The Great Escape

AN: Thank you to RKO.I.F, xTwistedxImperfectionx, jojocheer28, Melissa Cristina, RandomlyAwsomer, TJSparkles, justbornawsome, Cena-Wilson-Crazy & Chain Gang Princess for reviewing the last chapter.

Thanks very muchly :)

Chapter Sixteen – Breakdown

ASHLEY

"Ashley, your rebuttal?"

A smirk had already curved her glossed lips, even before being called upon, and she was now confident in herself as she sat up straighter in her seat. Sociology class often brought out a fiery mood in her; strengthened, at this particular time today, by the debates. She never posed her opinions as facts, but was always eager to get her view across.

There was simply one reason why she loved this class and it was this: no-one was wrong or right. The questions asked where to be answered from one's interpretation on the matter.

And today she was going to let hers be known. "Well," she began innocently enough, "While I can appreciate Adam's view on the isolation process, I'm going to have to politely disagree."

There was a moment's pause for the students to chuckle quietly. They, including Adam who opened his mouth to speak, knew Ashley never disagreed politely. "Go on then. What do you think?"

She ignored his knowing smile – along with the temptation to walk over and smack him – and cleared her throat. "He mentioned that – as a natural move – the human mind tends to store things you don't want to see, such as bad memories, away in a forgettable place. That I can't argue with...but he seemed to insinuate people hide from their feelings in that way."

"Yeah," nodded the Canadian, tapping his pen lazily against the desk he was sitting at. "So what's your point?"

"My point – thank you very much – is that not everyone is the same. Some people choose to address their issues publicly while some people deal with things in a different, quieter way – it doesn't mean they're hiding."

"Surely pushing a memory to the back of your mind isn't dealing with it? The silence would only last so long."

"Well," the blonde continued with a pinched smile, "We can't all be as vocal as you, Adam. Some people don't like to talk about themselves all the time."

As the students shared another chuckle, highly amused by the impending argument, he took a point to rise to his feet. It didn't matter that his desk was directly opposite hers – as if one side of the class was fighting his battle, the other hers; his point clearly had to be made from a more powerful, higher position. She simply watched, fighting the urge to stick her tongue out childishly.

"Look at you." He began, projecting his voice that little bit louder. "You look tense – your shoulders are hunched together and your posture looks too stiff. You're not allowing yourself to relax and it shows. Whereas I," he fixed her with an intent stare, "am feeling free to do as I say and feel."

"And when did this become about me?"

"I'm just making a point." He shrugged nonchalantly. All traces of his serious moment had disappeared; so quickly that she was beginning to wonder if she'd imagined the look he'd given her. "Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like you have something on your mind...something you're not willing to share with anyone else."

She deliberated over this for a moment. "Well yes, you're right...but that doesn't mean I have anything to hide. Like I was saying before, people deal with things in different ways. I choose not to tell my side of the story and that is my way."

"But is this a healthy way?"

"An excellent question, Adam," interrupted their professor, as he stood in front of the projector. "One that we'll surely return to next class. I'm afraid we've run out of time and that's it for today."

Several murmurs filled the room as groups of friends rejoined each other to chat, but Ashley remained silent as she collected her papers, swung her vintage The Clash bag over her shoulder and vacated the room. She'd almost reached the end of the corridor when she heard footsteps scurrying behind her to catch up. Without looking back, she knew who it was.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" came a teasing voice.

She turned, stepped aside so she wouldn't get in anyone's way, and then fixed Adam with one of her scariest looks. "You're damn right I'm mad. What gives you the right to drag my personal life into the classroom?"

"It was relevant to the subject."

In disbelief, she watched him for a moment. "That's it? That's your explanation for trying to humiliate me in front of everyone?"

His eyebrows creased into a frown. "Hold on, Ash. I didn't try to do that to you. I wouldn't. I was just saying—"

"And my name is Ashley. Only my friends call me Ash...I barely let Eve so it's definitely out of the question for you." She told him coldly and turned to leave. "Now if you'll excuse me..."

"Oh yeah," he followed her, "You have some more hiding to do, right?"

Having reached the exit, she stepped out into the sunshine, only to whip her dirty-blonde head of hair back towards him. "Why does it bother you so much that I'm not like anyone else?"

"Because I believe there's a different side to you that you choose not to show. And I want to find that part of you, see if she's a little nicer to me than you are." He joked as they resumed walking. "Take our date for instance. I saw a flash of difference...even if it was only for a minute it was there. You actually looked happy when we were playing all those games and on the way back, I'm sure I didn't imagine that vulnerability in you."

She stayed quiet for a moment, simply stunned at his words. Where was the real Adam Copeland and who was this deep, meaningful person confronting her instead? But a beat later, the blonde regained confidence and struck back. "I really don't need you to care. I'm fine with the way I am...so guess what? I don't give a damn if you're concerned."

"But I think—"

"I don't care what you think!" She snapped all too quickly at him, and then walked ahead, intent on leaving him behind. "Guys are all the same." She muttered to herself in order to control her feelings again. "They only like the chase, never the girl..."

To walk into her dorm room a couple of hours later and find Mickie, head down and shoulders slumped, sitting on her bed was somewhat of a strange picture. For a moment she wondered if she'd stepped into the wrong room, but no, that was her best friend looking so utterly in despair.

"Everything alright?" She enquired cautiously, dumping her things onto her own bed. She wasn't one for girly talks – this she left for Maria – but the view before her was sad to see. "You look upset about something."

The brunette lifted her head slowly. A pout was already visible on her glossed lips. "I don't think I have a boyfriend anymore."

Ashley's first thought, unkindly enough, was: Oh great, more guy talk. She was still annoyed with Adam over his strange show of affection, and the last thing she wanted was to be reminded of her troubles too. But her second thought was a little more relevant to the subject: Aww. Poor, vulnerable Mickie.

She didn't voice this opinion, but did prompt for her to continue.

"Well...I ran into Phil today – you know, because we have a couple of classes together – and I ended up telling him how I really felt."

"Okay..."

"Which was that, while I liked spending time with him, I can't help feeling we don't know each other well enough to be in a relationship. I mean, I'm not the kind of girl who just dives into things like that, you know? And sure, he's an amazing kisser but I really don't know that much about him. Not that he's a serial killer or anything, but I at least need to know a few facts about him. I want to be with someone I know something about. You know?"

A little amused, she asked, "You told him all this?"

"Well...yes. I think it's best to be upfront and honest."

"So what did he say?"

"Umm..." Mickie sounded anxious as she lifted herself to her feet and began to pace the room. Scratching her arm awkwardly, she said, "I don't actually know. You see, the thing is...I kinda ran away from him before he had a chance to reply."

"Oh, Mickie." She laughed as she headed for the bathroom. "Only you."

She pushed the door to its usual ajar position and turned around, catching her reflection in the mirror. Just as she suspected, she looked as tired as she felt. She didn't know where the exhaustion weighing her down was coming from, but she would be glad to see the back of it soon.

Her best friend's voice, laced with worry, floated through to her as she searched for a hair-band. "Well at least I told him how I felt, right? If I didn't do that I wouldn't have felt right about myself. It's not good to keep things to yourself, you know."

She grimaced. Thoughts of this morning's Sociology class were beginning to cloud her thoughts again. Stupid Adam, stupid opinions. Still, she reminded herself to be content now, and wrapped a band around her hair to pull it into a messy bun.

"And," continued Mickie, "I feel much better for telling him. I might have to avoid him for a while but it's worth it."

Ashley emerged from the bathroom into their room and rolled her eyes. She was in one of those I-can't-be-bothered moods and it definitely showed. "Well I say screw men – and not in the literal sense."

"I really like him, Ash. Could you please keep your opinions to yourself?"

"What, I don't have a right to them?"

"Not when it's the same one day in and day out," the brunette sighed inwardly as she collapsed onto her bed. Glancing over, she caught the annoyed expression on her friend's face. "You're never going to forgive and forget, are you?"

The blonde was caught off guard as she searched through her bag for her notepad and pen. She paused for a moment, unsure of whether she'd heard the comment correctly, and then glanced over to Mickie. She already looked guilty and it was known in that moment; the past was being brought up.

"Look, I'm sorry but you weren't expecting to just bury what happened...were you? It's been a long time but I'm sure the memory is still fresh. It is for me at least."

She swallowed lightly, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. How had this little talk turned the spotlight on her anyway? "When I said I didn't want to talk about it, I meant it." She spoke quietly but firmly. "So just drop it."

"Ash, I'm—"

"I'm going for a shower." She turned to face the brunette briefly. Noting her look of sympathy, she felt a lump rise in her throat...and promptly swallowed it back down. This was no time to feel weak again. Then she closed the bathroom door behind her, and sank against the counter.

Stop thinking about him, Ash. He's a bastard. He isn't worth your time. He doesn't deserve your attention. Just stop it. Right now.

But she couldn't. And so, with a frightening feeling in her stomach, she turned on the shower nozzle and quickly undressed. She needed to refresh herself, to wash away the memory of what seemed like just yesterday.

She had to distract herself before the memory caught up with her.

........

His name was Jason. And with just one glance at him over the crowded area of the hall, she knew she wanted to get to know him a little better. Her friends had talked of him, told him how they knew him (he was a cousin of a boy who went to their school and was chaperoning the school dance on request). To say she was intrigued was a little bit of an understatement.

Known for her rebellious side, Ashley didn't even try to deny what her intentions were.

"But he's so much older than you." Maria had told her over the speakers, which were now blasting out old-school Britney songs. "What makes you think he'll be interested?"

"Yeah." Mickie, on her other side, had agreed. "I wouldn't do it if I were you. You don't know what he's like. You don't know anything about him."

Jason was making eyes at her from the get-go. This was obvious, she mused, by the way he was staring at her. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

"Guys, come on." She'd rolled her eyes at her friends. "This dance is so boring – look, even Eve has stopped making out with that one guy to scope out others! That just proves that this evening needs a little spicing up."

"But what if—"

"Hold my drink." She ordered, pushing it into Mickie's chest. "I'm only going to talk to him. It might lead somewhere, it might not. But I want to take that chance."

So, taking that chance, she strode over to Jason. He was polite, well-spoken and so damn sexy. She knew it would be stupid of her not to find out more about him. And that she did, as their conversation ended a good hour later, when the school dance was just about to finish.

With a phone number and a promise to call, Ashley went home a very happy girl.

Soon after that evening, she went out on a couple of dates with the guy. Her parents disapproved of him which, obviously, made it easier for her to want to see him. They soon became inseperable and though they hadn't been confirmed as a couple, she was certain they were together.

He, on the other hand, had other ideas for their "relationship".

It was late one Friday evening when she noticed his shift of mood. He was frustrated and tired – worn down, she suggested to herself, by the three jobs he worked to keep up with the rent. They didn't talk – another sign that he was different – when they made it to his apartment.

"Babe, what's wrong?" She'd asked him, a soft smile on her lips. Maybe she would be able to help him with his problem and everything would return to normal. "Bad day at work?"

But he only turned to her, an unreadable expression on his face. "What's going on between us?" The question was abrupt.

Taken aback, the blonde had no clue how to answer. "I, um...I thought we were together. Aren't we?"

"Well that's what I thought too..." He breathed out heavily, flinging his jacket over the back of the couch. "But it's been at least three months and we haven't done it yet."

And with good reason. She was still in high school, totally inexperienced in the art of relationships and he, as she well knew, was a grown-up man with more responsibilities than she could handle. Their differences were apparent; she'd ignored them until now.

"I..." She stammered. This was way too personal, way too upfront. "What does that matter? I thought you liked being with me."

"Babe," he chuckled lightly as he moved in closer, "I do like being with you. Really, I do. But a man has his needs, you know?"

"Well I'm sorry," she frowned in that moment, "I'm not comfortable doing that. No matter how much I like you, I'm not ready yet."

"Oh, c'mon. I've been waiting for you for so long." He caressed her hand, then traced his fingers up her arm until they reached her cheek. "What is it – don't you feel safe with me?"

Quite to the contrary, she felt very safe with him. He was the one true person – she felt – that she could connect with. Her parents didn't understand her, her brother had better things to do than hang out with her, and her friends...well, they always looked out for themselves. Why shouldn't she do the same?

"You know that's not true." She uttered softly.

"So do this for me." He whispered and leaned forward. Before she knew it, he'd pressed his lips against hers. Firmly, harshly. "Please, Ash. I want you so much."

"And I want you too." She said, kissing him back. It took a good push in her to get some distance between them. "But I'm not ready."

She didn't know when she finally saw the change in him – the one her friends had warned her about. Perhaps it was when he glared at her, perhaps it was when he growled at her, telling her that she was ready for him. Or perhaps it was when he grabbed her arm roughly and pushed her towards the couch...

"Jason, no." She barely had time to protest as his body covered hers. Tears pricked her eyes, glazing her vision as her breathing became heavy with fear. "I...love you," she uttered desperately, "What are you doing?"

"Shut up, bitch." He ordered as he unzipped his pants.

That evening changed her life. Even before his intentions were over, she knew that this night, this horrible and painful night, would never leave her thoughts.

........

Ashley was unsure whether the wet substance dripping down her face was the shower water or her own tears. What she did know, however, was that she was falling into her past with a weak resolve. She dug her nails into the wall behind her as she nudged against it; now, more than ever, she needed support from something. Anything.

You're stronger than this, she told herself. You don't need to be afraid anymore.

But she was.

And yet she knew she couldn't admit this to anyone – not even Mickie, her best friend; the one who'd held her that evening after the story was told to the police. She couldn't say a damn thing and she knew that when she was finished with her shower, she would walk back into her room, her head held high and her stubborn attitude back in place.

That's just the way it was.

So there's the next chapter. Please review :)

Up next is Eve's chapter.