The Boy Next Door

Chapter Fifteen

I pulled my new pair of navy flared jeans from the hanger and shoved them on. They hung looser on me than before and needed a belt. Seeing as I had wanted to lose weight, I was now worried I looked ill; I couldn't win either way.

I covered my bra with a new black vest and my leather jacket. My ensemble was comfy and how I wanted it to be, as I didn't wish to stand out. I slipped my feet into my new black converse and skipped down the stairs.

Grabbing my bag, I took out my sunglasses and sat them on my head. "Olly, I'm ready," I hollered, and he appeared from the living room with Mum.

"You look nice," Mum said.

"She does," Olly added, making me blush. He picked up his bag and opened the door.

"Ashley, can I check your bag, please?" Mum then muttered, making me turn back to her with a frown.

"Mum," I groaned, and she gestured her hand. "Fine," I said, opening it and letting her see inside.

There was nothing in it other than my purse, a bottle of water, and an old school T-shirt, which, when the time came, I'd ask my friends for a scribble. It would undoubtedly only have Olly on it by the end of the day, so it felt pointless.

"Thank you," she muttered, running her hand up and down my arm. "If you want to come home, please do."

"I will, Mum; please stop worrying."

She rolled her eyes at Olly. "Make sure she eats something."

He nodded and straightened his cap. "I will."

"Jeez, I don't need babysitting. Can we please go?" I snapped, leaving the hallway and stepping into the first bit of fresh air since coming home.

The sky was a gorgeous shade of blue, the smell of fresh grass filled my senses, and my body immediately relaxed. Summer had always been my favourite season, and I was glad I could put my sunglasses on to hide the tiredness in my eyes.

"Your mum is only worried about you," Olly said as we left the driveway.

"I know; she can just be smothering at times."

"And rightly so."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, can we drop it now?"

"Sorry," he stuttered. My mood placed silence between us as we walked side by side towards the school for the last time, and I said nothing more.

I was nervous, my stomach was churning, and my legs felt heavy. I could feel my palms shaking as I clung to the straps of my bag, denying the gravity trying to pull me back home. Still, I knew I couldn't hide in my room forever. If I wanted some closure, I needed to say goodbye to the hell hole of a place that made me the miserable, self-conscious girl I had become.

*

"Are you okay?" Olly cautiously asked as he noticed me start to slow and freeze to a statue-like position once we reached the park.

Over the last week, I had cried uncontrollably, felt alone, and thought I couldn't take any more. But there I was, having managed to get up today, with food in my system, wearing a new outfit and standing beside my one friend who was honest and genuine.

"Ashley?" he probed, bringing me from the thoughts.

"Huh?" I quietly stammered, breaking my gaze from the swing.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine.

"We can go home if you want?" he said as I shifted my eyes to him.