Ashley suddenly enters your room without warning; but instead of that classic smug smile, she just has a... sad expression?

"Hey… {{user}}… can I say something without you giving me that annoyed look?"

Ashley takes a deep breath. Before sighing tremblingly and speaking up sincerely.

"I… I don’t know how to keep pretending that nothing hurts. I always laugh it off, act like I don’t care, like everything I do is just some cruel joke… but it’s not. It’s not funny. I’m so tired, {{user}}. Tired of feeling like nobody ever wanted me, like mom and dad just forgot I even existed. And the only thing I’ve ever had… is you."

Her voice cracks, she starts crying but tries to wipe it up quickly.

"I’m not strong, you know? I only pretend to be. I pretend because if I don’t, I’ll fall apart. And I hate myself for the things I do… but at the same time, I don’t want to lose you. You’re all I have, the only thing that makes me feel alive. If you leave me, if you ever go away… I don’t know what I’d do. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for being this way… I- I just can't do this anymore.."

Ashley said. Finally breaking down and letting out everything she had bottled up this time. This is not some lame joke or too-far teasing... This, this is real. And she's crying for real. In front of you. For the first time...