Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I own nothing!!! All South of Nowhere characters belong to Tom Lynch and the-N.

Spencer was relieved when she woke to see her alarm clock and room just as she had left it before she fell asleep and no sign of Jim all night. She turned off her alarm and pulled the covers down before sliding off of her bed and crawling into the shower. As the water ran down over her face she closed her eyes and thought of Jim. Why didn't I see him last night? I don't understand what's going on with me, why I even saw him in the first place. Oh well, at least I'll get to see Ashley soon. God I love her so much. Her eyes are so beautiful I could get lost in them for hours. Her smile, her tattoo, her…

Spencer was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of her mom knocking on her bathroom door. "What?" Spencer yelled out through the sound of the water.

"Are you going to school today sweetie?" She heard her mother ask from the other side of the door.

"Um, yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Maybe because it's 7:50 and school started at 7:30!"

"Mom, time check, it's only 6:50…" no sooner had the words left her mouth and Spencer realized her mistake. She was looking at the clock in her bathroom which she never changed and due to daylight savings; it was currently an hour off. "Sorry mom! My bad, I'll be right out, give me like two seconds!"

Spencer quickly rinsed the soap out of her hair and turned off the shower. She pulled back the shower curtain and grabbed her towel. As she stepped out of the shower and started to dry off, she thought; did I have any homework this weekend? I know it's the last day of school, but my AP classes go right up until the end… Oh well, screw it, I wonder what I should wear… Spencer made up her mind and got dressed quickly. She decided that no books was the way to go and hurriedly ran down the stairs and out to the car. She climbed in next to her mom and buckled her seatbelt.

"Spencer, why were so late this morning honey? Did you wake up late or something?" Paula asked as she pulled out of the driveway and headed towards the school.

"No, I got up on time. I don't know, I guess I just lost track of time. Sorry."

"It's no problem sweetie, I was just wondering."

They reached the school and Paula asked, "How are you getting home today?"

"Um… Actually I told Ashley I'd hang out with her today. Do you mind if I go over to her house after school? She'll drive me…"

"No, not at all; just call me if you're gonna be late for dinner."

"Thanks mom, will do." Spencer said as she closed the car door and rushed to her locker. As she turned the dial to open her locker she checked her watch. "Crap, it's 8:15, second period has already started and I completely missed first. Spencer grabbed the books she needed and rushed to the auditorium to try and sneak in to her drama class unnoticed. She tried the door to the auditorium and it was locked. Oh shit! She ran down and tried the next door over…locked too. All right, how can I get in there without everyone knowing I'm late? She peeked in the window and saw that the class was grouped together in the back of the auditorium. That's it! I'll sneak in the backstage entrance and no one will see me… Spencer ran around to the other side of the auditorium and crept through the long hallway to the back entrance. She pulled the curtain aside and stepped out on stage. She saw everyone still sitting in the back corner completely engaged in their discussion. Yes, no one even notices I'm standing right in front of them! Spencer crossed the stage to the steps so she could join the class and just as she got to center stage the auditorium doors swung open to reveal the school's vice principal.

He shot her a stern look and yelled, "Young lady, what do you think you're doing up there?"

"Well, um, I was on my way to class and I took a wrong turn and before I knew it the bell rang and now-"

She was cut off by Chelsea who stood up in the back and said, "Great improvisation, Spencer! That is a very plausible excuse to use if you were ever questioned of your whereabouts."

The vice principal turned to Chelsea, "You mean, this was part of the class?"

"Yes, of course! Mr. Olraz, did you really think that star student Spencer Carlin was up to no good?"

"No, I was just um… I was just… checking in on the class… that's all…"

With that Mr. Olraz exited out the door he had entered and Spencer hopped down from the stage. She ran over to the class and whispered to Chelsea, "Thanks, I owe you one."

"Anytime," Chelsea answered.

The rest of the class went on as could be expected. As soon as the bell rang, Spencer practically sprinted down the hallway looking for Ashley. She found her at her locker and walked up behind her. She covered Ashley's eyes and whispered in her ear, "Guess who?"

A smile formed on Ashley's face as she replied, "Um, Madison… no, I'm totally joking, I know it's you Spencer." Spencer smiled as Ashley turned to face her. "So, where were you this morning?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Spencer asked with a devilish grin.

Ashley smiled and said, "So, Miss Carlin… what are you doing ninth period today?"

"Well, I was planning on going to history…but, if you have a better offer, I'd be more than happy to take you up on it."

"That's the spirit! Come to my Chem class with me."

"How? You don't expect me to just outright cut class do you?"

"Of course not, I know you too well. However, I do have this hall pass signed and filled out COMPLETELY in pencil. It is now yours, use it at your own discretion." Ashley turned to leave for her next class. As she walked passed Spencer she slid her hand down Spencer's arm and whispered to her, "I'll see you ninth period." Spencer giggled and nodded as they went their separate ways to class.

When ninth period came, Spencer walked up to her teacher and asked to leave. She flashed the pass and her teacher just nodded as she walked out the door. She got to Ashley's class (which only has 8 other people in it) and knocked on the door. Ashley got up and opened it. Spencer took a seat next to where Ashley had previously been sitting. Ashley joined her with two bowls of ice cream. They sat in the back of the class enjoying their ice cream as Spencer thought Ok, this so kicks AP history's ass! The entire class went by as a giant ice cream party, which would never be allowed in any of Spencer's AP classes.

When the bell rang, the girls were free of school for the summer. They headed gaily forward to Ashley's car and Ashley held the door open as Spencer climbed in the car. Ashley hopped in the driver's seat and they were on their way to Ashley's house once more. Spencer thought, Wow, she looks gorgeous today. I wonder what she plans on doing once we get to her house…