Chapter 3 SECRETS UNVILE 2

Ashley continued packing her clothes from the wardrobe, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't understand why her mom had kept the truth hidden for so long. If she knew her dad was killed by a vampire, why didn't she share the truth with her? Ashley felt she deserved to know what happened to her father.

Rosalie Evans, her best friend, and roommate, entered the room and tried to talk to Ashley, but she remained silent, focused on packing her belongings.

"Ashley, I'm talking to you," Rose said again, concerned by her friend's state.

Ignoring the question about her exams, Ashley declared that she was leaving to take care of something at home. Rose was worried about the danger of leaving the school, but Ashley reassured her that she would be fine.

Rose tried to be open with her friend, but she pressed Ashley to talk about what was bothering her. Ashley struggled to find the words to explain her feelings about her father's death, afraid of how Rose would react.

After some prodding, Ashley revealed a vague explanation, attributing her emotional state to the imagination. She didn't want to burden Rose with the truth she was unsure of.

Rose sensed something deeper was going on but didn't want to push Ashley too hard. She assured Ashley that she was there for her and would support her in any way she could.

As the conversation shifted, Rose brought up Jasmin, Ashley's new seatmate in class. Ashley dismissed him, claiming he was annoying and not as handsome as others in Beverly Hills. Rose playfully teased Ashley about the possibility of a love story with Jasmin, but Ashley vehemently denied any such notion.

Ashley prepared for her exams the next day and encountered Jasmin outside her dorm. He offered her a ride to school, which she refused, irritated by his presence. Jasmin was persistent, but Ashley walked away, leaving him in awe.

Meanwhile, Jasmin's encounter with the seductive lady piqued his interest, and he arranged a meeting with her for the following day.

Ashley struggled with her exams in class, while Jasmin finished quickly and left. As he exited, he heard Miguel's voice in his head, taunting him about being the talk of the school.

Miguel, sitting in the corner of the class, was annoyed by Jasmin's attitude and actions.

Ashley was packing her clothes from the wardrobe, tears streaming down her cheeks. The revelation about her dad's death haunted her, and she couldn't bear the weight of the truth alone. Why had her mom kept this secret from her for so long? Didn't she deserve to know what happened to her dad?

"Ashley," her best friend and roommate, Rosalie Evans, cooed as she walked in, looking surprised by Ashley's distressed state. However, Ashley couldn't bring herself to talk to her, and she continued packing her clothes.

"Ashley, I'm talking to you," Rose tried again, but Ashley remained silent.

After finishing her packing, Ashley zipped up her bag and hung it on her shoulders before turning to Rose.

"I'm leaving, Rose. I need to take care of something back at home," Ashley said with a trembling voice.

"What's wrong with you, Ashley? Why can't you talk to me? You have exams tomorrow, for crying out loud!" Rose's frustration and concern were evident in her voice.

"The exams can go to hell for all I care, Rose. Right now, I'm leaving, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it," Ashley retorted, tears welling up in her eyes.

Rose tried to reason with Ashley, fearing the danger of her leaving the school without notice. But Ashley was adamant about taking care of her inner turmoil first. She couldn't keep this burden to herself any longer.

"Promise me you'll be fine," Rose pleaded.

"I will be fine, that's a promise," Ashley assured, trying her best to push her worries away.

Rose hugged her tightly, understanding that Ashley needed some space to process her emotions. "Take your time, Ashley. I'll be here for you whenever you're ready to talk," Rose whispered.

Ashley went to the bathroom to wash her tear-streaked face. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she realized that she couldn't hide the truth from Rose forever. She had to confide in her best friend and share the heavy burden she carried.

When she returned to the room, Rose was waiting for her, concern etched on her face. Ashley took a deep breath, ready to open up to her friend.

"Rose, have you ever been lied to by the person you trust the most?" Ashley began tentatively.

Rose's eyes widened with surprise at the unexpected confession. "Ashley, what do you mean?"

With a shaky voice, Ashley recounted the memories of her dad's death and her growing suspicion that he might have been killed by a vampire. She hesitated while revealing the part about vampires and their existence but decided to trust Rose completely.

Rose listened intently, absorbing every word Ashley shared. "Oh, Ashley, I can't even imagine what you must be going through. But you know I'm here for you, right? We'll face this together," Rose said, offering her support and understanding.

Over the next few hours, Ashley shared everything with Rose, from her suspicions to the strange encounters with Jasmin, the newly transferred student. Rose listened, hugged her, and assured her that they would find a way to uncover the truth together.

The next day, as Ashley sat in the exam hall, her mind was still preoccupied with thoughts about her dad and the vampires. She struggled to focus on the exam questions, her hands shaking as she tried to write. When Jasmin completed his exam early and left, Ashley felt a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

Her heart raced as she thought about the events of the previous day. Was Jasmin just an annoying classmate, or did he have some connection to the supernatural world she had learned about? She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to him than met the eye.

After the exam, Ashley decided to confront Jasmin about his strange behavior. She found him outside the classroom, and before he could speak, she mustered her courage and asked, "Why are you so interested in me? Is there something you're hiding?"

Jasmin's smirk vanished, and he looked taken aback by her question. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought we could be friends, that's all," he said, trying to sound innocent.

Ashley narrowed her eyes, not fully convinced by his response. "I can't trust anyone easily, especially after everything I've learned recently. If you're hiding something, I suggest you stay away from me."

As Jasmin walked away, Ashley couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and suspicion. Could Jasmin be involved with the creatures her dad encountered? She knew she needed to investigate further, but she also understood the potential dangers.

The days that followed were filled with inner turmoil for Ashley. She tried her best to focus on her studies, but the mysteries surrounding her dad's death and the enigmatic Jasmin kept distracting her.

One evening, while sitting in the college library, Ashley came across an old book on supernatural creatures. She began reading about vampires and the signs of their presence. Her heart raced as she learned more about the creatures that had haunted her thoughts.

As she delved deeper into the book, she felt a sense of determination. She needed to know the truth about her dad's death, even if it meant facing dangerous adversaries.

Over the next few weeks, Ashley and Rose began investigating the legends surrounding the mysterious building mentioned by the teacher. They researched vampire lore and consulted ancient texts to uncover the truth.

Their investigation led them to an old historian, who shared chilling tales of supernatural occurrences in the town over the centuries. As Ashley listened to the stories, she couldn't help but wonder if her dad's death was somehow connected to these ancient legends.

With each revelation, Ashley's thirst for the truth grew stronger, and she vowed to confront the darkness that had taken her father from her.

Meanwhile, Jasmin's true intentions remained concealed. He had his reasons for being at the college and was determined to keep his secrets hidden.

As the days turned into weeks and the college year progressed, the paths of Ashley and Jasmin would intersect more than once. Little did they know that their destinies were intertwined in ways they couldn't yet fathom.