Author's Note: This fic is a lot different than the ones I've been posting. It was a challenge from a different board (and trust me, it was a challenge) but I thought some of you would like to read it. First, let me tell you that it does hit a sensitive subject; especially for teenagers who are going through it and want to be accepted.

The Challenge was posted by drastikblinder.

I had received mixed reviews with this fic and though I do accept any criticism, please do it appropriately (an adult manner) or at least PM me with it if you're so against it – or just don't read. After posting this, I've realized there are a lot of young teens going through what Ashley is going through (as well as Spencer). So please keep that in mind when you do comment. Any unnecessary negative comments will force me to delete this all together.

I do not own the characters. Thank you!

CHAPTER ONE

*SPENCER*

From the scrapes and bruises
To the familiar abuses
I'll kick and scream but it never changes anything

I tiptoed out of her bedroom at six in the morning. It had been a long night and aside from all the arguing and make-up sex, things were still awkward.

"Spencer," Stacey sighed while grabbing my arm to spin me around, "the sex," she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "it doesn't change anything."

And by anything, she meant that it didn't change the fact that she still broke up with me five hours ago.

"Whatever," I waved her off tiredly and tucked my sandals underneath my arms. "I better go before I get you into trouble with your Aunt."

"It's never stopped you before," Stacey smiled in such a way that made me want to smack her.

I wasn't one for abuse or violence but the girl just broke up with me and then she was giving me one of her smoldering smiles?

What a tease.

And I wasn't about to cave.

"We're over." I whispered and opened the screen door. "I promise you'll never have to see me again."

"Spencer," she frowned, her long brunette locks flowing in the warm breeze as she stood on her doorstep. "We can still be fr-"

"No, we can't." Because she broke my heart and I wasn't about to let her see that.

I wasn't about to break down in front of her because then that'd mean I care – and I really didn't want too.

I heard her calling my name as I ran down the street and towards the park where I took a shortcut home. I stumbled slightly after my feet hit the hard rocks on the path and realized I still had my sandals in my hands, gripped tightly. I let out a shaky sigh and threw them on the ground. I bent over to do up the straps on the back of the heel and felt myself be thrown onto my side as someone ran into me.

I sat up and frowned at the person who finished doing a somersault from the collision. The teenager got up and rushed over to me. "Oh God are you okay?"

I blinked at the soft hand that grasped my own and helped me up to my feet. I could only nod.

"I'm so sorry. I'm not used to anyone being in the park while I do my run. Are you hurt?"

I shook my head and watched this person who was wearing a hoodie reach over to brush dirt off of my leg. "Thanks."

"So really, why is pretty girl like you wandering through a park by herself?" I tried to hang onto every word but the deep huskiness of that voice sent little chills up my spine.

It was weird.

From the weak shadows that cascaded over the trees in the early morning, I could barely make the person out.

"I was just heading home from my ex-girlfriend's." I replied somewhat sadly and grabbed my fallen purse. "Are you okay?"

"Oh yea, I'm built tough." That laugh was like music. "My name is Asher by the way."

Asher?

"Oh, um, Spencer." I smiled awkwardly when I realized that I was somewhat taken by this… boy.

I was gay.

A lesbian.

Had sex with girls and girls only.

I swooned over them.

I…

"Lovely name." Asher smiled and grabbed my purse gently from my hand, throwing it over his shoulder. "Well Spencer, I don't feel comfortable with you walking out here all by yourself. Do you mind if I walk you home? It's the least I can do."

I swallowed and quickly shook my head. "You know, I can carry my purse."

"Eh," he smirked and pulled his hood down showing his dark shaggy waves, "I'm in touch with my feminine side, really."

I laughed and started to walk beside him. "Do you always run this early?"

"I don't have much of a life." He shrugged. "I just moved here with my older sister and so far the park has been the only interesting thing."

I raised an eyebrow. "There's a whole city out there. I don't think you've tried."

Asher stopped and glanced at me. "I know there are things to do in the city," he shrugged and started to walk again, "I guess I just don't know where to start to find that one 'interesting' thing."

"Ah," I was on the same page, "okay but don't you have school to fill up some time?"

"No." He snorted and kicked a rock as we started down my familiar street. "I dropped out last year. High school was lame and well let's just say I moved here to find better and bigger opportunities."

"You don't look very old." I hoped I hadn't offended him.

"You mean the lack of facial hair?" Asher scratched his perfectly narrow smooth chin and laughed. "Yea, I'm working on that."

"Late bloomer?" I teased.

He paused and bit his lip. "You can say that."

"It doesn't even sound like you've hit puberty." I smiled teasingly and he raised an eyebrow.

"Way to kill my male ego there Spencer." He frowned and placed a hand over his chest, mock hurt. "Well you look like you're what, in the ninth grade?"

"I'm a senior!" I gasped and tucked messy strands of hair behind my ears.

"Never judge a book by its cover." He waved a finger at me and stopped when I did. He glanced up at the large red brick house and smiled. "I take it this is your home?"

"Ever since the day I was born." I sighed and he handed me my purse back. "Hey, thanks for walking me home."

"Thank you for not yelling at me when I bulldozed you." Asher grinned shyly. "See you around Spencer."

I nodded and walked up the pathway to the front door. After digging out my house key, I turned to see him still standing there. He waved at me and put his hood back over his head and his headphones back in his ears before he took off running down the streets.

I shook my head and willed myself to stop thinking about him.

Sex with girls.

Sex with girls.

Sex with Stacey.

Wait. No.

Stacey.

Right, my heart was just broken and I totally forgot about it.

"Ugh." I groaned and did a face plant on my bed.

I needed sleep.

A lot of it.

And I wouldn't wake up until I'm out of the freakish nightmare.

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