A/N: Okay, so this is my first fanfic, so it's a little rough. I've had this storyline in my head for a while now so I have the first five chapters written, but I'm only posting the first two until I find out from you guys whether it's worth it or not, so let me know in your reviews. 5 reviews to continue...

Disclaimer: I don't own South Of Nowhere or any of the characters. If I did, I sure as hell would not be writing fanfiction now would I:)

Chapter One

"And with that ladies and gentlemen, I give you the class of 2007!" I jumped up along with the other 500 students that until this moment, I could call my classmates. Nothing seemed real yet. I was done with high school and about to head to USC in a few months. All of the familiar faces that had painted the picture of 'my life' for the last four years were soon to be replaced with memories.

I guess you could say I'm not a big fan of high school. Most people would laugh if I ever actually said that out loud. Ashley Davies, most popular girl in school, not a fan of high school; but it's true. Who could ever grow to like a place where people were so determined to make you feel a certain way about them; even if they didn't know the smallest, insignificant detail about you or who you really are. We are just all painting a picture that we want people to see while we desperately try to hide who we are. You think that's confusing? Try and figure this one out for me…if I really feel this way, why the hell am I fighting back tears as I sling my cap into the air and scream with the other 500 kids around me.

That's me for ya; a roller coaster of emotions. It's funny though, most people peg me as someone without emotions at all. I'm just a shallow slut that got knocked up by the quarterback my sophomore year. Suprisingly, my feelings about the baby, my baby, were slightly different than everyone else's at school. Aiden, the dumbass quarterback, seemed indifferent. He would be there if I decided to keep her, yea…it was a her, and he would be there if I decided not to keep her. However, when I decided that I wanted her to be a part of my life, our lives, he bailed like I'd always known he would. I can't really explain how I felt about the whole thing. I was scared out of my mind, but somehow at peace at the same time. Truth be told, I never really loved Aiden. In fact, I can't remember ever really loving anyone other than my dad, who died 11 months ago. But this baby was the only person in the world that I could count on to love me…just for being me.

That all changed when I woke up one morning with a terrible pain that I couldn't explain. After being in the hospital for a week, I finally accepted the fact that she was gone. My body had betrayed me like everything else in my life. I'm not really one to sit around sulking, feeling sorry for myself, but damn, when there is nothing good to think about, your thoughts become very similar to a country song. (Depressing to the point that turning it on at all is torture and should be considered illegal.) I don't know why I pick this moment to revisit the broken places in my life, and I don't waste anymore time trying to figure it out. I just go back to painting the picture of myself that everyone has seen for the last four years as I run and tackle Kyla from behind. Kyla is my half-sister and the closest thing I have to a true friend, although even she doesn't see past the picture of a smile I wear on a regular basis.

"Ash!!" she screamed as we both fell to the ground. We were then harrased by several parents with cameras; I didn't know any of them but smiled anyway.

"So are we still heading to ego tonight?" I asked once the unidentified parents were satisfied.

"Yea, but I forgot to tell you, Spence is meeting us there…" Spencer Carlin is Kyla's best friend. I don't know how the hell anyone could put up with Kyla as much as she does. I've seen her at the house a couple of times, but I've never actually spoken to her other than a quick "Hello" and "I like your shoes" She seems nice enough…shy, but nice. I just nod and pretend to hear the rest of what Kyla is saying while my mind drifts back to what can only be described as my very own 'country song'. I wish I could talk about someone the way Kyla talks about Spencer. If she gained nothing else from this hellhole, she is at least leaving with something, someone, that she can always depend on.

"…I mean, you have to admit, you got teared up at the end…" she was teasing now.

"Hell no!" I shot back. "I got something in my eye and it was stinging like a bitch!" She just laughed and headed over to a group of friends. I decided to head for the car, not really in to the idea of watching everyone callapse into tears at the thought of never seeing their friends again. I need to pack anyway I think to myself. In the morning we are leaving for New York for a month. Christine, my so called mother, decided this would be a wonderful opportunity for her to express her pride to be the mother of two graduates….TRANSLATION: She wanted a month to play with her new boy toy …surprise surprise. I figured it wouldn't be too bad though. A month away from this place sounds like heaven to me right now. Just me and Kyla for a month…oh, and her friend Spencer. Maybe I'll finally get to see what it is about her that Kyla trusts. Whatever, at least she can keep Kyla off my back a little while we're away. I swear, sometimes she's worse than havin a real mother.

As I drive away from King High, I can't help but look back one last time. Although I desperately hated the place and felt relieved to be free from it, it was the only constant thing in my life, and I was scared out of my mind to know what was coming at me now that it was all over. A single tear escaped my eye again, but I convinced myself that there was still something in there as I drove away towards Christine's house.