Hope Everlasting. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter Eleven-Riding Shotgun.

A/N; Well guess what guys? I updated AGAIN! Woo, updates two days running. I’m on fire hehe. I expect the next one will be early to mid week sometime, depending on how much time I get. I spent the whole day on this today so I hope you enjoy. It’s sort of a filler, but it contains some really important things for plot and character development later on. Anyway, please let me know what you think; your reviews and all have been making my day frequently. Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven-Riding Shotgun.

Ashlynn’s P.O.V

I ran upstairs in a daze. Did that really just happen, or was I losing it more than I first thought? Either way, it was weird. I, Ashlynn Carter, world’s biggest and most unpopular nerd, was going on a date. Except, it wasn’t really a date. Was it?

Although I hated myself for thinking it, it was times like this when I really wished Hope was there with me.

You called?

I froze at the voice, pausing just outside my bedroom.

Hope? I thought, gulping weakly.

Yup, that’s me. Don’t act so surprised, Ashy. It’s not like I ever left.

My mind was spinning. Never left? I thought Dylan got rid of--wait a minute. I was going crazy. There was no Hope, there never was. It’s just me, my stupid, mad mind. I belonged in a mental home, I really did, where I could just sit and rot and--

ASHLYNN! How many times do I have to tell you? You aren’t going crazy! Yes, you saw someone when you were little but guess what? I was there then too! Then that stupid Jenkins did all his hocus pocus on you and I was blocked out, that was until last week, when that man...you know.

I cringed instinctively at those words. I had blocked it out as much as I could, tried not to think about that night, but it was impossible. Everywhere I went, there were reminders. I only had to look in the mirror to think of him, and there were many scars; physical, and mental.

You have to believe me Ashy, you just have to. Your life...don’t take it the wrong way, but it’s a mess. You need help, and I can do it. I know you better than they do--I’m the only one that can make things right. You have to believe me, please. I can make things better. As soon as I went, I made a promise to myself that I’d look after you, whatever it takes. I nearly lost you that night, and I’m not losing you again.

Wow. What did you say to that?

But Hopie, the other night with Dyl--

I was interrupted yet again.

I’m sorry about that! It was stupid, I shouldn’t have done it. I have powers, too many powers. I don’t know how to control them and it scares me, Ashy. Sometimes...I just can’t help myself. I regret it, I really do and I promise never ever to be such a bitch again! Just let things go back to the way they were. We can be friends, I can make you popular...and I can help you out with your super hot date with the hunk.

At that, I couldn’t help but smile. Despite myself, despite everything that had happened, I couldn’t help but accept.

“Okay, Hopie. Let’s start again.”

Man, was I going to hell.

*

Forty five minutes and several outfit changes later, I was ready to go. I came running downstairs in simple black skinny jeans, converse and a plain tee saying ‘regret nothing’, and my hair tied back in a long braid cascading down my back. I grabbed my favourite jacket and flopped down onto the sofa, glancing anxiously at the clock. I had a good fifteen minutes before Dylan would arrive.