lluvspence your last review made me even happier! I love that you love my stories so much! I have to say you are one of my favorite reviewers and I do a happy dance when you review my work! I hope you like this chapter as much as the others! I'm going to try to update again in a couple days after work, no promises though. Thursday I'm going to a Tegan and Sara concert (YAY!) so I want to update before then. As always enjoy and review!

"Well well, so this is the mysterious choir girl," said a familiar voice behind us.

Ashley and I turned to look and there was Madison standing there with some guy.

"Mads, I thought you were going clubbing?" I asked.

"I was and that's where I met Jimmy here and he wanted to stop by to watch his brother perform," said Madison.

"Oh that's cool then," I said.

"Spence can I talk to you privately for a second?" asked Madison.

"Sure Mads," I said as I got up.

"Be right back," I said to Ashley.

Madison took my hand and pulled me over to the bar area.

"Spence what the fuck? What are you doing hanging with Ashley? I told you that girl is bad news and being friends with her is bad for your reputation," said Madison.

"So, I don't care about what you've heard about Ashley. She's actually a really cool person if you take the time to get to know her," I said defensively.

"Spence, I get that you want to make friends, but I'm telling you Ashley is not the kind of friend you want. And she has a reputation for using girls for sex, and then she throws them away and moves on to the next," said Madison.

"Mads I appreciate you looking out for me. But I don't care about what people say about Ashley. Ashley is my friend. And even if what they say about her is true, I don't care. Your past doesn't define you. But unless I hear it from Ashley, then it doesn't matter to me," I said.

"Alright Spence, just be careful is all I'm saying," said Madison as she made her way back to the table.

Ashley was playing with her hands and Madison's guy had his hands in his pockets and was bobbing his head to the music.

"Let's go get a private table Jimmy," said Madison as she wrapped her arm around Jimmy.

"I'll see you both back at the dorm," said Madison as she left with Jimmy.

Ashley was being quiet. She continued to play with her hands. I could tell something was bothering her.

"Everything okay," I asked.

"Oh, yeah. Hey you want to get out of here? Maybe go to the beach and take a walk by the lake?" asked Ashley.

"Sure," I said with a smile.

Ashley paid for our drinks, even though I protested and told her I could pay for my own. We drove to the beach in silence. Ashley parked the car and we got out. The beach wasn't too crowded, there was a group of kids having a bonfire. We took off our shoes and walked along the shore.

"One thing I miss back home is the beach, a lot different than here. I miss the smell of the ocean," I said trying to break the silence.

"What did Madison say to you back at the club? And be honest with me Spencer," said Ashley as she looked at me finally.

"She told me I should stay away from you. That you love to use girls for sex then toss them aside," I admitted.

"I should have guessed," said Ashley as she sat down on the sand.

"I told her it didn't matter to me. You're my friend Ashley. I don't care what other people say about you. I don't believe the things they say anyway," I said as I sat down beside her.

"What if that part was true?" said Ashley as she looked down at her hands, then at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Using girls. That part is true. I do use girls for sex. I don't know why I do it, I guess it's nice to feel wanted, but I don't want anything past a one night stand. It's purely a physical thing. When I do hook up I'm in control. I don't allow cuddling or letting them touch me in most places," said Ashley as she looked out into the lake.

"So you use girls, that's your business. I have no room to judge you on how you live your life. And like I told Madison, you're my friend Ashley, no one is going to change that. Unless you act like a major bitch again, then maybe I'll stop talking to you," I said with a smile.

Ashley returned my smile," That really means a lot to me Spence."

We spent a little more time on the beach talking. We finally decided to go back to school to get some sleep. I loved spending time with Ashley. I loved the fact that she really took the time to get to know me. For once I wasn't just Carmen's girlfriend, to Ashley I was just Spencer.

"Look at this picture, this was my favorite piece from the gallery. So much emotion in one painting," said Chelsea as she showed our table pictures from last night.

It was Sunday morning. Ashley and I talked till about three in the morning. By the time we got back last night everyone was asleep.

"Emotion? It's a bunch a scribble lines!" said Jessica.

"Jess you just don't understand art," said Chelsea.

"Please, art is what you say it is. Everyone makes up bull shit anyway," said Jessica as she took a bite out of her toast.

"Girl I'm not going to waste my breath arguing with you," said Chelsea as she drank her juice.

"Smart decision Chels, you know Jess loves to argue. She should be a lawyer," said Sasha as she ate her oatmeal.

"So Spencer, how was your night last night?" asked Jessica.

"It was fun, hung out with my friend," I said quietly.

"Yeah her friend who just happens to be Ashley Davies," said Madison as she drank her coffee.

"Ashley Davies? You do know what everyone says about her?" asked Jessica.

"Yes I know Jess. It doesn't matter. Have you guys ever even given Ashley a chance?" I asked.

"Well it's not like she makes it easy," said Kyla.

"Have you guys even tried? Everyone at this school judges her, but have any of you guys ever tried to get to know her," I asked.

They were silent.

"Didn't think so," I said as I got up to throw away my tray.

I spent the remainder of the day doing my homework, as did the rest of my roommates. Everyone worked in silence till dinner time.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your notes Spence," said Ashley as she climbed down from her bed.

"No problem Ash," I said with a smile as I grabbed my notebook from her.

"Hey Ashley, why don't you have dinner at our table tonight?" asked Kyla.

Ashley just looked at me surprised. I shared the same surprised look.

"Um, I don't know," said Ashley nervously.

"Come on, us roommates should get to know each other," said Madison.

"Well ok, thanks," said Ashley with a shy smile.

I gave my friends an appreciative smile as we all left and made our way over to the dining hall. I worried dinner would be awkward, but my friends actually gave Ashley a chance and I think they were beginning to form a different opinion of her. At least I had hoped so.

After dinner I went for a walk by myself. I was feeling happy about everything that happened today. I decided to look to see if there was any texts from Carmen, unfortunately there wasn't. Then I did some more thinking and decided that something that had been weighing on my shoulders since I got here needed to be addressed. I needed to make a call, I wasn't sure what I was going to say or how I was going to say it. I took a deep breath and figured I would just speak from the heart.

"Spencer? Everything alright?" asked the familiar voice.

"Yeah mom, everything is fine. Can we talk?" I asked.