It has been three months and the fact that Spencer left still hurt like hell.

Half way through her summer break between high school and college Spencer dropped a bomb on Ashley, she changed her mind about where she was going to college. The original plan of UCLA scrapped, she wanted to go to Boston after all. It was a great opportunity for Spence but Ashley felt torn apart. Everyday since she left Ashley has thought about jumping on a plane to see Spence, but she must respect the woman she loves. Spencer wanted a chance to experience life on her own, away from her strong support system of family and friends. Ashley understood but she didn't like feeling so alone, with no idea what the future held for her.

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It was Friday night and as usual Ashley was at home. Tonight she sat on her balcony with her guitar trying to write. Everything she came up with sounded depressing but it accurately reflected her mood. Somehow she needed to find something positive so she had some sellable songs before artists stopped calling

DING DONG

She made no move to answer the door because she was in no mood for company, she rarely was these days. Hopefully whoever it was would take the hint.

"Ash are you in here?" Aiden yelled from the doorway.

Shit why did I give him a key? "Yeah out here." Ashley yelled hoping this would be a short visit.

"Ok before you throw me out just listen. I know you're probably gonna say no but…"

Interrupting Ashley says, "Gee you need to work on this convincing thing Aiden."

"Alright smart ass I'm getting you out of this house. I can't stand to see you like this." Aiden pleaded.

"So sit down." Ashley said trying to make a joke. "This can't be the whole plan. I can see it in your eyes, there's more to this. We've known each other too long to try and hide things from me. So out with it, what's the great plan or reason to get me out of the house?"

"Honestly I have someone I want you to meet."

Laughing Ashley says, "You are kidding me. Your grand plan is to set me up? I don't want or need a date thank you very much. I just wanna be alone. Sorry Aiden."

"Hey don't jump the gun, this isn't a setup. True Taylor is a girl, not sure about gay or straight, but this intro is not for romantic purposes, it's purely musical." Aiden said grinning, knowing this would get Ashley's attention.

"Musical? Look we both know after that whole Kyla lip singing episode I have less than zero chance of ever performing so what, does she want me to write her a song? I only work through management, I have no need to meet her, next!"

"Ash she doesn't even know you or that I want you guys to meet. I think she could help you with that performing career you say you've lost."

"Really? I'm still not sure about this."

"Look just come to Grey with me, her band is playing there tonight. What's the harm?"

"Maybe Aiden but what good will it do? She's in a bar band, how could she possibly help?"

"Well first of all she's an amazing musician, she can play the hell out of anything with strings on it. Second she's a music student at UCLA. Thirdly she has a recording studio in her apartment. As I said what would be the harm in just meeting her. She's got pretty good connections too. She may be able to help you get something going."

"I guess you may have a valid point but how do you know this girl and how well? Can she be trusted?"

"Her band normally plays at a place near campus called The Office. Plus form school, she's my junior mentor. I totally trust her."

"Wait I thought you said she's a music student, you're a business major, how does that work?"

"Well she's a double major and I think she has two or three minors or something too."

"Interesting. So you've convinced me. How much time do I have to look presentable?"

"Their first set starts in an hour so hurry up and get dressed. She's really cool, I think you'll really like her."

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Grey was packed with people Ashley had never seen. Being one of her favorite places she knew most of Grey's regulars. This should be an interesting night.

"So where did all these people come from. I've never seen most of them." Ashley said.

"Well I recognize a few people from school. Tabula Rasa has a pretty big following around campus." Aiden said, "Although I called and reserved us a table so we're all set. Let's go sit down then I'll get us some drinks."

They only had to wait 15 minutes before the band took the stage. It was very easy to figure out who Aiden brought her to see since the band consisted of four guys and one girl. As the band started playing Ashley was impressed. The singer wasn't very good but the musicians behind him were amazing. Their sound flowed effortlessly from one song to the next. Taylor switched easily between acoustic and electric guitar, even picking up a violin at one point without disrupting their flow. She was also pretty sure the bass player switched between electric and up right acoustic instruments a few times. Ash could see what Aiden was talking about.

Before she knew it the band was taking a break. She couldn't remember what songs they played. She had no idea that the lead singer had been eyeing her most of the set. She had been concentrating on the instrumentalists, truthfully mostly Taylor. If everything else Aiden said was true about this girl, Ashley definitely wanted to work with her.

"Earth to Ashley. You still with me?"

"Yeah sorry Aiden, I just…"

"I know. The first time I saw them play I was pretty amazed too and I'm not a musician."

"The lead singer is a bit much."

"Yeah Kyle is pretty much an ass. He thinks he's gods gift to music. He has no idea that he's not the reason people come to see them. A lot of people I've talked to can't even remember the words to their songs, or half the time understand them but the music is amazing. Taylor told me they want to replace him but they haven't cause of loyalty. The whole band has been playing together since they were kids. Apparently he wasn't always this much of a douche as she puts it. Personally, I prefer when she sings more but she's getting over a cold."

"Wow. That makes sense, they seem young to have that tight a sound. Minus Kyle they get really well together. Wish I got the chance to hear her sing, that's too bad cause she is crazy talented. So, when are you gonna introduce me to Taylor?"

"Easy girl. She usually hides in back until after the last set. Kyle will probably be roaming around but she likes to keep to herself until the show's over. Musicians!"

"Alright," Ashley says faking a pout. "Next round is on me then. Wish me luck, I'm going in" she says laughing as she starts cutting through the crowd to the bar. Once there she places their order then turns around to scan the crowd.

"Hi sexy." Kyle, the cocky lead singer said with a smile he must have thought was sexy, but to Ashley just looked creepy.

"Can I help you with something?" She says obviously annoyed, adding an eye roll for the visual affect in case he was dumb.

"I noticed you enjoying my bands set and thought I would come say hi."

Great he's beyond dumb. "Hi." she replied turning back to the bar in search of her drinks.

"Well I'm Kyle." He said sliding in next to her. "You know we're having an after party at my loft. You should definitely come. I'll personally make sure you have a good time, the time of your life in fact."

Never had Ashley been so happy to see a bartender with her drinks. She paid for them then started back to the table but Kyle stops her and puts something in her pocket. If she thought she could get another drink in less than 20 minutes one or maybe both of the drinks would have been thrown in his face for that move. He was one lucky son of a bitch tonight.

Oblivious to her anger Kyle said, "That's the address to my loft and my cell number. I'll see you after the show. Must get back to the stage and be brilliant, they'd be nothing without me."

All Ashley could do was shake her head at his stupidity. Even if she was into guys he would be dead last on her list.

When she reached the table Aiden asked, "What the hell was Kyle up to? I about jumped over the crowd when he grabbed you."

"Oh he just wanted me to have his number and the address of his place, not just a place his loft, for the after party where he plans to show me the time of my life." she said laughing. "he's stupid but harmless."

"Let me see that address Ash."

"Sure. Take it, keep it, hell burn it cause I sure as hell don't want it."

"Actually Ash you might want to keep this." Seeing her confusion he quickly continued, "it's Taylor's address. If she let's you use her studio you'll need to know where you're going."

"How do you know that's her address, or maybe he moved in with her?"

"That's funny Ash. Kyle and Taylor can't stand each other. Anyways Kyle's the only one who still lives with his parents. Taylor has her loft which I've been to and the other guys live in an on campus apartment. I'm sure Taylor will love that Kyle's handing out her address as his."

"Nice. Do after parties normally occur at Taylor's loft?"

"Not normally that I know of. I went over there once after a show. The band minus Kyle was there and about fiver other people besides me. Some played video games, some just talked and Taylor brought out her guitar and sang for a bit. There was some drinking but no wild after party, it was all pretty chill."

"Nice. We'll have to inform Taylor of Kyle's plan won't we Aiden?" A mischievous twinkle in her eyes equaling her grin.

"Absolutely! This should be fun."

__________________________________________________________________________________

Getting ready for the last set Taylor started to look for Kyle. He always went out to socialize but he should be back by now. "Where's Kyle guys?" Taylor asked the other guys. She hated starting a set late, it may just be a bar gig but she prided herself on always being professional.

""Who knows, probably stalking some girl giving them your address to impress them. He should be back soon." Eric, the drummer, said.

Taylor rolled her eyes thinking about Kyle's latest pick up scheme. He invites a girl to her loft for an after party saying it's his place. Then after the show he makes a big stink that someone stole his keys and his expensive car of choice that he doesn't actually own. Somehow he always gets bartenders to play along with his scheme. Then he tells the girl his super has a sick baby and he really doesn't want to disturb them to let him in. Normally the girl is fooled, takes him back to her place then he is all smiles and brags the next day about getting laid. Some girls are just complete morons. There was no other explanation for why this plan worked, at least from Taylor's point of view.

"Miss me?" Kyle said from behind Taylor. "The star of the show is back."

"More like the ass of the show but whatever. Are you ready to go out?"

"Ty I knew you'd change teams for me eventually. Just tell me when and where, I'll sooo be there."

"ON STAGE YOU ASSHOLE!!" Taylor yells ready to punch that smug grin off his face.

"Gees what's up with you Ty, lost your sense of humor? Or is it that time of the month?"

"Kyle my problem is you. Just get your shit together and get out there. And try not to suck to bad this time out. Your pitch and timing was horrible, can you at least improve one?"

"I was taking musical liberties Ty, I was making the songs sound better. Anyways I'm the lead singer, you guys are supposed to follow me."

"Right, let's just play the songs like we always have in practice. They're better without your musical liberties."

"Whatever. I know I'm great and that hottie sitting with your stalker boy thinks so too. I can't wait to see the look on his face when she's walking out with me. Aiden won't know what hit him."

"Aiden's no stalker dumbass he's my friend. And for some reason I doubt you're stealing any chick from him. If you don't get out on that stage though you'll know what hit you, it'll be my fist hitting you square in the jaw so move your ass."

__________________________________________________________________________________

There was an obvious mood change to the last set. A power struggle emerged between Kyle and Taylor. Kyle blatantly sang through intended guitar solos and Taylor kept the rhythm pushing forward as Kyle tried to change tempos. It was clear to the audience that Taylor was the winner because the rest of the band followed her, not their cocky lead singer. The tension was thick and deadly glares flew frequently from lead singer to lead guitar player and vice versa. Taylor was unwilling to allow this to affect the overall performance showing all who the true leader was in the band.

After the show, the band claimed a table. Taylor and Kyle ignored each other during the usually after show chatting with friends and fans. They tried to appear like their normal chill band persona but inwardly they all waited for the other shoe to drop.

All of a sudden Kyle proudly blurted out, "Here comes the hottie I was telling you about. I knew she wanted me. She couldn't take her eyes off the stage the whole show. I'm definitely getting some tonight boys."

"Yep that's why she's walking over here with Aiden, cause she's gonna ditch him for you , right in your dreams. You are such an ass you know that." Taylor said before Aiden and his gorgeous friend got to the table. "Aiden how's it going? Who's your friend?"

""Hey, I'm Ashley Davies, you must be Taylor." Holding her hand out for a handshake which Taylor accepted, both holding on for a little longer than necessary before releasing.

Eric quietly said to Kyle, "Dude, I hate to break it to you, she is one smoking hot lesbian. She ain't given up shit to you ever." A goofy grin spreading across his face as the smug grin on Kyle's face disappears.

"Fuck. I need some air." And with that Kyle left the table.

"Don't mind him," Eric said still ginning like a fool, "he has ego issues." thinking to himself how Ashley just crushed his ego. Eric liked her already.

"I've experienced that a little tonight. Apparently he invited me to an after party at your place Taylor."

"Yeah his latest pick up scheme. Sorry there is no such party. Let me introduce you to the nice guys of the band. This is Eric the drummer, Ryan the master of all forms of bass, and Chris our keyboard guru."

"Nice to meet you guys.: Ashley smiles at the boys before turning her attention back to Taylor. "I was wondering Taylor, could we get together and talk about music stuff? Aiden has told me a bit about you and I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice and maybe help." She said, a shy smile crossing her face.

"Um sure Ashley, how about we have coffee tomorrow? I have research to do on campus so somewhere close would be best for me."

"Sounds like a plan. Give me your cell phone, assuming you have one."

"Yeah here you go."

Ashley punches buttons quickly then hands it back saying, there now you have my number. Just call me in the morning and we'll finalize our plans." Ashley said then turns to Aiden, "Let me go to the bathroom then we can get outta here." To the band again, "Nice to meet you all. Amazing show. I'll see you tomorrow Taylor. Bye."

Once Ashley was out of ear shot, Taylor looks at Aiden and says "What the hell was that?"

"Look Ty give her a chance. She's a great singer, just had a few tough breaks. She's also going through a tough time right now, she could use something positive."

"Aiden I'm not the type to give out charity."

Ty she can pay you for your time, maybe use of your studio, not a problem. She just needs a confidence boost. Maybe someone to take a chance on her. Maybe you could help her find someone in the business like that cause her contacts have just screwed her over royally."

"Honestly Aiden you know I'm not worried about the cash. I've got a lot on my plate with homework, the band and my senior project. I don't have a lot of spare time."

"Look meet with her tomorrow and see where it leads. Maybe she could help with the project? You know you'd need the coffee fix anyways." Aiden pleaded giving her his most pathetic puppy dog eyes.

"Alright. I mean I want to help, it's just whether I'll have the time. Although good point about my project, we'll see."

"Thank you. I'll see you later."

Taylor thought she must be crazy. On top of normal school work she was going to start a mock record label for her senior project. She hoped to turn it into a real label after graduation but who knows what the future holds. True she could use another artist beside Tabula Rasa for her project but would he have the patience. She knew Ashley was a good singer, she had heard of her before tonight. But Ashley had a reputation of being difficult to work with, very opinionated and stubborn. What was she getting herself into?