CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

ASHLEY’S POV:

Yes, school is finally out for the day! I was thinking about talking to Spencer today, but every time I saw her I lost the nerve. I couldn’t even look at her in English class. We had a pep rally today during 5^th period, and I saw her in the stands a couple of times. She was sitting with Chelsea and my sister. I can’t believe she hangs out with Kyla. How can someone so sweet be friends with such a bitch?

Anyway, I’m on my way to my weekly appointment with my therapist. I have been going there for over a year now. Sometimes I think its pointless for me to go, but lately it’s been helping me out a lot. I am sitting in the waiting room right now reading a magazine.

Receptionist: Ms. Davies, Dr. Anderson will see you now.

I stand up and go into the usual room where we have our appointments.

Dr. Anderson: Hello Ashley. How have you been doing?

Dr. Anderson is pretty cool. When I first started seeing her I wouldn’t say a word the whole time. Then one day, I just let it all out. I talked for 2 hours straight about everything. She just sat there and listened. That’s all you need sometimes. Just someone that will actually listen to you. After that day she has been the one person I trust the most.

Ashley: Hey doc.

We take our seats and she grabs her notepad.

Dr. Anderson: So what has been going on with you?

I begin to tell her about the general things, school and cheerleading. Then I decide to tell her about the bet I made with Madison. I tell her everything right up to this weekend when Spencer tried to kiss me and I basically blew her off.

Dr. Anderson: So how do you feel about this girl?

Ashley: She’s nice, sweet, and I think I might be falling for her.

Dr. Anderson: Go on.

Ashley: I can’t explain it. Every time I see her I have to remind myself to breathe. Sometimes when we talk I can’t even get the right words out. You should see her, doc, she is so gorgeous. She has these big blue eyes that just draw you in.

Dr. Anderson: So what do you get if you win this bet?

Ashley: A pair of earrings.

Dr. Anderson: Earrings?

Ashley: They’re diamond earrings and they are two carats each.

Dr. Anderson: (sighs) Ashley, you are a smart girl. Is winning a pair of earrings really worth losing the girl you’re in love with?

Ashley: You make it sound like it’s so easy, like I can just end the bet and ride off into the sunset with Spencer. It doesn’t work that way, at least not for me.

Dr. Anderson: What do you mean?

Ashley: Every time I let someone get close to me they leave.

Dr. Anderson: Like who?

Ashley: Well, there is my mom, who’s never around. When she does come around it’s to throw her money at me and tell me I’m a waste of space. My dad is also never around. Anytime I want to talk to him I have to go through 5 different people. Finally, Madison my former best friend, well, she has just turned into a bloodsucking vampire.

Dr. Anderson: Okay Ashley, what about me? Have I let you down?

Ashley: No.

Dr. Anderson: Do you trust me?

Ashley: Yes.

Dr. Anderson: So why are you so afraid of Spencer? Don’t you think she at least deserves a chance?

Ashley stays quiet for a minute thinking.

Ashley: I’m afraid to give her a chance, because if I do and things don’t work out, it will break me.