Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own randomness and attempt at creating a Spashley happy ending. All the characters of SoN belong to Tom Lynch and The-N. Any reference to any person, place, or thing is purely for entertainment purposes.

A/N: So I was rereading this when I saw that I had written that Ashley gave herself a once oven, instead of once over. Haha I thought it was funny. Anyway, this is why I proofread lol.

Chapter 6

Pardon my French but damn, I look good! I give myself a once over, nodding in approval.

"Damn Ashley," I hear Aiden give a low whistle.

I give a cocky smile. "I know." I look him up and down. "Not looking so bad yourself."

He's wearing light blue jeans and a form fitting green polo shirt that I guess girls might think is hot. Whatever, though.

Aiden walks over and gives me a big hug, and I can't help but laugh at him. He's such a guy.

"Sensual Amber?" he asks knowingly as he steps away, sniffing my neck.

I nod and step close to him again, sniffing him in return. "Degree for women?" I tease.

"The green stick," he affirms, smiling back.

"Alright homo, let's go eat!" I grab his arm and tug him down stairs.

He stalls for a second and, I turn around and eye him suspiciously. "Stop staring at my ass!" I order as I yank on his arm again.

He just smiles.

"Yo, Aiden my man!"

I roll my eyes as another drunk guy goes over and gives Aiden a high five. As his eyes blatantly scan over my body, zoning in on my stomach and chest, I smirk and shake my head.

"Think you can get your sexy friend here to talk to me?"

I look at Aiden and firmly shake my head. "Don't you dare," I warn him through my fake smile.

Aiden gives his friend a smile. "Sorry dude." He pats him on the back.

"Aw c'mon. Let Chris have some loving." He gives me an appraising look, and I wonder if referring to yourself in the third person is supposed to be a turn on.

I turn back to Aiden, disbelief coating my features. "Is he that drunk that he doesn't know I can hear him?"

Aiden shrugs and bites back a smirk. "She's not into you."

Chris steps closer to me, breathing his alcohol breath on me, making me cringe. "Yeah, well maybe she should let me get into her, if you know what I mean." He nudges Aiden suggestively. My face contorts into anger. Is he serious?

All traces of playfulness drop from Aiden's features. "Back off, Tucker."

Realizing he crossed the line, Chris takes a step back and puts his hands up. "Hey, you know I'm just messing, Dennison. It's all cool, right?" He looks at me.

I don't want any drama, so I nod. "Yeah, it's cool." I put a gentle hand on Aiden's tense shoulder, feeling him relax a little. "I'm going to mingle some," I tell him.

"Alright," he agrees reluctantly, obviously still feeling protective. "Just be careful, okay? I can't keep up with you as easily since you don't have your phone."

I smile again and kiss his cheek. "Alright, daddy. I'll leave my glass slipper for you." Aiden rolls his eyes at me and pushes me away in amusement.

Ah, and now it's time to go on the prowl. It's really not as easy as it seems. I have to scope out the scene and let them come to me. If I go up to them, they get too scared. But if I let them come to me, their defenses are already low. Yeah, I know, little did you know that there's actually a complicated science to this whole 'picking up girls' thing.

I make my way into the kitchen, searching for the stack of red cups. I found one lying on the floor, but I'm really not dumb enough to trust those. Who knows what liquid has been in there.

"Yo Davies, you up for a shot?"

I turn my head and find Brad Jenkins, a kid in my math class, giving me a friendly smile. He always insists on calling by my last name. I really don't think he knows my first name. "Of?"

He gives me a look. "Does it matter?"

I love this guy! "Good point," I say with a smile. I hold out my hand eagerly.

Brad hands me the mysterious shot. "Ready?"

I nod and we both knock it back, cringing as the foul taste of jäger fills our mouth. "That," I say, once I can open my mouth with out puking, "tasted like shit."

Brad laughs and nods his agreement. "So does that mean another?"

"Of course!" I smile. After all, I do not back down, even to something as awful as jäger.

We quickly down the second one, still shuddering in disgust. "Okay," I hold up the hand that's not covering my mouth, "no more. For now," I make sure to add.

He laughs again and throws his arm around me. "You're such a girl, Davies."

I brush off his arm. "I'm just thinking of your stomach. Don't want you throwing up on me. Not that you could make me any less hot."

"Ha," Madison's voice scoffs harshly, "I beg to differ."

"Then again, I think I'd rather be covered in vomit."

"Shut up and move so I can get a cup." Madison pushes me out of the way.

"I'd love to," I assure her sweetly, "but I'm going to need a hell of a lot more alcohol if I know I might have to interact with you."

"Or you could just leave."

I feel an arm go around me and turn to see Brad pulling Madison and me close to him. "Hey ladies, make love, not war. And if I happen to be there when it happens…well that's okay then." He gives us a charming smile.

"Oh, you'd just love that, wouldn't you," Madison directs at me.

"There's not enough alcohol in the world," I assure her.

"You never know…"

"Shut up, Brad," Madison and I say.

He puts his hands up and smiles innocently. "Just saying."

I can't even look at Madison. My mind is officially screaming at me for the images Brad put there. I'm never drinking again!

Psh, yeah right, that's a lie. I'll just never talk to Madison again. Ah, if only.

Madison stops smiling at Brad and turns to me. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh you know, I showed up here, desperately hoping you'd be here. Thank God you are!" I grab her hand dramatically and hold it to my heart.

She yanks her hand back in disgust. "Touch me again-" she drops off threateningly.

I raise my eyebrows at her. "Again, Madison, not enough alcohol. Keep dreaming though."

"Where's Aiden?" She looks around the kitchen, as if he could somehow manage to hide his 6'2" frame in here.

I cross my arms. Like I'd tell her. "Why?"

She looks at me like I'm stupid. "Because it's easier than having to track him down."

Psh. "And?"

"Just tell me where he is. It's not like you care."

"I care that he stays away from you," I throw back.

"What's even going on with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're with him all the time, going to parties, hanging at school, flirting-" she drops off.

I fake a yawn. "Thanks for summarizing my relationship with Aiden," I say sarcastically, "but what's your point?"

She takes a step closer to me and looks me up and down. She stays silent for a moment, just looking at me with an unreadable look. "I just don't get you."

I don't like her tone. "What does that mean?"

"Aiden's this great guy; he's hot, sweet, funny…and that doesn't matter to you?" Her normal bitchy look is gone, and I'm surprised that I wish it was back. I don't like this version.

"He's my best friend. We've been friends since like third grade." I scrunch my face as I try to picture myself with the goofball. "It'd be weird."

Madison stares at me a moment longer then shakes her head. "You know what, it doesn't even matter," she decides. "That's one less person in the competition."

I don't say anything else. I don't think she knows I'm gay. It's not like I really hide it, but I also don't see it as any of hers or anyone else's business. Well, you know, besides those involved. As if I need more for the cheerbreeders to hassle me about.

She finally leaves, I guess to look for Aiden, and I suddenly feel in the mood for another shot. Feeling brave, or perhaps stupid, I pour myself some more jäger.

Definitely not any better the third time.

"That good, huh?" an amused voice asks.

Ugh, I know that voice. Spencer Carlin. Maybe the fourth one will be worth the bitter taste.

"The worse it tastes, the better it works. Or something like that." I turn towards her, silently commending her for her lack of cheerleading uniform. I look at the white skirt she's wearing. "Couldn't completely go non-cheerleading?"

She looks down at her skirt and smiles. "Well I figured since my legs were shaved, I'd embrace it. And you can never go wrong with red." She notices my outfit. "As I see you know too."

I suddenly feel exposed. "Yeah," I reply lamely. I look around for something other than her to rest my eyes on. They land on the bottles of alcohol. "You up for a shot?"

Spencer bites her lips shyly, shaking her head. "Oh, I don't drink,"

"What?" I ask in surprise, though really it's not too shocking. I should have seen that coming. She really is perfect. "Not even a little? How do you stand Madison for so long then?"

She laughs and shakes her head. "You get used to her." I raise my eyebrows doubtfully. She steps closer to me, looking around to check for Madison. "Or you just ignore her most of the time."

I find myself laughing with her. "Ahh, so your secret is out."

Spencer takes another step closer to me and I feel my body hum. The alcohol must be taking effect. "And what's Ashley Davies' secret?"

Nervousness suddenly flows through me. "She has…I mean, I have no secrets."

Spencer gives me a smile that lets me know she doesn't believe me. "Everyone does."

I eye the alcohol, wondering if it's worth it, especially seeing as how it's hitting me hard right now, making me feel nervous and very aware of Spencer.

"Everyone but you?" she interrupts my thoughts.

"My secret?" She nods excitedly. "Hmm," I say in fake thoughtfulness, "well…my secret is…I hate jäger."

She laughs and nudges me. "I already knew that. Come on, just one," she pleads, giving me a big pout.

An idea strikes me, and I push away the consequences for now. "Take a shot with me, and I'll tell you."

Spencer seems a little surprised by my offer. She looks at me hesitantly. "Just…just one?"

I nod. "A shot for a secret."

This is stupid. I don't know why I'm still here, talking with Spencer. Drinking is just more fun with a friend. Or, you know, some one you can stand to be around with for a little. And somehow, in the course of three days, Spencer has become that person.

"Just one?" she asks again, and I can't help but smile, finally being the one who isn't unsure. I relish the feeling.

"Unless you want more," I say with a shrug.

Part of me wants her to take the shot, just so I have the pleasure of claiming I got Spencer to drink, while another part of me doesn't want her to, because I have no idea what secret I'm going to tell her, and because I have no idea why I'm still here with her.

She takes a shot glass, looking at it intently, as if it will tell her some secret to consuming the bitter liquid. "You don't have to fill it all the way up."

A laugh escapes me. "You'll be fine. I promise."

She watches unblinkingly as I pour the jäger into her glass. She slowly raises it to her nose, sniffing and immediately putting it down. Her pleading blue eyes turn to me.

"Spencer," I chastise with a laugh, shaking my head at the strange blonde. My stomach feels weird again, and I realize it's the first time I've said her name. She must have too, because her eyes widen slightly and she gives me a strange look. I wonder if she feels awkward like I do.

"Just uh…just drink it quick," I manage out, hoping the alcohol will distract us both.

"Okay." She sounds uncertain again.

"Ready?" She nods bravely, and I give her a half smile. "Here we go." I knock my glass against hers. "Bottoms up."

Spencer turns to me with a bitter face, and I don't know if it's from the taste or from her current hatred of me. "It better be one hell of a secret." She coughs loudly, her eyes tearing up.

"Umm…" I rack my brain, thinking of something to tell her. Making up something, surprisingly, doesn't enter my mind. "I kissed Aiden."

She rolls her eyes at me. "I kind of figured. Another one."

"You figured? Why do you say that?"

"You guys are dating." She spots my incredulous look. "…aren't you?"

"Oh, hell no!" I can't help but laugh, my mind reeling in shock. "No, no, no! Why does everyone think that?"

She shrugs. "Well you guys are always together. And I haven't seen you talk to other guys." I squirm uncomfortably. "So I just assumed you were. It's not like he's bad looking or anything."

"No. No!" I repeat, making sure to emphasis that word. "We're just really good friends. Aiden and I are not compatible at all."

"Does he know that?" She regards me carefully.

Okay, how did this turn into a discussion about my love life? "Uh, yeah, he does." Doesn't he? Ah fuck, now she's planted this idea in my head.

"We need more alcohol!" I state suddenly, hoping to change subjects. I don't want to think about that possibility that she just brought up.

"Does that mean more secrets?" she asks hopefully.

"So you're just using me for my secrets?" I fake hurt.

"You just trying to get me drunk?" she turns back to me.

I smirk. "Touché."

Spencer eyes the bottle cautiously. "I guess one more couldn't hurt."

"There ya go!" I pat her on the back, then refill her shot glass before adding some to mine. "Cheers."

"Cheers," she mumbles back, face already contorted into disgust.

"Woo," she breathes out after she drinks it. "Well now I no longer have to wonder what battery acid tastes like."

I laugh and wipe my mouth. "Aw, come on, it's not that bad." She sends me a look. "Okay," I concede, "it really is."

I slip my gaze to Spencer, and her blue eyes find me, and I'm wondering if the alcohol is burning through her too, because I'm feeling pretty good right now.

This is a sign that I need to leave. By now I should have found a girl to make out with, but instead I've been socializing with none other than Spencer Carlin. And I've actually enjoyed it.

My God, I must be drunker than I thought. Who in their right mind would trade up hot girls for time with Spencer Carlin? Crazy people who are not me, that's who.

Apparently I've made up my mind because my legs are trying to unsteadily lead me out of the kitchen. I stumble awkwardly and feel a warm grip on my arm, keeping me upright.

"Steady there, drunkie," Spencer teases me with a warm smile. "You wanna sit down?" she asks with concern.

"Huh?" I blurt out. She wants us to sit on a couch…together? Me and her?

She smiles again, hand still maintaining its gentle grip. "Do you want to sit down?" she repeats slowly, "You know, since you can hardly stand."

"Oh…no, uh, that's okay. I actually need to go find some hot ch-" I cut my drunk rambling off suddenly, horrified that I almost slipped. "Cheetos!" I quickly supply, just knowing she's giving me a confused look.

"You need to find hot cheetos?" she asks in surprise. I can't do anything but nod. "Uh, okay, but I doubt there's any edible food here."

I don't even care that she thinks I'm a complete weirdo. I almost gave her some juicy gossip, and desperate times call for desperate measures. "That's okay. I'll be fine," I assure her.

She stares at me a moment longer, blue eyes assessing me in ways that make me want to shift uncomfortably.

And now I have a new reason to hate jäger, besides its god-awful taste. It's the affect it's having on me, making me jumpy and tingly, and not the good tingly that alcohol should make me feel. No, this is a different feeling, one I don't enjoy.

"So do you normally come to parties to talk to slightly drunk people?" I find myself asking her, wondering why in the hell I keep talking to her. I can't make myself stop.

She laughs softly. "Nah, you're just lucky." She shrugs. "It's something to do."

"But you don't drink," I remind her, you know, in case she forgot.

"As I recall, I drank two shots. Of the most disgusting liquid ever." Her face scrunches in disgust in memory.

I roll my eyes in mock annoyance. "You did get two secrets out of it." Which is way more than anyone else gets. "Hey," I say suddenly, a thought occurring to me, "where are my two secrets?"

"Huh?" Spencer asks confused. "You've got a bad case of drunken ADD."

I'm feeling too generous to take her words harshly. "We agreed to trading shots for secrets. You did two shots and I told two secrets. I also did two shots…and I want my secrets." Damn, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself right now. Who knew drunken logic could actually be…logical?

"Oh," she says softly, an unreadable look on her face. "I plead the fifth?"

I shake my head firmly. "Nope. Secrets now." I snap my fingers at her.

"But I don't even know what to say," she groans out, sending me a pleading look.

"A secret, duh."

She sends me an un-amused stare. "I know that, Ashley."

I think that's the second time she's said my name, and even though it sounds foreign, it doesn't sound weird like I figured it would. I shake my head. Now's not the time to be thinking of that.

Spencer sighs heavily, frame tense. Her blue eyes meet mine again, and I tell myself not to let them sway me. "C'mon," I press, "just one."

Just one? What the hell is wrong with me?

"Just one?" she repeats hesitantly.

Well damn, I can't go back now. "Yeah, just one." Who knew I was such a softy.

"Ok," she breathes out, "umm…" She looks around the room, searching for inspiration.

I'm starting to get impatient. "It can be about anything, you know, like a test you cheated on, or a stoplight you ran…" Seriously, just give me something.

"Sometimes…" she begins, and I feel myself leaning towards her in anticipation. This sounds like a guilty pleasure secret. "Sometimes, I wish my life was different. Like what everyone wanted for me, lined up with what I wanted for me." She gives me this half-smile, somehow conveying so much sadness.

And just like that, my fun game becomes ten times heavier. Heavier than I ever want to go, and I wish I was way more drunk so that I wouldn't feel the way I do. Instead, her confession has been quite sobering.

"Oh," I say lamely. Seriously, what in the hell do you say to something like that?

"Not the secret you were thinking?" she asks knowingly, and I see her force a smile.

"Not at all," I admit. "I'm uh…sorry?" I say uncertainly.

Spencer laughs, and I feel slightly relieved for some reason to see that it's genuine. "Why? It's not like it's your fault."

I shrug. "I don't know, seemed like the thing to say."

She gives me another smile, but this one's different. I don't know why. "That's the second time you've apologized to me. I wasn't sure you knew that word."

Her teasing makes me smile. "I just wasn't sure if you could comprehend anything over four letters. I figured five lettered words would seriously push your limits."

Her head tilts back and she lets out a laugh, blue eyes twinkling with mirth, and I once again find myself smiling, simply because she is. "You know, for some one who supposedly has every disease known to man, you're pretty cool."

I breathe out a laugh. "Madison claims that I have diseases?" Spencer nods and smiles. "Well isn't that just something?"

She shifts to watch some commotion going on in another room, and I miss our conversation, even in the few seconds it's been since I last heard her voice.

"You know, for some one who hangs out with Madison, you're not so bad yourself."

She turns back to me, white teeth flashing in a smile. "Well I'm glad to have your approval," she laughs out, but I can see that she is pleased by my words. It makes me feel pleased in return and wonder if I'm smiling as big as I feel like I am.

I hate how alcohol makes everything heightened, makes me take note of things that are normally so insignificant. Makes me relish in laughter I cause, smiles I draw out, names I pull from her lips, my name.

It is at this point that warning bells begin sounding in my brain. I don't fully know why they are going off, but it doesn't matter. I know better than to ignore them.

I move suddenly, dropping my cup but not caring. I need to find Aiden.

"Ashley?" Spencer asks in concern over my strange behavior.

I don't even respond to her. "I need to go. I have to find Aiden."

"Here, I'll help you," she offers sweetly, and it just makes me that more eager to get away.

"I'm fine," I wave off distractedly. I'm trying not to be rude, but I need to go.

"Oh," she says in a disappointed tone. "Well, yeah, okay." I look at her but she's avoiding my gaze, eyes focused on my cup on the floor.

I know I should apologize, but right now, I really don't need to stay any longer. Refusing to say an awkward goodbye, I turn and walk away.

"Ashley, wait!"

Damn, and I was so close!

"I forgot to give this to you," Spencer says as she walks over to me, reaching into her purse. She pulls out my phone. "Ms. Garcia gave it to me," she explains. "She asked me to give it to you since you left class so fast."

"Thanks," I say softly, feeling even worse over my rudeness. She's been nothing but nice to me.

We stand there for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. Spencer looks uncomfortable as her gaze meets mine.

"It rang," she says suddenly, and I look at her strangely. "It rang, and I didn't know the number, but thought maybe it was you calling your phone, so I waited to see if it would go to voicemail. They didn't leave a voicemail, and so I went to check the number again, and then it vibrated again…" she cuts off, and dread fills me. I have a feeling where this is going. "And it was a message, and I tried to ignore it, but your phone is weird and I accidentally opened it and…"

I look up at the ceiling, wondering if God is laughing right now, because I sure as hell am not. I wonder what I did to earn such bad karma.

"And well I saw more pictures…of me," she adds unnecessarily, nerves making her ramble.

"That was all Aiden," I rush out quickly, hoping that the faster I say it, the more likely she is to believe it.

"I know."

My eyes shoot up to hers. "You do?"

She gives a smile that doesn't quite meet her eyes. "Yeah. I know you wouldn't take those pictures, Ashley. Why would you?" Her voice almost holds a challenge to it.

I squirm uncomfortably, not liking her tone. "Exactly."

"So yeah," she says awkwardly, "I forgot about it earlier, but here it is." She steps towards me and hands it to me, and as she steps away, I'm aware that I've been holding my breath and that she smells really good.

I sigh happily as I'm reunited with my true love, ignoring the amused look Spencer is sending me. "You could have deleted the pictures," I say as I notice they are all there. All six of them. Fuck Aiden.

"Yeah, I know." She shrugs. "You left that other one, I just figured you'd delete them."

I feel my face burn and I turn away from her. "I was going to delete it. I just forgot."

She sends me her famous knowing smile. "Of course."

I wonder if it's my imagination in combination with the alcohol that's making her voice sound pleased.

I open up to the picture that started it all, staring at it for a moment. Hard to believe that one little picture has caused all this. "I'll delete it later," I assure her. "I've got to find Aiden."

She once again gives me a smile and nods. "Alright, see ya Ashley."

"Bye Spencer." Her smile widens as our eyes meet, and this time, I know, she's feeling the same thing as me.

I don't say anything else, but we keep our gazes locked a moment longer before I turn away and find Aiden.

"I see you found your phone," Aiden says as I text away in the car.

"Yep," I answer simply, not wanting to explain how I got it.

"How'd you get it?"

Nosy. "Brad had it," I lie, not feeling guilty at all.

"Ah." He reaches to turn my seat warmer on, and I slap his hand away. "Well, did you have fun at the party?"

A smile makes its way across my face. "I did. Did you?"

"You're looking at the beer pong champion," he declares proudly, puffing out his chest.

"Wow," I sigh dramatically, "I didn't know I was in the presence of royalty."

He laughs and shoves me gently. "Shut up, Ash."

The car stops at my house, and I give him a kiss on the cheek. "Night Aiden. Call me tomorrow," I tell him, shutting the door before he can respond.

He gives me a wave, watching to make sure I get in alright. Smiling appreciatively, I wave back and walk inside, rolling my eyes when I see that none of the lights are on.

"Heaven forbid I be able to see my attacker's face," I say to the empty house, not caring that no one but me is here to appreciate my sarcasm.

I flip on a few lights, simply because I cannot sleep in a completely dark house. I double check the locks and trudge up the stairs, haphazardly throwing my clothes in my closet as I change into pajamas.

As I lie in bed, I check my phone, reading over all my new messages and checking my missed calls. I come across the pictures from Aiden and I shake my head and delete them.

I come to the first picture of Spencer that Aiden sent me, the last picture I have left of her. I find myself hesitating.

My finger lingers over the delete button, and I'm surprised at my indecisiveness. This is the picture that began this all. Got Spencer thinking I'm obsessed with her. Got Madison thinking I'm some psycho stalker. Gave Aiden ammunition to tease me.

It's caused a whole lot of drama in the past week. It's definitely more trouble than its worth.

Yeah, this picture has started a lot, that's for sure. I actually apologized to Spencer Carlin. I actually talked to Spencer Carlin. I actually hung out with Spencer Carlin.

And for all the shit it started, a part, deep down in me, is not ready to let it end.

And that's the part that causes me to press cancel and quickly close my phone before I can think too much about my decision.

Because for all the things I know have started, I can't help but think that maybe something else has started too, something that I'm just starting to notice.

Something that I haven't even begun to understand.