After Highschool

e. Fred was still there, his gaze lingering on her even as he fidgeted in his seat. She had noticed his nervous behavior all morning the way he kept glancing at he

Derek. She needed her pay, and she needed it today. Both Luna and George had insisted she go collect what sh

ush, her movements tense and precise, like she was trying to beat an invisible clock. He wanted to use this moment to final

ered. Ashley had avoided that place like the plague ever since that humiliating incident

o soon, she'd surely notice. And given how jittery he'd been acting all morning, he didn't want her to think he was stalking h

*

r chin up, determined not to show any weakness. As usual, no one paid her any attention-just the way she preferred i

h fell over the cafeteria, and all eyes turned toward her. Victor, one of Der

eria. Laughter erupted from their group, and Ashley's cheeks burned, but sh

lly in his seat, not even bothering to look up. "Derek, I came h

ey, Ashley... We had a deal, remember? No causing a scene, and I'll pay you." He so

balling into fists at her sides. She could feel the eyes

. Your savior isn't here to protect you this time." The jeering laughter

hrough gritted teeth, refusing to back

uptly, the chair scraping against the floor. "Get lost, Ashley! I said I'm not paying you!" he barked, his

casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed on Derek

hardness in his eyes that sent a shiver down Ashley's spine.

ed by his clique. "Oh, nothing, Fred. Just a misunderstanding," he said smoothly. "Ash

nk. He's going to think I'm greedy, she thought mise

," Fred said, loud enough for everyone to hear. The entire c

ke it sound like I'm some kind of gold digger? She could see the

on her heel and stormed out of the cafeteria, her vision blurring with tears. She was angry-

-

otball

collapsed onto one of the bleachers, her shoulders shaking as she tried

tly, "I'm sorry. I di

at her tears. "Were you crying?" Fred

him. "I'm fine," she said, though her

er pain. "I'm really sorry, Ashley. I didn't mean to embarr

in front of the whole school? I shouldn't have even gone to Derek, but Lun

promise I was only trying to help." He reached out, hesitating before

lp, especially not from someone like you," she whispered,

said softly. "But the offer still stands." He turned and walked away, leaving Ashley s

*

on her. The comforting smell of something cooking greeted her as

m Derek?" George asked, no

st the counter. "No, it was a disaster," she admitte

t least you tried. Want some of the cheapest

tched into a smil

with mischief. "Hey, Ash, I think Fred has a thing for

. "Let him. I'm not in

ized, didn't he?" L

pular... he's out of my league,"

wo take your drama elsewhere? You're corrupting the young mind ove

Ashley let herself forget, just for a little w