“He turned out to be a complete nutcase and I fear winding up like him,” I answered.

“You’re nothing like him and never will be,” began Ashley. You will not wind up in the same path as him. You’ve been going through a lot of things lately.

“What about the nightmares?” I asked in a desperate tone. I don’t sleep at night since I’m afraid that I will get even more nightmares. My problems are my inner turmoil and in the corridors of my mind.

“I know you are scared, babe,” answered Ashley. I’m scared for you. W-we could be scared together. Ashley hugged me. I’m not going to give up on you and I won’t let you give up on yourself. If it makes you feel better, I’ll go with you on your first counseling session.

“You’d do that?” I said. I don’t even know when that is yet.

“Yep,” replied Ashley. Let me know when you decide to start counseling and I’ll be there for moral support.

“What would I do without you?” I asked with a smile. Ashley leaned in to kiss me softly on the lips. I smiled and intensified the kiss. Ashley stopped the kiss.

A couple days later, I was at my locker and when I opened it I saw mice in a cage. This was getting ridiculous. My grades have been slipping. My sleeping patterns are abnormal and now rodents live in my locker? This is a wonderful way to start lunch. “Like the present I got you, lesbo?” questioned Madison with a sneer. I slammed the locker door shut and was about to walk away before I did something I might regret. Payback is a bitch, isn’t it? You think what you and your life partner did you could get away with?

“No, you are,” I responded angrily. I punched Madison in the nose and I noticed she bled.

“I never thought you had it in you to hit someone,” snickered Madison. I thought you were the quiet girl who needs Ashley’s permission so you wouldn’t have to get hurt. Isn’t that right, Spencer? Wait until Glen hears about his sister attacking his girlfriend and how bad of an influence Davies is.

“You know nothing about me,” I began coldly. So you can’t fight me on your own so you have to ask Glen to do it? You need my brother to do the dirty work for you. I pushed Madison to the ground. I was about to walk away, but Madison got up and kicked me in the stomach. I retaliated and hit Madison yet again. Ashley appeared and pulled me back.