A/N: Hey guys! Sorry about the cliffhanger last chapter. I just thought it was a good place to end it. I probably won't be able to update until Wednesday; sorry about that. Thanks for the reviews. I LOVE THEM. Please tell me what you think about this chapter: Finally some Spashley! ;)

The Way It Should Be

Spencer's POV

I am so stupid. Why did I run out on her like that…Why? Scratch that. Why did I tell her I loved her in the first place? Ugh! I think I may have just screwed my chances even more of being with Ashley. That stupid idiotic slut! It's her fault this happened! If she hadn't been all over Ashley, I would have been able to control my stupid hormones…Damn you hormones. Damn you.

I don't even know if she'll come back home today. After what I just hit her with, I wouldn't. Well, I would, but only if I was sure that I agreed with myself about how I felt about…myself…? I'm confused.

But maybe, just maybe, Kyla's right. Before leaving she told me that if Ashley felt the same way she would gladly tell me. She said that was one of her sister's most undermined qualities, her ability to just go after what she wanted and do her best to get it; to speak her mind. I really hope she does the same in this situation. I really hope Ashley comes back today. I really hope Ashley tells me that she loves me too. That would be splendid.

Still…How would I react? Would I spaz out like I did back when I told her I loved her? Would I know what to say? Most importantly, would I run out again? I can't run out of my own house…right? I pray that I my reaction will be appropriate; I don't want her to think I didn't mean what I said. Because, obviously I do mean it. I just wish—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ugh! Who the hell wants something at…2 freakin' am?! Damn, it's late!

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"OK! I heard you!" I angrily stop my way over to the door and yank it open. "What do you—"

I come face to face with a head of brown hair. A beautiful brunette carrying a distasteful blonde bundle.

"A-Ashley?"

"H-Hey Spence…" She lifts her head and I see a weak smile playing at her lips. I instantly take note of her swollen and reddened eyes. Has she been crying?

"Umm, is that Annie?" I point to the woman in her arms.

"Uh," she swallows hard. "I couldn't just leave her there, you know?" She shifts her weight to her other foot to keep from dropping her.

"Oh! Sorry," I say quickly, moving from the door to allow her in. "She must be heavy. Come in."

"Thanks." Ashley nods faintly and slowly walks in. I close the door after her. "She's out cold, so I'll, uh, just put her up in my room." She must have sensed the slight jealousy and hurt that causes in me, so she quickly adds, "I'll sleep on the couch."

"Okay…" I trail off. The brunette makes her way down the hallway and out of sight.

Was that it? Is she…not gonna talk about it? Don't I at least deserve a conversation?

"I think we should talk." She says from the doorway upon returning.

"Yeah, w-we should." I take a deep breath and sit on the couch, getting ready for the possible rejection.

A weird sense of silence overcomes the room. Something that never happens between the two of us. Our moments of silence are never awkward, they're mostly comfortable. But I know that this situation is different, because after this night, however it may end, Ashley and I will no longer be friends. We'll either be something more, or nothing at all.

"Umm, what you said to me before," she walks over to the couch across from me and grasps the back, supporting her weight. "Did you mean it?" I can tell that her eyes in clouded in uncertainty and doubt. I guess she must be nervous too…

"I-I," God, Carlin! Stop stuttering! You already said the most important thing! Now acknowledge it and end this poor girl's suffering! "…Yes. Every single word."

"…Okay…" She looks down to her hands and takes a deep breath. No, no, no! I did that when I was unsure! Oh great, she doesn't feel the same. "Spencer, I—"

I smell rejection…

"No," I stand up and rub the tears off my face. I walk over to her and put my hand on hers. "It's okay. You don't have to feel the same way. I understand." Nodding slowly, I turn around to leave.

Here comes the defense mechanism again. When in doubt or hurt, Spencer Carlin runs away. And that's what this situation is calling for. I can't stand to hear her say that she doesn't love me back. I don't want to hear those words coming out of her mouth. That would destroy me even more than I already am. I wouldn't survive her rejection. So I have to run away. I have to be a quitter once again. I head towards the front door; I can't stay here with her.

"Wait!" She grabs my wrist to stop me. "I…that's not what I was going to say."

Wha-What? Does she mean that…?

"What…?" I look deep into her eyes. My teary ones can clearly see that hers are displaying something different than I had expected. Instead of anger and dismissal, I see compassion, joy…love. "Ash…"

Ashley intertwines our hands. "Spence, I didn't come here to tell you I didn't feel the same way." She looks at me with a soft smile on her face and shining brown orbs.

"Wh-Wha…" Don't blame me for being speechless. In this situation, you'd be too. Trust me.

"I came for a whole different reason," She whispers. "Spencer, I'm completely," her lips break into an even bigger smile. "Utterly," she separates our hands and gently brings her arms around my waist. "Entirely," she pulls me closer, so that we our faces are mere inches away. "Head-over-heels," she locks eyes with me and whispers, "In love with you."

I can't even think right now…Those are the words I've wanted to hear from her all this time. Those are the words that I was afraid would never be directed at me. Those are the words that are currently making my heart soar with happiness and are leaving me speechless. I guess I did spaz out…

"…R-Really?" I whisper airily, my lips slowly beginning to smile.

"Really," Ashley sighs out, leaning in to break the space between us and connect our lips.

The moment they touch, I'm in pure bliss. The love of my life is kissing me, and I do the most natural and logical thing to do: I kiss her back, bringing my hands to clasp around her neck, pulling her closer to me. The kiss is soft, just like it was back at the club, but I can feel stronger, deeper emotions behind it. It has much more significance; much more impact; much more love. It's not forced, harsh, or sloppy…it's just, right. Her lips delicately massage my own, hastening my heartbeat and making this moment even more memorable.

After what seems like hours we pull away, both breathing rapidly to catch our breaths. Both smiling tenderly at each other, never breaking eye contact.

"I thought you came tonight to tell me off," I say shyly.

"Wha?!" She scoffs. "Spence, why in the world would I do that?" She smiles brightly. "I've loved you since the day I laid eyes on you back in high school. Do you know how hard it was to keep it hidden all this time?"

"You-You loved me back then?" I ask, confused and flattered at the same time. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I was scared," she admits, putting her head down. "I knew you had a lot to deal with back then. W-With college and everything. Plus, the me back then would have dragged you down…I wasn't ready for a relationship…"

"Are you ready now?" I use my fingers to slowly lift up her chin, revealing some tears on her perfect cheeks.

"…I think so…" She nods. "Are you?"

"If it's with you," I smile and use my thumb to brush off the tears. "Then yeah, I'll always be ready."

"..Th-Then…" She takes a deep breath. "Will, you, uh, be my…girlfriend?" She says, unsurely.

"Aww, you're so cute," I say fondly, while her cheeks quickly surge with blood and she blushes profusely. "Of course Ashy bear; I'd love to be your girlfriend." I lean in for another soft kiss, reassuring her of my answer.

When we separate, I see her goofy grin, knowing that I'm probably sporting an identical one myself.

"I'm so glad I actually listened to Aiden today," she smiles. "I was so nervous about coming and talking to you…"

"Well I'm glad you did," I say giving her a peck on her lips. "I'll have to thank Kyla for convincing me not to run away."

She laughs huskily and hugs me closer. "We'll have to thank them later," she says through a yawn.

"Yes we will," I say, pulling away from her and taking her hand. "Come on, let's go to bed."

"Yeah…" She yawns again. "I'll just get a pillow and a blanket from upstairs—"

"You're still sleeping on the couch?" I'm confused.

"Well, yeah, you know, Annie's hogging up my bed. I don't want to sleep near that thing."

"Oh, I see," I say, disappointed. "Okay…I'll see you then…"

Ashley quickly recognizes my sudden mood change and doesn't let go of my hand to keep me from leaving. "What's wrong Spence?"

"Nothing…" Ashley gives me a disbelieving look. She knows me so well. "It's just…I thought you'd want to share my bed…"

"I-I do," she stutters while looking at me timidly. "I was just afraid to ask…" She ducks her head.

I smile at her ability to be adorable without effort. "Oh, Ash," I pull on her hand, meaning to lead her toward my room. "You're so cute."

When we arrive at my door, Ashley hurriedly jogs off to her own room to take a 5-minute shower and change into some pajamas.

I enter and go to my closet, quickly changing into some boxers and a tank top; then I crawl into bed. A couple minutes later, Ashley peaks her head in through the door, smiling widely when she sees me. Closing the door behind her, she makes her way to other side of my bed, clad in some similar boxers and a small band t-shirt. She gets into bed and I instantly snuggle into her side, so she brings her arms around me.

"This feels right," I whisper.

"Yeah it does," she whispers back, kissing my forehead.

I wish that I could keep talking to her all night, but pretty soon, sleep overcomes me. "Goodnight Ashley, I love you."

"'Night Spencer, I love you too."

We both drift off to sleep. With Ashley holding me all night, I'm sure tonight will be the most peaceful sleep I've got in a while.