Chapter Nine: New Student

Emily finds out Ashley's story and a new student comes to school... SHORT CHAPTER, SORRY!

When I walked into school the next morning, I felt distinctly the absence of my two crazy friends. I bit my lip as I thought back to the hurt look on Dakota's face. But then I remembered what they had said about me, and how they chose two boys and a bit of popularity over me. No. I wasn't all that cruel. They had been cruel as well- they deserved what they got.

''Em!'' Ashley came up behind me and linked her arm in mine.

''Hey, Ash!'' I smiled. Ashley had actually been great. She was funny, sweet and she actually seemed to be a really good friend. I had been surprised, but it seemed she did have a heart. She reminded me of the old Ashley... with a little more sass to her. She was fun to be around.

''How are you doing today?'' without stopping for an answer, she continued. ''Did you hear about the new student? There's a new student coming to school. Apparently he's a model or something, and he'll be in our class! He's here for a year or so because of his job situation, and as he's still only 17 or something, he has to go to school! We're going to have a model at school!" she let out a squeal. I covered my ears and laughed.

''Goodness, Ashley!''

She grinned at me, her whole face glowing and happy. I was surprised. The 'popular' Ashley never looked this way.

''Ashley- can I ask you a question?'' I started, swallowing. I wasn't sure how she'd react to this.

''Sure!'' she replied enthusiastically.

'''Why- why do you act so nice around me, and so... horrible around others?''

Ashley sighed, a sad look appearing in her eyes. She turned to me and smiled sadly.

''I knew you would ask me that question sometime- and- I think I'm ready to tell you.''

She took a deep breath. ''Remember that time before we all became Freshmen? I was a bit of a nerd, I was always doing other things for people, I was trying to be the nice and kind girl my parents wanted me to be. My father had promised me that- that I would be a happier and better person if I was nice and kind to others. So, I began taking his advice. I made sure to be sweet and nice to everybody, to offer my help whenever I could. At first I was happier, everyone was kind to me, and everyone seemed to appreciate my presence. And then it happened. People started taking advantage of me, making me do their homework and do other chores for them. I did them willingly, at first, and then I did them only because my father's words kept ringing in my head. I started overworking, failing at school because I spent so much time doing other's projects and homework, that I didn't have time to do my own. Nobody ever really thanked me for what I did. They just took it for granted that I would-'' she stopped and swallowed, a tear welling in her eye. ''That's when I burst. I knew I had promised dad to be kind and sweet, but I was just getting more and more depressed as the days went by. I can never forget the look on dad's face when I stood up to him and yelled I was sick and tired of being nice. I turned into the bitchy rich girl my mom wanted me to be, and I became who I was.''

When she had finished I had tears in my eyes. I had never realized she had been so broken. She had always been happy, happily accepted anything if you asked her for help. Now I knew why she had stopped. I clenched my fist tightly, angry at the people who took advantage of a sweet girl like that.

''I'm so sorry, Ashley,'' I managed to bring out. She shook her head.

''Emily, you have nothing to be sorry for. Why do you think I kept on being nice to you? You were the only one who asked me civilly for help, who thanked me for all I did, who was nice to me and actually appreciated me for who I was. Emily, you're a true friend, and I wanted to continue being nice to you for all you did for me when I was down.''

I nodded, now understanding everything. I had never been more relieved to hear that Ashley wasn't who I thought she had been these past two years. She still was that sweet Ashley on the inside, she had just been hurt badly.

''I'll always be your friend, Ashley. Don't worry. I know what it's like to be betrayed.''

I bit my lip, thinking of my two crazy former best friends. I missed them, and I had never hurt as much as when I heard the words coming out of that boy's mouth. I can't believe they chose a boy over me. And I was pretty sure I wasn't overreacting, as Dakota and Tennessee had never come to apologize, or tried to hang out with me. They now hung out with a semi-popular group, and were huge flirts, or so I had heard.

Ashley linked her arm in mine and gave it a squeeze. She didn't say anything, she didn't have to. She just gave me a sympathetic smile, and together we continued to our classes. What a way to start the day!

I had English Literature first, where we were studying Romeo and Juliet. I sat down with Ashley, giggling and laughing like we usually did, this morning's happenings stored away in the back of our minds. Then it happened. The door opened and when I looked back, I found myself face to face with a certain male model.

''Tanner?'' the name had left my lips before I realized what I had said. Ashley turned to me with a curious and slightly mischievous look in her eyes.

''Emily!" Tanner exclaimed, a handsome smile stretching out over his face.

''You know each other?'' Ashley asked, curious. We both nodded.

''Yeah, we kind of- had a modelling session together, yesterday,'' Tanner answered, smirking at me. It was then that I realized I had never told Ashley about my 'scouting'. Gulping, I turned to face Ashley's raised eyebrows.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed! Feedback would really be appreciated. My chapters are FAR from perfect.