"Alright, any problem, remember to letknow." "Sure." After Brook left, Ashley turned around and saw Gracie's cold expression.
Ashley was startled and lowered her head awkwardly, "Gracie, why the long face?" "You run to Brook with your problems, not me? You trust her? She just stood by and did nothing, I've always had a bone to pick with her!" Ashley hung her head low, "That incident... I don't blanyone, it's water under the bridge. Gracie, I've moved on, you should too. I've got Steph, I've got Emily. It's enough." "What about me? Ashley, you left, do you have any idea what that's done to me? You ditched our shared dream. You wasted your life on a guy, and because of that, I can't stand men, I'm almost forty and I've never even dated! I don't just despise men, I'm scared! Do you know my life's been a mess because of you?" Ashley's pale face stared at her, speechless.
She knew she'd let Gracie down, betrayed her trust, and all her sacrifices.
But she never thought it would have such a huge impact.
"I'm... I'm sorry." "What good is sorry! Ashley, you can run away, you've got your reasons. But me, Gracie, I'll never forgive you!" "I..." "Gracie, why are you being so mean to my teacher?" "I'm not, we're just talking, Steph, don't get it twisted. I've got to go, I've got work, you stay here and keep your teacher company." "Okay." "Gracie, letwalk you out." Gracie glanced at Ashley, "If you've got the guts to walkhome, do it. Otherwise stay here and keep hiding." With that, she stormed off.
Seeing this, Stephanie felt bad for Ashley, "Gracie's being so mean to you." Ashley gave a bitter smile, "I owe her a lot. I never thought my issues would affect her like this." "Teacher, you can't take all the blame. Gracie's just trying to push your buttons, hoping you'll get out more, stop being so scared." "But Steph, I am scared, you don't know what I went through." "No, teacher, I do know, Silver Fox toldeverything yesterday."