AN: Hi everyone. Thanks for all of the comments I have received so far for this story. I kind of liked the different plot to this story as it has a bit of a different setting than most. I would really like to continue the story, but if there is a lack of interest, I may not. I want to be able to deliver a story that is worth reading so I am open to any and all comments. I understand if there might be a lack of interest due to the plot of the story being a bit different or if my writing just isn't up to par. Anyways, R&R. Thanks.
I avoided Spencer for the rest of the time at the cookout. Not because I was mad at her, how could I be? But because I was disappointed. Seems kind of childish, I know, but hey, can you blame me?
Everyone is still sitting around outside. I've put back a few more beers as the night has gone on and I've become more quiet and reserved. The more I drink, the quieter I become.
"Alright, well it's getting pretty late here, we should head out" Mr. Carlin says as he puts a guiding arm around Paula's shoulders. "Thank you so much for having us Lilly, we should do it again sometime soon."
"Oh of course, it's always a pleasure to have you and your family, Arthur." My gran gives him and Paula each a hug.
"Okay crew, lets head out." They all start to walk towards the door. But Spencer lags behind watching them go.
"Are we going for our walk?"
"Spencer! Let's go!" Her dad yells.
She looks at me for a response.
"yeah. we can go." I relent.
"I'm just going to stay for a bit longer." She tells her parents. They look at her questioningly at first but then nod their approval.
—-
We walk back behind my Grans property into the night. The sky illuminates enough for us to have a path to travel. We stay silent for a good bit.
"So marine engineering?" Spencer breaks the silence.
"Um yeah."
"And how did you get interested in that?"
"Well growing up near the ocean, I was always around boats and by the water so I have always wanted to design and work on the ships."
She looks at me amused. "Thats really interesting." She begins to laugh. "You're so, I don't know, feminine?" She shakes her head, "Just not what I would expect you to do".
"yeah well I wouldn't expect you to work at a library for the rest of your life." I look at her. "Can't judge a book by it's cover."
She rolls her eyes at me and keeps walking.
"Your brother is an asshole." I change the subject
She lets out an affirmative grunt "The biggest asshole."
"what does he do anyways?"
"He works some kind of construction job."
"Right, I should've known. He just seems like that kid that was full of himself in high school. Was the hot shot, then stuck around the town to continue running his "legacy", working a manual labor job and going to all the Friday night football games to relive his glory days. Then when he has kids, he will be that asshole dad that coaches all the sports teams for the need that his kids be the best."
"Wow. You got all of that out of tonight?"
"Well am I right?" She ponders
"Seems pretty accurate to me."
"So tell me Spence. Why didn't you go to college?" I grab her hand and pull her over to an open area where the grass is cut. I had grabbed a blanket before leaving the house. I lay it down and have a seat encouraging Spencer to sit next to me as I pat the area.
"You know, I thought about it." She looks off into the night. The light from the moon touches down on her skin making it glow. "I wanted to be a nurse or something. I wanted to go away to school, get away from this small town." She turns towards me.
"Then why didn't you?" I encourage her to continue
"I guess I just was scared. You know, of the money it would cost, of moving away from here." She shakes her head.
"That's sad. I'm sure there is a whole world out there wanting to know who Spencer Carlin is." She smiles.
"You could still do it you know" I bump my shoulder into hers gently. "You're young. You can do anything."
"Thank you. You're so sweet." She puts her hand over mine and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"I feel like I've known you forever." I say as her hand stays on mine
"I know what you mean."
"I mean, I guess we knew each other once, long ago. But I mean, it's just easy. Well easy when you're not turning me down at the library!"
We both laugh out.
Some hair falls down around her face. I move my fingers and push it behind her ear.
"You're really beautiful" I tell her.
"Ash." She says in a whiney tone.
"What? It's true!" I defend myself.
She leans her head over on my shoulder.
" I really want to kiss you." She picks her head off of my shoulder, looking me in the eyes. Almost daringly. She doesn't say anything.
For the second time tonight, I am moving to close the gap between us. My breath hitches. I look into her eyes, questioningly, seeking approval. She doesn't say anything but she doesn't stop me. I move the last little bit until my lips are on hers. My lips are completely covering hers. She moves into the kiss slightly. It was just a short innocent kiss, but I can't stop the smile that is spread across my face when I pull back from her.
"Thought it was never going to happen again?" I ask smirking at her.
"Yeah well I guess I was wrong." She moves towards me again. A look of seriousness on her face.
She moves her hands to the back of my neck and pulls me into a more passionate kiss than the last. I immediately react. I start kissing her back. One kiss after another placing our lips on each others over and over again.
I pull back from her "Spencer.." I say slightly out of breath. "Mmmm" she responds bringing her lips to mine again. "Is this, is this okay?" I ask concerned.
"Ashley, just kiss me." She brings her lips to mine again.
I slowly start to lower her back on the blanket and begin to move over top of her keeping my lips on hers. Her hands are in my hair guiding and directing me as we continue to fuse our lips together.
I move my hand down to where her dress covered thigh is and slowly start to follow her smooth skin up to her hip and pull her up into me further. She gasps into my mouth at the feeling.
" I want you." I bring my lips to her ear and whisper.
I start to toy with her underwear line teasingly.
"Ash." She gasps, pulling me into her harder as she starts to rock against me. Things are getting heated really quickly.
I bring my lips back to hers again. She welcomes the kiss. We continue kissing. Soon, I gain the confidence to start to pull her underwear down her legs. I know I shouldn't be moving so fast, but instinct and desire have taken over.
She grabs my hand to stop my movements as I have pulled them down to around her knees, but continues kissing me. I can feel her then slowly start to pull away from kissing me too. Soon, I am the only one making efforts as her kisses have subsided and Im planting unreciprocated kisses to her lips. I quickly follow her lead. I push myself up on my hands.
"What's wrong?" I ask breathlessly, confused about the sudden turn of events.
She sits up and I move from my position on top of her. She begins to pull her underwear up the short expanse of her legs.
"I can't do this… We can't do this!" She's upset.
"Okay." I have nothing else to say. What can I say?
"I need to go." She starts walking away from me into the night.
"Spencer!" I call after her. "shit" I mumble, gathering the blanket up before jogging after her. "Spencer!" I say again. I have caught up to her but she hasn't responded to me. She just continues to walk at a quickened pace.
I grab her hand but she jerks it away from me.
"What is going on?!" I yell out, exasperated.
"This can't be a thing Ashley." She tells me in a tone that makes it seem like I am dumb for believing it could. "Life might be one way in L.A., but thats not how things are around here. It's different. People don't understand it here Ashley, and they don't want to" She yells at me.
"So thats it?! You can't live your life because of all the small minded idiots in this town?!"
"Don't. It's not that easy." She fires back at me.
"really? because it seems pretty simple to me!"
"Of course it would! Your family has all the money in the goddamn world and you can leave whenever you want. Must be nice." She stops before continuing. "But me, I'm stuck here, working a dead end job in a dead end town, going nowhere! So excuse me for needing to mind my reputation ."
"Spencer." I say softly.
She turns towards me. "Just… Just leave me alone, Ashley. It'll be better for the both of us." And with that, she is gone into the night and I am left sad and confused about how everything changed so quickly.
—
Its been five days since the night with Spencer. My Gran notices me moping around, but doesn't really draw attention to it. She does subtle things to try and cheer me up like making my favorite deserts and dinner.
"Ashley, dear, do you want to head out with me to the local farmers market." My Gran asks as I am laying in my bed not up for the day yet.
I glance at the clock 7:41am. I groan. "Oh. I don't know Grandma."
"Get up and get dressed. It'll be good for you to get out of the house!"
I stare up at the ceiling briefly before getting up and starting to move around getting dressed. I throw on a pair of soccer shorts and a cut off t-shirt and put my hair up in a messy bun and slide on a pair of nike sneakers. I guess I am bumming it for the day.
"Alright Gran. I'm ready."
"Meet you at the truck!" She hollers up at me.
— —- —
"Wow. Would you look at those flowers over there, Ashley. Go grab me an assortment. I would love to have them on the supper table."
I walk over checking out the different flowers and begin picking out the best looking ones.
"Funny seeing you here stranger." I turn to my right.
"Oh hey Madison. It's nice to see you again. How are you?" I give her a warm smile.
" I'm doing well. Just down here trying to get some flowers for my parents."
We stand side by side continuing to look through the flowers.
"So what're you doing tonight, Ashley?" She glances at me but continues looking through the flowers.
"I umm, I don't really have any plans. Probably just hanging out with my gran at the house."
"Well we are having a bonfire down at the lake tonight. A bunch of friends, if you're interested?"
"Is Spencer going to be there?" I ask cautiously.
She eyes my suspiciously. "Yeah, I can't imagine why she wouldn't be. Is that a problem?"
"Uh no. No problem, just wondering."
"Great! Ill see you tonight! Just meet down at the lake, you know where it's at, right?"
I nod. "Bye" I say in a small voice with a half hearted wave as she walks away.
Well shit. Now I have to see Spencer again, but we aren't on speaking terms.
"Was that Madison?" I hear from behind me.
"Yeah Gran, it was. She invited me to a bonfire tonight"
"Well that'll be real nice for you to get out of the house some dear.
"Yeah. I guess" My Gran stares at me and then places a comforting hand to my cheek.
"Everything alright Ashley?" I nod my response.
"Alright then lets get home and get these flowers in some water."
— — —
I can hear the music as I make my way towards the light. I can see there are about fifty people at the bonfire. Must be the entire population of the town. I giggle to myself as I make my way down. Case of beer in my hand.
"Ashley! You made it!" Madison runs towards me and throws her arms around me in a hug.
"Yeah, I did." I can smell the alcohol pouring off of her, she is clearly drunk.
I follow her and make my way to the rest of the crowd. Attempting to discreetly survey the area for Spencer. As I look around I notice all of the guys are wearing cowboy boots, levi jeans and flannel shirts. How cliche. And the girls in their daisy dukes, cowgirl boots and halter tanks.
I hear her laugh before I see her. There she is, throwing her head back as some guy whispers something in her ear. My heart pangs. I turn my head to the side not being able to look anymore.
"Ashlleeyyyy" It's Glen. I roll my eyes and remove the arm her just threw around my shoulder. "What's up girl."
"Oh you know, just enjoying this lively night life" Sarcasm dripping from my response.
I open up my bottle of beer and drink about halfway down. I catch Spencer's eye. She is looking at me. We share a brief acknowledgment before she goes back to talking to whatever douchebags truck bed she is sitting on. Yes. I am jealous.
The night carries on and before I realize it, I am about six beers deep into my twelve pack. Feeling a little bit of a buzz.
"Ashely, Ashley!" Its Madison again. "Come take shots with us" I stare at her "Come on!" She motions with her hand. I get up and walk towards the group. Spencer is amongst them.
Everyone starts passing the cheap vodka around taking a shot. I close my eyes as it burns my throat. I tilt the bottle again taking another shot.
The night continues on with the fire, beer and shots. It must be late. I check my phone and see that it is close to 1am. I have been out for awhile. These people don't seem to have intentions to stop partying anytime soon.
I look around the sea of people and my eyes land on Spencer. She must be pretty drunk because she is stumbling and I can tell just by looking at her. What catches my attention more than anything is that same douchebag from before trying to pull her away from the party. I can see her lips moving, saying "stop", despite the drunken smile on her face.
I start making my way towards them. "Spencer, come on!" He tries to pull her again. She loses her balance and falls to the ground. He goes to pick her up. Everyone is too drunk, or they don't care, to take notice of what he is trying to do. I move a little quicker. The alcohol sets in.
I am right in front of him now as he is still trying to pull Spencer up. I swing my fist and hit him right on his cheek. "Get off of her, fucker!" He stumbles back, but soon regains himself.
"What the fuck?" he answers out.
"Ashley!" Spencer slurs out drunkenly as she stands up and wraps her arms around me and is using me for standing support. She still has that same drunken smile.
"Keep your hands off of her." I glare. "I saw you trying to pull her off!"
He scoffs "what're you?! Her protector?" He moves closer to me.
"Just stay the fuck away from her you hillbilly fuck!" He starts laughing out.
A small crowd has started to form around us. He glances around, points at me, gets a few inches from my face "This isn't over, bitch." He walks off.
I watch him walk away into the night but soon turn my attention back to Spencer. "Let's get you home, Spence."
She hangs on to my shoulder as I walk her to the truck with me. I open the passengers side and help her into the vehicle.
I move around to get into the other side.
"Im drunk." Spencer mumbles out to me.
"I know Spence. I'm gonna get you home."
"Can I stay with you?" I look at her questioningly. I know she is drunk.
"Sure."
— — —-
I finally pull into my Grans house and move around to help Spencer into the house.
"We need to be quiet so we don't wake my Gran." I whisper to Spencer. She nods into my shoulder.
We finally make it up to my room. I go into the bathroom and leave Spencer on my bed. I come out and she is looking at me, staring at me.
"Do you need anything Spencer?" She shakes her head.
I go to get into the other side of the bed.
Spencer is on me in a flash. Straddling me and putting her lips on mine.
"Spencer." I speak out in protest but she just puts her lips back on mine. I get lost in it for a minute before coming to my senses. "Spencer." I move her off of me. "You're drunk."
"I'm not that drunk Ashley." She slurs out. She takes her shirt off so she is just in her bra and shorts and gets back on top of me.
She starts kissing me again. I turn my head and stop her again. She rolls off of me and onto her back. I see her reach down and unbutton her shorts and start to push them down her legs before once again reclaiming her position on top of me. My hands instinctively move to her hips.
"Come on Ash. You can fuck me." She whispers into my ear before sloppily moving kisses to my neck. My eyes widen. One because Spencer just talked like that to me and two because I have to turn her down.
"Spencer." I say for the zillionth time. "We can't."
"whatever." She rolls over briefly before turning back over and firing at me "Why don't you want me?! Why won't you have sex with me?" She is glaring at me. It's weird how things have changed from the other night. This girl is way too back and forth with her feelings. I roll my eyes.
"Spencer. You're drunk."
"I'm not dru…" she goes to defend herself once again that night. Thats when I hear it and see it happen.
She vomits all over my bed and then falls back and passes out.
I bring my hands to my head. "Sure you're not" I mumble to an incoherent Spencer.
Great. Just great.