He groaned and threw his phone aside as he fell into his bed, only to stare up at an impossibly white ceiling.
“Everything okay, son?”
Tripp shot up to see his dad standing in the doorway to his room. He had to at least pretend to be alright. His dad wasn’t the one who would want to hear about feelings, especially ones that pertained to romance.
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
An eerie feeling came over Tripp when he remembered something from his encounter with Ashlyn earlier in the day.
“Hey, dad?”
“Yes?”
“When I was with the doctors last night…” He needed to find a way to ask his father without making it sound accusatory, but such a way didn’t come to him. “Did Ashlyn text me?”
His father narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“It’s just, she said she did, and she showed me the messages on her phone.” Tripp knew how bad it was starting to sound, especially given that his father held on to his belongings, while his mother came into the room with him. “I mean, I guess there might have been bad reception in there…But I have messages from other–”
Ronan couldn’t take it. “Yes.” He hated the pained look on Tripp’s eyes ever since that girl had stopped by.
Tripp bit his lip, not fully understanding, and hoping that the conclusions he was jumping to would prove to be false. “I don’t have any though.”
“Tripp,” Ronan sighed. “You have a good head on your shoulders. You have a lot going for you, both academically and with sports. That girl isn’t worth it.”
Tripp scoffed. “So, what? You deleted her messages, so I’d think…” Tripp’s words drifted off when he saw his father slightly wince. He couldn’t believe it. “You don’t like her?”
“I don’t like how you’ve become because of her.”
“I haven’t changed! My grades are still good. This is the best season I’ve ever played!” Tripp still couldn’t believe that his father had deleted Ashlyn’s messages.
“Look, you still have one more year of school. Once you get into college and start getting looked at by the major league, then you can worry about girls,” Ronan sighed.
Tripp didn’t bother telling his father that he had no intention of playing professional ball. As much as he loved it, over the years it had become more like a chore and less like fun.
“And by then, all those girls will only want me for fame and money,” Tripp scoffed, disgusted with what his father was saying.
“I just don’t think that you need to focus so much of your time on that girl right now, and–”
“Stop it,” Tripp screamed. He rarely ever had heated confrontations with his father, but he was running off adrenaline. “Stop calling her that girl. I love that girl.”
Ronan rubbed his temples. “You’re young. There are plenty of other girls.”
Another realization hit Tripp. “Is that why you invited Grace to dinner in front of Ashlyn?”
“The opportunity presented itself,” Ronan said with a shrug.
Tripp knew that it was going to take a long time to forgive his dad for the boundaries that he had overstepped.
Worst of all, he was still torn about Ashlyn. His father didn’t make her run after Eric; however, it wasn’t as though she had completely written him off either. She did try to get in touch with him.
His head was such a mess. He didn’t know what to think or who to believe anymore. His head still hurt from the blows he had taken from Eric, that was more than enough for the day.
Chapter 36
As expected in high school, by Monday morning, rumors were swirling.
Ashlyn was at least thankful that Eric would be gone from her life, for good, or she hoped. With his immediate expulsion, she felt she could finally walk the school without looking over her shoulder, wondering which one of her friends he’d go after next.
“Thanks a lot, loser,” Rachel hissed at Ashlyn that morning in front of her locker.
“Good morning to you too,” Ashlyn grumbled back.
Rachel flipped her hair. “Our baseball team was doing so well, much better than our football team in the fall.”
Ashlyn sighed and rolled her eyes, wondering if Rachel had a point. Up until now Rachel had been annoying, but never quite so hostile in her demeanor.
“Now, thanks to you, and that trash you call a boyfriend…Ugh…Thank goodness he’s expelled. Anyway, I heard Tripp also took a beating, and I don’t mean the one from Eric.”
Not following, “What are you talking about?”
“Hello! Do you see him here?”
Ashlyn glanced around. It was still early. First period hadn’t even started.
“He’s been suspended. There’s no telling how many games he’ll have to miss,” Rachel blabbered.
“Where did you hear that,” Ashlyn asked cautiously. There was no way that Tripp would be suspended. He was the one attacked; he never even fought back.
Rachel waved her hand as if it was common knowledge. “And all because of you. I knew there was someone else, but you?” Rachel shook her head. “I thought we were friends. I can’t believe you went behind my back and stole my boyfriend.”
Ashlyn was seconds away from slamming her head into her own locker. Rachel was over the top dramatic and it was too early in the morning.
While Ashlyn didn’t want to believe what Rachel told her that morning, she became a little anxious when she didn’t see Tripp at lunch.
Emory couldn’t help but take notice.
“He’s not here.”
That got Ashlyn’s attention. “Where is he?”
Emory shrugged. “No clue. I guess at home.”
“Is he suspended,” Ashlyn immediately asked. That had been the rumor she heard in every single class so far.
“I honestly don’t know. I get most of my information from Deacon, but ever since he started dating Melody,” Emory huffed, and tipped her head in the direction of Deacon and Melody at a table with several others. “He’s been a total jerk to me,” she concluded.
Ashlyn bit her lip in frustration. Of all people, Deacon or Ellis would know the truth. Considering that Ellis was with Abby, right across from Rachel, Ashlyn took her chances with the gruff and quiet Deacon.
“Deacon,” Ashlyn began, announcing her presence. Once he turned to face her, “Can I talk to you a minute?”
“Oh, I guess you want to steal my boyfriend too,” Melody snapped.
Ashlyn pinched the bridge of her nose. Generally Melody was somewhat pleasant, but it seemed that recent events had everyone stirred up.
Ignoring Melody, “I just need to ask you about Tripp.”
Deacon’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Ashlyn also knew this to mean for her to continue.
“Is he suspended? Will he get to play tomorrow?”
Ashlyn was extremely concerned about the game. She honestly didn’t care if they won or lost, but she had heard through the grapevine, that was the hallways of the school, that scouts would be present. Without a doubt, Tripp had to play.
Despite knowing that he himself was playing a dangerous one, Deacon wasn’t much for games. As much as he liked Ashlyn, he knew that she made things hard on Tripp. He didn’t want to stir the pot of high school drama, but that didn’t mean he needed to tell Ashlyn everything he knew.
“You don’t see him here, do you,” Deacon asked, avoiding both of her questions.
Ashlyn felt the panic running through her. She hoped that she could make things right with Tripp, but she couldn’t imagine how angry he’d be with suspension and not playing, especially in front of scouts.
Awkwardness ensued as Deacon watched Ashlyn think quietly to herself. After a few more moments, her eyes widened as if a lightbulb went off.
“Thanks, Deacon,” was all she said before rushing from the cafeteria.
Deacon wasn’t exactly sure what just happened, but something told him that Ashlyn was probably going to do something stupid.
Melody n
udged him, getting his attention.
“What?”
“You’d never leave me for another girl, right,” Melody asked with the softest and yet most insecure voice.
“No,” Deacon quickly answered.
He knew dating Melody was going to turn out to be a disaster. After only one week, she was insanely clingy and possessive.
✽ ✽ ✽
Ashlyn couldn’t believe how the tables had turned, and an eerie sense of déjà vu came over her as she headed to Principal Willis. She smiled as she remembered that it was this same path that led her to meet Tripp.
There was a difference now. Now she knew where her loyalties were.
“Hi, Miss Dora,” Ashlyn sweetly greeted the woman at the office desk.
Dora eyed her, already knowing that the girl before her had a problem. She always had a problem when she came by.
“He’s busy.”
Ashlyn grit her teeth. “I understand, but this is important.”
“Isn’t it always,” she scoffed.
“I’ll only be a minute. I swear,” Ashlyn pleaded.
Dora sighed and shook her head. Before she could protest any further, Ashlyn darted around the desk to Principal Willis’ door.
“Come in,” Principal Willis groaned upon hearing the incessant rapping at his door. When he saw the girl who walked through, “Ah, Miss Jennings. If you’re here for why I think you’re here, let me save you the trouble.”
“You don’t understand Principal Willis,” Ashlyn stressed. “I know what happened at the art showing was inexcusable, but you have to understand–”
“Expulsion was the only option after that. I’m sorry. Our school holds a much stricter policy when it comes to fighting.”
Ashlyn’s jaw dropped. She could feel tears coming to her eyes. It was worse than she thought. Above all, it was her fault.
“Please, it wasn’t his fault. You cannot expel him. He didn’t even fight back. He knew the consequences. He’s a great student, and more than anything he deserves to get to play tomorrow. He was only there because of me and–”
Principal Willis held up his hand, abruptly silencing Ashlyn. He scratched at his brow with his forefinger and a small grin made its way to his face.
“I think I’m a little confused as to who he is,” Willis ventured.
“Tripp. Tripp Scott.”
Principal Willis let out a deep and hearty laugh, completely shocking Ashlyn. Why was that funny? If anything, she thought it was quite rude.
“Miss Jennings,” he began. He put his elbows on his desk and folded his hands together. “I’m recalling a similar conversation a couple months ago, so you can see my confusion.”
Ashlyn could feel her cheeks heating.
“I take it you’re not here to protest Mr. Weaver’s expulsion from the school?”
All Ashlyn could do was shake her head, suddenly feeling her throat close up.
“Let me shut down the rumor mill at this school. Whenever I have to make a decision terminating a student’s place here, you can be certain that I do my due diligence. I’m well-aware as to who the aggressor was, which is why Mr. Weaver, and Mr. Weaver alone, is no longer at this school.”
“But…I don’t understand. Is Tripp still suspended?”
“If you’re such good friends with him, perhaps you should have gone to him first, before storming in here,” Principal Willis said, raising his brow suspiciously.
That cut Ashlyn a little. She should have, but Tripp hadn’t said a word to her since he told her to leave. Though that had only been a little over a day, that said a lot when it came to Tripp.
Principal Willis continued. “Tripp Scott is not expelled or suspended. He’s probably not here today because he might have just needed a day away from here. More so, as long as he is present at school tomorrow, know that he will be playing in the game tomorrow,” Principal Willis concluded with a smirk.
When Ashlyn closed the door to the main office and made her way down the hallway, she couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous she must have seemed to Principal Willis. There was no doubt in her mind that her friends would explode in laughter when she told them that one.
She took a deep breath filled with relief. Everything with Tripp was fine, not necessarily between the two of them, but at least he hadn’t gotten in any trouble.
She flipped her phone in her hands over and over as she went in the direction of her next period class, the one she shared with Tripp. She wanted so badly to message him, but what she had no idea.
After everything, she had to be the one to pursue him. That she knew.
Ashlyn nearly jumped out of her seat, the biggest grin in the world spreading across her face as Mrs. Cohen announced the next upcoming project. A few nearby students took notice and gave her menacing looks.
Was she excited about a project, definitely not; however, this gave her the perfect opportunity to talk to Tripp rather than having to wait another day, and as soon as the bell rang, that’s exactly what she did.
Ashlyn: Mrs. Cohen just assigned another project.
Tripp debated how to respond. When he saw Ashlyn’s name come across his screen, his gut churned. A part of him was still hurt. Another part was now embarrassed, both by not giving her the chance to explain and also by vomiting out that he loved her.
He waited at least ten minutes before replying, knowing she’d be in her next class by then, and hopefully unable to continue this meaningless conversation.
Tripp: Individual or partners?
Apparently Ashlyn had ample opportunity to text in her next class, as a text came back within minutes.
Ashlyn: Partners.
Ashlyn’s heart sank when she read Tripp’s next message. All it said was one word. Great.
She could sense his sarcasm through text. If he were excited about working with her, there would have been more, at least an exclamation mark. She could picture him rolling his eyes and tossing the phone as she read that.
✽ ✽ ✽
Tripp groaned and tossed his phone to the side as he fell on the bed. Normally he’d be ecstatic for any moment he got with Ashlyn, but not how things now stood.
Chapter 37
“I still can’t believe your mom is pregnant,” Kayla gasped.
Ashlyn hadn’t gotten the opportunity to share the wonderful news with her friends, especially given recent events. Also, she wanted to make sure it was alright with her mother before she blabbed.
“No offense,” June hesitated. “But isn’t she a little old?”
Ashlyn shrugged and spoke through a mouthful of pizza. “I mean, she’s about to be forty-one, so…”
“Your mom is good,” Emory began. “I mean, Janet Jackson was like fifty when she had a kid.”
June gasped. “At that rate, your mom could have like four or–”
Ashlyn began choking on her pizza. “Let’s just stick with the one for now.”
Her friends continued to talk about their excitement for her. Apparently it was much more fun getting a sibling at their age as opposed to if they were toddlers.
Ashlyn looked up and watched as Tripp sat quietly at one of the jock tables eating his lunch. She would have given anything for him to look up, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards. As giggles and happiness continued on around her, she wanted nothing more than to share the news with Tripp; however, that wasn’t going to be done by text.
She had resigned herself to the fact that he was mad, or hurt, or a combination of emotions when it came to her, and though he was curt in his texts the day prior, she knew that she couldn’t give up.
Tripp wasn’t like Eric. She hated how long it took her to figure out that he was different, different in the best ways.
✽ ✽ ✽
“I can’t believe you followed me,” Ashlyn shrieked from the bathroom stall.
“And I can’t believe you’re skipping class,” Emory huffed back.
“I just can’t do it. I can’t sit next to him and–�
�
“Then maybe you should have, oh, I don’t know…Talked to him sooner!”
“I tried!”
Emory scoffed. “Both of you are being ridiculous, all over stupid misunderstandings.”
“Well, those misunderstandings were enough to put us where we are now,” Ashlyn pointed out.
“Which is completely and totally in love with each other,” Emory cooed.
Ashlyn looked up to her stall’s door and shrieked when she saw a bright blue eye peeking through the crack. “I could be peeing, you know!”
“Look, I’m already late to class. Are you seriously going to sit in here for the next forty minutes,” Emory asked, growing mildly annoyed at what she thought to be childish behavior.
“Please. Just today. Just let me do this today,” Ashlyn sighed.
“You’ll be at the game tonight, yeah?”
Ashlyn’s face clenched up. The thought of watching Tripp in his element both made her heart race as well as her stomach sick to the core.
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Tripp: I hope you’re enjoying ditching class.
Ashlyn’s heart pounded when halfway through a sketch, while trying to make herself comfortable on a toilet, she saw the name flash across the screen. She couldn’t believe Tripp was reaching out. Regardless what he had to say, at least he was saying something.
Ashlyn: I wasn’t feeling well.
Tripp: You seemed fine at lunch.
Tripp should have been paying attention to Mrs. Cohen, especially after resting at home the day before, and now with a new project just beginning; however, Ashlyn’s next text triggered something in him. He didn’t know how to perceive it, whether it was hurt or anger, or something else entirely.
Ashlyn: I’m surprised you noticed.
He could have screamed. He always noticed. Just because he needed space and time to think didn’t mean he didn’t notice everything about her.
He wasn’t about to take the bait, so instead, he veered away from how he wanted to answer.
Picturing Different Page 24