Read Online The Ashley Project by Melissa de La Cruz - Free Book Online Page A

just did back there?” she asked, a cold edge to her voice.
    â€œLook, I know what you’re trying to do,” Lili said softly. Why was she doing this? She looked at the swinging door. Her friends would be waiting for her, hiding behind a bus stop that had a perfect view of Gregory Hall across the street. They would be wondering where she was. Why was she wasting her time with Lauren? But something was compelling her to do it.
    â€œWhat? What am I trying to do?” asked Lauren, blushing and twirling a lock of hair between her fingers.
    â€œGet in with us,” Lili said evenly.
    Lauren gave her an eye roll and a dismissive snort. “Please.”
    â€œFine.” Lili slapped her notebook closed with a bang, as if considering the matter closed. “I thought I would try to help, but I guess you don’t need any.”
    She’d approached Lauren on impulse, because she was mad at Ashley for being so rude to her at the meeting. But maybe it had been a mistake, after all.Lili began to walk away briskly. Maybe if she hurried, Ashley and A. A. wouldn’t even notice that she had lagged behind.
    â€œWait.”
    Lili turned around slowly.
    â€œI want to know what you wanted to say to me,” Lauren said, biting her lip but looking Lili straight in the eye.
    Lili took the gum out of her mouth and spit it gracefully into a Kleenex. “Well, I was going to tell you that Ashley doesn’t like to make new friends. . . .”
    â€œI don’t need you to tell me that,” said Lauren.
    â€œWill you listen?” Lili asked. She couldn’t tell who was more annoying, Ashley or Lauren—they kind of reminded her of each other.
    â€œGo on,” Lauren said stubbornly.
    â€œAshley doesn’t like new people, but if you can give her something that she wants, then she’d be okay with having you around.”
    â€œWhy are you telling me this?” Lauren asked.
    Lili sighed. It was a question she was asking herself as well. Why rock the boat? Why befriend Lauren? She thought about how Ashley always got the red bag, the best seat, the ability to use her own name.
    Ashley always got what she wanted, and she wanted Lauren “out.” But maybe things would be more fun if Lauren was “in.” Her mother’s words rang in her ear. You have to be your own person. Get out of Ashley’s shadow.
    â€œI don’t know,” Lili said finally. “Maybe I’m just bored.”

13
SOMETIMES IT’S NOT REALLY ABOUT THE BOY, BUT THE COMPANY
    â€œWHERE’S LI?” ASHLEY ASKED, KEEPING her voice low even though there was no one around to hear.
    â€œDunno,” A. A. whispered back. The two of them were being as quiet as possible, and every few seconds one of them would peek out from their hiding spot behind the bus shelter, eyes trained on the massive oak doors of Gregory Hall across the street.
    The boys’ school was located just a few blocks away from Miss Gamble’s, housed in four interconnected ivy-covered brick buildings. Ashley watched several cars idling by the sidewalk as moms and drivers awaited their passengers. A crossing guard (a parent in an orange tech vest) stood at the corner, ready to marshallittle ones to safety. The girls had been standing there for what seemed like hours, although in reality it was only a few minutes.
    â€œHere I am,” Lili said, materializing suddenly and squeezing in next to them. “I was in the bathroom,” she explained. “Had to change my tampon,” she added smugly. Lili always had to rub it in that she and A. A. had gotten theirs while Ashley was still waiting for hers.
    â€œTMI!” Ashley gagged. Let A. A. and Lili bond over getting their “little friend,” as her mom called it. Gross! She could wait forever if she had to. Who wanted to walk around with all those icky things between your legs? Ashley noticed that Lili had also put on an extra coat of lip