“I wouldn’t believe everything you read, or heard, or whatever. Ashley’s not like what everyone thinks.” I say, sticking up for my friend.

Cole looks back to me and gives me a disbelieving look. “You sound like you know her or something.”

“That’s because I do, and I know she’s not what the tabloids exploit her to be like. She’s a really sensitive and loving person and anyone who meets her knows that within the first five minutes.” I say, not really understanding where all of this is coming from, or where it’s going to go.

“I did know her.” Cole says, looking back at the stage. “In the most intimate of ways, but then again, who doesn’t?” She says with some sort of sadistic smirk on her face. I’m growing more concerned of where this conversation is going.

As if on cue, I hear the music of the piano fade and my attention is directed towards the stage once again and I join the audience in applauding. My eyes keep darting back to Cole and I see the smirk is still in place and I’m trying to think of what kind of game she’s playing at but I can’t quite figure it out. I know Ashley had a reputation in the past, but this girl was giving me different kind of vibes.

Ashley thanks the crowd for coming out and supporting her and joins me off-stage with a huge grin on her face.

“That was amazing. I had no idea you were so talented.” I say, standing from my seat to greet Ashley with a hug. I’ve seen a piano in her room and figured she played, but I never thought she wrote her own songs and also rearranged music.

“Eh, I’ve dabbled here and there with instruments but I’ve always been interested in music and writing my own stuff.” Ashley says with a shrug.

“Well you did great.” I say with a smile which she greatly returns.

“Hi Ash.” I had completely forgotten that Cole was still sitting down at the table. Ashley’s smile seems to completely fade away when she sees who it is sitting down before her.

“Nicole?” To say Ashley sounded offended wouldn’t do it justice in the least. She sounded pissed.