So it has been awhile. I've been busy with work and everything so forgive me! I hope I can make up for my tardiness.
Ashley's POV
"Did you ask dad if he was going to show up?" Kyla asked sitting in the front seat.
"I called and left a message but I doubt he'll show." I said becoming quiet.
The show is tonight. The show is tonight. The show is tonight. I could feel my heart racing
"Ashley watch out!" Kyla yelled and pointed at a red car zoom past the stop sign.
"Fucking drivers..." I muttered. I held my breath trying to remain calm. Kyla sensed my uneasiness.
"Okay I tried to ignore this for a long time now but I have to ask.. What's going on with you?! You've been jumpy all week and today you are off your rocker!" Kyla screamed at my stop at the stop sign.
I flipped off the already speeding driving and turned back to Kyla inhaling a deep breath.
"Sweet lord child" I smiled genuinely at her she responded by rolling her eyes at me causing a famous smirk to hint on the corners of my mouth. "Nothing it's just that the talent show is tonight and I've had the worst week and I just don't want any more chaos."
"Still Ash, There is this thing called a schedule most students form one instead of the where the wind blows routine. Your style gets a tad annoying after a couple of weeks." She finished by rolling up her window.
"They also don't have you as a sister." I giggled under my breath. I watched Kyla's face turn crimson as I placed the car into park in the school parking lot.
"Let's just go step up." Kyla slammed the door behind her. I jump a little in my seat.
"This is just retarded." I followed Kyla on her heels.
"Are you ready?" She asked looking down toward the ground. She was a little frustrated. Her strides were fierce and quick. Kyla's dark hair flowed around her neck and whipped back and forth.
"Nope but I will be." I smiled at Kyla wickedly. She rolled her eyes again. She was starting to annoy me. I cut her off at the corner and picked up my pace.
"Hey Miss. Carlin." Kyla greeted Spencer walking through the auditorium doors. I looked down as I smelled a gust of Spencer. I could feel her gaze as I tried to ignore her. Play it cool Ash. Play it cool. I told myself. I walked to the back of the seats and rested my guitar amongst the seats. I took out a pad of blank paper and began to finish what I was writing last night.
"Hey Ashley." Miss Carlin said trying to read over my shoulder. I feeling suddenly subconscious.
"Hello Miss Carlin." I placed the journal under my guitar case hoping she didn't notice my shock to see her.
"How are you?" She asked smiling sweetly at me.
"I'm fine" I answered shifting my weight away from her.
"Good. Are you ready to sing that song again? I actually really enjoyed it." Spencer smiled bigger with hope in her eyes.
"No actually I was working on a new one." I said honestly.
"Oh. But the show is in a couple of hours." Spencer seemed confused.
"I like to perform raw." I smiled.
"What do you mean?" Spencer asked sitting down next to me.
"I like my feelings true from the beginning of my song to the end. I don't like pretending to feel a way with some cover song. It has to be true you know." I said swaying my pencil back in forth between my digits. Spencer walked her fingers up til she touched the binding of my journal slowly pulling it out from behind my guitar case. I touched her wrist to get her to stop but she pulling my hand over into her lap.
"Is this your lyric book?" She asked looking at the cover.
"That would be the famous lyric book. I use to write lyrics in." I stated making it obvious how awkward it was for her to be looking through my personal journal. Spencer must not have gotten the hint because she began to read slightly bobbing her head.
"I think you should sing this one." She handed me back my journal and I smiled towards her.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing." I replied trying not to laugh and I watched her walk away. I could breathe again. I looked up at Madison prancing across the stage and Aiden drooling after her. I rolled my eyes. That took long. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.
Mandy: I dn't think I'm cming tonite dnt b md?
Me: Whatever
Mandy: Seriously… Again.
Me: I'm done with being a back up plan.
Mandy: But ur not.
Me: Yeah, see you at work.
Mandy: Ashley I cn't do this anyore.
I turned my phone off. Between Spencer, Aiden, Kyla, and Madison's glares I couldn't focus on my lyrics.
I turned to a different page and began to write a new one. Spencer's eyes twist watching me began to scribble. All I could think about was Madison and Mandy. I'd done anything for them and this week they have repeatedly walked all over me. The week had dragged on and I could feel there words stinging tunes into my head and there actions write imaginary lyrics into my head.
I smiled as the clocked counted down. The area began to fill slowly. I walked to the back of the stage and hid in the down right corner curtains. Miss Carlin did introductions and was charming as always. She smiled heavily at the crowd and they applauded loudly to be met by Madison walking on stage. I heard hollering and cheering. She pranced around and moved to her remixes of beats and lyrics. She was talented bitch. A bitch was not incorrect term ology but she was talented. Once her act ended she hit my shoulder as she exited. OFCOURSE she had to pass me as she left the stage.
The show drug on and so did the 'talent'.
"And our final act.. Ashley Davies." Miss Carlin said proudly to be met by silence. Shocker.
I slowly walked on stage and sat on a stool center stage. There was an old microphone next to the stage. I slid my guitar over my shoulder and sat on the stool. I looked over at Spencer smiling at me with her thumbs up. I scanned the crowd for familiar faces and I knew none. I took a breath, closed my eyes , and began.
Days like this I want to drive away
Pack my bags and watch your shadow fade
You chewed me up and spit me out
Like I was poison in your mouth
You took my light, you drained me down
But that was then and this is now
Now look at me
[Chorus:]
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no
Throw your sticks and your stones, throw your bombs and your blows
But you're not gonna break my soul
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no
I just wanna throw my phone away
Find out who is really there for me
You ripped me off, your love was cheap
Was always tearing at the seams
I fell deep, you let me down
But that was then and this is now
Now look at me
[Chorus]
Now look at me I'm sparkling
A firework, a dancing flame
You won't ever put me out again
I'm glowin', oh whoa
So you can keep the diamond ring
I never liked it anyway
In fact you can keep everything yeah, yeah
Except for me
[Chorus]
This is the part of me
No
Away from me
No
This is the part of me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me...
No
Throw your sticks and your stones, throw your bombs and your blows
But you're not gonna break my soul
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no
I opened my eyes to be met by a familiar man standing in the back clapping loudly and hollering. I smiled at my dad making a fool of himself. Everyone turned around and looked at him. Then I heard low murmurs then applause. Soon the front row stood then the second causing a domino effect. I stood up and took a bow to hear louder cheers. My eyes caught Spencer nodding her head smiling deeply at me. Swoon.
I walked off of stage and flicked Madison off to be given a scolding look by Miss. Wagner. I shrugged my shoulders and walked to back to my secret corner. I curled up into a ball and began to cry hard and weep. I could feel my body shaking hard as I fell onto the ground. I hugged my guitar pretending it was someone who cared. I felt arms surround me and I cried harder.
"Ashley. What's wrong?" I heard a coating voice shiver into my ear.
I didn't say anything back but hug her tighter and let the stinging sensation hit me harder each tear.
She began to rub my back in circles. Spencer didn't speak as she just held me until I could feel my heart stop racing.
"I'm sorry." I spurt out laughing letting go of Spencer.
"What was all that about?" She asked rubbing my tears off my face.
"I just… have been going through a really hard time." I confessed softly feeling the tears come back to haunt me again.
"Well everybody goes through a hard time. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She asked concerned.
"I didn't want you to worry." I admitted putting my head down.
"Is it about your ex?" She asked confused.
"No.. Yes.. Its everything. With Madison, who used to be my bestfriend spreading rumors after Aiden and I split then dating him. Then Mandy is acting like she doesn't know me because of the rumors and Kyla is acting like we are not related. Its hard to say everything is going to be okay with the whole school is spitting out nasty names at you wherever you are." I said sniffling after each sentence.
"Well let's not let them get the best of you. Ash you are so talented, so young, and beautiful." Spencer finished and held my chin in her hands.
I stopped crying to look up and see Spencer's blue eyes smiling at me softly giving me hope. I smiled as my fingers met hers.
"Can I leave now?" I asked pulling back from her. Spencer looked hurt but I grabbed her hand tighter in mine.
"You can come with." I tried to persuawy her. She tilted her head to the side and smiled.
"Sure." She said standing me up with her.
"You're leaving your teacher duties. Are you allowed to do that?" I asked curiously.
"I was allowed to leave about an hour ago. I just wanted to hear you perform." Spencer admitted her eyes sparkling.