A/N: I know my chapters are short. I promise to make them longer. Thank you to the six people who's reviewed for me and for the 3 that follow. I love it and I'll continue to write this story even though there are so few of you. It means a lot to me.

Song at the end is by All Time Low.

Mr. Wayne Carter, Sr. is a ruthless but brilliant attorney who had a flair for theatrics in the courtroom and a love for the media. He only took front page worthy cases and he only defended the rich. The good thing about Mr. Carter was that he had a soft spot for young and fresh attorneys from top-tiered schools. And that is how Ashley, Aiden, Madison, and I were able to work at this firm.

Ashley, being the hardworking and talented lawyer she is, caught the attention of Mr. Carter almost immediately. He had taken a special liking to Ashley and has worked with and trained her personally. He has gone as far as telling her that she is the next in line to become partner, bypassing so many other attorneys with many more years and court-room victories under their belts.

I, on the other hand, am mediocre at best. I think I became a defense lawyer because I didn't know what else to do. I think I became a defense lawyer to get the attention of my father, a legendary defense attorney himself. My father, though, is nothing like Mr. Carter. He defended those who he believed were truly innocent whether they could pay or not pay. I worshipped the man and wanted to be like him. And lastly, I think I became a defense lawyer because that is what Ashley wanted.

Like I mentioned earlier, I was madly in love with Ashley and the thought of being apart in college was devastating to me. I just noticed I said "was madly in love with Ashley". I promise to go into detail about that later. And that is why I went to Harvard Law. I had the grades to pull it off and I did get accepted with ease. However, the most important factor was that Ashley also got accepted. I went to law school for all the wrong reasons and I am just now experiencing the hangover effects.

"Hello Mr. Carter. You were asking for me?" I say to him as I entered his office.

"Ah yes Spencer. Would you care for some coffee or perhaps a scotch?" He offers and politely decline.

"How is the soon to be Mrs. Davies? Ashley can't stop talking about the wedding plans."

"It's going to be Mrs. Carlin-Davies. And I'm wonderful Mr. Carter. Ashley's really excited to give me a beautiful wedding and I'm sure she will."

"Well I expect an invitation Mrs. Carlin-Davies. I won't take up too much of your time dear."

"Not a problem at all Mr. Carter. What can I do for you?"

"I have looked at your credentials Spencer. It seems to me that you have a lot of potential. You graduated salutatorian in high school and college. After that you graduated top 5 of your class at Harvard which is a very admirable feat. You interned at Holfman and Gaines, a top-twenty firm. "

Mr. Carter continues on to highlight my achievements and I think I know where this is going. I allow him to continue on without saying a word. At least he knows I had achievements at some point in my life. For a split second, I felt as if he was describing someone else. Someone I didn't know. For each and every one of those achievements, Ashley's overshadowed mine. I was salutatorian in high school and college, she was valedictorian. I was top five in law school, she was top 3. I interned at a top 20 law firm, she interned at a top 10 law firm. I was always one step behind her and I'm not sure anymore if it was because she was smarter or more talented than I was. Some part of me said that wasn't always the case.

"And if I remember quite well, you blew our minds away during your interviews. You have an impressive education and training and it's also in your genes. Your father is Arthur Carlin, a well- respected and highly regarded defense attorney in Ohio. And your mother, Paula Carlin, is a world-renowned and award winning surgeon. You have the brains, the skills, and the DNA to be a great lawyer. Then tell me, Spencer, why I am seeing a decline in your cases being sent to trial. It seems that your prefer plea agreements over victories in court. Am I sensing that you are no longer happy working in this firm?"

There it is. I was waiting for him to question my loyalty to this firm.

"Mr. Carter, to be honest, I'm just overwhelmed by all of this. With Ashley's career taking off, I feel like I have to be the one to make sacrifices right now. I want her to succeed. And then the wedding is also something I have been stressing about." I do want Ashley to succeed. I just didn't know that I had to take a backseat.

"I like your honesty, Spencer. And I am even more amazed of your support for the woman you love. Hell if my ex-wives supported my career like that, I wouldn't have been divorced 3 times. Ashley, as you know, is on the quick track to make partner. I'm glad you and I are on the same page about her. We need her to be her best at all times. I want you to continue what you're doing but I also need you to step up your game. We have a reputation to uphold and I need all of my associates to protect that reputation."

"I understand Mr. Carter. "

"There is an important case I am assigning to you. Of the many lawyers that work for me, I think you're perfect for this case. Mr. Thomas Scott is the CEO of Scott Communications, a Fortune 500 company. He has been married to his wife for over 15 years and they have 3 young daughters together. Thomas Scott is being accused of molesting and raping four boys between the ages of 8 to 16. This is an important case to us. You will take this to trial and you will win it."

I hold back any reaction to what is being asked of me. There are two types of clients that I have avoided and refused to defend, the wife beaters and the child rapists.

"I appreciate the trust you have bestowed upon me to handle such an important case, but why me? Of the many talented lawyers you have at your payroll, why me for this case?"

"I need Mr. Scott to be defended by a lawyer that the jury can easily warm up to. I need someone who can easily win the sympathy of the jury. Someone who looks like the All-American girl who got straight A's in school and dated the prom king or queen. Someone who obeyed her parents and got herself a great education. I need a female attorney that looks like she can be the perfect wife and perfect mother to her children. Because if some like her can defend someone like Mr. Scott, who is being accused of such a horrific crime, then he may be innocent after all."

He made no mention of my accomplishments this time around. In fact, he seemed to have emphasized that fact that I am being chosen for this case not because I am a talented lawyer with so much potential, but because I can appear to be the dutiful wife, the perfect daughter, and the All-American girl. I am only being chosen for this case solely on the reason that I am someone who looks like the jury will believe.

"The piercing blue eyes and the blond hair certainly don't hurt. And of course, your personal life is impeccable and your parents are legendary in their careers. The media and the jury will adore you."

"Mr. Carter, I am highly appreciative of working for you, but I'm not sure if I can handle a case of this magnitude. What about Ashley, Madison, or even Leah or Mildred. I am sure I am not the only female attorney is this office that can play the part you are asking?"

"Spencer, Ashley has a lot on her plate right now and she needs to focus on her cases. Mildred is on maternity leave. And Madison and Leah are both beautiful women but female jurors will only envy and hate them. And do you think the male jurors will take them seriously? I'll give you the weekend to think about it. I expect you to make the right decision come Monday. Think about what this could do for your career. Just think about what Ashley would do."

And it always comes down to Ashley.

"Thank you Mr. Carter. I'll certainly consider it and will get back to you on Monday"

I walk out of his office and as soon as I closed the door, I make a beeline to the elevators. I pressed the button taking me to the rooftop. I was suffocating. I needed air and I needed it fast. Although it seemed like a great opportunity for my career, it certainly felt like an insult to who I am. It certainly felt like a blow to the gut.

I took a deep breath and the air felt good. A few years ago, this is not how I envisioned my life. This is not how I pictured my life to be. I never pictured myself as someone who did mediocre things or did what people told her to do. I imagined myself to be doing what I want and when I wanted to do it. I imagined myself doing greater things for the betterment of the world. I thought I was going to be a difference maker in this world not a part of the problem. I am now looking down and I can see the traffic on the ground. I didn't notice how close I was to the ledge. I remember how it felt to be alive.

8 years ago Senior Year

"What do you want to be when you grow up? " I asked Ashley. Since that day at the cafeteria, we've been inseparable and it's been a few months now. She has no idea how she makes me feels. When we're together, everything is perfect. And no matter how lonely it gets at my house and no matter painful it is to be at away from my dad, she makes everything bearable. I'm surviving because someone like Ashley walked into my life. But she doesn't know that of course. I'm afraid I'll lose her if I tell her.

"Huh? That's such a dorky question. It's a question you ask an eight year old."

"Just answer the question." It's 9 o'clock at night and Ashley and I are lying on a blanket on top of our favorite rooftop. You can see the stars really good up here. It's as if we're close enough to touch it.

"Fine, but don't laugh ok. You're gonna think I'm a dork or a loser."

"I already think you're dorky." She smiles but hits me playfully on the arm.

"Hmmmm…. I want to be a rock star just like my dad. Don't laugh ok. I don't wanna do it for the fame or the money. I want to do it for the music. I want to write my own songs and sing at sold out concerts. I wanna travel all over the world and perform at different countries. But most especially, I want my songs to be inspirational to somebody, anybody. I want my music to be the reason why they chose to live and chose to love. I want somebody to listen to my songs when they're hurting or when they're falling in love. Through my music, I wanna make someone feel alive."

I stay quiet and admire the being in front of me. Oh how I wish I can tell that she's already made me feel alive.

"What? You think I'm lame huh?" She's asks me.

"No, I think you're amazing" Crap did I just say that out loud?

"Huh?"

"I meant, I think that's an amazing thing you want to do with your life. If there's someone who can inspire masses with a microphone, I know it's you"

Ashley stares at me with her beautiful brown eyes. Even in the dark, I'm drowning in them. I can't handle the intensity of her stare so I look away.

She notices my discomfort so she gets up and grabs her guitar.

"Let me play something for you. I haven't played for anybody other than my dad you know? So be nice and tell me what you think. I, uh, sort of wrote it for you."

She starts strumming her guitar and my heart beats a little faster.

Time to lay claim to the evidence
Fingerprints sold me out
But our footprints washed away
From the docks downtown
It's been getting late for days
And I think myself deserving of a little time off
We can kick it here for hours
And just mouth off about the world
And how we know it's going straight to hell

Pass me another bottle, honey
The Jager's so sweet
But if it keeps you around, then I'm down

Meet me on Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold, you look so fierce
But I'm warm enough
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars

I should have known better than to call you out
(On a night like this, a night like this)
If not for you, I know I'd tear this place to the ground
(But I'm all right like this, all right like this)
I'm gonna roll the dice
Before you sober up and get gone
(I'm always in over my head)

Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold, you look so fierce
But I'm warm enough
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars

Time to lay claim to the evidence
Fingerprints sold me out
But our footprints washed away
I'm guilty, but I'm safe for one more day
Overdressed and underage
(What a letdown)
Do you really need see an ID?
This is embarrassing as hell
(What a letdown)
But I can cover for it so well
When we're six feet under the stars

Thames Street
I'll take you out
Though I'm hardly worth your time
In the cold you look so fierce
But I'm warm enough
Because the tension's like a fire
We'll hit South Broadway in a matter of minutes
And like a bad movie, I'll drop a line
Fall in the grave I've been digging myself
But there's room for two
Six feet under the stars
Six feet under the stars
Six feet under the stars

As the song ends, my heart is pounding. I am falling in love with this girl. And I've never felt more alive than I do now.

A/N: Tell me what you think. Thanks.