ASHLEY (broken but strong)

SIX

Ashley did not know for how long she had slept. When she woke up, she found everywhere almost dark. What! She has been sleeping all day?

.

She sat straight on the bed. She had just managed to sleep well but not without strange and scary dreams.

She glanced around the room. The curtains were all drawn down. The room is slightly illuminated.

On a table beside her is a tray of food and bottled cold water with some juice. Layla took the pain to cook for her? How kind of her.

Layla enters the room.

“Hey Ash, how are you doing? You have been sleeping all day” Layla said sitting on the bed.

“Yes, I feel refreshed now” Ashley said.

“Your meal. You have to eat something and feel better okay “ Ashley said gestures at the food on the table.

“Yeah but I don't have an appetite. I'd just have a glass of juice “ Ashley said.

“No,no,no” you have to eat real food, you may fall sick if you don't” Layla said.

Ashley stared at Layla. To be honest, she is surprised at Layla's caring attitude. Before now, their friendship has always been rocky. With Layla accusing her of being a show off.

Layla is an orphan and she is being trained by her strict uncle abroad so she doesn't have the money for luxuries.

Ashley is loved by almost all of her classmates and she often notice Layla is jealous about this even with the fact that Ashley always extend her good fortunes to all of her friends including Layla.

Layla should have been at the party but she mentioned sorting something important with her uncle. But Ashley has her reservations. She thinks Layla has her reasons and was Maybe jealous.

Ashley managed to eat three spoons of the beef stew and rice before she pushed the plate away. She does not have an appetite.

She asked for a milkshake instead and Layla made some for her.

“I need a phone” she said to Layla as she sips her milk.

“Okay, we can go purchase it tomorrow. Do you have any cash with you” Layla asked.

“Yes, and some outfits too” Ashley said and Layla nodded.

“We should also visit some places tomorrow, you know. One of my friends is having a party tomorrow, I think we should go together “ Layla said.

It did not sit well with Ashley. To think she was almost killed last night at a birthday party. Now she has to go to another party. What sort of trauma is that?

“I don't want to go, I just want to stay at home and rest my brain “ she said but Layla tried to convince her. She however refused but Layla kept convincing her.

“You need to get out of this mood “ she said.

The next morning came and Ashley never was burdened about her parents. And Luther too. Even Jeremy but she die not even know what to do. Jeremy had warned her never to go to the police. She doesn't have a phone to search either. It is tough for her.

Layla had promised to take her out by evening so they can purchase the things they want and then go to the party but she does not want to go to the party.

By six in the evening, Layla and Ashley were done dressing up. Despite Ashley's protests, Layla insisted she wear a very beautiful dress but she refused to make up.

To be honest, she is going out because she will be getting new phones and new stuffs she will be needing. She miss her ola life. All she needs is to make an order on her phone and everything she was is brought to her house. What does she ever lack? Nothing! She shook her head in pity.