Ashlyn's Luck

By Tashina Tradell

One night, one situation, one lie, can change your life forever…

 

When the innocence of young adulthood blinds Ashlyn from the everyday issues that surround her, she becomes sucked up in a world of disturbing truths, where she finds out just how much looks really can be deceiving. Decisions that she once believed she had a choice on are swiftly taken away as her self-identity is stripped forcefully from her life.

 

A life that was changed in a single instant as darkness crept around her, isolating Ashlyn from those she once trusted. Making her question how something so sinister can be overlooked and ignored so easily.

 

Ashlyn fights through some of the darkest times of her life to find courage and hope in a time when both are scarce, but will it be enough?

 

Ashlyn's Luck is a novel about a young woman that struggles to find herself after a traumatizing event changes the course of her life.

 

Intended for Mature audience. Please check contents on authors website.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tashina Tradell
• Release date: May 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9798201006709

Tashina Tradell

Tashina Tradell is an author of many genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy and YA fantasy. Werewolves, shapeshifters, vampires and witches only scratch the surface of what this author's stories will entrance you with. Starting her journey of writing just out of high school, she has taken many different paths in life that have detoured her along the way, but have always landed her right back in front of a keyboard. Living with her small family in the western part of the United States she loves spending all the time that she can with them. Life is too short not to. The rain motivates her to center on her thought process and get the stories that stir in her mind down on paper, (or more like on computer,) giving her the chance to share her unique ideas with the world. You can find Tashina Tradell online at https://tashinatradell.wixsite.com/tahliahambrose?fbclid=IwAR27FR4zj96t0mPXKRM5mRdi8a_BjhrMyWH8d2JL7Xj14eOfGTgcxkz-Zho Like and Follow Tashina Tradell social media for updates on her upcoming books! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ttradell/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ttradell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.tradell.t.ambrose.author/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tashinatradell Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5086412.Tashina_Tradell

Book preview

Chapter One

Just do it, Ashlyn thought. Just jump. The cold, harsh wind blew her long dark hair wildly around her face. Rain stung her skin like thousands of little needles beating into her. All she could think about was how much she didn’t want the life that she held. There was nothing she could do about dying now. It was going to happen whether or not she wanted it to. She might as well be the one to decide when it would happen. No one else would want this kind of life.

Being as cold as it was, Ashlyn scolded herself for not taking pills, or using a gun instead of the route she was on now. This gave her too much time to think about her decision. She had never thought about doing this before. Ashlyn could have dealt with everything that had happened up until tonight, but this was too much. People always had a breaking point, and she had reached hers.

Remembering back when she could and would have told anyone that suicide wasn’t the answer, Ashlyn thought that now, maybe they could have been right all along. This was her way out of all the pain. Now she understood why people did this. Like a record that was skipping, everything that had happened up to this very moment replayed in her head. She had gotten cheated from a good life.

Ashlyn had always thought that bad things like this never happened to good people, but now she realized that luck had no discrimination. With one foot over the edge, she couldn’t hold on anymore. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest with its repeated heavy pounding.

Owww, Ashlyn screamed, as pain stabbed at her body.

The pain was too much to handle. She never thought it was right to condemn a life before it really had the chance to live, but that’s all she could think to do now. Everything sounded like it was a mile away. The cars below her honked as the rain spattered on the cold metal of the bridge.

Voices were calling her name from a distance, but they were muffled by the whipping of the wind. It’s time, Ashlyn thought, it’s now or never. Forcing herself to pry her frozen fingers from the metal bridge, her whole body started to shake. With one arm and one leg dangling in the air above the speeding cars, she apologized to life. Closing her eyes as the last few months of her life flashed before her, Ashlyn forced herself to remember why she was giving up on this life. Letting go of the cold metal, she felt herself giving in to her pleas of death as her body floated away.

Earlier That Year

OH MY GOD, HE IS SOOO hot, Ashlyn told Kristy, her best friend of nine years.

Kristy was standing at her locker staring at a perfect image in a small mirror that hung on the inside of the orange locker door. Ashlyn stared at the tall, sexy, and most popular guy in their senior class who was standing across the hallway at his own locker.

Ya, Kristy sprayed hairspray on a loose piece of her bleached blond and blood red streaked hair. And sooo far out of your league honey.

Kristy’s hair went down to the middle of her back, but no one could tell because she always had it done up in some new style that she picked out of her favorite fashion magazine. Ashlyn always thought Kristy went overboard on her fashion, at least in school.

Sorry Ash, but it’s true, Kristy smiled sympathetically. That man is so fine I think he is out of everyone’s league in this school, she added, still looking in the small mirror with her baby blue eyes.

Ashlyn couldn’t help but to stare at the built football star of their senior class with longing in her eyes. Corey Mitchell had been Ashlyn’s crush for the past two years of high school. She knew that Kristy was right though. Corey only talked to her when he needed help with his homework. He was way out of her league.

I know, I know, Ashlyn shrugged. He asked me to help him with his History paper again, she rolled her big brown eyes at Kristy. I just couldn’t say no! she said, poking out her bottom lip like a puppy dog.

Corey Mitchell? Kristy nodded towards Ashlyn’s crush. "You mean, you are going to do his History paper again," she corrected Ashlyn.

He just has so much to deal with right now, Ashlyn made excuses for her crush.

He has a way of getting exactly what he wants out of you without actually working for it, Kristy explained as she shut her locker and started walking to their first period class.

So what, Ashlyn rolled her eyes, I don’t care.

Of course you don’t, Kristy shook her head as they passed the popular jock. He’s just got you whooped!

No he doesn’t, she shook her head, her shoulder length dark brown hair bobbing from side to side. I just wanted to help him.

You’re not helping him, Kristy disagreed. You’re doing it for him.

Why do you hate him so much?

She couldn’t help looking over her shoulder and back at the muscular blond haired man as they passed Corey in the hallway. She was most certain she would do anything for him and all he would have to do is ask it of her.

Walking into a small classroom, they took their normal seats in the back.

Kristy looked at her darkly and said, He’s just not as nice as you think he is, and then sat down in the small cream colored desk. I mean, he is nice to you because he is trying to get something out of you.

He is not trying to get anything out of me, Ashlyn interjected.

Why couldn’t her friend just be a normal girl and gossip with her? It seemed more like Kristy was just trying to get in the way of what Ashlyn really wanted, or maybe Kristy was jealous. Either way, Ashlyn thought that her friend should be supportive of her instead of always mocking her.

He is getting his homework assignments out of you, Kristy pointed at the completed assignment that Ashlyn pulled out of her book bag. Once you don’t give him what he wants, he will become a complete jerk.

How do you know? Ashlyn asked, now a little irritated. What are you guys, best buds now?

Ashlyn knew that things could never happen between her and Corey like she wanted, but at least her best friend could give her hope. What was so wrong with fantasizing? No one ever ends up with their high school crush, but at least Ashlyn was able to talk to him once in awhile, which was close enough for her.

No, I’ve just been to a few parties with him, Kristy explained. I know how he acts, I’ve seen it, she said, scowling as she grabbed her English book and a notepad from her bag.

Okay okay, Ashlyn smiled. It was a great idea while it lasted at least, she added, ending the conversation.

It was easier than arguing with her. Kristy was pretty hard headed and she wouldn’t give up an argument. Ashlyn usually never went to parties with Kristy. Her mom was the party animal and she never wanted to be like her mom. The many nights of cleaning up vomit and putting her mom to bed, was enough to teach Ashlyn that she wanted more out of life.

So what are you doing this weekend? Ashlyn asked, now grabbing her own English book and notepad.

I’m not sure, Kristy shrugged. I’m probably going to hang out with Jake.

Now he is a shady character, Ashlyn bated her friend. Why don’t you just chill with me? I really don’t have much to do, she hinted.

She wasn’t lying when Ashlyn said she wouldn’t be doing much this weekend. Her mother and her new boyfriend were probably going out again. Bar hoping was their favorite thing to do. Since Ashlyn was obviously old enough to take care of herself her mother acted like the chains were broken and she was free to be young again.

You’re not going to your dads this weekend? Kristy asked.

No, he is going on another business trip to China, Ashlyn thanked her dad silently. Apparently there’s a problem with numbers being down, and he gets to find out why.

Her father was a big CEO of a wiring and electronics company. Being in charge of all the over sea’s accounts made it to where her father was never home. Her parents had gotten a divorce when Ashlyn was eight so she was used to not having both parents there all the time. She was happy that her father was going to be gone on the weekend that she was supposed to be at his house, per the custody agreement. It was boring for her to be with her father. He spent most of his time at his office and if he was home, they pretty much steered clear of each other.

Why don’t you come and hang out with Jake and me? Kristy offered. Jake’s having a party Saturday night, it will be fun, she said, smiling mischievously.

I don’t know, Ashlyn narrowed her eyes. I’m not really into the whole getting drunk off your ass and waking up next to a dog you swore you would never sleep with type of thing.

Ashlyn stopped talking when Corey walked into the room and sat down in the desk next to her.

Hey there cutie, he smiled his perfect set of teeth as he winked one of his green eyes at her. Is that what I think it is? he gestured toward the paper at the edge of Ashlyn’s desk.

Um, Ashlyn had to find her words again. Ya, I hope it’s good enough.

Corey shrugged as he grabbed the paper and looked it over quickly.

Oh, he sighed. You didn’t have to do the whole thing, but this really does help me out.

Huh, she could hear Kristy sigh in disbelief from her other side.

No big deal, Ashlyn sat back in her desk.

Thanks doll, Corey said as he got up and walked over to his normal seat.

Ugh, Kristy grunted, Makes me sick.

Drop it, Ashlyn whispered with a dangerous tone.

Oh alright, Kristy rolled her baby blue eyes. So about the party, just control your drinking, she whispered as the teacher walked into the room.

Mrs. Beak had short blond curly hair that was streaked with a little bit of grey, sitting loosely on top of her head as she looked around with piercing brown eyes. She was obviously trying to catch people talking. English had to be the most boring subject of all. It was even worse that it was the first class of the day.

If she wanted to talk to Kristy anymore about the weekend it would have to be at lunch. Mrs. Beak would definitely see the two of them handing notes back and forth if they even tried, and the punishment for passing notes would be the teacher reading them aloud to the class. They didn’t have any other classes together either. Texting was out of the question too. There was no way Ash was willing to risk getting her phone taken.

Ashlyn did have something to look forward to though. History class and it was right before her last class of the day which was choir. Corey had history class with her, and that was the only good thing about that class. He was just so sexy and charming. She didn’t know how Kristy could not like him. The up side to going to a party with Kristy though was the possibility that Corey would probably be there.

He was about the most popular guy in school, and even though she knew Kristy was right about him using Ashlyn, she couldn’t help but give in. When he smiled at her, the butterflies would take over and make her giddy. It was mostly embarrassing, but her doing his work was the only way she had ever received attention from him.

Ashlyn had a lot of time to think about what to do for the weekend. She didn’t know if she wanted to stay at home or hang out with Kris and Jake. Jake was an overly confident jerk and she didn’t know if she really wanted to be around him. He hung out with Corey and all his gang, but he also hung out with the kids who were into drugs. Ashlyn really hoped that Kristy wouldn’t get into any of that.

Thinking about how boring it would be to sit home alone, Ashlyn started wondering what she would wear if she did go to the party. It would have to be something a little revealing. She had curves, and if she wanted to catch Corey’s attention, then she would have to show them off.

Well let me know what you want to do this weekend, Kristy said as the bell rang at the end of class.

Alright, Ashlyn nodded. See you at lunch.

It sucked that she didn’t have any more classes with her best friend. At least she would have time to finish all her homework for the weekend with the extra time in the rest of her classes. If she didn’t have Kristy there to guide her, Ashlyn would be a complete dork. She always had her homework done on time and was a straight A student. A goody good is what most of the kids called her. Ashlyn didn’t care though. She had to remind herself that there was a life beyond high school, and she wasn’t going to be stuck living it in poverty because of a lack of education.

If there was one thing she gained from her parents, it was the perspective of what it’s like to be successful and what it’s like not to be. The mirror of her mom against her dad, and if she could prevent being like her mom, she would.

Kristy was completely opposite from Ashlyn. She was popular and everyone loved her. Homework was something Kristy only turned in when she felt like it. Graduating was not a priority to her, and if she did graduate, it would be because Ashlyn was always pushing her into finishing her school work. Parties and friends were the only things that mattered to Kristy.

She was the only person that really brought out the fun side of life to Ash. If it weren’t for Kris, Ash would be permanently stuck in a book. Staying out of trouble came naturally to Ash, but it was the complete opposite for Kristy. Most of the time, Ash could bring Kristy down to a negotiable state where she could be reasoned with. At the same time, whatever they did together to get to that point, were the most exciting parts of Ash’s life.

Walking into the library, Ashlyn immediately started to put books away. Being a library aid for her second period class was nice because it gave her all the alone time she needed to recuperate from acting stupid in front of Corey in the previous class. All she had to do was put away books that had been checked back in from students, make sure the area was clean, and check books in and out. It was the easiest class ever. Unfortunately being a library aide made her seem even more like a dork.

Hey there sexy, a voice surprised her from behind.

Ashlyn nearly dropped the books in her hands. Twirling around, she came face to face with Corey Mitchell. Corey smiled at her, his bright green sexy eyes staring at her as he did so.

Oh...hi, Ashlyn stuttered a little. Was there something wrong with the History paper?

No darling, he picked a book from her hands and started reading the back of it.

Ok, she narrowed her big brown eyes. Do you need help with more homework or something?

Does there have to be a reason for me to come up and talk to you? Corey shook his head.

He looked so good in his letterman jacket. There were patches for football, basketball, and track on it. Even though the jacket was a little big, Ashlyn could still see his bulging muscles as he played with the book in his hands. Corey was wearing a slightly loose blue tee shirt that was just tight enough to show off his six pack abs, and a sexy pair of dark blue jeans.

Ashlyn could feel herself blushing not only at the thoughts she was having of how sexy he was, but also from his question. Of course there had to be a reason for him to talk to her. Corey never talked to her unless it dealt with his school work.

No, Ashlyn shook her head. I guess not.

Good, Corey smiled. Actually I was wondering something.

Great, she thought. She knew there was a catch for him talking to her. What else could he want? There was no way that he would ever be interested in her for more than homework. He didn’t even date anyone in school. It was rumored that he had slept with a few girls, but he made a habit of keeping himself available.

Are you and Kristy going to Jake’s party Saturday? he finally asked.

Ashlyn turned away from him and started putting books back again. She knew what this was about then. He was probably interested in Kristy. Who better to talk to about Kristy than her dorky best friend Ashlyn?

I don’t know, she responded without looking at him. I’m probably busy.

Watching the guy of her dreams go after her best friend was not something that she wanted to see. Ashlyn couldn’t blame him though. Kristy was really pretty. She had the perfect body, and she looked cute in anything she wore.

Well how am I ever supposed to hang out with you if you’re always busy? Corey grabbed her arm and guided her back around to look at him, one of his eyebrows arched.

This only made him look even hotter. It had to be because she knew she could never actually be with him. There was always something about wanting what you can’t have.

That’s silly, Ashlyn laughed. Why would you want to hang out with me?

She hated herself as the words escaped her mouth. Not really planning on saying anything like that, Ashlyn felt herself blushing. That was not something that she wanted to say. Now she just looked like a pathetic idiot.

Why wouldn’t I, Corey grabbed her hand as Ashlyn put the last book away. You’ve helped me out a lot sexy.

You really want to do a tutor session at a party, Ashlyn said the first thing that came to mind.

That was the only thing he had ever wanted from her. If he wanted her to do another paper for him, all he had to do was ask.

Your funny, Corey laughed, revealing his perfect white teeth.

Corey walked closer to her, and she could feel her heartbeat rising. What was he playing at? Before Ashlyn could react, he cupped her cheek in one hand and brought her face to his lips. There was no way he didn’t know the effect he had on women.

Kissing her cheek, he whispered, See you this weekend cutie.

Her skin tingled where his lips touched her cheek as she watched him walk out of the library. Ashlyn was so shocked she couldn’t even say a word. It was a good thing that the librarian was in her office, or Ashlyn would have gotten in trouble for visiting during the time she was supposed to be working.

Pushing her short shoulder length dark brown hair out of her face, Ashlyn couldn’t take her eyes off of Corey. How could he possibly think she was sexy? She didn’t know what had made him notice her that way, but she had to be thankful and take the opportunity. Ashlyn was going to that party.

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, Kristy said while Ashlyn surveyed the lunchroom. He actually kissed you?

Just on the cheek, Ashlyn rolled her eyes. So should I go to the party or not?

Ash, Kristy said, using her favorite nick name for Ash as she looked at her seriously. I want you to go with me, but you should be careful with Corey.

What do you mean? Ash asked. What’s so bad about him?

He has a bad reputation with girls, Kristy replied, biting into a chicken sandwich. I just don’t want you to get hurt, she mumbled with a mouthful of poultry and bread.

I can look out for myself, Ash assured her, not paying attention to her own lunch. Besides, you will be there with me.

True, Kristy said. And believe me. I will be keeping an eye on him.

"Calm down