Ashley Needles

The halls bustled with students but something was missing. At lunch it clicked. No one was going out of their way to be mean. For once I wasn't surrounded by snapping vipers. A few girls pointed and whispered, and the boys didn't quite meet my eyes but no one had tripped me or called out insults as I passed. Max averted his gaze instead of his long inscrutable stare. In sixth period Senecca, who belonged in the middle of the high school hierarchy leaned over to talk. Despite having sat together for several months this was the first time she noticed I was alive. "You're dating Lee Lavellan?" She whispered tapping my arm. We'd kissed but were we dating? What did she mean by dating? Did she want to know if we were a couple? For a moment I was stumped, different answers and scenarios ran through my mind. "Um, we've just been hanging out." "You are dating!" She latched onto the piece of gossip her eyes gleaming. Why was she so ...

Nerves burned beneath my skin. A desperate need to get closer to him squeezed my belly. I would implode if the space between our bodies continued. I slid my hand over his chest beneath his jacket. Something heavy and hard weighed it down. Curious my fingers found the opening of the inner pocket. I looked into his eyes, silently asking permission to invade the secret compartment. He gave a slight nod.  My hand hesitantly crept inside giving him plenty of time to change his mind. He didn't move just waited.  Grabbing onto a hard thick shaft I pulled it out. Eight inches long, the switchblade sat in my palm the light reflecting the memory of Kwani's pale face and the frightened look of the name caller. "Have you killed someone?" The question escaped my lips before I could stop it. Lee took both my hands in his, his eyes searched my face looking for judgment or fear, but both were missing.  Logic told me I should be afraid or disgusted, but the hu...

Lee led me down the hall. His bedroom was the last door on the left. He held it open. Inside was a thin mattress on the floor, a few items of clothing stashed in a corner that needed washed and a pair of shoes. Hung limply in the closet a modest amount of threadbare clothes, many of which showed holes. I thought of all the tantrums I'd thrown about getting my sisters' handy downs and all the clothes sitting my closet I didn't wear because of floral patterns or some other nonsense. For the first time in my life, I realized I was a brat. I grew up in the wealthiest part of town. Our house had a striking view of a pond and a golf course. It was two stories with rooms to spare. My mother, a bit neurotic when it came to cleaning, kept it immaculate. Lee didn't know all this and I was grateful. It crossed my mind that where I lived and what I had, might have been part of why my classmates hated me. Lachelle's home and mine differed greatly, in her house there ...

Maybe you're like me and are always searching for new foods to add to a very limited diet or maybe you just want to eat a bit healthier or try some new things. One food that is hard to find in not so tropical regions that makes my mouth water and has incredible health benefits is Mangosteen.  Known as the queen of fruit it looks like something from the Jurassic period. It is one of the oldest fruits on earth. Thanks to technology you can now have this sweet delicious superfruit on the go!    If you recently had your gallbladder removed or frequently get kidney stones or just want to build some muscle and love the taste of cheese but are trying to slim down, Nutritional Yeast is a great addition to any diet. Use it as a parmesan substitute or just to add some flavor and some easy to digest amino acids. Free of candida this addition helps the digestion of even the most sensitive stomachs.  Growing up I was addicted to Mr. Good Bars and...

Dating I've noticed one giant mistake guy after guy keeps making. On dates, I try to find things to compliment and questions to ask. Isn't that what makes a great date?  Guys, however, seem to think dating is a chance to brag about their accomplishments and give shallow compliments about the way a girl looks. "Waitress, check and a barf bucket, please." I guess I'm not your average Jane. Is it so wrong to want a guy to give a damn about my accomplishments? I mean, I work my ass off too! I get it's intimidating for guys to date a woman who's traveled a ton, been successful in several industries by the time she was thirty and has huge aspirations but guys seldom even get to finding that stuff out, as they talk about what great employees they are and how awesome their new sports car or truck is. To be fair there is one question that sometimes comes up if a guy has a bit more of a clue than the average bear, "What sports team do you like?...

The door loomed. By going through it, what was I agreeing to? "We don't have to go in if you don't want," Lee said noticing my hesitance. I took a deep breath for courage. I trusted Lee. It made no sense but the man who scared everyone else, who could have any girl he wanted, made me feel safe. I nodded for him to open the door. Silence filled the apartment. Stewart wasn't there. We were alone. Lee let go of my hand and went to the kitchen. While I adjusted to the unexpected circumstance he poured water into a glass, then grabbed another cup and poured water into it. "I'd offer you something else, but I haven't been grocery shopping yet," Lee said bringing me a glass his cheeks a bit pink. I shrugged. Did he think it mattered? Just being near him, when it wasn't because some teacher randomly assigned us seats together was more than most people would ever give me. He didn't realize it but just by holding my hand he'd...

As I readied for the hell called high school excitement jumped through my veins. He wanted to see me. Despite the inevitable fallout, I agreed. Should I tell Chelle about him? I didn't know. Maybe, until I understood what was going on, I should keep it to myself. He probably had a girlfriend. I'd likely interpreted everything wrong. He was just a 'friend' just an acquaintance. Still, I danced on the path to the front door, flew through the halls. Lessons seemed like kindergarten stuff. My giddiness was contagious. Even the vipers half nodded and smiled as I passed on my way to meet Chelle and Debbie in the library. "Hey fuck face," a guy called as another stuck out his foot to trip me, and a girl pushed from behind. This was an overplayed trick. I'd long since learned to step high, rebalance and pretend nothing happened. As I did, a jock grabbed the name caller, pulled him down, whispered something in his ear. The guy who called me 'fuc...