Jonica went on to discuss the club and what we would be doing this year. I wish I could tell you what she said, but I wasn't paying attention. Instead I focused on the door and whether or not I should bolt it. What's the point of being in a club if you would be miserable being around someone you can't stand? I looked at Jonica, then at the door. I had to make my move now if I was going to get out of this. I took one last look at the door then made my move and stood up to leave.
"Alright great Spencer! Thanks for stepping up and volunteering!" said Jonica excitedly.
"Um yeah, of course. Yay me! What exactly am I volunteering for again?" I asked stupidly.
"Working with Ashley to pick out our material for our first competition. I'm sure the two of you will come up with something spectacular!" said Jonica as she clapped her hands.
"Ladies I have a good feeling about Spencer here, and I really think we have a great shot winning the state competition this year! This is our year!" said Jonica to the group.
"Are you sure Ashley even needs help? If she has always worked by herself the previous year's, I'm sure she could do it again," I said to Jonica.
"Oh don't be shy Spencer, I'm sure you will have some great suggestions," said Jonica as everyone agreed.
I knew everyone was happy. Not because I was some kind of musically gifted person that could actually give us a chance at state. In reality everyone was just happy that they wouldn't be the ones stuck working with Ashley.
"Alright today was just a meeting to get to know everyone and what we hope to accomplish this year. Our first competition will be October 15. We will be staying in a hotel overnight for that competition. We will discuss the details at a later date. For now drink plenty of water throughout the day ladies. Our next meeting will be Thursday night in Porter Hall, room 320 at eight sharp. I hope Ashley and Spencer can come up with some great suggestions by then. Again welcome, and have a nice evening everyone," said Jonica as she started to pack up her stuff.
I had to talk to Jonica, there was no way I could work with Ashley. I can't even live with her! I grabbed my stuff and made my way through the group so I could talk to Jonica. Someone had already gotten there first.
"Jon I don't need help doing this! I have always worked alone and we have done just fine in the past," exclaimed Ashley.
Exactly Ashley, just fine. I would like to win for a change, it's my senior year and my last chance to actually do something that I will be remembered for at Westcott," said Jonica as she gathered her paperwork and walked out of the lounge.
"Great," Ashley mumbled as she watched Jonica leave.
"I don't want to work with you just as much as you don't want to work with me Ashley. But for the sake of the team we should try to at least make this work," I said walking up to Ashley.
"Whatever blondie. We can meet in the library tomorrow at eight. But I will still be ultimately making the decisions on what songs we use," said Ashley as she walked away.
"Whatever," I mumbled to myself as I walked back to my dorm.
When I walked in Madison was rubbing lotion on her skin and Kyla and Chelsea were sitting on Kyla's bed and looking at something on Kyla's computer. Luckily Ashley hadn't returned to the room yet.
"Hey Spence, where have you been?" asked Kyla.
"Just around. Trying to make sure I know my way around so I can find my classes tomorrow," I said lying.
I couldn't tell them that I was meeting Ashley in the library tomorrow. They already warned me that I should be staying clear of her. They most likely knew Ashley was in choir. I figured there was no harm in them not knowing anything. Besides, I doubt after tomorrow there would be anymore meetings with Ashley so why bother saying anything.
"Well I can walk you to your first class Spence, my biology class is across from your chemistry class, said Chelsea with a smile.
"Thanks Chelsea, I appreciate that," I said returning her smile.
I grabbed some pajamas and my tooth brush bag and made my way down to the bathroom. On the way there I happened to see Ashley at the end of the hall talking to some girl. A part of me was curious as to whether or not the rumors about Ashley were true. Just out of natural curiosity.
"Wake up Spence!" shouted Kyla.
I opened my eyes and grabbed my phone to look at the time.
"It's five in the morning Kyla, breakfast doesn't even start for another two hours," I said rubbing my eyes.
"The bathroom gets crowded on the first day Spence. If you want a hot shower I suggest you shower now," said Kyla as she grabbed her stuff.
"I guess you're right," I said as I got out of bed.
I looked up at Ashley's bed.
"Where's Ashley?" I asked.
"She left to shower already," said Madison as she grabbed her stuff.
"So Spence are you nervous about your first day?" asked Kyla.
"Not really, I mean all schools are basically the same right?" I said.
I was definitely wrong. My first three classes had already assigned homework. Homework on the first day! At least at King you had it easy for the first week. This school was no joke when it came to academics. The only plus side was the fact that my new friends shared some of my classes, so we agreed to study together.
I made my way over to the usual table in the dining hall for lunch. Kyla and Chelsea were already there.
"Hey guys," I said sitting down.
"Hey Spence," they both said at the same time.
"So how is your first day of classes going Spence?" asked Chelsea as she bit into her sandwich.
"Honestly it's a bit overwhelming. I've never had so much homework before," I said feeling stressed out.
"You'll get used to it Spence. If you need any help let me know," Chelsea offered.
"Thanks Chels," I said with a smile.
"Okay so I heard from Jade who heard from Jamie that that party this weekend is going to be insane! It's going to be the most talked about party of the year! We have to go!" said Madison as she sat down.
"Where are we going?" asked Jessica as she and Sasha sat down with their trays.
"To the party that everyone is talking about," said Madison.
"Oh the one Aiden Dennison is throwing. Count us in," said Jessica as she opened her salad.
"Isn't that the guy that got Ashley pregnant?" I asked.
"Yeah. He lives off campus and his family is loaded. He always throws the most insane parties, answered Madison.
"Count me out, I need to get some serious study time in," said Chelsea.
"Yeah I'm going to sit this one out too. I want to get to work on the play," said Kyla.
"Well what about you Spence? Are you in?" asked Madison.
"Sure why not. I could use a party," I said.
"Great then it's settled! This weekend is going to be epic!" said Madison as she clapped.
After lunch I had two more classes for the day, Calculus and World History. I was hoping my last two classes would be a little easier. As my luck would have it they weren't. Looks like I will be taking Chelsea up on her offer to help me with my classes. I remember on the first day Chelsea had mentioned that she was a straight A student. She also mentioned that she wanted to get into Notre Dame. I totally think she'll get in by the way. My brother Clay always talks about wanting to go to school there. I bet Clay and Chelsea would get along great. Maybe I'll introduce them to each other if he visits.
For the rest of the day I worked on homework and did some reading for my classes. I had to admit I was proud of myself for actually taking the time to work on my studies. At dinner I thought about Carmen and how I haven't really heard from her. I know she gets busy with helping to take care of her family, but I don't even a text asking how I'm doing. I knew a long distance relationship would be hard, but I didn't know it would be this hard.
It was getting close to eight, so I figured I better make my way over to the library. I wasn't sure if Ashley was going to show since I haven't seen her around today. I did see her at lunch at her usual table, but that was about it. I decided to take a notepad and a pen with me just in case.
"Where are you off to Spence?" asked Kyla.
"Oh I was just going to the library to do some research. I have a paper coming up in my lit class and I want to get started early," I said making my way out of the door.
I made my way over to the library about ten minutes after eight. I walked around looking for Ashley, assuming she hadn't bothered to show. I ended up spotting her towards the back corner of the library. She was sitting at a table with her computer and some papers. She had on some black reading glasses that made her look studious, but in a hot way. Not that I'm saying Ashley is hot. That would be crazy.
"Hey," I said as I sat down.
"You're late blondie," said Ashley not looking away from her computer.
"You know you could call me Spencer, which is my name," I said pushing my chair in.
"I'm fully aware of your name blondie," said Ashley, still not looking at me.
"I didn't think you would show," I said looking at her.
"Well I said I would be here, so here I am," said Ashley still looking at her computer.
"So what songs have you came up with so far?" I asked.
"Not sure yet," said Ashley.
"Well it needs to be something current that people will know," I said.
"Really? I never would have thought of that! Thanks blondie," Ashley said sarcastically.
I just couldn't take this girl anymore.
"What the fuck is your problem Ashley? Do you just act like a bitch to everyone, or do you just have something against me?" I asked fed up.
"Don't flatter yourself blondie, I don't care enough about you to single you out," said Ashley, still not looking at me.
"You know what, fuck this and fuck you Ashley! Jonica can find someone else to work with you, though I highly doubt anyone would," I said getting up and starting to walk away.
"And you know what Ashley," I said turning around. "Honestly at first I kind of felt like giving you a chance. I know everybody at this school judges you and talks bad about you, but I thought hey, maybe it's all talk and people don't actually know the real you. I thought that maybe we could do this and I would see that there is actually an ounce of good in you. But no, you're just a cold-hearted bitch," I said making my exit.
I never turned back after that. I was done with Ashley completely. No way in hell was I going to work with her anymore. When I got back to the room I was quiet, my roommates assumed I was tired. Eventually Ashley came back to the room and got in bed once she thought everyone was asleep. She didn't say anything and neither did I. I started to feel sleep over take me as I drifted off into a deep sleep. Had I stayed awake for a moment longer, I would have heard the faint sounds of someone crying above me…