Thank you for all the reviews and feedback. I have to admit that I love the reactions that this fic is getting because it means that it makes it more challenging to write. I still find it so bizarre that nobody wants a 'Spashley' ending and to be fair it may not happen. Anyway thanks for the support and for getting involved.
Hide My Heart- Hands Down
Ashley had washed the ice cream from her body and was now back on her cabana watching Spencer interact with Aiden. Ashley couldn't help but admire the stunning blonde and knew that no matter how much she tried there was always going to be a part of her that wanted Spencer. She was having fun with Colby but the older girl had already made it clear that she wasn't looking for anything too serious but Ashley still felt guilty for leading her on or leading Spencer on, she wasn't even sure any more. She spotted Colby heading over with some drinks that she had left a few minutes to get. Seeing the two blondes practically side to side only confirmed just how not ready Ashley was to move on. She saw the blatant similarities between the two and realised that everybody else had probably already picked up on this. Ashley was so consumed by her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed Colby taking a seat next to her, her eyes now also glued on Spencer.
"How long have you liked her?" Colby asked sounding quite relaxed. Ashley quickly averted her gaze and tried to think of a good excuse to explain why she was staring at Spencer but words were currently failing her. Colby gave Ashley an encouraging smile and placed a kind hand on her exposed shoulder.
"Ashley I'm not stupid, I see the way that you look at her and the way she looks at you. Damn I have only seen you two interact a total of 2 times and it is extremely clear that there is something there" Colby explained.
"I really like you though" Ashley spluttered feeling like the worlds biggest bitch.
"I like you too Ashley but that doesn't mean you don't like Spencer. What happened?"
"The usual back and forth drama of dykedom" Ashley sighed sipping her iced tea.
"Bad break up?"
"We never actually managed to get together actually. We have never been at the same point at the same time and we only seem to hurt each other"
"You only hurt other because you both clearly care so much. Look if you like her you should just go for it"
"It's not that simple Colby. She has just got out of her first gay relationship with some crazy chick and I don't think I'm ready to deal with that plus she doesn't seem to bothered by the fact I'm dating you"
"Ouch...at least you're honest about using me" Colby sulked but soon smiled.
"The night I met you was just after Spencer and I had kissed properly, it was wonderful but then her crazy ex turned up and that terrified me..."
"So you picked some random coffee house chick to help you out" Colby joked still trying to act upset.
"It wasn't like that Colby, you are just chilled and cool. Look the whole me and Spencer thing is never going to happen so I would very much like to see what happens between me and you" Ashley said knowing full well that Colby would quickly reject that idea.
"Look Ashley as lovely as that offer is I'm going to gratefully decline. I like you but this was never going to be anything serious plus you need to deal with the whole Spencer thing sooner rather than later"
"What if I don't want?"
"Then you're an idiot, a hot one but an idiot nonetheless" Colby smiled hugging Ashley.
"Can we still hang out?" Ashley asked inhaling Colby's scent.
"Definitely but I need to head off. I totally just met this girl at the drink stand" Colby explained as she stuck her tongue out at Ashley who smacked her arm in response.
"You're unbelievable!" Ashley scolded.
"Ashley you and Spencer were practically having sex earlier when I was in the sea" Colby threw back with a victorious smile while Ashley blushed once again.
"You saw that?"
"Does a bear shit in the woods?" Colby challenged.
"Charming, ok so I'm not so subtle"
"And neither is she" Colby whispered as she pointed behind Ashley to Spencer who was trying to act casual and like she wasn't staring at the two girls talking. Ashley dropped back on to her towel feeling the emotions rushing through her body. There was no denying that she had a thing for Spencer Carlin, even though they had hurt each other in the past and even though they still didn't know each other properly she couldn't help but wonder. Having never been in a relationship with anyone before Ashley was unsure of what was required in a partner in order to make it work but she figured been hot for them was a good start. As much as she wanted to jump at Spencer she knew that she had to sit back and let things happen. Colby placed a gentle kiss on Ashley's forehead and signalled that she would call her. Ashley grumbled something inaudible and continued to drift off into her own little world.
"Where did Colby shoot off to?" A booming male voice asked from above Ashley making her jump.
"She had stuff to do" Ashley replied once she realised it was only Aiden.
"So she's pretty cool" Aiden was determined to continue talking no matter how uninterested Ashley looked.
"Yep she's awesome"
"So Spencer's parents are away so she was going to have a pool party at her place" Aiden explained.
"Good for Spencer" Ashley replied sitting up and realising that she must have drifted off as the beach was emptier than it had been.
"She told me to invite you"
"Why can't she invite me herself?"
"She wanted to but you were out cold. Glen called her and picked her up so they could go get supplies for the party. He's back for the weekend so he's taking full advantage of a parentless house"
"Oh, erm ok yea I might do. I should probably head home"
"Do you want a ride?"
"No thanks I have my car. See you later" Ashley quickly gathered her things and headed home so she could decide whether she wanted to go to the Carlin party or not.
"Since when did you get cool?" Glen asked his younger sister as they emptied bags of ice into a giant bucket. Glen looked very similar to Spencer but he had inherited their father's curly hair which always bugged him.
"I've always been cool" Spencer replied clearly not impressed by the accusation that she was anything but cool.
"No you haven't, you have always been quite the opposite"
"Ugh fine Aiden got cool and I tagged along for the ride"
"Sounds more believable. So who is Dennison dating now he's 'cool'?"
"Kyla Davies" Spencer answered as she started adding bottles of beer to the ice.
"No way, so does that mean that her sister is still single?" Glen asked with a pervy look which only annoyed Spencer.
"Actually she's dating somebody her name is Colby" Spencer added with a giggle.
"Wait Ashley plays for your team?" Glen nearly yelled clearly annoyed.
"Very much so which means you can't be all creepy older brother when she comes over" Spencer warned.
"Wait you two are friends?"
"Jesus Glen it's not like I was a complete social outcast before you left"
"So are you friends?"
"Kind of...it's complicated" Spencer didn't want to explain everything to her stupid brother so she tried to act casual.
"Woah...is there something going on between you two?" Glen asked holding his sister still so he could look at her eyes directly. Glen was convinced that he could always tell when Spencer was lying and this was his technique. Spencer breathed deeply and went to lie but Glen actually did have some sort of talent when it came to reading people so she knew lying would be pointless.
"There was, then there wasn't and now I have no idea. Like I said she is dating somebody and I just broke up with Carmen. Can we just leave it at that for now please?" Spencer pleaded and Glen nodded seeing that his sister was quite cut up over something and he knew that she would eventually spill if she wanted to. Glen gave Spencer a small awkward hug and they continued to get everything ready for the party.
A few hours later...
More people than Spencer had invited or expected had turned to her house. There were masses of teenagers jumping in and out of her pool drunkenly while Glen held court in the garden sharing stories of college. Aiden had disappeared with Kyla a while ago leaving Ashley to try and keep some of the house tidy. She had been secretly praying that Ashley would turn up but figured that she had probably made plans with Colby. Giving up hope Spencer headed up to her room knowing she would be safe from the masses who had taken over her house. Grabbing a 6 pack of beer Spencer unlock her door and crashed on her bed. The music from down the stairs was making her walls vibrate which she was grateful for as she was convinced that Kyla and Aiden were going at it in the other room.
She reached over and opened herself a beer enjoying the cold beverage wishing she had already drank more so this whole experience was more enjoyable. Spencer had no problems with parties and would normally enjoy it but the severe lack of Ashley Davies was a real downer especially after spending some of the day with her.
"You do know that the host of the party should probably be at the party" Ashley stated as she sat comfortably on the window ledge shocking Spencer and causing her to spill some of her beer.
"We have a front door you know?" Spencer smiled not moving from her crossed legged position on her bed.
"I know and that would be really helpful but it was locked plus I wouldn't have scared you and made you dribble beer if I had come in via the conventional option" Ashley teased making Spencer check her chin for excess beer which only made Ashley chuckle some more.
"I'm not above pushing you out of that window" Spencer threatened as she stood up and headed over to Ashley.
"Ok, at ease Carlin. How about you just give me one of those beers and I'll play nice" Ashley offered as she stood up taking a seat on the now vacant bed. Spencer handed Ashley a beer as she not so subtly admired the brunettes outfit. Ashley's tanned legs were barely covered by the small jean skirt and the hot pink bra that was poking out from beneath a cut up band shirt was enough to drive anyone insane.
"So how's your first party going?" Ashley asked as sipped the beer.
"It's more Glen's party than mine"
"Is that why you're hiding in your room?"
"I'm not hiding, just taking a break plus I have no idea who most of those people are"
"That's normally how these things go down. The amount of times I have woken to find randoms passed out around my house is crazy but don't worry I am here to get you through this" Ashley promised with a nose crinkling smile.
"My knight in shining armour" Spencer joked getting a light chuckle from Ashley in return.
"So how about we take a look around down there and see what's going on?" Ashley offered as she put her hand out for Spencer to take which the blonde did without a second thought. Ashley waited for Spencer to lock her door and then expertly weaved through the crowds with them finally ending up in the garden where a large game of 'I never' was being played. Ashley's eyes lit up and Spencer just looked nervous.
"Ok we are so playing this" Ashley said as she dragged Spencer to the circle of people planting them both of the floor.
"Ash I've never played this before" Spencer whispered not wanting to draw attention to her lack of experience.
"Ok basically you take it in turns to a something like 'I've never kissed a girl' and if you have done that thing then you drink" Ashley explained. Spencer figured it would be ok to play the game plus she was sat with Ashley's bare leg pressed against her own so even if she wanted to leave she wouldn't be able to.
"I've never cheated on a test" Some guy yelled from the other side of the circle. I fair few people drank including Ashley who laughed at Spencer's shocked expression.
"I've never had sex in a car" Another voice announced and once again Ashley drank while Spencer sat still.
"I've never slept with a girl" Ashley added as she downed some more beer but instead of Spencer being shocked the tables were turned. Ashley looked over at the clearly embarrassed blonde and couldn't believe that she hadn't drank. Moving around so they were cut off from the circle Ashley put her beer down.
"You never slept with Carmen?" Ashley asked sounding more shocked than she wanted to.
"No, I just never felt ready" Spencer admitted feeling like a complete loser.
"I was so sure that you had" Ashley stated as swigged some more beer.
"Well I can promise you that we didn't, she wanted to but I didn't feel ready to especially not with her. I mean there was one time that I was planning to but her not turning up was one of the best things that has happened" Spencer confessed feeling her cheeks get redder and redder.
"Why not her?" Ashley asked only feeling confident enough to ask these questions because of the beer in her system.
"I didn't love her and as lame as I might sound I think...no I know I want my first time to be with somebody I love. I know I sound like the worlds biggest loser but..." Spencer rambled her answer feeling the pressure from Ashley's intent glare.
"You're not a loser Spence, you're special and I wish that I had waited for somebody special" Ashley admitted feeling like the worlds biggest slut. She couldn't even remember the name of the girl she had first slept with and had spent a lot of time trying to forget the guy.
"So I need another drink" Spencer announced as she quickly stood up grabbing her empty beer bottle. Ashley soon followed and both girls looked at each other with a strange expression that neither of them had seen on the other before.