Sorry for the lack of updates! I've had a lot going on lately. I had a friend pass away from her three year battle with breast cancer and then work has been shitty. I'm trying to get another job that I desperately want! So I've had a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I could not even focus on my writing! I'm a little more focused today so I figured I had to update! And also lluvspence your review made me happy and gave me the motivation to do this update! =) as always enjoy!
"Carmen what are you doing here?" I asked shocked.
"Okay, so not the reaction I was going for, but baby I'm here to rescue you from this hell," answered Carmen.
"What do you mean rescue me?" I asked confused.
"I mean you are coming with me tonight and never coming back. We are moving to New York! Anna and Krystal are letting us move in with them," said Carmen with excitement.
"And what about my parents? They would call the police if I was missing from here," I said.
"No worries Spence, some minor changes in your appearance. And Demetri can get us new identities. Your parents would never find us," said Carmen happily.
"So you want me to just leave and give up everything? Even my family?" I asked still in shock.
"Spence it's not even like your family cares about you. Why do you think they sent you here?" responded Carmen.
"They sent me here because they care about me Carmen. My life was going to shit back home, and they knew I needed a change so I could turn my life around," I said defensively.
"Spence they sent you here to keep you away from me. But I won't let that happen anymore," said Carmen.
"Carmen maybe us being apart is for the best," I said truthfully.
"Spence how could you even say that?" asked Carmen surprised my answer.
"Carmen when I was with you all you ever cared about was partying, getting high, and us throwing our lives away," I said looking Carmen in the eyes.
"So what are you saying Spence? You're saying you don't want to come with me?" asked Carmen hurt.
"That's exactly what I'm saying Carmen. God my life has been a mess for so long and for the first time I feel like I'm doing something good with my life by being here," I said honestly.
"Spencer I love you. I know things aren't perfect, but they can be," said Carmen as she looked at me with a hurt expression.
"I'm sorry Carmen, but I just don't feel the same anymore. I think letting go is what's best for me," I said.
"Wow, so you're really going to throw away four fucking years down the drain? And for what Spence? Because now you think you're better than me because you go to some rich snobby school. You know what, fuck you Spencer! Don't bother calling me when you realize how you fucked up by throwing away the one person who has been there for you," said Carmen angrily as she turned and left.
Not once did I question whether or not I should go after her. Truth be told I wasn't in love with her anymore. I don't even love myself to be honest. I think I need to work on that and rediscover who I am. You have to love yourself before you can let someone love you. I know now that I have some major work to do here with my life, but I'm ready for the challenge. Shit, Ashley! I have to hurry if I want to make it in time!
Luckily I was able to get a cab over to the club. I hoped to god I hadn't missed Ashley's performance. Ashley was the first true friend I ever really had and I wasn't about to screw that up. She needed me and I was going to come through. I ran into the club to see some guy performing on stage. I moved towards the door to the backstage where a tall guy was watching the door.
"Can I help you?" asked the man.
"Yes I'm looking for Ashley Davies. She is supposed to be performing tonight," I said.
"Oh my god Spence, finally!" said Ashley as she pulled my arm and yanked me backstage.
"She's with me Luke," said Ashley to the man as he nodded.
"I thought you had bailed on me!" said Ashley with relief.
"Of course not Ash. I would never bail on you. I just had to take care of something," I said.
"You look amazing by the way," I said looking at Ashley's outfit.
"Thanks Spence. Ugh I'm so nervous! I know we perform for choir, but doing my own material is scary. What if they think my songs suck? What if I can't do what my dad does?" Ashley said in a panic.
"Ash relax, just breathe. You are a great song writer! I heard some of your work that one night and it blew me away! You are so talented girl," I said with a smile.
Ashley smiled back.
"Maybe your right, I'm going to do this. But if I get booed off stage I will probably run off crying and never speak to you again," Ashley said jokingly.
"Well then I better get out there, ready to cheer you on," I said happily.
"Ashley your up next," said a blonde girl.
"Okay thanks," Ashley said to the girl.
"Well I better get out there. Don't be nervous Ash, you got this!" I said with a smile.
I wanted to hug Ashley, but I knew she never liked to be touched. In fact I've never touched any part of her, not even a brush of an arm. A part of me was disappointed about that, I don't really know why.
"Thanks Spence, I'm really happy that you decided to come," said Ashley happily before turning to walk over to the stage to wait for her turn.
I smiled and turned to leave and find a spot to watch her performance. I was so nervous for her, but I know she can do this. I truly believe in her.
"Oh my god Ash you rocked the house! You got a standing ovation! The only standing ovation!" I said with excitement.
"It was nothing," said Ashley as she smiled.
"It was everything Ash! And the song you sang, about a girl broken trying to find her way again, I can seriously relate to it," I said looking into Ashley's eyes.
"What can I get you ladies?" asked our waitress, pulling our eyes away from each other.
After the show I invited Ashley out for some dessert to celebrate her brave performance. And after everything with Carmen I really needed something sweet!
"I'll have the strawberry cheesecake," I said putting down my menu.
"Excellent, and for you?" asked the waitress while looking at Ashley.
"I'll have the banana crème pie," said Ashley as she handed the woman our menus.
"Excellent, be right back ladies," said the waitress as she took the menus and left.
I felt a buzz from my phone and pulled it out to look to see who had messaged me. It was from my friend Laura back home.
L: Just heard from Carm that you guys broke up! WTF? Call me!
I looked then put my phone away. Laura wasn't even really my friend, she was more Carmen's friend than mine. The only reason she was writing me was because she was King High's gossip. I wasn't going to waste any time on her, or anything Carmen related.
"Everything okay?" asked Ashley.
"Yeah everything is fine. Just someone who heard about me ending things with Carmen," I said before taking a sip of my ice tea.
"You ended things with Carmen? When?" Ashley asked surprised.
"Before your performance. She just showed up expecting me to just leave school with her and basically start a new life with her," I said remembering the encounter.
"Oh wow, so that's why you were late," said Ashley.
"Yeah," I said feeling guilty.
"I'm glad you didn't go Spence. Truth be told I would miss you," said Ashley as she looked at her hands.
I could tell Ashley meant what she said.
"Yeah well, I would miss you too Ash. Truth be told you're the first real friend I've ever had. Is that sad?" I asked jokingly.
"Not at all. It's hard to find someone decent to actually call a friend these days. Most can't be trusted," said Ashley.
All of a sudden the diner was filled with loud voices. I turned back to see a large group of people who by the look of their attire, were from the dance. When I turned back Ashley looked terrified all of a sudden, like she had seen a ghost.
"Ash are you okay?" I asked concerned.
She just looked on, frozen in place.
"Jake," she quietly mumbled under her breath.
"Here you are ladies," said the waitress as she put down our plates.
"I have to go," said Ashley as she got up and dashed through the door.
"Ash wait!" I shouted as she left.
"I'm sorry," I said to the waitress as I got up to leave. I quickly left enough money to cover everything before I went after Ashley.
"Ash wait up!" I said as I ran to catch up to her.
"What was that?" I asked confused.
"I had to get out of there Spence. There was someone from my past in there. I don't want to talk about it," she said as her eyes began to well up with tears.
"You don't have to talk about it Ash. I would never force you to talk about anything," I said truthfully.
"But if you ever want to talk I'm here," I said sincerely.
"I just wish I never had to be reminded of it all," said Ashley more talking to herself than me.
"Why don't we head back to Westcott and just have a girl's night, eat some junk food and watch a movie. I think we've both had a lot to deal with today," I said trying to cheer her up.
"Alright, but I get to pick the movie Spence," said Ashley as she lightly smiled and wiped her tears.
"Deal Davies," I said with a smile.
Honestly it drove me crazy to not know what the hell just happened. Why would Ashley get so upset? Did she see an ex or something? I also wanted to know Ashley's past. Know what demons inside her head haunted her. I wanted to know why the hell I couldn't even touch her in a friendly manner. As badly as I wanted to know all of this, right now I just wanted to be there for my friend. Ashley Davies was now a part of my life and I wasn't about to screw that up. I've screwed up everything else in my life, not anymore.