A/N: One more for today

DISCLAIMER: Ahh..."f" it.

Chapter 8 – Seriously? REO Speedwagon?

On her way back to the dorm, Spencer decided to take the time to text Claire back. "Sry, was in Mass…Thanks to you I'm purer than ever! JK girly, I miss you too…glad u finally wrote 3 Spence" Spencer thought back to her "daydream" during Mass and felt a flush in her cheeks as she felt her pocket vibrate again. It was Claire. "Spence, will u b round l8r? Need to talk." "Yeah…call. Evrythng ok?" Spencer asked concerned about her friend. "Yes…just answr, K?" "K Claire."

Spencer wasn't sure she was ready to have a deep conversation with Claire about the events of that fateful evening – and she was sure that's what Claire wanted to talk about. She wouldn't have waited 2 weeks to just talk about school.

The thought somewhat stressed Spencer. It hadn't been enough that she had been practically arrested for trespassing, but she had made out in a pool with her female best friend - with whom she was just acknowledging her intense attraction to – and now to top it off, she is living with said best friend's ex - whom she is also developing an attraction to! "Holy crap! Somebody call the writers of Dawson's Creek…I've got a new drama series plot for them!" Spencer thought aloud. Things were just way too confusing and the more she thought about them, the more things got screwed up in her mind. She needed a distraction so she headed towards Ashley's sanctuary knowing full well that the beautiful brunette would be in their dorm room waiting on her.

Once she entered the chapel Spencer decided it wise to simply sit in one of the rundown pews, rather than heading upstairs into Ashley's space. It was so quiet and solemn inside that Spencer finally felt as though she could take a breath and break things down in her mind.

What was this draw she felt towards both of the girls? Did that mean that she was a full-fledged lesbian or something? She had dated plenty of boys before, but this summer had done a number on her; that was for sure. Aside from her fear of disappointing her mother further, Spencer wasn't scared of the possibility of falling in love with another woman. It seemed just as natural to her as anything else. But was that her fate? It was a part of her "other side" after all – and she had made a vow to her "other side"…

Her attraction to Claire was strong sure, but this new feeling with Ashley? Well that feeling is just downright – well for lack of a better word, downright tingly! "What the hell does that mean though?" Spencer asked herself. That's when it hit her. What she really needed to figure out was the difference between love and lust. Just then her pocket vibrated once more. "Mass was over 20 minutes ago…whr u at? Surprises await!" Ashley texted. "Well, I guess it's as good a time as any to start figuring out the answer." Spencer sighed as she exited the old chapel.

Back at the dorm…

Ashley practically felt her heart leap into her chest as she heard the key in the lock of their door. Spencer was back. Now that it was more or less official that Spencer would be her permanent roomie, Ashley had gotten a few ideas to make the girl a little more comfortable – and the thought of doing nice things for Spencer excited Ashley.

"Hey Ash…I came back as fast as I could, what's this big surp…oh my gosh! Ashley! Wha, when, huh?…you didn't have to do this you know!" "I know…I wanted to though. I just couldn't stand to see all of your stuff without a place. You don't have very much for 17 years worth of life…and I thought I'd help you start a collection of belongings for the 18th year and on." Ashley smiled.

Spencer was in awe of the kind act that her new roommate had performed on her behalf. There was a new dresser in the corner filled with Spencer's clothes. All of her loose pictures were now in frames and placed on various shelves and walls throughout the room. She had a new bedspread on her bed – which happened to match Ashley's – and most interestingly, there was an acoustic guitar in the corner. "I remembered what you said yesterday about wanting to learn…" Ashley said quietly. "And I thought if we're gonna be living together, then you're stuff is going to need to look good…you know, to keep up with me." She finished. Just then Spencer surprised Ashley and herself as she pulled Ashley into a heartfelt hug. "Thank you Ash…thank you for helping this to become home." Little did Spencer know, Ashley was also finally feeling like home for her too.

As the afternoon wore on the girls reveled in their easy banter and friendly conversation. Ashley was really comfortable and almost slipped twice by mentioning Claire. Spencer could feel that Ashley had something on her mind so she gathered her courage and asked her if she wanted to take a walk. Ashley seemed to be relieved at the suggestion and agreed to go along.

The sun began to set and the two girls once again found themselves in front of the old chapel. "Wanna hear a song?" Ashley asked lightly. "Sure Ashley…I'd love to hear you play." Spencer said as she could feel her hear t beating in her throat as the pair walked inside.

Ashley grabbed her Les Paul and sat down on the old stool in the middle of the loft. When Ashley's fingers began to strum Spencer swore she could feel the notes speaking to her – it was that good. Spencer tried to focus on the song Ashley was singing but she was in awe of the way the beautiful girl's lips curled around each word. Until she heard the line about "summer filled with kisses so sweet…" she put it all together, the song was about Claire.

Once Ashley finished the song she knew that Spencer knew who it was for. "Claire Hartwell." Was all she said and Spencer nodded. "You wanna talk about it Ash?" Spencer asked genuinely. "You sure Spence? I'd understand if you weren't comfortable. I mean, you're dating her, right…?" Ashley said concerned. "No…actually we're not dating…what you witnessed was a first kiss taken a little too far. I didn't even really realize she was gay until then…or that I even wanted to kiss her." Spencer smiled as she said it. "Tell me Ash…she never told me anything." She added.

"It all started at an REO Speedwagon concert…I know, how romantic. I was there with my dad's band – they were in town for the gig – and there she was, refilling my dad's jellybean jar." Ashley began. "I remember that night!" Spencer replied. "She was there helping her dad with the talent management…well now I know why she was late getting to my house for the sleepover!" Spencer laughed.

"Yeah, well anyway, one thing led to another and I thought she'd just be another hookup. But after a few of those hookups she started talking about you - this friend of hers named Spencer that she was head over heels for. I listened to her tell me how she felt about you and all I could think about was how I wanted that feeling too – and always wanting what I can't have, I fell for her. No matter how much I tried to woo her - take her shopping, to fancy dinners, trips to Catalina -she became more unattainable – and I just fell harder. Then I caught her in my pool with this slut named Bonnie. I realized that she was using me just like she was using the slut in my pool…she had manipulated me with her feelings for you – and that was proven when she chose to cheat on me with someone who wasn't you. I was always curious about you though. Why in the world could she get me and all of these other girls but not get you Spence?... Anyway, I let her go after that and rebuilt my wall…and that was that. Then I saw you two in my pool and so many of those feelings came back – but not for Claire. See Spence, I've got to be honest. I saw you that night and got tingles. It scared the crap out of me. And now that I've met you and spent time with you, I see what Claire meant when she said the only word for you was "amazing"…because you are…but I'm still scared" Ashley wiped a tear away from her cheek. "There's something about you Spencer…"

Spencer couldn't help herself. She was shocked by Ashley's vulnerable admission. She got up from the spot she was sitting and approached Ashley on the stool. Placing her palms on either side of Ashley's cheeks, she lifted up her face until twinkling blue met flooded brown. "There's something about you too Ashley…" Spencer said before she slowly lowered her lips to meet Ashley's in a tender kiss. Spencer had never felt more confident initiating a kiss in her life. At that moment, it was the right thing to do – and kissing Ashley was the most natural thing in the world. Just as she was about to take further initiative and deepen the kiss, her phone began to vibrate. She reluctantly pulled away from Ashley and with apologetic eyes told her "I'm sorry Ashley, I have to take this."

Ashley sighed, still reeling from the kiss – until she heard Spencer answer the phone as she walked away, "Hey Claire. No, I'm not busy…you wanted to talk?"…