The next day when Ashley entered in the class with a big smile on her face, Melissa almost fell from her chair, making Ashley chuckle.

Melissa immediately cornered her, staring intently, and asked, “Who was the guy?”

Ashley frowned, “What guy?”

“With whom you got laid last night,” she wiggled her eyebrows.

Ashley groaned, shaking her head in disbelief. “Seriously, Melissa?”

Melissa laughed, wrapping arms around her shoulders. “Well, you can't blame me for having such dirty thoughts as it's the first time I've seen you so happy,” She looked at Ashley, raising her eyebrows, and added, “Without me, of course.”

Ashley rolled her eyes and went straight to her seat, not bothering to reply.

Melissa following her but before she could ask her more, Leo appeared out of nowhere and plopped down on the seat beside Ashley. “Hey Ashley, how's it going?” He grinned.

Leo was so friendly with her, something that shocked her. Surely, he had helped her in the morning when she was on the verge of breaking down and joined them at her house for breakfast. Not to mention, her aunt practically dragged Leo inside their home, after knowing how he helped her when he dropped her back.

Earning a questioning look from Melissa, Ashley glared at Leo, tilting her head towards Melissa, and Leo immediately changes the topic. “I mean, you had a massive headache yesterday, so how are you now?”

“I'm fine,” Ashley grunted, flipping through the pages of her notebook.

“Oh, okay. Tell Aunt Jenna that I loved her pancakes and I'll surely drop-”

Ashley interrupted him with a groan, “Leo!!”

“Yeah?” He gulped, noticing her sudden change of behavior.

“I'll pass the message. Now go. I'm trying to study here,” Ashley muttered angrily. She was trying hard to calm her anger but couldn't help with the slip up of Leo.

Stupid Leo!

He shouldn't have mentioned anything in front of Melissa. Now she wouldn't leave her alone without knowing everything.

After her break down, Ashley assured Leo that she was fine but he insisted on dropped her home. They chatted the whole way to her back house, and Ashley couldn't help but feel happy for making one more friend. Her lips curved in a upward direction, remembering the afterward morning incident-

“You won't invite me inside?” Leo smiled mischievously.

“Don't push your luck,” Ashley chuckled and waved him goodbye but that was the moment when her Aunt suddenly opened the door, making Ashley freeze.

Her Aunt didn't notice Leo as she pulled Ashley into her arms, noticing she was home. “Thank God you're back. I was so worried, Ash.” Then she broke the embrace and asked her, “Are you okay?”

Ashley nodded, feeling overwhelming. Her Aunt was worried about her. Suddenly, she felt guilty for giving her a cold shoulder. All the time, when she was trying to get along with her, Ashley never acknowledge her efforts.

Her chain of thoughts broke when Leo cleared his throat, “I'll leave now.”

“Wait,” Aunt Jenna called him, “who are you?”

“Leo,” He replied nervously, glancing at Ashley.

“He is in my class,” Ashley decided to save Leo from the misery and answered her, “He was out for a run and found me back there when I was… you know…” Ashley let out a breath and added, “He walked me home out of concern.”

“Oh!” Aunt Jenna turned towards Leo and gave him a small hug, patting his shoulder. “Thank you so much, dear,” she smiled at him.

“No problem,” Leo grinned. “I'll leave now.”

“Nonsense,” Aunt Jenna shook her head. “Come inside and have breakfast with us.” She looked at Ashley and said, “Ash? Invite your friend inside. I'm making pancakes.”

With that, she walked inside the house.

Ashley sighed, “I guess we don't have any choice.”

“I can leave if you aren't comfortable with having me inside your house,” Leo asked quietly, staring at her.

“I think I've already passed that stage with you,”  Ashley replied with a smile and grabbed his hand, walking inside.

“Earth to Ashley,” Melissa's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Uh, sorry. Look, Mr. Sinha is here,” Ashley pointed, feeling relieved for escaping her questions.

Melissa narrowed her eyes, “Fine. But it's not over. See you at lunch.” With that she went to her seat.

“Alright, students, I have an announcement to make,” Mr. Sinha began and paused dramatically, looking around to check if everyone was attentive or not. Then, he cleared his throat and said, “As you are aware, the AMC is going to start next month and for that two students are going to participate from our school….”

Ashley sighed and closed her eyes, resting her head on the table, shutting out the speech.. It wasn't her last chance. Leo was right. She needed to face her fears. Then only, she could accept the reality.

She would find another way to make her parents proud, she promised herself.

**

Ashley sat at her usual spot in the cafeteria, unwrapping her sandwich, when Leo appeared in front of her.

“Hey, beautiful,” Leo smiled, pulling out a chair and sitting beside her.

It was the first time she was eating alone since she had met Melissa. That girl never left her alone in the cafeteria. Maybe she did that out if pity. She must have noticed how Ashley usually sat alone and needed company.

Ashley was grateful that Melissa had to be with Ashton for some meeting related to the AMC. It wasn't like she didn't like Melissa's company, but sometimes she wanted to be alone. She wanted to explore her thoughts. She wanted to watch the world, like she had been doing for the past few months. She missed those things.

But she also liked sitting with Melissa. She was always laughing and chatting, which annoyed Ashley but deep inside, she found it nice. At least someone was there who wasn't pissed at her. The reason was enough to make her smile and get along with Melissa.

Ashley glanced at Leo, giving him a flat look. “What are you doing here?”

His smile dropped. “I'm here to apologise.”

“For?”

“Blurting out in front of Melissa.” He sighed, “Look, I wasn't thinking straight and I mentioned it. I'm sorry.”

Ashley nodded, “It's okay.”

Leo grinned, “So, how are you feeling today?”

Ashley pursued her lips, biting the insides of her cheeks. “Leo, please stop it, okay?” she let out a frustrated sigh. “And leave me alone.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to help.” He held up his hands, looking amused.

“We are not friends,” Ashley pointed out, pushing her glasses up her nose.

“We aren’t?” Leo gasped dramatically.

She rolled her eyes, “what do you want?”

Leo stared at her for a few seconds, his expression softening, “I am just trying to overcome my guilt.” Ashley frowned and opened her mouth to ask something but Leo silenced her, shaking his head. “I never supported my sister when she needed me the most. The signs were there… but… I never noticed them. I was so…” He took a deep breath and added, “I was so engrossed in my own world that I never cared for her. It was when her condition got worse…” he trailed off.

Ashley swallowed hard, nibbling on her sandwich. Her head was down, not wanted to look at his broken expressions. She could relate with his sister as she felt exactly like her. The difference was she had built up a wall around her. Curiosity bubbled up inside her as she asked hesitantly, “Um…did something happen to her? When you finally noticed her condition?”

Leo froze for a second, not expecting the question. He nodded slowly, exhaling a deep breath. “She... she tried to kill herself,” he half-whispered, lowering his face.

Ashley felt like someone was choking her as she couldn't breath. She had also tried to kill herself, but never had the courage to go through.

“Ashley,” he started, making her gulp. “I can see the same pain in your eyes. Let me help you.”

She shook her head. “I'm fine.”

“Just remember, if you ever need someone to talk, I'm here.”

Ashley opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Nodding, she blinked back the tears and the fear, breathing heavily to control her anxiety. No one had ever said this to her. Not even her sister, who claimed to understand her.

“And, one more thing, we are definitely friends, whether you accept it or not," he declared, with a lazy smirk playing across his lips.

A laugh escaped from her lips, despite the fact that she was crying a moment before. Her worries dissolved.

Then, the realisation dawned on her. He did this for her. Her lips curved in an upward direction as she shyly grinned at him, “Done!”