Disclaimer: South of Nowhere and the characters affiliated with it belong to Tom Lynch and The N. I own nothing but my own plot twists.
A/N: Last chapter was kind of short so I decided a double update was in order. I promise the chapters do get longer.
As always- Thanks to my lovely reviews! :) Reviews are always appreciated.
Chapter 4: Coming Back for more
"I don't wanna spend another night, trying to figure out why you're always on my mind.
Whoa, you keeping me coming back for more"
Ashlee Simpson
-
Friday was here, the day of the dance. One shower and six outfits later, I was finally ready to go, or as ready as I'd ever be.
I walked downstairs and was shocked to see Glen and Clay dressed up. "You two are going?"
"Yep, with Madison," Glen bragged.
I gave him a strange look. "Isn't she with Aiden?"
Glen snorted and rolled his eyes. "She realized she needed a real man."
"And when she couldn't find one, she asked Glen," Clay deadpanned, and we shared a high five over his insult.
Glen shot Clay a glare and turned to me. "You going solo?"
"No, I'm just riding with you two because I want to," I retorted, throwing in an eye roll for good measure. Honestly it wasn't that dumb of a question, but who was I to pass on an opportunity to rile Glen? "What about you, Clay?"
"I'm going with Chelsea," he said with a shy, sweet smile on his face.
"Yeah, you know, the girl he got his ass beat over," Glen shot in.
"Language Glen," my dad chastised as he walked in the room. "Well don't you just look beautiful, Spence," he beamed at me. I blushed and hugged him tightly.
"No favorites my ass," Glen muttered under his breath. I maturely stuck my tongue out at him.
"Ok, well have fun you three. Be responsible," my dad said with a pointed look at Glen. "Be home no later than 12:30."
We all said our byes and got into the car. I immediately text Ashley as we rode over, telling her for about the fifth time today that I wished she would come. She was taking it well enough, but I knew she got tired of me talking about it. I was hoping I could break her down, but Ashley Davies was as stubborn as she was beautiful and confident.
"Spence, you made it!" Madison ambushed me with a hug as soon as I walked in.
I swear she was staking out the door waiting for me. It made me wonder how many awkward 'not-Spencer' hugs she had given.
And what the hell did I say about her using that nickname? If Ashley were here she would punch her; though maybe that wouldn't be for the best. Ah, screw it, Mad deserved it.
I briefly wondered if Madison knew what a smart ass inner Spencer was. Deciding that her mind reading abilities were lacking, I walked around. I figured it looked less awkward than if I was just sitting alone at a table with only my phone for company. Although checking my phone every thirty seconds for a text probably didn't help. I quickly forgot about it though when I saw I had a text from Ashley.
-Hey Cinderella, how's the ball-
I laughed. Leave it to her to make me smile with something random like that. I started to text back but decided on a better option. I walked outside and called her and laughed as her picture id flashed on the screen.
She had taken my phone and done an 'Ashley Davies photo shoot,' saying that now I could see her whenever we weren't together, but that I had to promise not to sell them on the internet. Her and her modesty.
"Hey hey, what's up?" her low voice answered. Just hearing her voice instantly made my night so much better.
"Any way I could convince her highness to grace us mere mortals with her presence," I teasingly asked.
"Dance sucks that bad?" she asked distractedly.
"Not really, just would be better with you here. So, please," I begged, not caring that I was sounding childish.
She sighed, and I couldn't decide if it was out of frustration or regret. "You know I don't do dances, Spence."
I tried to hide my disappointment. "Yeah I know, but it would just be us, and you can leave whenever and I'll never ever ask again."
Cue in desperation.
I heard her sigh again but she didn't say anything else. "Ash?" I asked uncertainly. "Ash?" I repeated.
"Bye, Spencer," she laughed quietly into the phone before hanging up.
I stared at my phone for a good two minutes after she hung up as if I expected it to be able to explain what had just transpired.
Muttering to myself about crazy best friends, I sat down on the edge of a fountain, playing Pac Man on my phone in hopes that it would tune out the sound of couples making out.
"Damn, it really does suck with out me." I turned my head as I heard Ashley's voice. I immediately got up from my seat and walked over to her.
I couldn't contain my ear splitting grin as I saw her. She looked amazing in her halter top black dress. Her curly hair was partly pulled back, elegantly framing her face. It wasn't just the outfit that made her beautiful, though; it was the gorgeous timid smile on her face and that rare, vulnerable look in her warm brown eyes. She met me half way and stopped a few feet from me.
"You came," I stated unnecessarily, as if I still needed to remind myself. It was either that or pinch myself, and I bruise easy.
She nodded and smiled again. "I did."
I looked her over again. "You look great," I told her shyly, wondering why my voice slightly wavered.
Her chocolate eyes settled on mine, and I felt my heart pound a little harder. "Thanks, you look pretty too." I blushed as expected and smiled back.
I saw her playing with the ring on her right hand. "You nervous?"
"A little," she admitted, much to my surprise. I was expecting a cocky reply.
"Well come on." I offered her my hand and gave her a reassuring smile.
Her eyes found mind again, and then her soft, warm hand was in mine and I was leading us inside.
Once in, I gave her hand a quick squeeze before releasing it. We stayed close to each other, as if we were afraid that any distance further than three inches would separate us the rest of the night.
"It's not so bad," Ashley admitted quietly. I smiled and nodded my agreement.
I should have known not to let her say that. It's like when you say, 'It can't get any worse,' because as soon as you say that, it gets worse.
Cue in Madison.
"Were all the gay bars closed?"
She of course looked gorgeous in her short dress, which was some how not considered inappropriate, even though the cut was mid thigh and the neckline was about mid stomach.
Ok, maybe that neckline was an exaggeration, but not by much.
"And now it is," Ashley deadpanned.
I found myself taking a step closer to Ashley. "Would you lay off?" I asked tiredly.
"Spencer what- oh I get it!" Madison interrupted herself, speaking slowly as if she had just realized something. To me, it was worse than her normal bitchiness. "We can't have lesbians on our squad. You might check us out or feel us up or something. You're off."
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Now what a minute! Me gay? How did it turn into this? I turned towards Ashley and gave her an annoyed look. I couldn't help but feel mad at her for his.
Oh wait, Madison wasn't done.
"Especially if you're friends with a dyke who gets knocked up," she continued. "We don't want all this bad rep associated with the squad."
I felt Ashley stiffen beside me and my anger quickly dissipated. What in the hell was going on!?
"You told her?" Ashley demanded of some one behind us. I turned and saw Aiden.
Madison put her hands on her hip. "And you got rid of it, you whore."
"Ash, I'm-" but Ashley cut him off with her hand. He tried a different approach. "We didn't get rid of it. It was a miscarriage," Aiden quietly explained, his eyes never leaving Ashley.
Oh holy shit! Remember me wanting to know the full story? Forget it, I changed my mind. Let's rewind!
Apparently I wasn't the only one who didn't know. "You're an ass!" Madison hissed angrily, slapping Aiden's cheek hard before walking out.
Ashley stared at the ground, but I could see the sad look in her normally vibrant eyes. "I wanted it, so much. You know, finally have some one who could love me for me," she explained sadly. I think I felt my heart break.
"Ash," Aiden said quietly, moving to put his arms on her shoulder before quickly changing his mind. "I never meant for this to happen." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"But it did," she said pointedly. She grabbed my hand and led me to her car.
"Going for some alone time with you girlfriend?" Oh good, I was worried Madison had run out of comments.
"You know what, I'm glad I'm off the squad. I like not having to listen to you bitch about everything, whether it's cheerleading or anything else. And Ashley's worth twenty of you, so get over yourself and stop using her to cover your own insecurities." I wasn't sure where the anger came from, but I kind of liked it.
Madison paused for a second as she took in my words. "You're making a mistake choosing her. She'll burn you. Don't think that you are anything to her besides a number. She'll always want more than you can give. She's Ashley Davies, there will always be some one new to catch her interest, and when they do, you'll have nothing to fall back on because you're giving it all up now."
Madison shook her head at me, obviously satisfied with doubtful look that crossed my face momentarily, confirming the impact her words were having on me. She gave us a hard look before walking back inside- hopefully to get thrown up on.
"She was off her game," Ashley attempted to joke, but it fell flat. I wasn't in the mood and I wanted answers.
I wordlessly climbed into the passenger side.
Ashley bit her lip and quickly looked at me before averting her eyes. "I'm sorry about that in there. Now you know why I avoid these things."
I couldn't believe her!
"So it's my fault for making you come here?" I demanded, probably unjustly blowing it out of proportion.
She shook her head quickly. "No!" she assured me. "Because of tonight. It's a constant reminder of what happened. I was finally able to forget for a few blissful moments." Part of me genuinely felt bad for her, but a major part of me was still angry and confused.
"So what exactly are you?" She flinched at my harsh tone. "I mean last year you were with Aiden and pregnant with his child, and now this year...Madison constantly makes remarks about you, so what, gay, straight, all of the above?"
She shrugged and stared through the windshield. "I'm not into labels."
"Well everyone else on our planet is. God Ash, just tell me."
"Does it really matter?" she asked quietly.
"I just want to know."
She sighed softly, and I anxiously leaned forward. "I'm- Fucking shit!" she said loudly as a bloody Aiden banged on the car window, effectively scaring us both.
"God just leave us alone," I shouted angrily, a hand still over my rapidly beating heart.
Honestly, hadn't he done enough?
He kept giving worried glances toward the building entrance. "Please can I get in?"
"Ugh, fine," Ashley sighed and unlocked the doors. "Get in, but don't you dare get blood on the leather." I choked back a laugh at her serious command but quickly sobered as I glanced in the rear view mirror at the dark haired boy.
We all sat in silence as Ashley drove. She pulled off by an overhang and we stepped out and walked over to the guard rail, looking over the city.
Ashley and Aiden kept exchanging glances, both quickly looking away when they caught the other's eye. It was beyond annoying.
"Hey, uh, I'm really sorry," Aiden finally spoke up.
Ashley gave him a small, quick smile. "Don't worry about it," she assured him quietly, and was rewarded with a smile from him.
"Do you two want to be alone?" I interrupted a little snappishly.
They exchanged surprised looks.
"No," Aiden shook his head.
Ashley scrunched her face up. "Ew, no." I felt relieved. I really didn't want to leave but I'd rather not be subjected to their awkward sexual tension either.
"…Do you two want to be alone?" Aiden asked after a moment, giving Ashley and me a significant look.
I looked at Ashley and saw the same look. "No," we both breathed out with a laugh.
"So are you gay, Spencer?" Aiden asked next. What was with all the questions? It was like being around my five year old cousin.
I saw Ashley slightly turn towards me and give me questioning look. "I'm not into labels," I said with a shrug. I caught her smile from the corner of my eye and smiled back.
"Wow," Aiden said quietly after another moment of silence, "what a night." Both Ashley and I laughed and nodded our agreement, though all three of us had many different things running through our mind about the same night as we stared off into starry LA.
We arrived back at my place after dropping Aiden off, and no, he was lucky enough not to get blood on the seat. Ashley was fiddling with the steering wheel, drawing random patterns on it. "Thanks for what you said to Madison," she told me shyly.
I loved these little moments when I got a deeper look into who Ashley really was. The Ashley on the other side of the walls.
"It's nice having a friend to care about me." She gave me an unsure smile.
I smiled back at her warmly and pulled her into a hug, knowing that even though she didn't say it, she was also thanking me for accepting her. As if I had a choice. Ashley Davies was in my life, and I never wanted to change that.
My eyes closed as her arms encircled my waist and her comforting weight leaned into mine. It probably was really only about thirty seconds, but I felt like we held each other for a long time before we finally let go, and that was only because my phone's alarm was going off to remind me about curfew.
I paused at the door and turned and gave her one last smile before finally going inside. I did my nightly ritual and grabbed my phone as I got underneath my sheets. I opened it and sent Ashley a message.
-Thanks for going to the dance with me :)
-I was just about to text you. You're def. welcome Spence
I smiled, glad that she was thinking of me too.
-Great minds think alike
-And then there is your mind :-P anyway going to bed
-K, night Ash
-Night Spence
came her simple reply, but that simple text warmed me up and put me to sleep with a smile. Again.
