A/N: By request I've decided to do a sequel to "Upstage." This story is completely different than what I've written before including writing style and perspective. I don't think it's required to read the first story, but you can if you want. It's cute. Tell me what you think.

Chapter 1

Spencer, I want you. I miss you so much. I thought I could be strong, but it wasn't until I met you that I knew how. You make me better. You make me want to be better. I love you.

These were the words that Ashley wanted to say on the phone to her girlfriend of the past few months. These were the words that expressed and bared her soul with romantic eloquence more pronounced than an 18 year old should have. These were all the things that Ashley wanted to say, but couldn't.

But, these beautiful words were deafened by the stinging accusations and hurt of Ashley's own lack of confidence. Spencer's ear had once been able to hear Ashley's true feelings, no matter the words it came in, but now they were inaudible.

I want you

"You're cheating on me aren't you?" Ashley screamed into the phone.

"How can you even accuse me of that? I haven't done anything!" Spencer screamed back.

I miss you

"Then what are these pictures on your page? There are all these girls hugging you, touching you. Did you fuck them Spence? Did you?"

"I can't believe you Ashley! I'm hanging up now." Spencer said tired of this argument.

You make me better

"Why? So you can go back to all those girls. Don't treat me like I'm stupid Spencer. I know what's going on." Ashley yelled loudly to the ringing of the dial tone for moments before throwing her phone against the floor and sobbing uncontrollably against her pillow.

Ashley knew that Spencer wasn't cheating on her. She even knew that she had no claim to Spencer. Their brief romance during the summer at the playhouse was uplifted by beautiful sentiments and marred by intense insecurity. That summer Ashley had promised to love Spencer entirely, and she had, but Ashley did not know how to be loved. And as well intentioned as their sentiments had been, without that skill their romance couldn't last.

So Ashley sat in her depression and insecurities, replaying Spencer's voice mail, telling Ashley that it had become too hard to be in this relationship. Telling Ashley that it was too hard to be with her. Spencer had tried to tell Ashley this, but Ashley had not picked up the phone in days, knowing what fate was going to befall her.

In the last week Ashley had hardly eaten, hardly slept. She had no idea what her body was subsisting on, but she knew it wasn't will power. Her whole life she had pushed on hatred, on pain. She had walked over well intentioned people, for a quick laugh. It was easier that way. She could hurt people first and not have to deal with the ramifications of that pain. She had opened herself up for two girls and they had both left her. Giving up Anna was painful, but she lost her life when she gave up Spencer.

And that was really the problem. Spencer had tried to give herself to Ashley. She had tried to keep her spirit with the brunette, despite the distance, but she couldn't hold on. It wasn't Spencer's fault, and Ashley knew that.

She hadn't acted in months now. That playhouse held so many memories. She remembered sneaking into it late at night once with Spencer. They had held hands softly at the pinkies while Ashley went on and on about the backstage secrets. She had never known whether Spencer was faking her awe, but it was nice just the same.

Ashley's right hand softly spider walked down her left arm to mimic the way she did to Spencer the first time they held hands. The old memories cut through her deeply. That was where Ashley was. She sat in her bedroom, hidden from the world, flimsily playing with the shattered bits of her soul.

Christine, as neglectful of a mother as she was, had noticed Ashley's state. For the last 18 years her daughter was less of a child than a burden to Christine. Ashley was simply a reminder of a tryst long scorned. Where Christine was willing to share her life and heart with the lead singer of a rock group, her husband was only willing to share his money. The infidelity led to heartbreak, and eventually a settlement.

Money, and not love, was what remained after that marriage, so that was the only thing Christine was able to share with her daughter. Throwing cash at the "problem" was easier than healing it.

The two had separate lives. Christine had her romances and Ashley had hers. By pretending that Ashley was an adult, Christine was able to keep her life separated from her daughter's and that had been enough until now.

Walking past her daughter's room and peeking inside Christine saw Ashley slumped against her bed simply staring at the wall. At that moment Christine knew that Ashley had met the girl that could break her, and Christine knew that feeling too well.

And for the first time in 18 years Christine's motherly instincts had been activated, and she tried to help her daughter out of her heart break.

"Ashley?" Christine said as she softly knocked and entered her daughter's well decorated room. It had the same style as it did for the last year when Ashley had asked her mom to help her decorate it. Christine had told Ashley that it was Ashley's problem and that there were people for that. Her daughter hadn't really asked for anything since then.

"Ashley, is something bothering you?" Christine asked with genuine concern. Her daughter didn't even look up, which scared Christine.

"Maybe we could do something together? We could go to the spa?" Ashley's eyes slowly rolled up at her mother.

"I don't know who you're trying to impress mom, but I don't care." She said coldly. The older brunette was taken aback, but tried to remain calm. It hurt that her own child didn't want her anymore. It probably hurt the same for Ashley when she learned her mother didn't want her. But, in the wake of all those hurt feelings Christine tried again.

"I'm not trying to impress anyone Ashley, but I can see why that's what you would think." She sat down on the bed and held Ashley's limp hand.

"What do you even want from me?" Ashley cried.

Christine said nothing, but pulled Ashley's rigid body into a hug. The years of separation had made the action awkward, but eventually the child relaxed in her mother's arms. Because despite the many walls she had put up, Ashley had still always longed for this moment.