Ashley walked into the bowling alley with Andrew and Melanie. But when she walked in the first person she spotted was Derek. He looked so happy and like he was having a good time with all his friends bowling, she wondered how she could have liked such a jerk like him. He was everything she DIDN'T want. He was mean and all over rude. He lied... Yeah that's what he was, a Liar. A big fat ugly liar. Okay that may be a tad incorrect. He wasn't ugly, well at least not to ugly.

Melanie tapped her and pointed to the table with all of their friends.
As they walked over there she saw Derek whisper something to one of his friends and all eyes were on her.

"Hey, Babe." He waved to her. "Want to come join us?"

She smiled and walked over to their table and gave Derek a hug.

(Okay I know what your thinking I'm being really stupid.. but just wait and be patient)

Melanie's expression stabbed knives in my heart, I felt like I had betrayed her. Everyone else next to her looked equally confused but they carried on with their conversation.

"Derek." I said loud enough for the other "Team" to hear.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Would you mind to get me a soda?" I asked with a smile.

Okay I'm not stupid. I knew he probably had some plan to embarrass me today but I had a plan also.

Derek came trotting over with a glass of Orange soda.

"Thanks your a dream."

He sat down next to her.

This is going to get interesting.
"Your what?" She sobbed. "Your breaking up with me?" She yelled.

"Ash, what's going on?" He whispered.

"Oh it's all my fault? You can't handle the pressure of being popular!"

By now all the students at the bowling alley were video taping.

"No that's not it at all. It's your family. To much pressure with the whole thing."

"You know what? I don't even want to hear it." She said as she stood up. " oh and- here's a gift." She said as she poured the Orange soda all over his head.

With that she walked back over to all her friends and sat down as they bowled.

She saw Derek and few of his friends rushing to the bathroom to try and clean out his hair.
Classic. Orange soda prank. That's not coming out anytime soon.

When Ashleys cell phone rang an hour later she picked it up.
"Hello?"

"Ashley?" It was Hadley.

"Yes?" She whispered back.

"Jenny said to come home right away. Mommy's gone to the hospital."

"Shes what?"

"She's gone to the hospital. A ambulance came and picked her up."

"Hadley stay put. I'm on my way."

What had happened to their mother? It must have been bad if she had to go to the hospital in an ambulance.

Well guys there's another chapter of Standing Together. This book has come so far since like a week ago ;). I'd personally like to thank dancingbunny14 and infika for the votes and comments. It's greatly appreciated. I am having a bit of a writer's block and can't seem to come up with good ways for Ashley and Nick to get closer. But don't worry I'm sure something will come to me. Anyway thank you for the votes and comments and have a good day God bless. -Mae