Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What?!”

“We just think it’ll be a better, safer option for you Trouper. I get you guys have a strong connection with each other but- Emma back me up here will you?”

“What your dad is trying to say is ash, we get you guys have been through so much, but us as your parents are insanely worried. Yes we know the entire thing is over but we can’t help but feel paranoid. Please understand that Ashlyn.”

“. . .”
“Okay.”

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

“Just leave me and Taylor alone! We don’t want to talk about it or remember it. Either move on and grow up, or just make yourself invisible. Got it?”

“Tyler-“

“I dont want to hear it.”

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Ashlyn Banner 17

-After everything went back to (mostly) normal, Ashlyn’s parents convinced her to do her junior year online. After not seeing her friends after a year, she’s quickly reverted back into her comfort zone. Self isolation from everyone at school.

Aiden Clark 16

-After the events, he managed to stay in Alto GA. Due to Ashlyn leaving and not contacting the group, he tried to keep everyone together. Had a huge fight with Tyler that quickly led to him leaving the group and taking Taylor with him. He hangs around a few groups but never really fit into any of them like he did with the old gang.

Ben Clark 17

-After everything, he stuck with Aiden. He understood why Tyler was quick to leave, and still keeps in contact with him and Taylor from time to time but nothing like how they used to be. Mostly spends his free time volunteering at animal shelters.

Logan Fields 16

-Logan went half online and half in person. He does dual enrollment and helps tutor kids at a local elementary school and helps as a teacher assistant.

Tyler + Taylor Hernandez 17

-After Aiden had made a remark about Tyler dying, he was offended. He separated himself and had Taylor follow him. He keeps in contact with Ben, while Taylor keeps close contact with Ben and Logan.

They’re all beginning Senior year, Ashlyn is now finishing her last year in person (with the option to continue doing online if she wants). 

This fic probably wont have a consistent uploading schedule but I’ll make sure to write here and there^^ I’ll try posting the 1st chapter by Wednesday hopefully.

Chapter Text

August 24th, 2018.

Ashlyn got up 2 hours before the bus would stop by.

She didn’t ride the bus anymore though, she could drive herself to school now. She just used the bus as a reminder she should be heading to school soon since she used to have a problem with keeping track of the time. 

She had to mentally prepare herself to face people she did and didn’t know. Old and new.

Ashlyn didn’t look that different, at least in her opinion. Her two long dutch braids turned into medium length hair with layers, it felt lighter that way without having her hair too short for her liking. She brushed through it and sighed at the static energy created from the friction of her hair and her pillow. She put her hair in a half up half down hair style, brushing her teeth after. 

She splashed her face with cold water to try to ease her anxiety, didn’t work.

She went through her closet and pretended to have no idea what to wear despite having her clothes set for each day of the week. She got changed in a matter of minutes, putting on a black T-Shirt from some band her dad liked and a pair of dark washed baggy jeans with converse.

Of course, she couldn’t leave without her earplugs. Despite the whole “incident” being over, she still had overly sensitive ears. She grabbed her bag and phone. Sitting on the edge of her bed scrolling mindlessly. Her phone was bare, despite still having buried messages of texts from her group, she had nothing but texts from her mom and dad. 

An hour or so passed before she finally decided to get up and start driving to beat the large crowds of people.

She headed down stairs, greeting her dad and grabbing her keys. 

“Have a nice day trouper, text me if you need to.” Her dad said, giving her a finger gun. What he really meant was “text me if someone bothers you or if I need to demolish some jerkwad at school.”

”Thanks, I will.” Ashlyn called out as she left. Walking down the stairs and heading to her dad’s (now) Old truck. Reminding herself to steady her hands and take a breather before starting the car. She turned the key and backed up to get onto the road, heading towards the school.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Ashlyn parked her car in the student parking lot, a few kids were already there but not many. She thought might as well get to class early.

After shoving her keys into her pocket she got her bag out and started walking.

A few people she saw during her first 2 years were in the hallways, they probably forgot about her. Thinking she’s just another new student, they ignored her presence. She had her schedule on her phone, so no having to visit the office. She played music as she walked, ignoring everyone and keeping her head down.

Ashlyn made her way to the class, maybe 2 other people there but she didn't pay attention to them. She looked to see names in the corner of every seat, alphabetically ordered of course. She was right next to the window. She didn't even look at the people next to her and she didn't care, she just needed this day to be done so she can go home and complain to her parents about it and go back to online school. She rested her head on the desk.

As time moved, more students came in. She heard a girl and boy duo talking close behind her, later she assumed one of their friends sat with them since they both had a perfectly timed “hey”. Another boy sat right next to her, yapping about something she didn’t care about, though his voice sounded familiar.

”Hello! Welcome to class everyone! If i may have everyone’s attention for a moment, i would like to introduce myself to you all.” The teacher was overly enthusiastic, he sounded nice, but too enthusiastic for the first day. Ashlyn picked up her head to look at the teacher, catching a slight glance at the boy next to her.

He had a sort of dirty blonde, the type that was pretty obviously bleached blonde. He really needed a touch up.

“Ashlyn, please introduce yourself to the class.” She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts. The teacher, Mr. Williams, asked her to introduce herself. Suddenly she felt eyes on her, the boy next to her turned to her. She caught a better glimpse at him, he looked…

”Ashlyn?” Mr Williams called.

”Ah sorry… I’m Ashlyn Banner. Or just Lynn. I like dogs…” Lynn?? She never had anyone call her that, she just said whatever her brain could think of and went with it. She took a quick breather, still feeling the boys eyes on her.

”Next.”

”I’m Aiden. I like going out, geocaching, and skateboarding.”

oh.

oh.

That’s why he felt familiar.

Aiden and Ashlyn had “something” back then, when they still talked, when she didn't shut herself in. 

It was gone, after a year of no contact. But she felt something heavy on her chest, a pit in her stomach. 

She dissociated until she heard the rest of them.

”His name is Ben.”

”I’m Logan.”

”Hi I’m Taylor!”

”Tyler.”

She felt nauseous, no, even worse. She tried to clear it from her head. Nothing worked. She sat in her seat until the bell went off. Thank god.

Ashlyn needed to get out of that classroom as soon as possible, she didn't care that she heard Aiden calling her name. She walked to her next period as soon as she could. It felt suffocating to be around them, not because she hated them, but because she blamed herself for creating the tension. She hoped she would be free in her next period. Nope.

”Logan fields?”

“Here!”

Maybe third period?

”Tyler Hernandez?”

”Here.”

Nope.

Each class she had it seemed like she couldn’t get rid of them. They used to be practically inseparable, what happened? She needed this to be over.

She didn’t even bother going to lunch, it was late in the day and she just had one class left after. She spent her time in the library to avoid everyone. Ashlyn sat in the back, hidden by the tall cases of textbooks and non-fiction books. She put her earbuds in as usual, listening to her favorite bands. Ashlyn was used to the feeling of being alone, so why did it make her miserable now? If she could just make it through-

“Hey. Mind if i sit here?..” 

A small voice beside her stood. She didn’t need to look to guess who the voice belonged to. 

Logan Fields.

Chapter Text

“Mind if I sit here?..”

Starting High School was probably the hardest moment of my life.

I got bullied relentlessly by someone who was never my friend, someone who used me.

Until I met these guys.

What happened?

We went through countless attacks, losing our minds, dying, kidnapping and so much more. 

We were kids, we shouldn’t have been training to survive, we should’ve been learning to live.

I guess that’s why I understood why Ashlyn left us. Why she shut us out. She was scared. Scared of hurting us any further.

So that’s why I was shocked.

-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-

Logan walked into that library. He looked around for any tables that weren’t already full, or were at least somewhat empty. He found a nice spot near a window, seeing a figure there. 

Logan had gotten slightly more comfortable talking to others, but nothing could’ve prepared him for getting reunited with one of his closest friends after a year of complete silence on her part. 

When he got a good look of her face he realized she was the same old Ashlyn who he knew. Same freckles, green eyes, red hair. He took notice of how her hair was no longer in her two signature braids and where now past her shoulders, half up half down.” 

She responded with a simple nod, not fully looking at him.

Logan sat down as he reviewed a few notes, he had a side job tutoring other kids (usually from different schools). He made sure his materials were all correct and factually accurate. Occasionally sneaking glances at Ashlyn, in case she wanted to talk. He was much more confident than the last time they talked, but what do you say to someone you don’t know anymore? They used to be close, key words used to. Maybe small talk to ease into it?

But Ashlyn never really was big on talking. It wouldn’t hurt to try right?

”How’s your first day back?” He patted himself on the back mentally for not stuttering. But maybe he shouldn’t have said “back”… For all he knows she might not want to talk about it.

”Fine.” Ashlyn replied. Her voice had a small rasp to it, it sounded just like he remembered, only more quieter. 

“Have you met anyone new?” 

“No.”

”How are your classes so far?”

”Mediocre.”

There was an awkward silence, but at least it was something right?

Once the bell rang Logan rushed to clean his stuff up. He expected Ashlyn to walk away, go to her last class. 

There seemed to be some mutual agreement that they would walk together, Ashlyn stood there waiting for him. It might’ve been that she wanted someone to walk with to look less uncomfortable in the halls. Or maybe she missed his company. 

He finished packing and they both left, making small talk in the hallways, avoiding the topic of her disappearance. 

They walked into class together silently. Sitting next to each other with less tension.