The first week back Ashley spent time with Emily, Trey and Tim. Her and Spencer talked online when they could but with their different schedules they weren't able to talk for long. Friday afternoon Ashley didn't have class so she made plans to hang out with Tim.
"Hey buddy, what's the plan for the afternoon?" Ashley slumped onto the couch next to Tim who was watching his DVDs of Scrubs Season 2. She laid her head onto this shoulder waiting for him to answer.
"Well, um, Last Kiss is playing at the cheap theater. I was thinking of seeing it, ya know, if you're interested. Otherwise we can get food or just chill here and watch Scrubs or a movie or something." Ashley couldn't help but find his demeanor adorable and endearing.
"Let's go see that movie and then we can come back and see if everyone else is back and wants to do something." Tim's smile widened as he hopped off the couch and grabbed his shoes.
"Okay, let's get out of here, it's hot, we should drive." Ashley tossed her keys at Tim, so he could drive her car. Tim paid for her ticket and candy much to her fighting. The movie was entertaining and very much their kind of movie. When they returned to the apartments Ashley noticed she'd received two texts from Spencer and their roommates were already planning the drinking party of the night.
Hey Ashley, hope your day went alright, I walked past your English class today and you looked awfully bored. ;)
Hey Ash, Aiden and I are going bowling tomorrow night if you want to come.
Ashley quickly replied, put her phone in her pocket and went to the guys' apartment for another night of games and drinks.
Spencer was wondering why Ashley hadn't texted her back. In all of their conversations, nothing gave her the idea that anything was wrong. She sat in her room, with music playing loudly through her stereo. She'd just finished an attempt at her first english assignment, "write a three page bio on yourself focusing on one specific aspect of that most people may not know." As the song changed, she heard the sound of a text message.
Hey sorry, was at a movie with a friend. My roommates and the guys are having a party tonight at our apartment if you want to come. And you're right, I was bored, first couple days of English class are always boring. You come tonight and I'll consider bowling tomorrow night ;)
Spencer smiled, and turned on her iChat to check if Ashley was on.
SpinSwim24: So, when's the party? Do I need to bring any drinks? A few girls down the hall are 21 I can get whatever you want.
RockStar8: Hey! Come over anytime after 10. Um, We usually have everything, the guys are 21 too. But beer or Vodka is usually what we drink so, it's up to you.
SpinSwim24: Sounds good. I'll see what I can do.
RockStar8: So this means your coming? :) Can't wait. I have to go get ready. Stadium view apartments, #107. Call or text if you get lost or whatever. See ya Spence.
SpinSwim24: Later Ash :-)
Spencer looked at her digital clock, 7:45. She pounded on the adjacent wall.
"'Sup Spence? It's Friday, going out?" Her neighbor, Jessica was standing in the doorway. "Unless you were banging on my wall for some other reason?" Jessica smirked, her and Spencer had had a small fling a few times, knowing it was just a fling and there weren't any real feelings.
"Actually J, I need to ask a favor, can you get me some vodka? I'm going over to Ashley's to drink with her roommates or something." Jessica hugged Spencer tight.
"Yes, I can definitely do that. I'll be back in twenty minutes. But you have to give me all the details and I better meet her soon."
"J, she's just a friend." Jessica scoffed.
"Babe, I've seen you around friends. This girl is NOT just a friend. I know I have yet to meet her, but the way you are acting, it doesn't take much to notice." Jessica walked off towards the elevators leaving Spencer standing with her jaw open.
Ashley was finishing up getting ready, tearing apart her closet to find something to wear when Emily came in and burst out laughing.
"Sweetie? Are you okay? I've never seen you in such a mess before." Ashley stopped, looking at her feet in shame. She hadn't had time to explain Spencer to anyone and she had a feeling they were all trying to hook her up with Tim. She needed to think of something.
"Well, I'm just sick of wearing a hoodie everytime we hang out. I'll start looking the same in every picture, gotta mix it up." Emily smiled, grabbed an old band t-shirt and threw it at Ashley.
"Where this, it's vintage and definitely fits your rockstar persona. Bring a hoodie for if you get cold, but I really think the drinks will keep you warm." Emily started to walk away.
"Wait, I invited a friend over to meet up with us. She's a friend of Aiden, I hope you don't mind."
"As long as you didn't invite Aiden then I'm alright. Sorry, but that kid creeps me out and he's kind of a dud." Both girls laughed and Ashley assured her there would be no more Aiden showing up at their parties. "I'm headed down there in fifteen to start making pizza." Ashley nodded and changed her shirt.
Within fifteen minutes Emily and Ashley were downstairs enjoying the company of the guys and the rest of their friends. More people had been invited to this party and were slowly showing up. Tim and Ashley sat next to each other at the table, engrossed in a game of Circle of Death with a few of the other guests when there was a knock at the door. Emily, being the closest slid over and opened the door, her lips wrapped around the straw of her drink.
"Hi, I'm Emily! Come on in!"
"Um, is Ashley here?"
"Oh, you must be Spencer, yeah she's kind of in the middle of a game but come on in, what would you like to drink?" Spencer was taken back by Emily's bubbly personality.
"I brought vodka, do you have orange juice?"
"Ah, I think we are going to be great friends, O.J. is in the fridge, cups are on the counter over there, if you'd like a straw much like my own feel free. The game over there is probably almost over and then you can jump in or do whatever."
Emily danced away to take a seat in Trey's lap at the table. After making her drink Spencer walked out of the kitchen and towards the living room noticing Ashley leaning on the boy next to her. Frowning, she leaned against a nearby wall and watched. The boy, who she quickly found out was Tim, had put his arm around Ashley. She watched as Ashley's nose crinkled when she laughed, how she leaned against Tim and stole his soda chaser after quickly downing a shot of rum. Mostly she noticed how Tim looked at Ashley, clearly smitten with the girl and she couldn't blame him, but she also couldn't help the pain in her chest. She debated leaving when she heard her name.
"Spencer! You came!" Ashley leapt from her seat and wrapped her arms around her. Spencer now noticed how much more at ease Ashley became when she'd had a few drinks. "Come sit, we're about to play some other drinking game." Ashley pulled Spencer and pulled a chair up to the table for her. She introduced Spencer to the table and soon became wrapped in the new game.
"Babe, I think we may have been going about this wrong." Emily whispered into Trey's ear. He looked at her confused and but followed her eyes. The game was well underway by now and it was clear Ashley was starting to get more comfortable. She was trading her leaning and drink stealing between Tim and Spencer, but Emily saw a slight difference in the interactions. Spencer, who seemed to have a very high tolerance, was very cautious in her actions with Ashley, almost afraid, her eyes shifted around the group, periodically looking at Tim to check his responses. Tim on the other hand was basking in the attention, allowing Ashley to pull his hair and push him around. It was obvious to Emily, and probably only Emily, that two people were vying for Ashley's heart. She knew something was different about Ashley, but hadn't put the pieces together until this moment. "I think Ashley might be gay."
"That's impossible, look at the way she's acting with Tim. I've seen them together, she obviously likes him too." Trey was drunk, but not incoherent.
"I don't know Trey, I'll see what I can find out, but we may have to have a chat with Tim." Emily decided to let the night play out and see what sorts of things progressed. She also decided to cozy up to Spencer and find out her story, being the protective one of the group she had to make sure, if this thing was going to come to fruition, that Spencer was a good person.
