Oh, Spashley. Spashley, Spashley, Spashley. You make me blush.
Chapter Seven: Breathe
Did I say yesterday was the coldest day L.A. had seen in years? Well I'm about to correct that statement; I believe that today beats that record tenfold. So the reason I decided to leave the comfort of my down comforter and another cup of my dad's famous hot chocolate to bring myself into the real world had to be a good one right? Well, it could be. That more or less depends on Ashley.
That's right, I'm meeting little Miss Davies at the local Starbucks to discuss their "anniversary" thing. I've decided to call it a thing because I honestly don't think that it deserves a name. Maybe I'll let her name it; she is supposed to be the mastermind of this whole operation.
As I pull up to the last remaining parking space in front of the coffee haven, I notice that Ashley's black Porsche is absent.
I turn off the purring engine of my Toyota Celica and groan at the loss of heat emitting from the vents on the dashboard. While quickly exiting the vehicle I wrap my self even tighter into my King High varsity basketball hoodie, and quickly sprint to the door; welcoming the blast of heat and the strong smell of coffee.
After ordering my normal Caramel Macchiato, I make my way to the back of the shop and pull out my ragged copy of Slaughterhouse-Five.
After about five minutes into my reading I hear a small cough and I look up to find a stunning Ashley Davies slowly taking off her white Northface. "Hey stranger," She smiles while greeting me.
I stand up and watch as she sets her Northface on the back of the standard wooden chair that is present in every Starbucks on the planet. She walks up to me and wraps me in a hug; I ignore the electricity that runs through my body when we touch and revel in her scent.
I think it's a mixture of cinnamon and Herbal Essences.
"Hey, yourself." I reply lamely. Seriously, can I not greet this girl like a normal human being? "Did you order yet?" I point towards the cute barista working the register.
She laughs out, "Not yet-" she pauses, "I'm not exactly sure I want my normal order today." She finishes while looking me straight in the eye.
Dear God,
I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to exist in this weird and intense world. But I believe that you're messing with my mind. What in the world is Ashley's deal? Does she want me or not? Why God; why are you doing this to me? Some answers would be mighty nice right now.
Sincerely,
Spencer Nicole Carlin
"Well, the macchiato is extremely tasty today." I start.
"Is that what you're having?"
"It's what I always have."
She turns around and heads up to the counter, however before she reaches the register she calls out with a stunning smile, "I'd like to try the thing that you always seem to have."
Um, hello rapid heartbeat. Long time, no see. How've you been lately? I haven't heard from you in so long. How's the wife and the kids?
Oh, how am I doing? It's funny that you ask. I'm falling for my best friends girlfriend; the girl who I used to hate with every fiber of my being. Funny, huh?
Ashley is walking this way again, now with coffee in tow, and my heartbeat still hasn't calmed down. I watch her take a sip and see her smile at the caramel goodness that just invaded her mouth. "You're right. This is pretty amazing."
"I seem to have a good taste for things." I laugh out.
"I sure hope so; I'm going to need your help with this whole Aiden thing."
Insert a discrete eye roll from me. Well there goes our little moment.
Don't get me wrong. I love Aiden, and I'll do everything I can for the boy (hence my whole part in the Ashley Davies debacle). A part of me is even dying inside because of the way that I feel for Ashley when I can tell that Aiden loves her so much. That he's always loved her so much; but I can't figure out how she feels about him. She's like the living and breathing definition of bi-polar.
I'm shaken from my thoughts by Ashley's soft hand that's now resting on mine from across the table.
"Spencer? Did you even hear a word that I was saying?" Ashley says, a small smile placed on her face.
"Huh, oh-sorry. I'm just tired. You know, late night with Aiden." I state silently.
Ashley looks at me skeptically before she responds, "Aiden, huh? You know I'm glad you're gay or else I would have to keep an eye on you."
She gives me a nose crinkling grin before sipping slowly on her drink.
"Anyways," she starts, "I think that I should set something up for Aiden in the gym."
I burst out laughing and compose myself before responding to a bewildered Ashley.
"No. There's no way that I'm going to let you try to romance Aiden in a smelly old gym."
Ashley tilts her head to the side, waiting for me to continue.
"If we do this. We have to do it right, okay?" She nods and I continue. "Alright, first step, we need to find a location that doesn't smell and that we can easily get into at night without getting arrested."
"Hm. Well where in the world can we find a suitable place like that?" She asks.
I give her a smug grin, "Chelsea Lewis' art studio."
She gives me a confused look.
"Listen, it's legit. She's in New York right now attending art school and we're still really good friends even after her and Clay's break-up. I have a key and everything." I state simply.
Her hard exterior breaks as she gives me a full on grin and squeezes my hand tighter. I didn't even realize we were still holding hands. Seriously, I need to focus more.
I look into her deep brown eyes and smile at her, "Do you want to see it?" I ask simply.
"I'd love to." She replies, making my heart soar for the millionth time since she entered my life.
We decided to take my car because Ashley stated that it was "absolutely adorable." Which I really beg to differ. I think it's pretty freaking awesome, but "adorable" is not the adjective that I would use to describe my baby.
"How come I never see you drive this thing? You're always riding with Glen or Aiden." Ashley asks me while fiddling with the student parking decal hanging from my rearview mirror.
"Glen wrecked it around a month ago." I state simply.
Ashley looks over at me horrified, "He did what?"
I look over at her, shoot her a smile then return my eyes to the road. "He decided that my car was more of a 'fast and furious' type, compared to his car. So he took off one night without my permission and went street racing. Long story short, he spun out and hit a whole bunch of road signs."
"What a dumbass!" She exclaims, before laughing hysterically. "Is he always that stupid?"
"Oh yeah. You have no idea." I laugh out.
The car becomes silent again. It wasn't awkward but I still felt some tension in the air; so I did the one thing that usually calms me down whenever I get uncomfortable in any way.
I picked up an unmarked CD and popped it into the player before scrolling through to track 8 and pressing play. The Kooks flow from my speakers like they belonged there.
"How could this be done. Your such a smiling sweetheart. Oh and your sweet and pretty face, in such an ugly way. Something so beautiful that everytime I look inside, I know that she knows that I'm not fond of asking. True or false it may be that she's still out to get me"
"Oh my God. I absolutely love The Kooks." Ashley states before singing along softly.
I grin widely at her before turning into a parking space located behind Chelsea's art studio; which coincidently is located in downtown L.A. for some reason.
"Spencer, this place is a little shifty." Ashley says cautiously. I calm her nerves lightly by walking around to the other side of the car and taking her hand in mine, slowly leading us to the back entrance of the warehouse.
"Don't worry. I'm here for you, Ash." I state, sliding my key into the lock and opening the door.
Ashley steps into the dark warehouse and stumbles over a stool placed near the door.
"Fuck." She exclaims before standing back up, "Spencer, can we have some light please?"
"Hold on. I can't find the switch." I call out to her while making my way cautiously to the kitchen. After successfully reaching the far wall I find the giant power switch and flick it up, producing a copious amount of light that just splayed across the room.
"Wow," I hear Ashley breath out, "this place is fantastic."
I walk slowly over to her, my smile only growing wider with the closer I get to her.
"Will this work, Miss Davies?" I ask her, already knowing the answer.
"It's perfect. Everything is just perfect." Ashley states the last part quietly, but while still looking into my eyes. She looks down at her phone, frowning slightly. "I just realized that I have to get back. Kyla and I had made dinner plans. You know, sisterly bonding?" She lets out hesitantly.
"I can only imagine. It's cool though, I have homework and stuff that I need to do before I get distracted and end up doing it all tomorrow night and being super tired on Monday." I say to her, shooting her another Carlin grin.
She gently chuckles and we start walking towards the exit.
"Hold on," I state quickly while looking back towards the far wall, "I need to turn off the lights. Take my keys and start up the car."
Ashley takes my keys and slowly exit's the building while I run to the power switch. Flipping it to the off position, my heart feels slighter lighter. Because I've dimmed Ashley and I's secrets; I've dimmed our lingering touches and sidelong glances. I've dimmed our avocation for each other. Whether it is present to her or not; I can still feel every second of it.
I make my way back into the biting cold and run over to my warm car.
I enter quickly, turn to Ashley, and say, "Ready to go home?"
She gives me a nod and I speed onto the 405 making my way back to Starbucks that was the foundation of our adventure today.
"Thanks for today." Ashley states, as she exits my car. "You're pretty amazing, Spencer."
"As are you, Ashley." I smile at her.
"I'll see you Monday then? You know, basketball tryouts." She asks me simply.
"Yep, three o'clock. You better not be late." I tell her before she walks away, but not without giving me a wide smile and waving off what I just said.
I roll my passenger window up, shift my car into first gear, and speed out of the parking lot. I'm a woman on a mission. That mission involves cuddling up on my bed in my blue snuggie, eating some hot soup, and watching Phineas and Ferb re-runs on the Disney Channel. I turn up the radio and let the music rush over me, trying to make my day with Ashley feel less tainted.
That last mission was not accomplished.
Author's Notes: Longer update for you guys. Mid-terms went well (I think); not too excited to see what my Calculus grade is though. Fun chapter to write, because surprise, surprise: Spashley is easy to write. Always have been. Onto the reviewer response…
To Chobitski19: Thank you for the well wishes. As I was figuring out derivatives I thought of you. This update is for you.
Alright, the ever occurring question..Spencer or Ashley next chapter? It's up to you guys. Thank you all again for the reviews/story alerts/favorites. They make me smile; like a lot.
Love,
Liz
Disclaimer: I have an overactive imagination, that doesn't mean that I own South of Nowhere, or The Kooks, or Phineas and Ferb.
