"Gimme that." I take Madison's glass from her and drain it, and it burns all the way down my throat all the way into my stomach.

I slam it down on the table, wincing. "Shit! What was that?"

"Tequila?" Madison says innocently, looking a her empty glass.

"Ash!" Kyla comes up from behind me, squealing. "What're you doing here?"

"I'm having fun." I announce. Kyla looks confused, but Madison whoops out loud.

"What's Spencer up to?" Kyla asks.

I try to answer, but Madison interrupts. "Who cares! She owes me more tequila!"

I laugh loudly, already feeling the effects of the alcohol. I reach into my purse and pull out my wallet, "Time to go work a little magic!" I say, wiggling my eyebrows and making my way over to the bar.

Moments later, I'm coming back with a tray of shots. "How the hell did you work that, Davies?" Madison sounds impressed

"Day bartender's an...old friend." I say, looking past her and giving him a wave. Internally, I roll my eyes.

"I'm not drinking these." Kyla says, cringing.

"More for us, then." I declare, handing Madison a shot. She downs it with a grimace. I do the same.

"You guys are crazy." Kyla says, turning to me. "What happened with Spencer? Did she throw your puppy in the street or something?"

I smack my lips against the taste of alcohol. "Kyla, I don't have a puppy."

"It's a figure of speech. Did you guys have a fight?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Uh, maybe because you're sitting here downing shots before it's dark, instead of tending to Spencer's every need?" Kyla says, like it obvious.

Madison tries to sneak a shot, and I slap her hand away, then turn back to Kyla. "Spencer doesn't want me around, that's cool. I can have fun without her." I shrug, handing Madison a tiny glass. I take one for myself, and we down it together.

"You guys should slow down." Kyla warns.

"Shutup, voice of reason." Madison says, burping a little. "Excuse me."

I point at her and laugh. "That? Gross."

"Here." She points to my tray. "Drink more, you have to play catch up."

I make an excited face! "I love catch up!"

Kyla mumbles something, but I ignore her. A few minutes later, I have my hands on my stomach. "I don't feel so good."

"Shock of the century." Kyla says sarcastically

"Actually..." Madison hiccups. "I'm not that surprised. She's been drinking."

Kyla looks at her like she's the dumbest thing walking the Earth. Which she might be, but she's good for a drinking buddy.

"Now that you're liquored up, what did Spencer say to you?" Kyla turns to me, trying to to get information.

"Spencer." I ponder this. "I should go see her."

Kyla notices I'm slurring my words, and reaches in my purse to grab my keys. "You aren't going anywhere."

I fume at her for a few seconds, then shrug. "Spencer told me...she told me. That I was around too much! Like that can even...be. Like that's true!"

Madison's giggling like an idiot. "You shushup!" I say loudly.

"Ashley, shh." Kyla turns my head back to face her. "She said she didn't want you to come around anymore? Why?"

I make a grand gesture with my hand. "That's a good question!"

"That's weird. Spencer wouldn't say that without - "

"Ten o'clock!" Madison shouts.

"What?" I demand.

"Look!" She abandons code and blatantly points to a tall redhead standing at the bar. "Same chick from earlier! Go hit on her!" She pats me on the back, encouraging me.

"Don't peer pressure me when I'm drunk!"

"It'll be...It'll be a good story to tell Spensher!" Madison laughs giddily, completely waster.

"Okay, no more for you." Kyla says, scooting the tray over to her.

"Take one!" Madison prods her, while I'm still looking at the redhead. She's cute.

"I'm gonna...I'm gonna talk to that lady." I stand up, wobbly for a second, and do my best strut over to the bar.

"Ashley!" Kyla says, trying to grab my arm. I shake her off. "Shh! I'm strutting..."

I sidle on up to her, sitting in the seat next to her. "I'm Ashley Davies." I stick my hand in her face. She raises an eyebrow. "I'm very drunk!"

"So I can tell." She looks amused, then shakes my hand. "I'm Sarah. I'm not drunk at all."

I pout. "You're no fun."

She laughs, swiveling her bar around to face me better. "I'm lots of fun. Anyone who tells you different? Is a liar."

Ha. "Fun?"

She nods. She wants me, I can tell. "You're very pretty." I say clearly, looking over at Kyla. She looks worried, but Madison's being a handful.

"You're gorgeous." Sarah says, cocking an eyebrow. We could be in the bathroom in minutes, done in double that. No one would have to know. And she's very cute.

"You know.." I say, putting my chin on my fist. "Spencer's very pretty, too."

"Spencer?"

"She's...gorgeous." I say carefully, not wanting to slur. "Prettier than you, definitely."

"Who's Spencer?" Sarah tries to look amused, but I totally just put her off her game.

"She's this girl." I say proudly. "Well, she's the girl. She has the cutest little nose..." I pinch an imaginary nose in front of me.

"The girl, huh?" Sarah looks around while I nod. "Spencer's a funny name for a girl."

I shake my head. "It's the best name."

"Hey..." She lowers her voice, reaching closer to whisper something in my ear. "You wanna go to the bathroom?" She whispers seductively.

I pull back, licking my lips. "I...I don't have to pee." Then I burst out laughing.

Sarah looks extremely let down, then bolts from her chair. "Grow up."

"Bye!" I watch her head across the club, then wave at the bartender. "Hi!" Then I hop off the stool, in a good mood, and amble on over to Kyla.

"What was that?" She asks.

"That was Sarah."

"Sarah?"

"She was nice." I say and that's that. "Where's Madison?"

Kyla points to the center of the dancefloor, where Madison is whipping her hair around like a lunatic. "I'm waiting for her to barf." Kyla explains.

I laugh out loud. "I don't wanna be here to see that." Kyla hands me water, and I shake my head.

"Drink it."

"No...I think I'm gonna...go." I say, standing up slowly.

"I don't think so."

"I think yes."

"I think no."

I grab the water, chugging it like a madman until it's done. "I'm fine!" I promise, wiping my mouth. "I'm just gonna take a walk over to Spencer's..." I blink a few times, trying to get the drunk out of my system.

"Ash..."

"It's not even dark out!"

"You look blasted!"

"Looks are..." I snap my fingers, looking for the word.

"Deceiving?" Kyla guesses, rolling her eyes.

"That's the word!"

Kyla sighs. "Keep your phone on."

"I will."

"Be safe."

"I make no promises!" I give her my best winning smile, then turn to walk out of the club. I hear Madison retching just as I open the door, and chuckle to myself.

I make it to Spencer's street uneventfully. It's not that far of a walk, really, but I feel a little sick to my stomach. No more tequila, ever, I vow to myself. It's been a long time since I've drank.

I think I might actually vomit in the conveniently placed bushes a few houses down from Spencer's, when I happen to glance up and see a tall, dark haired boy exiting Spencer's front door.

Spencer stands on the porch, hugs him goodbye, and says something I can hear with my super keen drunk powers of hearing. "Goodnight, Aiden."

Aiden just nods, patting her gently on the back, and says, "Thanks." How gross. I cringe to myself, then Spencer closes the door.

He's almost to his car when I abandon the vomiting idea and speedwalk over to him. "Hey!"

He looks at me, surprised.

"Yeah, you!" I point a finger at him.

"Were you hiding in the bushes?"

"Were you?"

"No, I was..." He trails off as I get closer, peering at my face. "You're drunk."

"You're a dick!"

He looks a little concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Like you care."

He takes a step closer. "Don't be stupid. How'd you get here?" He peers up and down the street for my car.

"Legs." I slap my thighs for effect. "Why are you here?"

"Spencer asked me over."

"Liar."

He looks at my for a second, then rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Get in the car, Ash. I'm taking you home."

"Yeah right!"

He groans. "Listen, I know you don't like me, but I'm not letting you walk around drunk after it turns dark, okay?"

"Shutup!"

"No, you get in the car and shutup." He goes to unlock his car.

"I will not."

"You stubborn ass." He says, shaking his head. "You know, I'm no fan of yours lately, either."

"Guess who doesn't care?" I sneer. "Me!"

The second the word 'me' leaves my mouth, I can feel it. In my stomach, then my throat.

Aiden takes a few steps closer, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Ashley? You look like you're going to - "

Vomit sprays down the front of his shirt. He takes a step back, disgusted. "Man!"

I pay him no attention, feeling much better. I spit on the sidewalk. "Ew."

"This is like, my favorite shirt!" He looks at me, and I scowl, wiping at my chin. "But I guess I deserved that, huh?"

I nod. "Completely."

He goes to his trunk, peeling off his shirt and pulling on a sweatshirt. UCLA.

Aiden opens his door for me, gesturing me to get inside. "Can we be even now? I still smell like your puke."

I shrug, taking a few uneven steps toward his car and hopping in the front seat. Vomiting all over someone will really help you let go of a lot of anger. Especially when you're still tipsy.

"I'll think about it."