she still has two left; History and English. On her way to History, she loses her tie and unbuttons a few of the buttons on the white collared shirt. She tried, really she did, but it was just too suffocating. She walks into class and takes her assigned seat rolling her eyes at the fact that Mr. Dwight put her next to Sherry and Carmen; the two girls she refuses to ever get with. And that's saying something because she really doesn't turn down many, hence why she slept with Madison. She likes the challenge of getting the girl and then having something to hold against her if she ever needs it, like yesterday in English.
In walks Mr. Dwight just as the bell rings, "Alright class, we're starting this year off with the Great Depression. So everyone take their books out and read pages 345-360 and then answer the following questions. This will be due by the end of the class and tomorrow we will go over them."
Ashley lets out a small groan and opens her book. She opts to not read though, and goes straight to the questions finishing them in twenty minutes. Honestly, who doesn't know this stuff already? She decides she's in much need of a nap and puts her head down in her book.
Once the bell rings Ashley gets up and turns in her assignment. Leaving the classroom she spots Chelsea at her locker and walks over to her, "Hey, did you bring my book?"
Chelsea nods and hands it to her, "Here." She shuts her locker and they head off to English together.
Walking into the classroom, they find that everyone is in there already and the only seats open are next to Madison, "Oh hell no! You!" She points to some blonde across the room, "you and your friend come sit here. I might catch something if I have to sit next to her!" The blonde rolls her eyes, but gets up anyways followed after by her friend. "Thanks, that was close call; she could have bitten me and given me rabies or something." She lets out a sigh and begins walking to her seat.
"Well Miss Davies, I see our little chat yesterday was very affective, where's your tie?" Ashley turns around to find Miss Carling leaning against the door frame, her arms crossed and her right leg over the other. But she didn't respond to her question, instead she let her eyes roam up and down her body again with a smirk, not even trying to hide what she's doing. She's in a pair of gray pinstriped trousers, a pink sweater with a white collared button up underneath, and pink heels. Her hair is curly today, and she looks amazing. So amazing that Ashley wanted to jump on her right there in front of everyone. "No answer? Alright, I guess we can just discuss it after class. Now, everyone take a seat please, and let's pull out those books I asked you to bring." She smiles at everyone as she walks to an empty desk and sits joining the circle. "So… who wants to share first?"
A few raise their hand; surprisingly Madison is one of them. "Yes, Madison."
"My favorite is called The Handbag, an Illustrated History."
"Are there even words in that book Madison?"
"Of course not Chels, that'd mean she'd have to be able to read if there were." The two girls snicker at this and Madison scowls at them.
"Ladies, that's enough. Madison, can you tell us why that's your favorite?"
"Easy, I love designer bags and this book covers all of them from Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, to Chanel. It's brilliant really. My goal, is to own all of them one day."
Miss Carlin nods, "I see. Ok, who is next?"
Chelsea raises her hand and speaks without being called on, "Mine is The Kite Runner. It's an awesome book that's well written and it's just great. I don't know how to explain it, but it's definitely something everyone should read."
"Thanks Chelsea, that's one of my favorites also." They went through the rest of the class sharing and discussing everyone's favorite book until the only one left to share was Ashley. "Ok Ashley, you have yet to volunteer, what is yours?" She's smiling at her with her head tilted slightly to the side.
Ashley can't look away, whiskey eyes locked on blue ones, "Oh umm… it took me a while to decide, but when it came down to it the one that I really could reread over and over is called The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It's amazing and the author just keeps you guessing the whole time and there's so many stories weaved into one that I couldn't put it down when I first got it." Ashley blushes slightly, and looks down at her desk; not believing she just admitted all of that to everyone.
Miss Carlin looks at her for a second longer with a small smile tugging at her lips before looking around at everyone else, "Ok well, I know you're probably wondering why I asked you to bring these books. And it wasn't just to discuss why they are your favorite, although it did help me learn a little bit about each of you. I want everyone to take out a piece of paper and right down the top 3 books you'd be most interested in reading out of all the books brought in today. The top 5 or 6 voted for will be what we turn our lessons into. So don't just pick randomly, because this is what we're going to be reading and discussing during class."
Everyone looks at everyone, slightly surprised that she's going against the schools curriculum, but does as she asks. "Wait Miss C," Aiden calls out, "you never told us yours."
She looks a little surprised that anyone bothered to ask, "Oh… well actually it's the same as Ashley's," she gives a small smile in Ashley's direction, "The Thirteenth Tale." The bell rings right after this is said, "Ok, if you all can pick your 3 really quick and put it on my desk I'd appreciate it, and other than that have a nice day. See you all tomorrow."
Everyone gets up to leave once they fill out their choices, except for Ashley, who remains in her seat. Miss Carlin walks over to her desk and sits on top of it, "You know, they do give you a chair for a reason."
Miss Carlin looks at the chair than at Ashley, "Yes, but that chair is so uncomfortable." She picks up the papers with everyone's choices on them and start rifling through them, "so I see you have refused to do what I asked, why is that? Do you enjoy getting in to trouble?"
"No, I tried to wear the tie Miss C, I really did. It was just so suffocating by the end of the day that I couldn't. I hate these uniforms, they're pointless and ugly."
"I agree with you that they're ugly, but still they're required to be properly worn. I'm just giving you a warning today, but after this I guess I'll have to send you down to Ms. Keaton's office. Which sucks because that will totally ruin my awesome teacher vibe I've got going on with the students, you know?"
Ashley just looks at her with her eyebrows raised. Miss Carlin hops off the desk and with one paper in her hand. She walks over and sits down next to Ashley and looks at her, "So how come you didn't choose your favorite book as the top 3?"
Ashley shrugs, "Because I'd rather everyone didn't ruin it for me. Overanalyzing it and picking it apart would just make it less enjoyable for me."
She nods and then stands again grabbing a stack of papers on her desk, "Come on, you're coming with me to the library." Miss Carlin strides out the door leaving a confused Ashley still sitting her seat.
Standing she takes off after her, finally catching up with her down the hallway, "Why are we going there?"
"Because technically I should I have sent you to the office already for not wearing your uniform and fighting with Madison, but instead you're just going to help me sort out all of my papers. It will take a while."
"How exactly will it take a while when there's only like twenty of us in your class? Plan on keeping me after for some private lessons?" She grins at Miss Carlin, who only laughs while shaking her head.
"I do teach other classes besides yours you know, I have four other classes papers to sort through. Well… you do now that I think about it." She ignores the last comment and turns into the library, stopping once she gets to a table. "Ok, so you can start with my 3rd period class and I'll take your class, make tallies so I know."
Ashley nods and sits in a chair across from her, "Easy enough, but you know… there are more fun things we could be doing right now…" She smirks across the table and wiggles her eyebrows.
Miss Carlin looks up with her eyebrows raised and shakes her head, "Are you like this with all of your teachers?"
"Nope, most of the teachers here are boring and unattractive. You seem to be the exception this year."
"This year?"
"Yeah, last year there was actually a teacher worth looking at, but uh… she had to leave."
"I see, well sorry, but this is about as much fun as you and I are going to have together outside of the classroom."
"Oh, so as long as we're inside the classroom it's ok?"
She rolls her eyes, "Ashley, just go through the papers."
Ashley smiles wickedly, noticing immediately that she never said no.
