Disclaimer: I don't own SoN, the characters, or anything else except for the plot.

Tom Lynch on the other hand has it all.

Chapter 9

The Confession

As it turns out we were closer to the coast line than we noticed earlier because the waves crashed against us disturbing the sleep that we both were in the middle of. She had a look on her face, one that told me she currently did not remember where she was. She stood up, straightened her hair as best as she could and offered her hand to me. Not sure of how we left things earlier I got up by myself but quickly regretted it noticing the look of hurt on her face. I despised causing that look on her otherwise perfect complection.

I told her that I was sorry, she gave me a face that just said "what ever" that stung a little bit but I knew that I had deserved it after making her feel uncomfortable. She told me that I was the most beautiful thing ever and I couldn't even give her a decent reply. I liked her but every time I'm around her my mind goes out of wack. She started walking back to the car, I grabbed the soaking wet blanket and quietly followed. We got to the back of the car and I handed her the blanket, she took it and tossed it into a nearby garbage can.

She was looking pretty sad about what happened between her telling me that she thought I was beautiful and then the whole walking off thing. I had to start begging on my hands and knees, but even then I knew that it wouldn't be easy. I have to start somewhere, but the problem is that I don't really know exactly where.

(S) "Ash?"

(A) "What is it Spence?"

(S) "First I want to say sorry about before and second we need to talk."

(A) "Talk about what Spence! There is nothing to discuss."

(S) "You don't need to raise your voice and believe me there are plenty of things to discuss."

(A) "Sorry I didn't really mean to raise my voice but I'm just stressed and there is a lot of things going through my mind right now."

(S) "You can talk to me."

(A) "After the first reaction, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, again"

(S) "What you made me feel was far from uncomfortable."

(A) sigh "What is that suppose to mean Spencer."

After what she said when we were on the beach, I needed to open myself up more. I need her to understand what's up with me if there is ever going to be a us. She might have felt exposed after saying that comment about my beauty, so now I need to expose myself so that we can see eye to eye. Time to spill it, now is the best or as close to the best time to tell her, time for the confession.

(S) "The reason I didn't say anything before was because I was caught off guard. I didn't expect you to say that, but I liked it, a lot"

(A) "I'm still not quite catching it"

(S) "I guess I'll have to put it in stupid terms for you then, I like you and I always thought that you would never return the feelings so it gave me slight hope that maybe you do. I couldn't think of anything to say, my mind went blank and ...

I didn't get to finish my thought but I sure as hell didn't care anymore. Her lips crashed against mine in one sweeping motion. I felt like she was about to pull back, not if I can help it. I deepened the kiss slowly slipping in my tongue, I felt hers coming over mine as if she were trying to take control which I gladly let her take. We eventually had to stop since people can only go so long without precious oxygen. I could stop thinking that Ashley had just kissed me, her lips were the softest that I had ever felt.

(A) "You sometimes Spencer you talk to damn much."

(S) "Well you kept going on about how you couldn't understand me so I had no other choice."

(A) "I knew what you were talking about, it was just nicer to hear it from you again."

(S) "Again? What other time did I mention that I liked you?"

(A) "Hmm I don't know if I want to tell you now since it was such a lovely memory."

(S) "Ash..."

(A) "Fine but only if I get something o for it."

(S) lifts eyebrow "Like what? Cause it better stay PG-13."

(A) laughing "You're no fun, but anyway I was thinking that you should spend the night more often and just for the record my brain is capable of staying clean."

(S) "Obviously not since I wasn't even thinking like that till you mentioned it."

(A) blushing "Heh, I knew that I was just messing with you."

(S)"Well anyway tell me, because I didn't forget about our conversation before the change of subject."

(A) "Fine, remember when you spent the night at my house the first time? Well when you were busy having your head on my lap you were also busy doodling on my thigh, remember?"

(S) "Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

(A) "The fact that you were making hearts and my name was in there too. Of course I pretended that I didn't know what was going on."

(S) "You suck big time."

(A) "Yeah but you love it."

(S) "That's what you think."

(A) Mock sadness "that hurts deep down inside Spence" points to heart

(S) "That makes me think of my brother"

(A) "Eww do not and I mean do not ever compare me to your meat head brother."

(S) "That reminds me I NEED to get home, like right about NOW."

(A) "Alright geez no need to get your panties in a twist"

(S) " Oh but you make it so easy"

(A) "Okay so now who has their head in the gutter?"

(S) "Last time I checked YOUR head was the gutter"

(A) "Fine, whatever come on lets go before your mom crucifies me on the spot."

------------------------------------------Ashley's point of view------------------------------------------------

I'm driving her back home and so far everything is going good . I am not really sure where this leaves us though. I know for a fact that I want to be more than friends but at the same time I'm not sure how it will work. I'm not really relationship material and she can so do better. I know at some point or another I will screw up bad.

There is a part of me saying to just forget my doubt and go for it. I starting to like that part of me just a little bit more, I think I'll go for it, but just not yet. The whole playful flirting is fun and I'm enjoying it since that way I can get my feelings out without really saying them. By being sarcastic I can trick people into thinking that I don't really care when I know I do. A great defense mechanism that has yet to fail me.

(A) "Well Spence here is your 'castle', so I guess I'll see you at school since I bet you will be grounded for this little stunt."

(S) "Yeah probably, but anyway thanks for everything .Just remember you can be my knight in shining armor anytime, you know save me from the evil dragon and all."

(A) "I'm no knight in shining armor, I'm more of a dork in aluminum foil"

(S) "I guess I can settle for that, but anyway don't be a stranger and give me a call soon."

(A) "Well not trying to push you out but it is time for you to go inside and face your parents"

(S) "Alright I'm going, bye Ash"

She leaned over and gave me a tight hug that personally I wish didn't have to end so abruptly. I watched her walk to her house and open the door. I know I must have been smiling for a while because my cheeks were starting to hurt, but it didn't bother me knowing Spencer was the cause.

(a/n) Next chapter will continue with Ashley's point of view. And remember reviews are nice, I know this story gets quite a bit of hits and is on some people's favorite list which makes me smile but I'd also like to know how I'm doing, I cant read minds as much as I would enjoy it.