Hide My Heat alternative Chapter 7

Spencer hadn't slept much the night before as her head had been spinning most of the night. She sluggishly pulled up outside of Carmen's place and honked her horn. Carmen practically bounced out of her house and climbed into the car offering Spencer a heart warming smile.

"You look happy this morning" Spencer pointed out as she passed Carmen her coffee.

"I hadn't noticed. You on the other hand look about 2 degrees away from suicidal. Everything ok?" Carmen asked.

"Just tired you know with detention and everything"

"How was it?"

"Ashley was there" Spencer casually stated as she focused on the road.

"Did you talk to her?" Carmen asked sounding quite annoyed.

"Kind of" Spencer answered half heartedly remembering the argument and then the smug smile Ashley sported after Spencer accidentally let it slip that she thought she was hot.

"What does that mean?" Carmen snapped clearly annoyed now.

"Why does it matter?"

"It just does"

"If you must know I told her that I couldn't be her friends with her after how she treated you" Spencer admitted but she didn't like the way that Carmen was forcing her to tell her everything.

"Damn right you can't be friends with her" Carmen advised which really surprised Spencer. Spencer tried to bite her tongue as she pulled into the King High parking lot finding her usual space. Once she stopped the car she turned to look at Carmen.

"Are you serious?"

"You can't be friends with both of us"

"Says who?" Spencer challenged.

"What does it matter Spencer? You've already told her that you don't want to be friends with her. I was just saying that it's probably for the best" Carmen tried to back peddle realising that she had crossed a line.

"I think I'll decide what's best for me thank you" Spencer advised as she climbed out of the car already fed up with the day so far. She spotted Aiden and Kyla so headed over hoping that Aiden was less cryptic than the day before.

"Hey Carlin" Aiden practically shouted as she approached.

"Hey look at you two keeping it in your pants for a whole 20 seconds" Spencer dead panned.

"Sorry about yesterday Spencer" Kyla smiled flashing her perfect teeth. As Spencer was about to reply a raspy voice from behind interrupted her.

"Did I just hear my baby sister apologise?" Ashley joked as she joined the group immediately getting a dirty look from Carmen who was stood silently next to Spencer.

"She should I'm scarred after what I was subjected to yesterday" Spencer answered with a grimace making Ashley laugh.

"Oh yea what happened? She didn't cook for you?" Ashley replied nearly bursting inside as Spencer smiled at her sweetly.

"I walked in on those two making out! I'm going to need years of therapy" Spencer explained laughing along with Ashley who seemed equally as disgusted. Spencer felt Carmen stiffen beside her as she laughed.

"Spencer can I talk to you for a minute?" Carmen demanded as she pulled Spencer to one side. Ashley, Aiden and Kyla watched as Carmen pulled Spencer away from the group.

"What the hell just happened?" Ashley spoke first as they all watched on. Spencer and Carmen seemed to be sharing hushed words.

" Bitches be crazy" Aiden joked trying to break the tension. He knew exactly what had happened for once but he wasn't about to say anything.

Before Kyla or Ashley could reply Carmen walked off in a huff leaving a bewildered Spencer behind. Spencer let out a huge sigh and walked back towards the others.

"You okay Spencer?" Kyla asked putting a hand on Spencer's tense shoulder.

"Yea, I should get to class" Spencer said as she started to walk off. Aiden gave Ashley a look which she couldn't quite decipher.

"Go after her idiot" Aiden finally said when he realised that Ashley wasn't understanding the subtle approach. Ashley listened and started a light jog after Spencer.

"Hey Spencer are you sure you're ok?" Ashley finally asked after she caught up with the blonde.

"I'm fine just confused" Spencer admitted sounding annoyed.

"Why are you confused?" Ashley wondered trying to figure out whether Spencer had the tiniest clue as to why Carmen would be acting the way she is.

"I don't get why Carmen just flipped" Spencer replied clearly clueless.

"Spencer it's really obvious"

"Not to me"

"She likes you...like as in really likes you and after your little 'almost moment' yesterday she's probably driven herself insane" Ashley explained.

"How do you even know about that?" Spencer snapped as she stopped walking and pulled Ashley into the bathroom.

"I saw you two yesterday...I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything"

"Are you stalking me now?"

"No I'm not stalking you. I was on my way to the bathroom and I just saw whatever it was that happened between you two"

"Please just leave me alone Ashley" Spencer pleaded as she exited the bathroom. Ashley mentally kicked her own ass a few times for having such a big mouth. Ashley put back on her game face and headed to class coming to the conclusion that this would probably be the only class she would attend for the day maybe even for the rest of the week.

Spencer had successfully avoided Ashley and Carmen for most of the day by hiding out in the library. She was enjoying the silence but her brain wasn't letting up. Deep down she knew exactly why Carmen was acting the way she was but she couldn't understand how Carmen could flip personalities so quickly. She thought Ashley was bi-polar but Carmen brought a whole new meaning to the word. Spencer was pulled from her thoughts by somebody taking a seat opposite her.

"Look I get that I have been a giant ass today and I'm sorry for that. It's just that I really like you Spencer and I feel like everything has changed between us over the last few days. This summer has been amazing getting to know you and I don't want to ruin that by being an ass. Ashley has always just had this effect on me and I'm trying to let it go especially now that I have a reason to" Carmen finished talking and waiting for Spencer to say something because she was currently staring at her book.

"Carmen I had a good time over the summer as well but this version of you sucks. I'm sorry if I've given you the wrong idea but I am not ready for what ever it is that you want from me right now. I love being friends with you Carmen and I want to continue being your friend for now" Spencer advised hoping that her honesty wasn't too much. She did like Carmen and definitely felt something more than friendship sometimes but she was nowhere near ready to make reckless decisions when it came to her life. Spencer scanned her eyes over Carmen's face waiting for a response.

"I get it Spencer I really do but know that I can't help how I feel towards you. If having you as a friend is the best offer then I 'll take it. Now as a friend a suggest you get your sulky butt out of the library and we go for a ride" Carmen smiled finally getting a Spencer smile in return.

Spencer was more than relieved that it was finally Friday. Her first back at school had been emotional to say the least and the last few days had been pretty fun. Her Carmen had managed to get back to where they were before the beach party which pleased Spencer. Spencer had also noticed that Ashley hadn't been to school since the other day which really wasn't a huge surprise considering the conversation they had shared when they first met about Ashley's hatred of school and everything to do with it. If Spencer was completely honest with herself she missed seeing Ashley in the few classes they shared together. She regretted how she had spoken to Ashley the other day in the bathroom and had wanted the chance to apologise but as the other girl hadn't been to school then there was no chance of that happening any time soon.

As she headed across the quad with her lunch in hand Spencer was joined by Carmen. She spotted Aiden and Kyla sat down at a bench so suggested they head over and join her other friends which Carmen reluctantly agreed to.

"Hey best friend you coming to my first ever game tonight?" Aiden asked with all the excitement of kid before Christmas.

"Actually have plans to set my eyes on fire" Spencer replied sarcastically getting the finger from Aiden.

"Come on Carlin it's my first game and I need my two favourite girls there" Aiden pleaded as he looked between Kyla and Spencer.

"Aiden I'm a cheerleader so I'm kind of contracted to be there" Kyla pointed out.

"Fine I'll come. Carm do you want to come?" Spencer turned to Carmen who had remained silent so far.

"Can't I have work and I hate school events"

"Shocking!" Kyla gasped dramatically.

"Got a point there cheer barbie?" Carmen snapped.

"I'm sorry I was just simply stating that it is absolutely shocking that lil miss anti social would be so against school events" Kyla replied trying to sound innocent but knowing full well that her words were lined with venom.

"Yea you're right I should really get involved with a bunch of people that are so lovely and accepting of people different to them" Carmen argued back. Spencer and Aiden shared a look of annoyance both knowing that this sort of throw down was never going to go away.

"Carmen please drop it" Spencer pleaded already having enough.

"She started it…why do you always stick up for Kyla?" Carmen asked now turning her anger on Spencer.

"I don't always stick up for Kyla…..I'm just asking that you drop it" Spencer explained but her words were clearly wasted as the rage in Carmen eyes hit her.

"Consider it dropped….you know what I am so done with this" Carmen sighed as she got up to leave. Spencer apologised and watched as Carmen stormed off. She considered going after her but decided that she wasn't in the mood for another argument.

After her argument with Carmen Spencer wasn't in the mood for her last class so she decided to ditch which was also something new. Heading into the car park Spencer climbed into her car just sitting there for a minute not wanting to drive angry. Looking around the car park Spencer spotted a car that she had started to recognise without even knowing it. It seems that the owner of the car was hiding out and was oblivious to anyone around them as they sat there singing along to Dashboard confessional. Spencer climbed out of her car and headed over to the black porche on the other side of the car park. Holding in her laughter Spencer tapped on the window which caused Ashley to nearly jump out of her skin. After a moment of composing herself Ashley wound down the window looking less than impressed.

"That was mean" Ashley stated still not smiling. Suddenly Spencer felt uneasy as she didn't really know why she had disturbed somebody that she had warned off only a few weeks before.

"I couldn't resist" Spencer replied lamely feeling a little exposed as Ashley just looked at her blankly.

"That's what they all say. So am I right in believing that Spencer Carlin is ditching class?" Ashley asked climbing out of the car.

"I guess so"

"Well it normally helps in the whole ditching plan if you actually leave the premises" Ashley pointed out as she leaned against the car. She was happy she was wearing her sunglasses so she could use the disguise to check Spencer out. She looked particularly hot in her short denim skirt, black wife beater and chucks.

"I was trying to calm down before I drive. What are you doing sat here anyway?"

"You know for somebody who never wants to talk to me you ask a lot of questions" Ashley joked which only made Spencer feel like a bigger idiot than she already felt.

"You're right…..I'll leave you alone" Spencer replied and started walking back to her car only to be stopped by Ashley who grabbed her wrist but quickly letting go when Spencer actually stopped and turned to look at her.

"Don't go" Ashley pleaded actually taking off her sunglasses as she did stopping Spencer in tracks.

"Only if you tell me why you're here?"

"I go to school here" Ashley replied lamely.

"You haven't been here since Tuesday" Spencer pointed out.

"I told you I'm not a big fan of school but thanks for noticing" Ashley smiled glad that Spencer had taken note of her absence.

"Ok so why turn up during last period on a Friday?"

"I promised Kyla I would go to that stupid basketball game tonight so I figured I should attend school but I got here and decided against it"

"Ashley it's like last period how long have you been here?"

"I was tired from all the internal debating about school so I had a nap" Ashley answered which only made Spencer smile.

"So you're just going to hang out here until the game?"

"I was thinking about it"

"Ok you have fun I'm going to go hit up starbucks" Spencer teased as she headed towards her car. Ashley waited a second and then followed tapping on the window once Spencer had climbed into her car. Spencer wound down the window and waited for Ashley to talk.

"You want company?"

"You wanna come with me?" Spencer asked confused by her own actions.

"Well yea unless you're not talking to me again?"

"You can come on one condition" Spencer offered.

"Name it"

"You answer every question I ask you open and honestly" Spencer advised. Ashley considered her options and figured that this may be the only chance she may ever have to talk one on one with Spencer again.

"Deal" Ashley finally answered as she pulled herself into the giant jeep wrangler.

At Starbucks…..

Ashley had insisted on buying Spencer's drink for her despite of how much the blonde protested. They found a comfy sofa to sit on and Spencer started to panic. She was worried that Ashley's may be too much for her to function. She already knew that she was only there because she was upset about Carmen.

"What's wrong Spencer?" Ashley asked looking genuinely concerned.

"Nothing why?"

"It's just that you said earlier that you were sat in you car waiting to calm down because you were too angry to drive" Ashley explained hoping that she wasn't pushing her boundaries.

"Oh…..I had an argument with Carmen"

"Oh that sucks" Ashley mused trying her best to hide her smirk.

"Yea you seem really cut up by that"

"I really I am. So are you two like dating now?" Ashley asked feeling slightly exposed.

"What makes you think that we would be dating?"

"She's really into you, that's why she freaked when we were talking the other day plus you had that whole 'almost moment'"

"Well we're not, not that it's any of your business"

"Do you like her?" Ashley asked almost choking on the words as the escaped her lips.

"I don't know. I've never really considered girls as a valid option before until last week and now Carmen is suddenly acting like a jealous girlfriend"

"Just don't get pressured into anything you're not ready for Spence"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it"

"Are you gay?"

"Why do you ask that?" Ashley barely whispered. She had never had an issue been honest about her sexuality before but with everything considered she had become quite closed off to protect herself and Kyla.

"I don't know are you?"

"Yes"

"Why didn't you say something before?"

"You never asked" Ashley replied hating that she didn't tell Spencer straight away knowing that they could be somewhere different together at this moment.

"Why aren't you out?" Spencer asked wanting answers now.

"Because it isn't apart of me that I want to share with all those idiots at that school" Ashley lied hoping Spencer would buy it.

"So instead of just coming clean you would make somebody else's life hell?" Spencer asked raising her voice slightly.

"I have my reasons Spencer"

"Well stop being so fucking cryptic and tell me your reasons" Spencer snapped shocking Ashley slightly.

"Why do you even care? You've already made up your mind about me and you already hate me for what happened"

"Because when I first met you I thought you were awesome, slightly bi-polar but awesome and then when Carmen told me about what happened I felt let down because the girl I met would never have done something like that or at least that's what I thought" Spencer explained thinking back about the first time she met Ashley and she felt sad that things had changed so much already just like she had predicted when Aiden went to camp. She grateful for some changes and new friends but she missed her old life which was simple and just her and Aiden.

"I'm sorry Spencer but you need to believe me that the me you met that night was the real me" Ashley promised hoping her words would have some sort of effect on Spencer.

"Tell me the truth and I'll decide"

"Fine….the reason I did that to Carmen was because I was trying to cover myself so nobody knew I was gay because if it gets back to my step dad that I'm gay then he will cut me off" Ashley confessed.

"So you messed with someone's life for money?" Spencer asked looking less than impressed.

"No, that thing with Carmen was a stupid mistake. She saw me hooking up with a girl once and started telling people so instead of talking to her and started spreading rumours around school to protect myself. But it was too late and some gossip got back to my step dad and he went insane. Then once I told him it was all lies he chilled out and said that if I was gay that he would pull my inheritance that I get when I turn 18. Before you judge me please believe me when I say that I'm doing any of this for money. I'm doing it so I can help Kyla…." Ashley explained some more hating herself for seeming so weak.

"How can you having money help Kyla? Surely you both get your inheritance at the same time?" Spencer queried wanting to poke holes in the story so that she didn't feel bad.

"Kyla is two years younger than us"

"But she's in the same grade" Spencer pointed out/

"She's like a freaky genius, she doesn't like anyone to know. So if I lose my inheritance there is no way that I can afford to look after Kyla and fight Jim and my Mother for custody in a few months when I turn 18. I want her to get away from that guy and this is the only way to do it. I love my sister too much and I am happy to sacrifice other people to make sure she is safe…I'm sorry if that makes me a bad person" Ashley dipped her head waiting for Spencer to say something mean or sarcastic but after looking into those blue eyes Ashley saw that Spencer looked sad.

"You're not a bad person Ashley I am for not listening to you" Spencer replied hating herself so much. She had been so mean to someone that was actually putting her own life on hold for somebody else. Even though her actions had caused some collateral damage along the way it was still a selfless act.

"Well at least you finally did…..so that's my pathetic life" Ashley tried her best to crack a joke but the mood had definitely changed since they first arrived. Ashley was almost desperate for the snide remarks and dirty looks because Spencer was currently just sat staring at her coffee.

"Spencer what's up?" Ashley asked touching Spencer's hand which shot away at the contact.

"We should get back to school" Spencer replied standing up to leave but then she remembered that she drove Ashley there and she couldn't just leave her even though she kind of wanted to.

"I can get a cab back to school" Ashley advised trying to help Spencer out.

"Don't worry I'll give you a ride" Spencer said as she climbed into her car waiting for Ashley to follow.