? |DREAMS TO REALITY| ? [SCHOOLBUSGRAVEYARD X READER]

CHAPTER 45 - Complications

"Just promise me you won’t completely shut down," Ashlyn replied, her expression earnest.

Y/N smiled faintly. "I’ll try. But sometimes, I worry I’m not helping, like I’m just making things harder."

"You are helping, more than you think. We all feel that way sometimes, but you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for." Ashlyn squeezed Y/N’s arm before letting go.

The heaviness in Y/N’s chest hadn’t completely disappeared, but with Ashlyn beside her, the weight felt more bearable. The distant hum of laughter and the flickering scenes of the group celebrating Lily’s birthday felt less overwhelming now, the warmth of the moment slowly filling the empty spaces inside her.

Y/N stole a glance at Ashlyn, whose calm presence offered quiet comfort amidst the party's chaos. Ashlyn exuded a grounding strength that Y/N deeply appreciated.

With her arms crossed thoughtfully, Ashlyn's slate-green eyes surveyed the festivities. “You know,” she began, her voice soft yet piercing through the noise, “it’s easy to feel disconnected when you’re carrying so much in your head. But you don’t have to handle it alone.”

Ashlyn’s usual bluntness was wrapped in genuine care, a rarity that Y/N recognized as significant. When Ashlyn reached out, it always carried weight.

Her brow furrowed slightly in solidarity. “I get it. It often feels like we’re all facing struggles no one else understands. But if you pull away, it makes it harder for me to support you. I want to be there for you.”

Y/N stared at the flickering firelight, her gaze drifting to her shadow. “I don’t want to be a burden,” she confessed softly. “I see you dealing with your own stuff, and I don’t want to add to that.”

Ashlyn’s steady eyes remained fixed on her. "You’re not a burden," she replied firmly, blending strength with gentleness. "You’re part of this group, and your feelings matter just as much as anyone else's. You shouldn’t feel like you need to hide them. It makes it harder for the rest of us to support you."

Ashlyn’s earnestness wrapped around Y/N like a warm blanket, making her feel understood. She took a slow, shaky breath, allowing Ashlyn’s reassurance to settle. "I appreciate that," Y/N murmured, her voice steadier now.

A comfortable silence enveloped them, filled with an unspoken understanding. The distant laughter faded as Ashlyn’s contemplative expression took over. After a moment, she spoke again. "Let’s focus on tonight. I’ll handle the worrying. You just be here."

Y/N smiled faintly, relief bubbling up inside her. "Deal," she replied, feeling a sense of release—a promise that she could lean on Ashlyn, if only for a while.

But Ashlyn leaned forward, her gaze sharpening with intensity. "You’re stronger than you realize," she said, her voice low but filled with conviction. "I know it gets overwhelming, but remember, I’m here when it does."

Y/N blinked, feeling the sincerity in Ashlyn’s words seep in, filling the heavy spaces within her. Ashlyn’s unwavering presence made her believe—made her trust that she wouldn’t have to carry her burdens alone.

"Thank you, Ashlyn," Y/N whispered, her throat tightening. The gratitude in her voice was genuine, born from a deep place that longed for this understanding. "That means more than I can say."

For a fleeting moment, Ashlyn's composed exterior softened, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability rarely seen. It was a rare gift to witness this side of her, illuminating just how deeply she cared beneath her calm facade. "You’re important to me," Ashlyn admitted quietly but steadily, each word filled with sincerity. "I’ve seen how hard you try to keep things together, but you don’t have to do it all alone. Not with us."