Disclaimer: South of Nowhere and the characters affiliated with it belong to Tom Lynch and The N. I own nothing but my own plot twists.

A/N: Man I just want to post all my chapters all at once, but I need to exercise some restraint and build some suspense. I also need to just plain exercise, but I digress. Anyway, I won't update until tomorrow at the earliest so try not to cry too much lol.

Reviews are always loved and appreciated ;)

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Chapter 12: Anywhere But Here

"I'm falling through the door, flying across the floor

When you look at me, suddenly it's clear

You're burning up my dreams, crazy as it seems

I don't wanna be, anywhere but here"

Hilary Duff

-

Ashley and I were in the bathroom between classes, checking our make up. I had left my lip gloss at home and asked to borrow hers.

"Here," she handed it to me and dug back into her purse for her compact. "Just a hint of pink," she explained as she saw me open it and smell it. "It's best to have clear gloss so it works with another girl's gloss."

I stopped and considered. "I never thought about that. Two girls, two different shades of lip stick. I have so much to learn." I smiled.

"Good thing you have me," she smiled back. "Wow, that looks really good on you," she assured me in a husky tone. I felt myself blush at her staring and her words.

"Ah, now you have me wearing your shade, how convenient. Just in case we wind up in some spontaneous lip lock," I joked and handed the gloss back, trying not to let it show on my face how good that idea sounded.

Ashley looked at me intently and said in a raspy voice, "Trust me, it won't be spontaneous," she promised, giving me a suggestive look and then walking out the door as if she hadn't said anything of the sort.

My heart sped up and I couldn't stop the excitement that flowed through me. She thought about kissing me too. I smiled goofily and followed her out, making sure the grin was wiped off my face before I walked out the door.

I don't know why I thought of that moment now. I was at Ashley's house with Aiden. Us three were going to Ego in celebration of me finally being ungrounded. I made sure to remind my parents- especially my mom- that Aiden was going with us.

It helped her overlook Ashley's presence. Of course, Ashley was taking forever, something Aiden and I made sure to comment on with every outfit she tried on.

"I've got to look hot," she explained, as if we were the ones being ridiculous.

"Part of the Ashley appeal," Aiden leaned over and told me sarcastically.

I laughed, especially when he got hit with a random pillow that came from the direction of Ashley's closet. "You look good in everything, Ash," I whined, tired of watching her basically show case her wardrobe, even though she did look hot.

I mean nice. Ashley huffed and rolled her eyes at me and went back to her closet.

"You look really beautiful, Spencer," Aiden said.

When did he get so close? Was I that focused on Ashley? Probably.

"Thanks," I blushed and smiled shyly. "You don't look so bad yourself." I gently nudged him with my elbow.

He gave me a strange look. "You're not drunk, are you?"

I laughed at his random question. "Nope, not this time," I smiled at his silliness.

"Good," he said, and before I knew it, his strong lips were on mine. Oh, that's why he asked.

He was a good kisser and smelled great. Ashley sure could pick them. Ashley, my mind slowly processed. How would she kiss, I couldn't help but wonder. Would it be soft and gentle, or rough and demanding like this one was turning out to be? His tongue thrust inside my mouth, and I assumed that was his way of asking for permission.

"Ahem," Ashley fake coughed, causing me to open my eyes and back away quickly. I briefly wondered at the guilty feeling that sat low in my stomach.

"Hey Ash." Aiden ran a finger through his messy hair. Damn, did I do that? I didn't remember.

Ashley smiled at him then walked over to me and grabbed my hand. "I'm going to borrow her for a moment, lover boy," she said as she dragged me to the closet.

"What was that, little Ms. I think I'm gay?" she asked amusedly once in the privacy of her massive closet.

"What?" I asked defensively, "he's hot."

"Do you like him?" She turned serious. I shrugged. "Well if you don't, I think I might want in on it."

I looked at her confused. "You mean like a competition?" I asked slowly, unsure where this was going.

"Yeah, just to mess with him," she nodded.

"Sure why not?" I agreed. What's the worst that could happen, I realize I don't like him? Oh no, I thought dryly. We walked back to her room, sharing a secret smile.

"So we ready?" oblivious Aiden asked. He stared at Ashley as she approached him.

"You know who I always thought was a good kisser?" she asked quietly, seductively, as she stepped closer to the boy. "Aiden," she finished softly, and then she brought her lips to his expertly.

"Ash," I said softly, not particularly liking this game anymore.

Just as he was about to really get into the kiss, she pulled away. She definitely knew what she was doing. She walked back to her closet to finish getting ready.

"What was that about?" Aiden asked, though I knew he didn't mind at all.

I wasn't about to be outdone though. "Don't worry about it," I answered, hopefully sounding sexy, and I put my hand around his neck and pulled his face to mine.

He put his hands on my waist and pulled me roughly against him. I broke apart from him as I heard Ashley come back in. I was glad for the interruption. Not that I hated kissing him, just…hell I didn't know what was wrong with me.

"Wow," Aiden said with heavy breathing. "Wow," he whispered again. "I have to process this. Where's the bathroom?"

Ashley looked like she was biting back a smile. "Down the hall to the right."

"Don't. Go. Anywhere," he stressed out as he left.

As soon as he left we burst out laughing.

"So what do you think?" Ashley turned to me.

"He's still hot and cute," I shrugged.

"And a guy," she finished and I nodded.

"It does seem pretty stupid for both of us to be doing this."

"Trust me, I don't want him. I've already played that hand. I just wanted to mess with him." She stared at me intently. "And you."

"Nice," I supplied lamely.

She smiled at my response and suddenly turned serious. "So," she started, sounding timid, "what about us?"

I shrugged and sat down on the bed, feeling a little unsure myself, but knowing I owed her the truth. Who knows, maybe it would clear things up. "Well, when I was kissing Aiden, I was thinking about you," I confessed quietly, looking into her deep chocolate eyes.

"Really?" she asked pleased. "Me too," she smiled prettily.

My breath caught as she moved her head closer to mine. I was caught in the middle. I really-really!- wanted this, at least that's what every fiber in my being was telling me. But another part was nervous.

What would this mean, what would it make us? Would she think I was a good kisser? Too aggressive? Too gentle? Too bad?

These thoughts that bounced around instantly disappeared as Ashley licked her lips and cupped my face in her hands.

"It's ok," she whispered softly as if she sensed my uncertainty. She continued to lean her beautiful face closer to mine, and I wondered if everything was in slow motion, because despite how close her lips were, it seemed to be taking forever for ours to meet.

I was super aware of everything Ashley. The heat of her body, the sweet vanilla scent of her, the intoxicating strawberry scent coming from her lips, and at that moment, I never craved anything more. I closed my eyes in anticipation, knowing that her soft lips would brush mine any second.

"Wow," I distantly heard, but the noise broke me out of my trance.

I looked up to see Aiden staring at me and Ashley, looking like Christmas had come early. I turned to Ashley and was shocked to see how close we had come to kissing. I couldn't decide whether to thank Aiden or hate him.

"As much as I'd love to be here when you two kiss, or at least I think I do, I can leave," he offered, sounding slightly apologetic. Ashley gave him a death glare, silently telling him that's exactly what he should do.

"No, it's ok Aiden, you don't have to go. I do," I decided quickly. I couldn't do this. "Not like this," I told Ashley as she looked at me with a hurt expression. I was wrong. I wasn't ready for this. Maybe I never would be.

I left without saying goodbye or even looking at either of them. I made it to the front door before I realized that Ashley had brought me over. There was no way I'd ask her to drop me off.

-Will you pick me up-

I texted Glen, hoping he'd finally act like a good brother. And also hoping he wasn't with Madison. Ew.

-Where r u?

-Ashley's, please hurry-

Glen was there in five minutes, probably the fastest time it had taken him to get anywhere. He didn't say anything, but his blue eyes held brotherly concern, and I was very glad that he was my brother.

We rode back in silence, Glen giving me concerned looks every second but thankfully not saying anything.

"Everything ok?" Glen finally asked as we walked inside. "Your text seemed kind of urgent."

"I really don't want to talk about it. Thanks for getting me." I went upstairs and got ready for bed, not surprised that I didn't have a text from Ashley.

I went to bed angry. At Aiden for interrupting, at myself for letting this happen, and mostly at Ashley for making me feel this way. Maybe it wasn't fair, but in my mind, none of this would have happened if not for her.

I fell asleep fairly quickly, my anger tiring me out. I didn't wake up when Glen came in to check on me before he went to sleep. Not even as he tripped over my backpack and cursed as he tiptoed to my door.