Disclaimer: I don't own South of Nowhere, just the characters I make up.

A/N: Wow! Ok, so I'm really sorry that I took like three weeks to update. Being close to end of the school year, ALL of my teachers are forcing last-minute projects, so I am extremely busy!

Well, other than that, thanks so much for all the reviews on the last chapter! Seriously, they brighten up my moody life! So, continue reviewing; the more feedback I get, the more I will be inspired to write. Thank you always. :)


Delightful Interruptions

"Mmmm…is that bacon I smell? Or am I just hallucinating?"

"Haha. Nope! I made your favorite rockstar," I say as I am setting a huge plate of bacon and sausages on the table. A tired Ashley stumbles into the kitchen complete with bed hair, and pajamas. By pajamas I mean her boy shorts and a small band t-shirt that shows off her abs. God! She looks so sexy! As soon as she sees the food her eyes light up instantly and all traces of sleep disappear. She's so cute. "Well. What are you waiting for? Eat up!"

"Ahhh. The upside to the domesticated life: home cooking!" She flashes me a cute, nose-crinkled smile and I can't help but send her one as well. "You always were a genius in the kitchen Spence! That means no more fast food for me; after having to go so much time living by it, I gotta say, it sucks!"

"What?! Did Ashley Davies just insult junk food?" I say as I take a seat across from her on the table with my own plate of health-conscious oatmeal. What? I'm not Ashley. Only she can eat obscene amounts of calories and still look that good! Us normal people need diets and exercise…lots of exercise.

"Well, you would say the same thing if all you ate was pizza and hamburgers for more than three months!" With that, she stuffs her face with bacon and continues talking, spitting crumbs of food everywhere. "Gee Spencer; your breakfast does not look appealing at all! It looks like brains instead of food…ewww."

"Don't be so dramatic. It happens to be very tasty, thank you." I say, unconvincingly.

"You were always a bad liar too Spence," Ashley smiles at me again and I can't help but think she looks beautiful in the light of morning. "I've missed this, you know?"

Her statement breaks me out of my daze. "Missed what?"

"The house, the food, the feel of it all, you…" Ashley's cheeks are blushing now, and she looks down at her plate shyly while she plays with a strip of bacon.

Wait. Did she just say she missed me? Ashley missed me? Of course she missed you dumbo! You're her best friend! Plus, she lives in the same house with you! God, you are stupid! Shut up brain! Don't crush my fantasies.

I smile to encourage her to continue.

"All these months I've been away I've been missing you like crazy Spence. I mean, even though we didn't see each other as much before I left, at least I knew you were around, you know?" Ashley says sadly as she puts down her fork. She looks at me straight in the eyes and I feel myself melt away at the sadness and confusion that clouds her brown orbs. "I needed someone to keep me grounded. I needed someone to just be there for me…I needed you, badly."

She needed me? Someone to keep her grounded? Does…does this conversation have something to do with what Aiden said, or better yet, refused to say in the car? Does it have to do with Ashley whispering in his ear?

"Is something wrong?" I blurt out before I have a chance to process my words.

"Wha…No! No! No!" She shakes her head rapidly. She looks down at her plate again. "I just missed you, that's all…"

"And you call me a bad liar?" I reach over and take her hands in mine, forcing her to look at me. "Ashley, I know you. I probably know you better than you know yourself. Trust me when I say that you can't lie to me, I see right through you. So please, just tell me the truth."

Ashley looks away from my gaze nervously, trying unsuccessfully to try to find the answer to my question written somewhere on the wall. A few moments later, she stares deeply at me again before she decides to speak. "Spencer, I…I umm…uh…there's something I need to tell—"

"Oh my God, you guys! I just remembered that we totally have that thing with your friends and stuff!" Annie interrupts Ashley, again, excitedly jumping up and down. Why did I have to invite her!

"Oh, uh…I should start unpacking to look for something to wear," Ashley says nervously as she lets go of my hands. She anxiously looks at me and then hurries in the direction of her room.

"Wait, Ashley, I can help you!" Annie impulsively turns around and follows Ashley's retreating form.

Ugh! Damn you Annie and your reproachable timing! What was Ashley going to say? Damn it! I was finally going to find out what was wrong with her! Stupid Annie.


After an uneventful morning, Ashley and I are sitting on the couch, impatiently waiting for Annie to get ready so we could go out. Ashley has been stealing glances at me the whole time; she thinks I don't see her, but, of course, I have. I think she's trying to figure out if I'm going to ask her about this morning or not…I am.

"Ashley, about this morning…" I begin, wanting her to fill in the blanks.

"Spencer, I told you already, I'm fine."

"Fine about what? You just told me you missed me." I say innocently. Ha! I got her.

"Uh…same thing! I meant I was fine during the tour, but uh…I missed you during the whole thing…" She says suspiciously. "Ugh, okay look, there's nothing going on…that's the truth, there's nothing to tell you other than that. Don't psychoanalyze me!" She says, irritated this time.

There she goes again! Closing herself up! God! Why does she have to be so damn stubborn?! I just want to help her! No, I am not giving up on this!

"Ashley, I know there's something going on. I told you already, you can't lie to me. Just freaking—"

"Okay guys, I'm ready!"

Seriously! Again! Stupid Annie! How the hell does she do that every single time! Damn it!

"Well, come on slowpokes! We don't have all night!" Annie shouts from the doorway. Does she know that she doesn't have a car? Suddenly, she pops her head back in. "Ash, we're going in your car, right?"

WHAT! Since when did she start calling her 'Ash'! What is this?! She is my best friend! Get that through that thick, ugly skull of yours you…you—

"Yeah, we are! On my way!" Ashley goes to follow Annie out the door, on the way out, she turns around and flashes me an apologetic smile. "Sorry Spence, we'll talk later, okay? I promise."

This is why I love this girl. "I'd like that. Now come on, let's go before Annie blows her head off yelling." I grab my purse and move towards her.

"Haha, that's one psychotic friend you got there!" She smiles as she holds the door open for me. What a gentlewoman.

Ashley makes sure to close the door as Annie and I climb into her Aston Martin. Yeah, the sexy beast also has a sexy ride. Hott! Annie makes sure to speed walk her way in front of me and into the front seat. Great…what a long night this is gonna be.