A/N: I don't own Recess or its characters and I do not own the rights to the song "Against All Odds" those go to The Postal Service. I may write the next chapter tomorrow and put it up sometime this week. I apologize for taking so long to post another chapter. I had written thirty pages in my notebook (this chapter was totally different), but I lost it and had to start all over. Forgive me : ( Please read and review! Thanks to those who reviewed the first chapter. You're the ones that made me want to write more 3
"I'm so sorry, T.J. You shouldn't be doing this. I don't deserve your help." Ashley said as TJ carried her out of the school. "Ashley, I don't know what happened to make us fall apart like this. I've been waiting for an excuse to rescue you since our friendship ended, so shut up and let me!" TJ said jokingly as he winked at Ashley. TJ gently placed her in the car. Ashley didn't know what she would say while they drove. She didn't even want to go home. She knew what would happen if she did...
"Hey Teej..." Ashley said. "Yes?" "Um... I really don't want to go home." TJ looked at Ashley. She had always loved her home as a child. At least, she did before they stopped hanging out. "Er, alright. We'll go somewhere else. But why don't you want to go home, if you don't mind me asking?" Ashley turned away "I don't think I should talk about that. It's kind of private. Sorry." TJ was confused, but he was determined to cheer Ashley up and make her feel better. "So where do you want to go?" "I just want to be anywhere but here." Ashley replied. TJ thought for a minute. "Okay, I have an idea. Hold on!" TJ made a sharp left turn as he went toward the entrance ramp for the freeway. "Where are we going?" Ashley asked, alarmed. "It's a surprise." TJ said with a smirk. Ashley fell asleep.
When Ashley woke up, she had no idea where she was. She looked at the clock. It was almost 9! Jesus, where were they going? She looked at TJ as he reached to grab his CDs. He pulled out a CD by "The Postal Service". Ashley looked out of the window. She could see the Ocean! "We're almost there." TJ said. A few minutes later, TJ pulled up to the beach. No one was there except for him and Ashley. TJ got out of the car and opened Ashley's door to help her out of the car. "Stay here for just a minute." He told her. TJ went into his car. When he came out, Ashley could hear the beginning of "Against All Odds" by the Postal Service playing. "Oh Teej..." She said. It was her favorite song! He gently pulled Ashley toward him and put her hands around his neck and his hands around her waist. TJ began to sing:
How can I just let you walk away?
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here
Taking every breath with you
You're the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me?
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'cause we shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one who really new me at all
So take a look at me now
There's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now
There's just an empty space
You coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've gotta face
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
There's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now
There's just an empty space
And to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face
Take a look at me now
I'll just be standing here
And you coming back to me
Is against the odds
And that's a chance I've got to face
So take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
Take a look at me now
The song stopped, but TJ and Ashley were stilly dancing. They slowly came to a stop. "TJ, how'd you know this was my favorite song?" "Honestly, Ashley, I didn't. It's just that it's MY favorite song and I thought it was the best song to describe my feelings towards you." "Your feelings?" Ashley asked, puzzled. "Yeah...um... this is kinda hard for me to say. How about we sit on that bench so I can tell you about it?" "Alright, I think I could do that." Ashley answer. Together they walked over to the bench and sat down. TJ Turned to Ashley and looked into her eyes. "Look, Ashley... I know we haven't been friends for over a year now, but I miss you so much. It hurt me so much when I lost you. It doesn't hurt because we were friends, but because I loved you, and I still do. I've loved you since we first met in Third Street Elementary school..." 'Did he just say he loves me?' Ashley wondered. She was too shocked to say anything. "Even if you don't want to be friends, I just had to tell you how I felt. I don't know what you've gone through or what you're going through right now, but I want you to know that I will do anything I can to help you. All you have to do is ask." TJ continued. Ashley just looked at him with her mouth wide open. "TJ... I don't know what to say, it's just-" "Wait, Ashley. I need to ask you one thing before we talk about this. Will you at least try dating me? We can try being friends first and then dating, or just be friends. I really just want to be close to you. However, if you want to be with me on a more romantic level, that would rock my world." "Teej, are you serious! What are you smoking!" "I guess that's a no..." Ashley jumped up off of the bench and wrapped her arms around TJ. "Of course that's not a no, it's definitely a YES!" Ashley had not been this happy in years. She could finally be with TJ like she'd wanted for so long! But wait... what if he found out? SHIT. "TJ..." Ashley started. "You haven't changed your mind suddenly, have you?" He asked, sounding seriously afraid. Ashley felt guilty. "No, but I have to ask you to take it slow with me. I have something to tell you, but I'll have to do it slowly... it's hard for me. I'd rather you not find out from someone else first." TJ looked relieved. "That's fine, Ashley. Take your time. I'm glad you want to be honest with me, and I promise to take it slow." TJ hugged Ashley tightly.
Ashley finally realized how dark it was. "Oh shit! What time is it?" TJ looked at his watch. "Oh my gosh... It's already almost 11! It's still five hours home if I take the short way. Will your parents care if you don't come home?" Ashley replied without thinking "Since when do they give a shit about me anyway?" She covered her mouth after she realized what she said. "Uh... alright. We'll talk about that later, too. Mine won't mind. Let's just find a hotel and crash here for a while. I can get one with two separate beds or just get two separate rooms if that's a problem." He added as he saw her worried glance. "Two beds are fine." TJ grabbed her hand. "Let's go for a swim." Ashley smiled and ran towards the water without as second thought. "Last one there is a rotten egg!" she yelled.
