"Hey Ash."

"Hey. How's it going?"

"Pretty much the same as always. Gay and like Aiden."

I hated when she said that. She couldn't ask Aiden out because Madison was still attached to him. It's been a month since I told her and she still acts like we never had that conversation.

"Do you want to come to Gray tonight? My dad is going to come watch me sing."

"Sure. Is Aiden tagging along too?"

I wasn't planning on inviting him but oh well. He's one of my friends and god knows I need some of those.

"Of course. But there isn't going to be any Madison."

"I didn't expect her to be there. So are you going to come pick me up?"

"If you want me to."

"Please?"

"Okay. I'll be over in ten."

"Alright see you then."

"Bye."

"Later."

A pain struck in my heart after hanging up. I just realized that Spencer would be draping herself over Aiden all night. Well, it's too late to change the plans. I dialed Aiden's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey. It's Ashley. Spence is coming to Gray with me because I'm singing there tonight. She wants you to come."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll come. We meeting at your house?"

"Of course."

"Alright. When you want me to be there?"

"Around six."

"Got it. See ya."

"Later."

There. Now I'll have a half an hour with Spencer before he comes.

I couldn't find a good outfit. And I also had to find one for Spencer.

"Here. Try this dress on."

I was running back and forth. Nothing was good enough

"Ash."

"Yeah?"

"Zip me up?"

I stopped running and zipped her dress up. God, she's beautiful. A knock came at the door. It's six already?

"Can you get that please?"

"Sure."

Spencer opened my door and there was Aiden. He looked pretty good too.

"Hey Aiden."

"Hey Spence. Ashley, your not ready?"

"I can't find anything good enough."

"You look fine right now."

I looked down at my clothes. A white and gold t-shirt, short skirt, and black heels.

"I should change the shoes."

A sigh came from Aiden. Why is he in such a rush?

"It'll only take a minute."

I ran back into my closet. Where are my gold shoes? Oh there they are. I should stay in here a little bit longer so they can talk. It'll kill me but it's what Spence wants. Okay their getting too close, time to swoop in.

"Okay I'm ready."

"Well alright. Let's get this show on the road."

"Hang on. Ash, can I talk to you?"

"Sure."

Spencer grabbed my hand and pulled me back into my closet.

"What's up?"

"I'm probably going to flirt with Aiden tonight. Is that going to bother you?"

So she didn't erase that conversation from her brain.

"A little but I can deal. Tonight is about my father anyway."

"How much longer is he going to be around?"

"Two weeks."

Silence filled the room.

"Hey Ash?"

"What?"

"Thanks for inviting Aiden. It must suck watching the person you like flirt with someone else. You've been really chill about this whole thing."

"Yeah, towards you. But when I'm alone, that's when it really hurts."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"You're a good friend Ashley."

And that's all I'll ever be to her. Aiden and Madison aren't going to be ending any time soon. So Spencer will still be trying hard to get Aiden. Which means I'll never have a chance to be with her. Well, right now I could try. I walked closer to her.

"What are you.."

"Shh. I'm just trying something."

And just when I was almost about to kiss her, Aiden comes in.

"Whoa, this is… Wow."

Asshole. I gave him my death stare.

"Oh, sorry. Do you want me to leave?"

"Please."

"No Aiden. You don't have to."

"Huh?"

"I can't do this. Not like this. I'll get a ride from Aiden. See you there."

And there she went.

When I arrived at Gray, I saw Aiden and Spencer at the bar. Spencer looked like she'd already had five drinks. Great. First he ruins our moment, and then he gets her drunk. I searched the rest of the bar and didn't see my dad anywhere. Can my night get any worse?

"Hey, over here!"

Aiden was waving his hand at me. Yeah, like I want to talk to you. Oh well.

"Oh hi, Ashley."

"Are you drunk?"

"No. I'm just… Tipsy."

"Way to go Aiden. Come on."

I pulled Spencer back to the waiting room.

"Where did Aiden go?"

"He's at the bar. Listen Spence, about earlier…"

"Earlier doesn't matter. It's now that does."

She moved closer to me and tried kissing me. I moved my head so she would just kiss my cheek. I wasn't going to do this. Not this way.

"I have to get ready. Go hang with Aiden. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay."

It was seven and my dad still wasn't here.

"Up next we have Ashley Davies."

Okay here we go. Wait, where's Aiden and Spencer? Great. No dad or friends. Could tonight get any worse?

"I'm going to sing my favorite song by my father, Raife. I'm also dedicating it to my friends. So here's Hold On."

Spent your life searching

waiting in line

I know you're holding on

To what you can't find

When the light is fading

and it's hard to see

I hope you know you're still a part of me

So hold on

Hold on to me

Hold on

Hold on to me

The crowd started clapping once I was done.

"Thank you!"

I walked off the stage and went over to the bar. My best adult friend, Cindy, is the bartender here.

"What do you want?"

"Just a coke tonight."

"You got it."

Cindy cracked open a can of coke and slid it close to me.

"So where's your friends?"

"I have no idea. They were my support system tonight. But I guess I don't need them since my dad didn't even show up."

"I don't think that's correct."

I gave her a confused look then turned around. I saw my father walking towards me.

"I know. I'm a horrible person. Sorry that I showed up late."

"It's no big deal. You're here now."

"You should've heard her, Raife. She was amazing."

My dad hugged me. I could smell his personal cologne. I bought myself a bottle when it came out just so I would remember what he smelled like. The Davies cologne is the best.

"Well can I hear you sing now?"

"Of course, daddy."

He grabbed his guitar and strummed softly. I started singing.

I hadn't heard from Spencer all weekend. I dialed her number.

"Hey Ash."

"Thanks for ditching Friday."

"Sorry about that. I was totally wasted so Aiden took me home."

"Yeah right."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know your lying."

"Fine. I wanted to go home but I took it too far. I kissed him and we fooled around in the back of his car. We didn't go all the way because I passed out. So he drove me home and we found Glen and Madison making out in my living room. Then my parents came and I puked."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not funny. I'm grounded for the rest of week. Plus I'm not allowed to see Aiden anymore."

"How are you not going to see him when you two go to school together?"

"Exactly. But my mom told Glen that he has to keep an eye on me until Friday."

"Does that mean that you can't come over after school?"

"No, I can. As long as Aiden isn't there and I call my house every ten minutes."

"Isn't that a little too strict?"

"Not in my family."

"Wow. Well, you going to come over?"

"Sure. Your giving me a ride right?"

"Actually, I don't think so."

"Why?"

"Kidding. Of course I am."

"See you at school, Ash."

"Yep."

"So you and Madison are done huh?"

"Yeah. Now she's with that jerk Glen."

"Are you pissed about it?"

"Not really. I never really liked Madison."

"Well do you like anyone now?"

"Yeah and I think she likes me too."

He better not be talking about Spencer. It's bad enough that she likes him. If he likes her too then I might as well forget about ever dating Spencer.

"Do you think anything will happen with this person?"

"I don't know. We have a date tomorrow so something could."

Wait, Spencer and Aiden have a date? Tomorrow?! Why didn't she tell me?

"You have a date with Spencer?!"

"How did you know it was her?"

"I guessed."

"Oh. But yes we do."

"Her mom said you can't see each other the rest of the week."

"It's called breaking the rules, Ash. Don't act like you've never done it."

Now I'm definitely never going to have a chance. Oh great, there's Spencer.

"Hey Ashley."

"Whatever."

I couldn't deal with this right now. I walked away from them.

"Ashley!"

Now she's following me.

"Leave me alone."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong."

I turned and went into the bathroom. I locked myself in a stall.

"Come on Ash. What's up?"

"Go away, Spencer. I can't deal with you right now."

"What did I do?"

"Stop acting like you don't know."

"I'm not acting. Just tell me and I'll leave."

I might as well.

"Why didn't you tell me you have a date with Aiden tomorrow?"

"Because I knew you would act like this. I was going to tell you."

"When? After the date?"

"No. I was going to tell you just a little bit ago. But you ran off."

"Why did you set the date up?"

"Because I like him, Ash. And he likes me too. I want to take my chance before it's too late."

"But you like girls. You told me."

"I know that."

"Then why are you going out with a guy?"

"I'm not going through this again."

Tears started building up in my eyes. Pain was striking every inch of my body right now. I love Spencer and she's going out with someone I used to love.

"Let me in."

"No. Just go away."

"Fine."

Spencer crawled in through the opening at the bottom of the stall. Damn door. She walked over to me and hugged me.

"I'm sorry that I can't just not like Aiden. But I liked him before I ever realized that I'm gay."

"I'm sorry, Spence."

"It's okay."

"I don't think you should come over later. I need some time alone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. You going to be good the rest of the day?"

"Yeah."

Aiden called me and told me that Spencer and him were going on their date tonight instead. That didn't help me stop crying. He called about an hour ago. Now it's almost eight. My dad called too. He said that if I needed someone I could go over to the beach house. Wait, my phone is going off again. It's Spencer.

"Hello."

"Hey, can you come over?"

"Sure."

I hung up and ran to my car. When I pulled into the Carlin's driveway, I saw Spencer sitting on a bench in the yard.

"What's wrong?"

"I went on the date with Aiden. He was about to kiss me but then your face popped in my head. I told him that I couldn't be with him."

"Spencer I… Oh hello Ashley."

"Hi Mrs. Carlin. Spencer called me over."

"Well that's fine. I brought some brownies and a glass of milk. I'll go get another one if you want."

"No that's fine."

"Alright."

We didn't talk until Spencer's mom was back in the house. I grabbed for a brownie and took a bite out of it.

"Thanks for being cool with my mom."

"That's because I love… these brownies."

Spencer gave me a smile. She knew what I meant to say. And it's true. I do love her.

"Come over to my house tonight. My mom's going to be in the Castes for a couple of days."

"Okay."

She went inside and grabbed some clothes. Then we went over to my house.