I own no part of SON

Peace and love to all! You guys are wonderful. Please enjoy.

6:30pm, is that too early to show up for a seven o' clock date? I've been nervously pacing the apartment since oh fourish. This feels eerily familiar, like when I took Ashley to see Wicked. I have no idea what to expect. Becky gave me advice earlier like, play it cool, compliment her, don't jump her bones, etc.

I wipe away the sweat that's starting to gather on my forehead. Christ I'm nervous all sweaty palms and jittery legs.

"That's what you're wearing?"

Becky comes out of her room wearing only underwear and a tank top, Christian is over. I raise my lip in disgust.

"What? Why, is this not ok? Damnit I can change. Should I change?"

Becky's burst of laughter tells me she's kidding but I don't think this is a laughing matter.

"Dude you should have seen your face."

She walks into the living room mimicking me and laughing her ass off. I grit my teeth, smoothing out my shirt again.

"Ok that wasn't funny and seriously do I look ok?"

She grins lazily at me and grabs the whip cream out of the fridge. Oh gross I don't even wanna know.

"Spence, sweetie you look beautiful. Have fun man."

She kisses my forehead and practically skips back to her room. I scrunch up my face with disgust again and finally decide I'll start walking to Ashley's apartment.

I drag my feet as I walk slowly to where Ashley waits for me. I've been trying to figure out what to say to her on my walk but I arrive at her door with a blank mind and shaking hands.

I knock tentatively and feel the familiar nervousness that always seems to come with standing in front of her door. I glance down at myself one more time before she answers the door. I'm wearing ripped jeans and a light blue shirt with a grey zip up over it. My hair is pulled back loosely with a few brown strands hanging down. I nod in approval and knock again.

"Shit I'm coming."

Her yell causes my nerves to come back full force and I take a deep, steadying breath. She opens the door and I groan inwardly at her appearance. She has a tight, jean miniskirt on that barely covers her ass coupled with a white tank top and her leather jacket. Her brunette curls hang freely around her face, she's glowing.

"Hi."

"Hiya Spence."

I open and close my mouth but no sound comes out. She's left me speechless with her beauty.

"Spence can you just gimme one second?"

I look at her with my mouth still hanging open and nod idiotically.

"Oh and Spencer close your mouth."

She smirks as she disappears inside her apartment once again. I quickly snap my mouth shut and glance at my watch, ok right on time. Ashley darts back to where I'm standing and locks her door.

"You ready?"

Her eyes twinkle at my question and she smiles shyly.

"I've been ready a long time now."

Her answer causes my chest to ache again and makes me realize once more just how bad I hurt her.

"Well Ashley I hope you don't mind walking to our date, it's only a few blocks away."

She looks at me curiously and shakes her head.

"No its fine."

We walk side by side for several minutes, our shoulders occasionally brushing.

"You look really pretty tonight; I mean you do every night not like you ever look ugly or anything like that."

Great I sound like such an idiot, babbling about how beautiful she is. She must think I'm a moron.

"Spencer, Spencer!"

Ashley's husky voice pulls me out of my inner ranting.

"Yeah sorry, um what's up?"

"Thank you and stop being so nervous. It's just me."

She tangles her hand loosely in mine as we continue walking and my whole body ignites on fire. One touch that's all it takes for her to burn me.

I watch her face as we get closer to the flashing lights and overly loud music, the smell of deep fried food bombarding my senses.

"You brought me to the carnival?"

I grin as she bounces up and down, excitement radiating from her body. As I buy some tickets she continues to bounce beside me and squeals as we enter the town square.

Right away she heads for spinning, twirling, vomit inducing ride that I have no desire to go near but then I notice that every spin forces you to press against who you're riding with. Count me in!

Now I'm sitting on a bench trying to calm my churning stomach.

"Spencer I am so sorry I had no idea it would be that bad."

I haven't actually puked but thought seriously about it. Ashley loved the ride, me not so much. I swallow hard and take a deep breath.

"Damn Spence you look really pale, you sure you're ok?"

Her fingers brush some hair out of my face and I savor the contact.

"Yeah I'm ok now. Come on there's something I wanna do."

I grab her hand and pull her to a carnival booth that holds giant teddy bears. She stands impossibly close as I raise the gun to try and win her a prize. I know if I turned my head I could finally kiss her again. It takes me several moments to drive that thought from my head as I shoot down all four targets. The disgruntled carnival man hands me a giant polar bear which I proudly present to Ashley.

"And this is for you!"

I watch as she hugs the bear close and buries her face in the soft animal. When she looks at me her eyes are almost gold now and I'm finding it harder to breathe.

"I love it Spencer, thank you. But there's one last thing I want to do before we leave."

I cringe because so far her ideas of fun here have been catastrophic for my poor stomach. I groan as she drags me through the throngs of people but I light up when I see what she's picked. She grins at me as we both board the giant ferriswheel. I get in first and am pleasantly surprised when she slides in right next to me.

When the ride lurches forward she gasps and clutches my arm, scooting wonderfully closer to me.

Silence settles over us as the cool night air flows around us. The stars sparkle brightly matching Ashley's gorgeous eyes.

When I feel her shiver I instinctively pull her closer. She grabs my hand that is just resting in my lap and intertwines our fingers together, pulling us impossibly closer. I let out a contented sigh as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"I've missed this."

The cool night air has made her voice even rougher and I bite my lip.

"I've missed you."

She pulls back slightly and smiles warmly at me.

As the ride ends so does the momentary bliss between us. We decide to walk around town before I take her home. She walks with her head hanging slightly, staring at her shoes as she drags her prize with her. I keep my eyes trained on her as we walk.

All of a sudden she stops and locks eyes with me. She looks so confused, so almost scared that I want nothing more to wrap her in my arms and tell her its ok, but I don't.

"Spencer this has been wonderful but…"

"Crap I knew there'd be a but, there's always a but."

We smile at each other before she continues.

"I'm just still cautious that's all."

"You know I've been thinking about us every day for almost the past two years now. I blame myself mostly for what happened. I was so stupid and I was terrified honestly. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you. Before I met you I thought I was destined to wallow in misery the rest of my life then you just danced in and swept me off my feet. You basically saved my life and I found my best friend, who I was also incredibly attracted to. You were perfect but I ran when things got a little rough but I'm here to fix it now."

I grab both her hand and place it over my heart.

"It's yours."

I whisper into the night and watch as silent tears pour out of her eyes. She steps closer and licks her lips. Holy shit I know what this means she wants to kiss me. Her eyes are fixed on my lips and then dart to catch my eyes. As I lean in her phone rings and she jumps back.

"H-Hello? Oh hey Michelle. No not really. Yes I miss you too. How's L.A.?"

I walk away a few feet, giving her some privacy. Wow I can't believe we almost kissed. I still don't know if she'll take me back at this point but at least she wants to kiss me and I know how bad I wanna kiss her.

"Sorry Michelle was just checking in."

I nod my head understandably and motion for us to continue walking. When we arrive at her door we both stand there awkwardly.

"Ashley I had a really good time tonight."

She offers me a small smile.

"Me too Spencer."

She kisses my cheek and then starts to head into her apartment. As I'm walking away her voice calls after me.

"Oh and Spencer?"

I turn around so fast I get whip lash.

"Yeah Ashley?"

She smirks devilishly at me.

"I like your blonde hair better."

I roll my eyes as she closes her door and I begin the walk back home. I'm pooped as I unlock the door and stumble inside.

"How'd it go?"

"Did she kiss you?"

"Is she gonna take you back?"

"How hot did she look tonight?"

I groan as I spot Becky, Madison, Kyla, and Glen sitting in my living room.

"Seriously guys you waited for me?"

The peanut gallery shakes their heads and they instantly remind of a group of bobble heads, I hate those stupid fucking bobble head dolls.

"Fine I'll tell you but no interruptions, Becky."

"What! Me never."

She smirks at me and settles down further in the couch.

After I finish telling them everything each one of them is sporting a matching grin.

"So what do you guys think?"

"I give it like two maybe three more dates and then you'll be in the sack together."

Kyla smacks Glen upside the head at his answer causing us all to laugh.

"I know her Spence and she loves you. She's just really confused right now but I know deep down you guys will end up together."

I smile at Madison and excuse myself for bed, leaving the four of them to gossip about me and Ashley.

I crumple onto my bed and as soon as my head hits the pillow I drift off to sleep.

Ta-da! Thanks again for everything you guys are wonderful!

Songs: I Love You by Martina McBride, Secret Smile by Rascal Flatts, and My Heart by Paramore.