Disclaimer: South isn't mine.
*****EDIT - READ*****
AUTHOR'S NOTE: DUE TO A SUDDEN TURN OF EVENTS, THE NEXT CHAPTER HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR A FEW MORE DAYS, MONDAY THE EARLIEST. SO SORRY GUYS. :( :(
Chapter Twenty - Nine : Next To Normal
Two Weeks Later
(Ashley POV)
"Skipper, stop staring at the damn fountain!"
I looked up from my seat at Kyla's voice, finding the petite girl pulling Spencer's confused form from the college fountain for the third time this morning. Spencer hadn't meant any harm by her distraction, of course. As the days trickled by these past few weeks, I've noticed this overwhelming, childlike curiosity inside her mind. Quite astonishing to experience, I must admit. Then again, I was quite enamored with her to begin with. Honestly, I'm just glad she actually recognizes me now. Since Noah did what he did, we're not crazy strangers in her mind anymore. She knows quite a few of us, our faces, even if the pieces aren't all there yet. More importantly, she's formed a picture of who she was, slowly pushing away any subconscious boundaries in the process. Until then, I'll gladly take on her somewhat short attention span and mild curiosity any day of the week. Even if it leads her to wanting to return to college, which I was worried about at first, but I wasn't going to force her into a daily solitude inside my apartment.
Kyla thrusts the blonde down by her shoulders onto the seat opposite of me. "Now sit down before people think you're freaking Kyle XY."
"What a funny name for a girl," Spencer mused, eyes flitting distractedly at the dozens of students eyeing her suspiciously. Catching the dubious glint in her eyes makes me smile, not caring that I probably look like some love-sick puppy dog.
"Exactly," Kyla mumbles, slinging her bag over her shoulders. "I'm gonna get coffee, Ash. Want one? Dude? Hello, earth to Davies?"
This catches Spencer's attention. The second her eyes find mine, I quickly break off my gaze, shifting them upwards at Kyla's annoyed expression. "What? Oh, no, that's fine. I'm just gonna keep an eye on her until her next class starts."
"Right," the Baltimore native drawls, knowingly. "Keep her away from the fountain, will ya'?"
I wave off her words as she walks away, once again distracted by Spencer's persistent attention towards the fountain. I figured now would be as good a time as any for a conversation, at least a more civil one. We hadn't gotten many of those since we'd discovered her, and it seems she's been keeping her thoughts from me more and more. Honestly, I was growing quite desperate to get her to trust me. Like me. Tolerate me even, just something.
"I did the same thing, you know?" Spencer's head turns to me, her now wavy blonde tendrils bouncing. My heart leaps. "I, uh, I must've stared at that thing for at least an hour on my first day before Aiden found me. Just being near it, clears my head, and makes me forget about all the bad."
"It's very beautiful," she whispers, after a few seconds. But her forehead crinkles, and she's looking earnestly at me now. "Along one of the statues, there's this inscription that caught my eyes. Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem...'Remember when life's path is steep to keep your mind even.' "She catches the question in my expression, shrugging."I just knew...Since the whole 'reboot' thing, I'm starting to remember little things. Phrases, words. Like, yesterday, this Japanese mother was fighting with her daughter just a few feet from me, and my head...It sort of translated it, you know? I knew exactly what they were saying. Pretty fucking trippy, honestly."
"You know seven languages," I confessed, hesitantly. Spencer shifts in her seat, leaning on her elbows, all of her interest on my words. "Japanese, I think, was the second you said you learned. It's pretty crazy to explain though, but while you could absorb people's gifts, you could also absorb languages. What a normal person could retain in a matter of months, you could in days."
She raises an eyebrow, almost smiling. "So, I've got a super brain?"
"In a nut shell, yeah," I replied, leveling my voice just enough to cloud the nervousness. "You even memorized Old and Early Modern English, like Shakespeare. I remember when we were in the forest once, we were reciting lines from Romeo and Juliet and..." The sight of her lips curving makes me stop. "What?"
Spencer only shakes her head, the smile foreign on her lips. "I was that corny, huh?"
"Charming is the word I'd use," I breathed, knowing damn well indirectly flirting is so wrong. But despite my better judgment, and slightly jogged equilibrium, I couldn't stop myself from leaning mirroring her stature, borrowing from her personal space. But once I witness a small twitch in her hand (mere inches from mine), though, I can't bring myself to lean away.
"And even that's an understatement."
"Really?"
Blue eyes swept across the wooden table, squinting at me, gentle but intense. The only thing for me to do was nod, being that I'd momentarily lost the ability to speak for the millionth time. My confession had caused a familiar flush to fall against my chest, slowly streaking up my neck and tickling my jaw line. I was embarrassed, yet, I couldn't look away.
"So, tell me, Ashley Davies," Spencer prompts, softly, lulling me back. She feels closer now. "Did I make you blush then as much as I am right now?"
"What? I'm not-" I hesitated, dropping my eyes, finally. Damn her. I bit my lip, the feathery laugh of denial slipping from my lips. "I am not."
"You are." She pauses for a second, as if deciding whether or not to say something else. "It's cute."
It took me a moment to absorb that. My throat tightens.
"Only cute?"
Once the words leave my mouth, I notice Spencer's eyes fall from mine for the first time. In the back of my mind, I could hear the distinct sound of what I could only describe as indecision, from her, among many other whispers too soft for my ears. They join the dozens more buzzing faintly from the other students around us. Then something weird happens. My name, soft, sounding out with impeccable conviction, overpowering the abyss of whispers.
I look up.
"Luminous," She corrects herself, unblinking eyes on me, whispering the word as if it were the hardest riddle. "...is the word I'd choose."
Flickers of electricity nip at my fingertips, charging the atmosphere, as she gazed unreletently into my eyes. The familiar glint there makes me ache, makes my lungs burn all over again, makes me realize that whatever love that was between us maybe hasn't died like I'd thought. I lean back into my chair, smiling softly, and unwilling to hold her intense gaze any longer for fear of literally throwing myself across the table and kissing her senseless.
"Come on, Skip," Kyla's voice calls out, and the moments lost.
The tiny brunette shuffles over to us, tugging at Spencer's wrist, and pulling her to her feet. "Your Lit class is starting soon, and if you're late, I'm late."
The second they're out of view, everything that'd just happened hits me full force. With a groan, I gladly face planted on the table.
That Night
(Spencer POV)
Every night it's the same. No matter how hard Spencer struggles against them, the dreams pelt her from all directions without mercy. At the shelter, she'd once wished to do anything for her to remember her dreams. She wanted to know what made her awake screaming and out of breath for months on end. But now, she's not so sure. Because now, she's finding herself remembering them - faintly, at best, but it's enough to give her freaking panic attacks. She survives them though, these nightmares, because she knows that no matter how much they scare her, they're the only memories she has. Every flicker of wings, or blood, or feathers gave Spencer that much more closure on the blank slate that is her life as of late. Although, in cases like tonight, on the other hand, held dreams that seemed to scare Spencer most of all. Because they evoked many unanswered questions (not to mention, many dormant emotions) pertaining to her and Ashley's past relationship. Having only a few precious fragmented memories thanks to Noah, she was fairly sure they were coming from her own mind. Which only made things worse, especially on nights like this, with said girl sleeping a mere room away. (For the past week, she's been bunking at Ashley's apartment, and sleeping on her couch, inspite of her protests. Then again, somehow, she found that she'd rather live with Ashley than the others. Despite her lack of memory, it was obvious she'd felt more safe with the brunette.) And honestly? It was all starting to become Spencer's own personal nightly hell.
Hot fingers lace Spencer's ribs, searing through her skin to her frozen lungs.
Teeth nip softly at the skin of her naked shoulder, trailing down and down until lips sweep gentle kisses down the valley between bare breasts. Back instantly arching into her mouth, Spencer sucks in more air than necessary, feeding on the sparks of heat digging at the lively heart pounding in her chest. Seconds later, it's devouring any reluctant thoughts, jerking at the muscles in her hands as she slowly pushes against Ashley until she's the one lying against the sheets.
Raspy giggles escape from Ashley's mouth as Spencer's legs straddle her waist, pressing against her, hands squeezing and pulling just enough to elicit a growl. She smirks. The younger girl wraps her arms around the blonde's neck, pulling them nose to nose. Ashley tilts her head against the sheets, eyes appraising the miraculous woman above her fondly. Blue eyes glitter down at the flushed teen underneath her, one slender arm holding herself up, as her figure paints tan skin from forehead to cheek. Before long, the brunette raises an arm, hand capturing the back of Spencer's neck, and closing the distance with needed force. And then they kiss; slowly, gently. Impossibly, they press even closer into one another as they explore each other's bodies, which Spencer thinks, feels like the most natural thing in the world. Ashley holds her; kisses her; Breathes for her. Through her. And Spencer had sworn she'd never felt so safe before this moment.
Spencer takes Ashley's hand with her free hand, strings their fingers together, fitting perfectly. She smiles, lips trailing down, into the nape of the girl's neck, and across her collar bone. Darkened blue eyes find half-lidded mocha irises just as she slips her fingers under the waistband of Ashley's pajama pants.
Spencer's mind catapults back inside her body, chest jerking her upper half forward on the couch.
"Whoa," she breathes, roughly.
Shaking hands clutch her heaving, sweaty chest, trying to catch her breath. Craning her neck slightly, Spencer scours the darkened living room, past the open door of Ashley's bedroom to find her sleeping soundly. Sophie, however was stirring gently, but didn't seem to be in any distress. After a moment more, Spencer levels her breathing, and lowers herself back onto the couch cousins. Resting her head against the arm of the couch, she slicks an arm over her eyes, trying to forget. Trying to pretend like these damn dreams haven't been happening for days now.
"Please stop," She whispers to no one; anyone. "Please."
A long silence is her answer, that is, until her ears register the soft pads of footsteps on the wooden floor moments later.
"Spencer?"
She bots upright again, a reflex. She thinks about trying not to look like she'd obviously had sweaty, hot sex dreams, but the moment Ashley's face is illuminated by the lightning, the thought slips her mind completely. She watches, silently, as the brunette crosses the small distance towards the couch.
"Uh, hi," Spencer mumbles, pushing her knees into her chest. "Wh-what are you doing awake?"
"You had a nightmare again," Ashley counters, squinting, catching me by surprise. Folding her arms, Ashley settles down onto the arm of the couch opposite of her. Dazed, blue eyes innocently glimpse towards Ashley's lower half, the bright blue color of her shorts is totally to blame. "Your all sweaty, and well, you look scared shitless. Not that hard to deduce."
"Starting to think they're never going to go away," Spencer says, rubbing at her sore neck. Just one of the many perks of insomnia. "But its fine...I'm okay now. Uh, thanks though."
Ashley didn't budge. "Spence-"
"I'm fine, Ash," She urged, wanting nothing more than this conversation to end. Because all Spencer could see when she glanced at Ashley's face, was them doing unmentionable things on a bed in her dream. She still needed time to process that can of worms before this conversation could happen.
"Mommy?"
They both turn towards Sophie's voice, she's half-hiding behind the doorframe to Ashley's room. Her expression was pinched, pained, she was scared of the storm outside.
"Mommy's here, baby," Ashley cooed, opening her arms out to Sophie who wobbled quickly over towards the couch. Ashley scooped her daughter into her arms, kissing her forehead, and Spencer felt a twinge of something strange in her chest. Whatever it was, it made her smile, which only grew when Sophie's big eyes peeked at her over Ashley's shoulder.
"Bird," She chirps, brightly.
Spencer's smile fades then, unable to squash the sudden feeling of déjà vu' stabbing into her consciousness. Then the fire begins. Pressing her palms into her temples, hoping her head doesn't explode, Spencer doubles over on the couch.
"Did I frighten you?"
She hears herself ask, her own face slowly fading out of the brightness. Spencer (sporting a fucking freaky pair of purple eyes), along with Ashley, and a younger Sophie, are standing together in the chaos of what looked like a fair of sorts. Before she can make out any details, Spencer's vision blurs, only focusing on those three important figures, the hundredths of passersby seeming to disappear away with it. Spencer's face in is the forefront, lips curving, but the worried tone of her voice doesn't go unnoticed by Ashley.
"Bird," Sophie giggles.
Spencer's expression is grave, eyes flickering to Ashley, who had been eyeing her with great interest since she'd shown up. Nevertheless, the brunette's eyes quickly snap away, and she introduces her daughter to Spencer. The blonde bows politely, smiling at the young girl, but always seeming to keep her attention on her mother. The two couldn't seem to take their eyes off each other, especially the obvious flirting going on, which only got worse during the small talk that followed. But that soon ended, quite abruptly, when Spencer saw herself becoming very agitated at someone behind Ashley. When she asked her what was wrong, Spencer only shook her head with a plastered, meek smile, assuring her that she could handle whatever it was. However, Ashley decided to see for herself, witnessing a strange man with equally creepy color eyes glaring at them from across the field. Spencer sees herself no longer calm, but guarded, stopping herself when she suddenly reached out to take Ashley's hand. Looking into her own eyes, she can't seem to let go of the anguished expression there, as if she was just confused by the action.
"I've seen him before. He was in my dream," She hears the brunette's voice whisper to herself, before feeling her eyes on her.
"Ashley, I need you to get behind me," Spencer pleads suddenly, eyes flickering from them both. But Ashley's staring at her in realization of the reality setting in, the emotions running through her seeming to feed into Spencer at full force. With balled fists, Spencer tries again to persuade Ashley, ignoring the closing proximity of the unknown stranger. "I need you to get behind me. Do you understand? If you don't, I won't be able to fight him off with you here. Trust me, please? I'm not going to let anything happen to you, or to your daughter."
A fire builds in Spencer's chest as she takes in the scene and her head starts to spin. Brows furrowing, Spencer sees Ashley's balance faltering before she's falling into her arms seconds before she hits the ground. She's kneeling over the brunette, whispering, looking into her eyes. "...Stay with me," She's pleading out, tightening her grip around the brunette as the man slowly disappeared within the hoards of people as the scene brightens in a blinding light.
Ashley's voice brings her back.
"Spencer?" She whispers, and there's pressure against her face. "Spence, baby, talk to me..."
The endearing tone of her voice makes you twitch, your vision slowly returning as you squint up into her big, brown eyes. Ashley breaths out a deep breath in relief, and Spencer realize she's in her arms against the couch, Sophie only inches away. Blue eyes blink frantically, taking in the familiar surroundings, as Spencer regained her composure.
"Are you okay?" Ashley asks, fingers on her arm, helping her sit against the arm of the couch. Spencer manages a nod, but Ashley's not convinced. "Maybe we should call Warryn..."
Spencer, instinctively, grabs onto her arm as Ashley lifted herself off the couch, pulling her back down to her. "Stay with me," She found herself reciting, desperately, childishly flinching when another round of thunder echoes throughout the apartment. Ashley reluctantly nods, gathering up Sophie into her side as she settles back down. Spencer sighs heavily; aware of the brunette's penetrating eyes on her as the next few minute's passes.
"I remembered something," Spencer had whispered, purposely recalling the memory for the dozenth time inside her head for Ashley. Spencer meets her glazed eyes when she's sure Ashley's done, and sees that she's gazing at her, smiling the crooked smile from her dreams. Her heart stops.
"I can't believe..." Ashley clears her throat, trying to suppress her smile. "I'm really glad you've remembered something."
"Me too." A faint giggle leaves Spencer's lips, her fingers clutching the couch trimming warily. "But the before and after effects are kind of a bitch."
The brunette laughs despite the tears in her eyes, the corner of her eyes crinkling. A second later, the couch dips, signaling her absence.
"I need to put Sophie to bed, alright?" She says, rocking said child on her hip, but her expression is ecstatic. "I'll do that, and then I'll be back. Okay? Wait for me."
Despite any lingering fatigue left in her sore body, Spencer grins up at the girl, crestfallen, as she glides out of the living room.
"Gladly," She murmurs, shakily, falling back onto her pillow.
R&R.
