So this is the alternative version of Hide My Heart. The first few chapters are pretty much the same and then things start to take changes from about chapter 3. Anyway let me know what you think.

Hide My Heart - the alternative option

Spencer Carlin had spent most of her summer bored out of her mind. Her best friend had been away at basketball camp and was due back today which is why she was currently sat in his back yard waiting for him to arrive. Spencer and her best friend Aiden had known each other since they were 4. She had kicked his ass for been mean to her about something stupid and he had followed her everywhere ever since.

Spencer had been pissed at Aiden for leaving her all summer but instead of sulking in true Spencer Carlin style she had managed to move on and had actually made some female friends which was something her Mother had been pushing for years now stating that a friendship like Spencer and Aiden's is weird at their age unless they were dating. Spencer had to admit that since they both turn 16 last summer things had been a bit strange. They had even tried to kiss each other only to be both disgusted by the whole experience.

Sitting on the lawn Spencer spread her tanned legs out while reclining on to the grass thinking about how her and Aiden could spend their last weekend of freedom before their senior year in high school. Firstly they needed to catch up on their birthday celebrations which they had missed during the summer. As depressing as it was spending her first birthday away from Aiden since they were kids Spencer actually had a decent time not that she would let Aiden know that.

Spencer's inner rambling were soon interrupted when she noticed a giant figure blocking her view of the summer sky. Looking directly up her light blue eyes clashed with smiling green ones. Aiden put out his hand to help Spencer to her feet which she gratefully took noting the amount of strength in Aiden's now larger arms.

"Hey Carlin" Aiden said in a deep voice that had shocked Spencer slightly nearly as much as his longer more styled hair.

"Hey yourself" Spencer smiled as she ran her fingers through her long blonde hair.

"You gonna hug me anytime soon spaz?" Aiden teased pulling Spencer into hug wrapping his now giant arms around Spencer's newly formed curves. The two best friends pulled away and Spencer scanned her eyes over Aiden wondering when he changed so much. What she hadn't realised was that Aiden was doing the same thing. He too had noticed that his best friend now had fully developed curves in all the right places.

"So how was fat camp?" Spencer asked as they headed inside to the coolness of the kitchen.

"Dumb ass it was basketball camp" Aiden replied handing Spencer a can of pepsi knowing that it was her favourite soft drink.

"You don't play basketball" Spencer noted opening her drink.

"Correction I never used to play" Aiden said getting himself a drink.

"When did this change?" Spencer queried further.

"End of last semester, I was in gym and coach noticed that I was pretty decent and told my Dad who got all happy about it then he shipped me off to camp" Aiden explained.

"Did it suck?"

"Kind of at first because there were a load of guys from school but they actually turned out to be pretty decent and it turns out that I'm pretty awesome at basketball"

"You spent all summer playing basketball with guys like my brother?"

"Not all basketball players are jerks like Glen plus he can't play any more because of his busted knee" Aiden pointed out knowing that this conversation was never going to be easy. It had always being him and Spencer since they were kids. They practically had all the same classes, they spent lunch together and spent all their spare time together. The kids at school had made comments but they loved each other so much that they didn't care. His only problem now was that Spencer wasn't great when their little partnership was intruded upon so now Aiden was part of the sports kids he knew things would be tough.

"Aid most of those guys have been horrible for you most of your academic career. They are only cool with you because you can play a stupid sport" Spencer pointed out.

"Say what you mean Spence" Aiden joked getting a dead arm.

"Look Spence those guys are just on the team at school and that's it. I hung with them during the summer because I couldn't sneak you into camp with me. I'll literally just play ball with them and then that's kid, I promise" Aiden promised with a sweet smile that always made Spencer feel better".

"Yep you're still a loser….I definitely don't need to worry about the cool kids stealing you" Spencer smiled as she hoped off the counter bumping Aiden with her arm.

Spencer was hanging out in her room deciding what she and Aiden should do that evening. They normally just went bowling or to the movies but she wanted to do something cool so they could celebrate their birthdays. Hearing her phone buzz next to her bed she reached over seeing that it was Aiden calling her.

"Hey dude"

"Hey Spence….I have a proposition for tonight"

"I'm not watching you play stupid sports games on the computer" Spencer moaned looking in the mirror frowning at her messy hair.

"Don't worry I learnt my lesson last time. I was actually thinking about going to the end of summer party" Aiden suggested knowing that Spencer would not be happy with the suggestion. Spencer thought about Aiden's suggestion and her initial reaction was a resounding 'hell no' but after spending the summer apart from Aiden she realised that they needed to venture out some more before they both went to college. Plus Carmen and Chelsea were going to be there. She had met them while working at the diner during the summer and they had all got along great. They all went to the same school but with Spencer and Aiden been glued to each other their paths had never really crossed.

"Ok sounds cool" Spencer replied smiling knowing that Aiden was going to make some sort of comment about her reply.

"Woah that was easy, I mean you are aware that end of summer party isn't code for bowling and pizza?" Aiden teased.

"Yes I am aware of that ass hat. I just think it sounds kind of fun plus Chelsea and Carmen will be there"

"Who are they?"

"They go to the same school as us and I worked with them at the diner" Spencer explained.

"Ok cool so that's a yes?"

"Yes"

"Cool pick you up at 7?"

"Sounds like a plan" Spencer hung up her phone and immediately text both Carmen and Chelsea to tell she would be attending the party. As Spencer awaited their replies, Spencer realised that she had never attended a school function other than a few basketball games when Glen played. Her stark realisation then led to her to start freaking out about the fact that she had nothing to wear. Panicking she ransacked her closet trying to find something suitable but her buzzing phone interrupted her panic.

"Hey Carm" Spencer said as she threw an oversized t-shirt back into her closet.

"So you're coming?" Carmen asked clearly smiling to herself.

"That was the plan"

"What do you mean 'was'?" Carmen queried.

"Well I had every intention to but I have never been to a school thing and I have nothing to wear" Spencer confessed.

"Spencer you will look amazing in anything I'm sure" Carmen advised, the subtle flirty going straight over Spencer's head.

"I doubt that Carm…..all my clothes suck" Spencer whined dropping on to her bed.

"How about I come over and help you out?" Carmen offered.

"You would do that?"

"Definitely! Plus we can't have Cinderella missing the ball" Carmen joked trying to hide how eager she was to see Spencer without Chelsea around.

"Awesome, do you wanna come over now?"

"I'm on my way"

Less than 20 minutes later Carmen was now in Spencer's room. She had brought some clothes over for the confused blonde and they had picked out an outfit. Carmen was checking her own reflection making sure her straight dark hair was perfect and that her simple vest top looked good, satisfied with her look Carmen turned to bathroom door and waited for Spencer to appear. After what seemed like a life time she heard the door handle wiggling. Spencer walked out of the door looking shy in her new outfit pulling on the loose fitting vest top conscious that her bra was showing too much. Carmen's eyes scanned over Spencer's long legs that were now clad in tight dark denim jeans and felt herself blushing.

"You look good Spencer" Carmen complimented pulling her eyes away from the stunning blonde. Carmen hadn't mentioned to Spencer about her sexual orientation and the fact that it was focused on girls. Spencer had never asked making Carmen think that she had probably already heard the rumours around school. Carmen was pretty sure that Spencer was straight and possibly in love with Aiden so she figured she would just spend some time with the girl and see what happened.

"Thank you….so do you" Spencer returned the compliment and she wasn't lying. Carmen did look good and there was no denying it. The shorted girl carried herself with a great confidence that Spencer was jealous of as she had always been shy and quiet.

"So erm Aiden should be here any second, we should go wait outside" Spencer announced interrupting the quiet moment. Carmen nodded and followed Spencer down the stairs where Aiden was waiting as Spencer had stated.

"Wow Spence you look amazing" Aiden gasped clearly seeing Spencer as a girl rather than his dorky best friend.

"Shut up ass hat" Spencer laughed punching Aiden in the arm as she walked ahead.

"Aiden this is Carmen and Carm this is ass hat aka Aiden" Spencer did the introductions as the climbed into Aiden's jeep.

"Nice to meet you Carmen" Aiden smiled politely getting a clearly forced smile in reply.

"Soooooo you guys worked at the café together?" Aiden continued hoping to get a genuine smile from Carmen.

"Yep, Carm showed me the ropes"

"Awesome, so Carmen how long you been at King?"

"Since about the same time you guys started" Carmen replied with no emotion. Spencer and Aiden shared a look and decided to stop the small talk.

After a short 20 minute drive that seemed like a life time to everybody in the car they arrived at the beach house where the party was been held. Aiden had informed Spencer that the house belonged to two sisters from King High but he couldn't remember their names. Spencer had assumed it was probably people from Madison's crew but couldn't be sure. Climbing out of the car Spencer was amazed by the size of the house. Her house was pretty decent but this place was huge and the most stunning spot right on the beach front.

"Ready ladies?" Aiden smiled putting out his arms for both Spencer and Carmen to take hold of but only Spencer took the offer while Carmen scowled at him. Entering the large white building Spencer was overcome by the huge crowd that was already forming. The first room they entered was pretty empty but as they walked through into the kitchen the groups of people became larger especially when they reach the patio that led onto the beach. As it was summer and LA it was still pretty hot and there were a lot people in swim wear. Spencer noted how they all looked incredible like an Abercrombie and fitch advert, all white teeth and perfect bodies. Aiden grabbed them all a beer and Spencer took it like she had done it before but Aiden knew her better than that.

"You don't have to drink that Spencer" Aiden advised holding eye contact with her.

"It's ok I can handle one beer" Spencer reassured him so he dropped the topic.

"DENNISON!" A loud booming male voice yelled making Spencer jump. Spencer watched on as a small group of guys surrounded them high fiving Aiden and shouting loads.

"Hey guys wassup?" Aiden replied still high fiving his new friends.

"Glad you came man" One of the guys answered shaking Aiden's hand rather than acting like a complete buffoon. Spencer thought to herself that he was quite cute, he was tall had messy brown hair and dark brown eyes. He smiled sweetly at Spencer and put out his hand in front of her.

"Hi I'm Dan, you must be Spencer"

"Yep that would be me nice to meet you" Spencer replied politely as Aiden and Carmen watched the interaction.

"This is my friend Carmen" Spencer remembered pulling Carmen forward to meet Aiden's friend.

"Hey Carmen how you doing?"

"Fine" Carmen barely replied.

"So anyway we have a pretty sweet set up over there you guys should come join us" Dan offered pointing over to a group of people who were sat around a fire pit looking like they were all having a great time.

"Ladies?" Aiden smiled hinting that he wanted to join them.

"Sounds awesome" Spencer answered about to head off until she noticed Carmen wasn't moving.

"You coming Carm?"

"Actually I've gotta go find somebody but I'll head over in a bit ok?" Carmen replied heading off before Spencer could follow her. Spencer turned back to Dan and Aiden smiling and followed them to the group. As they got closer to group Spencer started to notice that she was about to sit down with all the popular kids from school. Feeling slightly anxious she started to come up with excuses not to join them in her head but then she remembered that she was doing this for Aiden.

"Everybody this is Aiden and Spencer" Dan announced as he sat down on the beach blanket signalling for Aiden and Spencer to follow which they did. Spencer noticed that all eyes were on them and that it was strange been looked out like a stranger when she had known most of these people since she was a child.

"You're Glen Carlin's sister right?" One girl asked which annoyed Spencer because this girl had dated Glen for a year, had been to Spencer's house for dinner yet she was acting like they had never met. Madison Duarte had been the first girl to break her brothers heart so by basic sibling law she hated the girl but decided to put that to the back of her mind and try to like her.

"Yep that's right"

"I'm Madison, this is sherry, Amy, Carly, Kyla and Ashley" Madison continued without even registering Spencer's reply. Madison's flippant introductions were picked up by a clearly annoyed brunette that Spencer sort of recognised from school/

"I can introduce myself Madison" The girl snapped walking over to where Spencer was sat and taking the empty space next to her. The girl dropped down with ease, flipping her brown hair out of her eyes and smiling at Spencer.

"I'm Ashley and I'm guessing you're Spencer" Ashley stated putting out her hand for Spencer to take which she did after mentally kicking herself. For some reason Spencer couldn't take her eyes off of Ashley's.

"Am I allowed to talk or does she talk for everybody?" Spencer joked getting a death glare from Madison but what seemed like a genuine smile from Ashley.

"Don't worry about Madison she just thinks she owns the world or something"

"Apparently so….why are you friend with her if you don't like her?" Spencer asked sipping her now warm beer.

"I'm not in fact we're pretty much sworn enemies but she's my sister's friend plus I enjoy mocking her" Ashley explained noticing that Spencer wasn't enjoying her beer.

"Seems like a good enough reason to spend time with someone you clearly don't like" Spencer teased.

"So Spencer you've never drank beer before?" Ashley stated hoping Spencer wasn't offended by her abruptness.

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little….do you want something else to drink?" Ashley offered.

"That would be great"

"Cool well there's stuff in the kitchen….erm you wanna come with?" Ashley asked as she stood up putting out her hand for Spencer to take.

"Yea that would be great" Spencer smiled taking Ashley's hand as the brunette pulled her up. Spencer informed Aiden that they were going to get another drink and he smiled letting her know he was there if she needed him but Spencer felt strangely ok around Ashley which was a miracle considering Spencer was normally very stand offish. Ashley didn't let go of Spencer's hand as she pulled through the now expanding crowds until they finished in the large kitchen. Ashley climbed behind that bar which had now been abandoned.

"So what's ya poison?" Ashley asked shaking a cocktail shaker nearly dropping it a number of times.

"I've never really drank before so I'm not sure" Spencer confessed feeling slightly embarrassed by her inexperience. She didn't know Ashley and didn't remember seeing her around school but by the way the girl carried herself she seemed to have lived a little.

"That's cool….what's your favourite soft drink?" Ashley asked clearly not bothered by Spencer's confession.

"Pepsi"

"Ok….do you like fruity things as well?"

"Like?"

"Cherry"

"Yes" Spencer nodded in agreement.

"Ok that's cool…..Ok I got it" Ashley stated as she started grabbing different bottles, pouring them into the glass throwing the bottles around for extra effect. She finally finished faffing about and to add a final touch she dropped a cherry on top, passing the glass to Spencer.

"What is it?" Spencer asked having not tried any yet.

"How about you just drink some?" Ashley instructed with mock annoyance. Spencer did as instructed and she was pleasantly surprised by the drink Ashley had made.

"That's delicious what is it?" Spencer asked drinking more.

"It doesn't have a name but it is pepsi with vodka and cherry liquor" Ashley answered taking the glass and trying some.

"Well you should name it"

"Cherry Carlin" Ashley smiled with a raised eyebrow making Spencer giggle into her drink.