yea, not going to lie but I didn't realize how much of a bitch it would make spencer look when I decided to sub the characters. but besides that Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own SON or Beautiful Disaster

Monday night's date met my every expectation. We ate Chinese food while I giggled at Parker's skills with chopsticks. When he brought me home, Ashley opened the door before he could kiss me. When we went out the following Wednesday night, Parker made sure to kiss me in the car.

Thursday at lunch, Parker met me in the cafeteria and surprised everyone when he sat in Ashley's spot. When Ashley finished her cigarette and came inside, she walked past Parker with indifference, sitting at the end of the table. Megan approached her, but was instantly disappointed when she waved her off. Everyone at the table was quiet after that, and I found it difficult to focus on anything Parker talked about.

"I'm assuming I just wasn't invited," Parker said, catching my attention.

"What?"

"I heard your birthday party is on Sunday. I wasn't invited?"

Kyla peeked at Ashley, who glared at Parker as if she was seconds away from mowing him down.

"It was a surprise party, Parker," Kyla said softly

"Oh," Parker said, cringing.

"You're throwing me a surprise party?" I asked Kyla.

She shrugged. "It was Ashley's idea. It's at Brazil's on Sunday. Six o'clock."

Parker's cheeks flushed a faint red. "I suppose I'm really not invited, now."

"No! Of course you are!" I said, holding his hand on top of the table. Twelve pairs of eyes zeroed in on our hands. I could see that Parker was just as uncomfortable with the attention as I was, so I let go and pulled my hands onto my lap.

Parker stood up. "I have a few things I need to do before class. I'll call you later."

"Okay," I said, offering an apologetic smile.

Parker leaned over the table and kissed my lips. The silence was cafeteria-wide, and Kyla elbowed me after Parker walked out.

"Isn't it creepy how everyone watches you?" she whispered. She glanced around the room with a frown. " What ?" Kyla yelled. "Mind your business, perverts!" One by one, heads turned away, and murmuring ensued.

I covered my eyes with my hands. "You know, before I was pathetic because I was thought to be Ashleys poor clueless girlfriend. Now I'm evil because everyone thinks I'm bouncing back and forth between Ashley and Parker like a ping pong ball." When Kyla didn't comment, I looked up. "What? Don't tell me you're buying into that crap, too!"

"I didn't say anything!" she said.

I stared at her in disbelief. "But that's what you think ?"

Kyla shook her head, but she didn't speak. The icy stares from the other students were suddenly apparent, and I stood up, walking to the end of the table.

"We need to talk," I said, tapping Ashleys shoulder. I tried to sound polite, but the anger bubbling inside me put an edge to my words. The entire student populace, including my best friend, thought I was juggling two Different persons. There was only one solution.

"So talk," Ashley said, popping something breaded and fried in her mouth.

I fidgeted, noticing the curious eyes of everyone within earshot. When Ashley still didn't move, I grabbed her arm and gave it a good tug. SHe stood up and followed me outside with a grin on her face.

"What, Pidge?" She said, looking at my hand on her arm and then at me.

"You've got to let me out of the bet," I begged.

Her face fell. "You want to leave ? Why? What'd I do?"

"You didn't do anything, Ash. Haven't you noticed everyone staring? I am quickly becoming the pariah of Eastern U."

Ashley shook her head and lit a cigarette. "Not my problem.

"Yes , it is. Parker said everyone thinks he has a death wish because you're in love with me."

Ashleys eyebrows shot up and she choked on the puff of smoke she'd just inhaled. "People are saying that?" she said between coughs.

I nodded. SHe looked away with wide-eyes, taking another drag.

"Ashley! You have to release me from the bet! I can't date Parker and live with you at the same time. It looks terrible!"

"So quit dating Parker."

I glared at her. "That's not the problem and you know it."

"Is that the only reason you want to leave? Because of what people are saying?"

"At least before I was clueless and you were the bad guy," I grumbled

"Answer the question, Pidge."

"Yes!"

Ashley looked beyond me to the students entering and leaving the cafeteria. She was deliberating, and I grew impatient while she took her time making her decision.

Finally, she stood tall, resolved. "No."

I shook my head, sure that I had misunderstood. "Excuse me?"

"No. You said so yourself: a bet's a bet. After the month's up, you'll be off with Parker, he'll become a doctor, you'll get married and have your two-point-five children and I'll never see you again." SHe grimaced at her own words. "I still have three weeks. I'm not giving that up for lunch room gossip."

I looked through the glass window to see the entire cafeteria watching us. The unwelcome attention made my eyes burn. I shouldered passed her to walk to my next class.

"Pigeon," Ashley called after me.

I didn't turn around.

That night, Kyla sat on the tile floor of the bathroom, babbling about the boys while I stood in front of the mirror and pulled my hair into a ponytail. I was only half-listening, thinking about how patient Ashley had been—for Ashley—knowing she didn't like the idea of Parker picking me up from her apartment every other night.

The expression on Ashleys face flashed in my mind when I asked her to let me out of the bet, and again when I told her people were saying she was in love with me. I couldn't stop wondering why she didn't deny it.

"Well, Aid thinks you're being too hard on her. sHe's never had anyone she's

cared enough to—,"

Ashley poked her head in and smiled as she watched me fuss with my hair. "Wanna grab dinner?" She asked

Kyla stood up to look at herself in the mirror, combing her fingers through her golden hair. "Aiden wants to check out that new Mexican place downtown if you guys wanna go."

Ashley shook her head. "I thought me and Pidge could go alone tonight."

"I'm going out with Parker."

"Again?" She said, annoyed.

"Again," I said in a sing-song voice.

The door bell rang, and I hurried past Ashley to open the door. Parker stood in front of me, his naturally wavy blonde hair sitting atop his cleanly shaven face.

"Do you ever look less than gorgeous?" Parker asked.

"Based on the first time she came over here, I'm going to say yes," Ashley said from behind me.

I rolled my eyes and smiled, holding up a finger to Parker to signal him to wait. I turned and threw my arms around Ashley. sHe stiffened with surprise and then relaxed, pulling me tight against her.

I looked into her eyes and smiled. "Thanks for organizing my birthday party. Can I take a rain check on dinner?"

A dozen emotions scrolled across Ashleys face, and then the corners of her mouth turned up. "Tomorrow?"

I squeezed her and grinned. "Absolutely." I waved to her as Parker grabbed my hand.

"What was that about?" Parker asked.

"We haven't been getting along lately. That was my version of an olive branch."

"Should I be worried?" he asked, opening my door.

"No," I smiled, kissing his cheek.

At dinner, Parker talked about Harvard, and the House, and his plans to search for an apartment. His eyebrows pulled in. "Will Ashley be escorting you to your birthday party?"

"I'm not really sure. SHe hasn't said anything about it."

"If she doesn't mind, I'd like to take you." He took my hand in his and kissed my fingers.

"I'll ask her. The party was her idea, so…."

"I understand. If not, I'll just see you there," he smiled.

Parker took me to the apartment, slowing to a stop in the parking lot. When he kissed me goodbye, his lips lingered on mine. He yanked up the parking brake as his lips traveled along the ridge of my jaw to my ear, and then half-way down my neck. It took me off-guard, and I let out a quiet sigh in response.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "I've been distracted all night, with your hair pulled away from your neck." He peppered my neck with kisses and I exhaled, a hum escaping with my breath.

"What took you so long?" I smiled, lifting my chin to give him better access.

Parker focused on my lips. He grabbed each side of my face, kissing me a bit firmer than usual. We didn't have much room in the car, but we made the space available work to our advantage. He leaned against me, and I bent my knee as I fell against the window. His tongue slipped inside my mouth, and his hand grabbed my ankle, and then slid up my leg to my thigh. The windows fogged within minutes with our labored breath, sticking to the cool windows. His lips grazed my collarbone, and then his head jerked up when the glass vibrated with several loud thumps.

Parker sat up, and I righted myself, adjusting my dress. I jumped when the door flew open. Ashley and Kyla stood beside the car. Kyla wore a sympathetic frown, and Ashley seemed just short of flying into a blind rage.

"What the hell , Ashley?" Parker yelled.

The situation suddenly felt dangerous. I'd never heard Parker raise his voice, Ashleys knuckles were white as she balled them into fists at her sides—and I was in the way. Kyla shaking her head at Parker in silent warning.

"C'mon, Spence. I need to talk to you," she said.

"About what?"

"Just come on!" she snapped.

I looked to Parker, seeing the irritation in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

"No, it's fine. Go ahead."

Ashley helped me from the Porsche, and then kicked the door shut. I flipped around and stood between her and the car, shoving her shoulder. "What is wrong with you? Knock it off!"

Kyla seemed nervous. It didn't take long to figure out why. Ashley reeked of whiskey; she had insisted on accompanying her, or she'd asked her to come. Either way she was a deterrent to violence

The wheels of Parker's shiny Porsche squealed out of the parking lot, and Ashley lit a cigarette. "You can go in, now, Ky."

She tugged on my skirt. "C'mon, Spence."

"Why don't you stay, Spen ," she seethed.

I nodded for Kyla to go ahead and she reluctantly complied. I crossed my arms, ready for a fight, preparing myself to lash out at her after the inevitable lecture. Ashley took several drags from her cigarette, and when it was obvious that she wasn't going to explain, my patience ran out.

" Why did you do that?" I asked.

" Why ? Because he was mauling you in front of my apartment!" She yelled. Her eyes were unfocused, and I could see that she was incapable of rational conversation.

I kept my voice calm. "I may be staying with you, but what I do, and who I do it with is my business."

SHe flicked her cigarette to the ground. "You're so much better than that, Pidge. Don't let him fuck you in a car like a cheap prom date."

"I wasn't going to have sex with him!"

SHe gestured to the empty space where Parker's car sat. "What were you doing, then?"

"Haven't you ever made out with someone, Ashley? Haven't you just messed around without letting it get that far?"

SHe frowned and shook her head as if I was speaking gibberish. "What's the point in that?"

"The concept exists for a lot of people…especially those that date ."

"The windows were all fogged up, the car was bouncing…how was I supposed to know?" She said, waving her arms in the direction of the empty parking slot

"Maybe you shouldn't spy on me!"

SHe rubbed her face and shook her head. "I can't stand this, Pigeon. I feel like I'm going crazy."

I threw out my hands and let them hit my thighs. "You can't stand what ?"

"If you sleep with him, I don't wanna know about it. I'll go to prison for a long time if I find out he...just don't tell me."

"Ashley," I seethed. "I can't believe you just said that! That's a big step for me!"

"That's what all girls say!"

"I don't mean the sluts you deal with! I mean me !" I said, holding my hand to my chest. "I haven't… ugh! Never mind." I walked away from her, but she grabbed my arm, twirling me around to face her.

"You haven't what?" She asked, weaving a bit. I didn't answer—I didn't have to. I could see the recognition light up her face and she laughed once. "You're a virgin ?"

"So what?" I said, the blood under my cheeks igniting.

Her eyes drifted from mine, in and out of focus as she tried to think through the whisky. "That's why Kyla was so sure it wouldn't get too far."

"I had the same boyfriend all four years of high school. He was an aspiring Baptist youth minister! It never came up!"

Ashleys anger vanished, and relief was apparent in her eyes. "A youth minister? What happened after all that hard-earned abstinence?"

"He wanted to get married and stay in…Kansas. I didn't." I was desperate to change the subject. The amusement in Ashleys eyes was humiliating enough. I didn't want her digging further into my past.

SHe took a step toward me and held each side of my face. "A virgin," she said, shaking her head. "I would have never guessed with the way you danced at the Red."

"Very funny," I said, stomping up the stairs.

Ashley attempted to follow me, but tripped and fell, rolling onto her back and laughing hysterically.

"What are you doing? Get up!" I said, helping her to her feet.

SHe hooked her arm around my neck, and I helped her up the stairs. Aiden and Kyla were already in bed, so with no help in sight, I kicked off my heels to avoid breaking my ankles while walking Ashley to the bedroom. SHe fell on her back to the bed, pulling me with her.

When we landed, my face was just inches from hers. Her expression was suddenly serious. SHe leaned up, nearly kissing me, but I pushed her away. Ashleys eyebrows pulled in.

"Knock it off, Ash," I said.

SHe held me tight against her until I quit struggling, and then she flicked the strap of my dress, causing it to hang off my shoulder. "Since the word virgin came out of those beautiful lips of yours…I have a sudden urge to help you out of that dress."

"Well, that's too bad. You were ready to kill Parker for the same thing twenty minutes ago, so don't be a hypocrite."

"Fuck Parker. He doesn't know you like I do."

"Ash, c'mon. Let's get your clothes off and get you in bed."

"That's what I'm talkin' about," she chuckled.

"How much did you drink?" I asked, finally getting my footing between her legs.

"Enough," she smiled, pulling at the hem of my dress.

"You probably surpassed enough a gallon ago," I said, slapping her hand away. I planted my knee on the mattress beside her, and pulled her shirt over her head. SHe reached for me again and I grabbed her wrist, sniffing at the pungent stench in the air. "God, Ash, you reek of Jack Daniels."

"Jim Beam," she corrected with a drunken nod.

"It smells like burnt wood and chemicals."

"It tastes like it, too," she laughed. I pulled open her belt buckle and yanked it from the loops. SHe laughed with the jerking motion, and then lifted her head to look at me. "Better guard your virginity, Pidge. You know I like it rough."

"Shut up," I said, unbuttoning her jeans, slipping them down over her hips, and then off her legs. I threw the denim to the floor and stood with my hands on my hips, breathing hard. Her legs were hanging off the end of the bed, her eyes closed, and her breathing deep and heavy. SHe had passed out.

I took a deep breath and walked over the closet, shaking my head as I rifled through our clothes. I unzipped my dress and shoved it down over my hips, letting it fall to my ankles. Kicking it into the corner, I pulled my ponytail holder from my hair, shaking my hair out.

The closet was bursting with her clothes and mine, and I puffed, blowing my hair from my face as I searched through the mess for a t-shirt. As I pulled one off the hanger, Ashley slammed into my back, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"You scared the shit outta me!" I complained.

SHe ran her hands over my skin. I noticed they felt different; slow and deliberate. I closed my eyes when she pulled me against her and buried her face in my hair, nuzzling my neck. Feeling her bare skin against mine, it took me a moment to protest.

"Ash…,"

SHe pulled my hair to one side and grazed her lips along my back from one shoulder to the other, unsnapping the clasp of my bra. SHe kissed the bare skin at the base of my neck and I closed my eyes, the warm softness of her mouth felt too good to make her stop. A quiet moan escaped from her throat when she pressed her pelvis against mine, and I could feel how much she wanted me through her underwear, she was wet as was I. I held my breath, knowing the only thing keeping us from that big step I was so opposed to a few moments before was two thin pieces of fabric.

Ashley turned me to face her, and then pressed against me, leaning my back against the wall. Our eyes met, and I could see the ache in her expression as she scanned the bare pieces of my skin. I had seen her peruse women before, but this was different. SHe didn't want to

conquer me; she wanted me to say yes.

SHe leaned in to kiss me, stopping just an inch away. I could feel the heat from her skin radiating against my lips, and I had to stop myself from drawing her in the rest of the way. Her fingers were digging into my skin as she deliberated, and then her hands slid from my back to the hem of my panties. Her index fingers slid down my hips, in between my skin and the lacey fabric, and in the same moment that she was about to slip the delicate threads down my legs, she hesitated. Just when I opened my mouth to say yes, she clenched his eyes shut.

"Not like this," she whispered, brushing her lips across mine. "I want you, but not like this."

SHe stumbled backwards, falling against the bed to her back, and I stood for a moment with my arms crossed across my stomach. When her breathing evened out, I shoved my arms through the shirt I still had in my hand, and yanked it over my head. Ashley didn't move, and I

blew out a slow breath of air, knowing I couldn't restrain either of us if I crawled in bed and she woke up with a less honorable perspective.

I hurried to the recliner and collapsed into it, covering my face with my hands. I felt the layers of frustration dancing and crashing into each other inside of me. Parker had left feeling slighted, Ashley waited until I was seeing someone—someone I truly liked—to show an interest in me, and I seemed to be the only girl she couldn't bring himself to sleep with, even when she was wasted.

The next morning, I poured orange juice into a tall glass, and took a sip as I bobbed my head to the music playing from my IPod. I'd woken before the sun, and then squirmed in the recliner until eight. After that, I decided to clean up the kitchen to pass the time until my less ambitious roommates awoke. I loaded the dishwasher and swept and mopped, and then wiped the counters down. When the kitchen was sparkling, I grabbed the basket of clean clothes and sat on the couch, folding until there were a dozen or more piles surrounding me.

Murmuring came from Aidens room. Kyla giggled and then it was quiet for a few minutes more, followed by noises that made me feel a bit uncomfortable sitting alone in the living room.

I stacked the piles of folded clothes in the basket and carried it to Ashleys room, smiling when I saw that she hadn't moved from the way she had fallen the night before. I set the basket down and pulled the blanket over her, stifling a laugh when she turned over.

"View, Pigeon," she said, mumbling something inaudible before her breathing returned to slow and deep.

I couldn't help but watch her sleep; knowing she was dreaming about me sent a thrill through my veins that I couldn't explain. Ashley lay silent, so I to take a shower, hoping the sound of someone up and around would quiet aiden and Kylas moans and the creaking and banging of the bed against the wall. When I turned off the water, I realized they weren't

worried about who could hear.

I combed my hair, rolling my eyes at Kylas high-pitched yelps, more closely resembling a poodle than a porn star. The door bell rang, and I grabbed my blue terry-cloth robe and tightened the belt, jogging across the living room floor. The noises from Aidens bedroom immediately cut off, and I opened the door to Parker's smiling face.

"Good morning," he said.

I raked my wet hair back with my fingers. "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't like the way we said goodbye last night. I went out this morning to get your birthday present, and I couldn't wait to give it to you. So," he said, pulling a shiny box from his jacket pocket, "happy birthday, Spen."

He set the silver package in my hand, and I leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"Go ahead. I want to see your face when you open it."

I slipped my finger under the tape on the underside of the box, and then pulled the paper off, handing it to him. A rope of shimmering diamonds sat snuggly in a white gold bracelet.

"Parker," I whispered.

He beamed. "You like it?"

"I do," I said holding it in front of my face in awe, "but it's too much. I couldn't accept this if we'd been dating a year, much less a week."

Parker grimaced. "I thought you might say that. I searched high and low all morning for the perfect birthday present, and when I saw this, I knew there was only one place it could ever belong," he said, taking it from my fingers and clasping it around my wrist. "And I was right. It looks incredible on you."

I held up my wrist and shook my head, hypnotized by the brilliance of colors reacting to the sunlight. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. No one's ever given me anything so…," expensive came to mind, but I didn't want to say that, "elaborate. I don't know what to say."

Parker laughed, and then kissed my cheek. "Say that you'll wear it tomorrow."

I grinned from ear to ear. "I'll wear it tomorrow," I said, looking to my wrist.

"I'm glad you like it. The look on your face was worth the seven stores I went to."

I sighed. "You went to seven stores?" He nodded, and I took his face in my hands. "Thank you. It's perfect," I said, kissing him quickly.

He hugged me tight. "I have to get back. I'm having lunch with my parents, but I'll call you later, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you!" I called after him, watching him trot down the stairs.

I hurried into the apartment, unable to take my eyes off of my wrist.

"Holy shit, Spence!" Kyla said, grabbing my hand. "Where did you get this?"

"Parker brought it. It's my birthday present," I said.

Kyla gawked at me, and then down at the bracelet. "He bought you a diamond tennis bracelet? After a week? If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a magic crotch!"

I laughed out loud, beginning a ridiculous giggle-fest in the living room.

Aiden emerged from his bedroom, looking tired and satisfied. "What are you fruitcakes shrieking about in here?"

Kyla held up my wrist. "Look! Her birthday present from Parker!"

Aiden squinted, and then his eyes popped open. "Whoa."

"I know, right?" Kyla said, nodding.

Ashley stumbled around the corner, looking a bit beat up. "You guys are loud as fuck," she groaned, buttoning her jeans.

"Sorry," I said, pulling my hand from Kylas grip. Our almost-moment crept into my mind, and I couldn't seem to look her in the eyes.

SHe downed the rest of my orange juice, and then wiped her mouth. "Who in the hell let me drink that much last night?"Kyla sneered, "You did. You went out and bought a fifth after Spence left with Parker, and killed the whole thing by the time she got back."

"Damn," she said, shaking her head. "Did you have fun?" She asked, looking to me.

"Are you serious ?" I asked, showing my anger before thinking.

"What?"

Kyla laughed. "You pulled her out of Parker's car, seeing red when you caught them making out like high-schoolers. They fogged up the windows and everything!"

Ashleys eyes unfocused, scanning her memories of the night before. I worked to stifle my temper. If she didn't remember pulling me from the car, she wouldn't remember how close I came to handing my virginity to her on a silver platter.

"How pissed are you?" She asked, wincing.

"Pretty pissed." I was angrier that my feelings had nothing to do with Parker. I tightened my robe and stomped down the hall. Ashley's' footsteps were right behind me.

"Pidge," she said, catching the door when I shut it in her face. SHe slowly pushed it open and stood before me, waiting to suffer my wrath.

"Do you remember anything you said to me last night?" I asked.

"No. Why? Was I mean to you?" Her bloodshot eyes were heavy with worry, which only served to amplify my anger.

"No you weren't mean to me! You…we…." I covered my eyes with my hands, and then froze when I felt Ashley's' hand on my wrist.

"Where'd this come from?" She said, glaring at the bracelet.

"It's mine," I said, pulling away from her.

SHe didn't take her eyes from my wrist. "I've never seen it before. It looks new."

"It is."

"Where'd you get it?"

"Parker gave it to me about fifteen minutes ago," I said, watching her face morph from confusion to rage.

"What the fuck was that douchebag doing here ? Did he stay the night?" She asked, her voice rising with each question.

I crossed my arms. "He went shopping for my birthday present this morning and brought it by."

"It's not your birthday, yet." Her face turned a deep shade of red as she worked to keep her temper under control.

"He couldn't wait," I said, lifting my chin with stubborn pride

"No wonder I had to drag your ass out of his car, sounds like you were…." She trailed off, pressing her lips together.

I narrowed my eyes. "What? Sounds like I was what ?"

Her jaw tensed and she took a deep breath, blowing it out from her nose. "Nothing. I'm just pissed off, and I was going to say something shitty that I didn't mean."

"It's never stopped you before."

"I know. I'm working on it," she said, walking to the door. "I'll let you get dressed."

When she reached for the knob, she paused, rubbing her arm. As soon as her fingers touched the tender splatter of purple pooling under her skin, she pulled up her elbow and noticed the bruise. SHe stared at it for a moment, and then turned to me.

"I fell on the stairs last night. And you helped me to bed…." She said, sifting through the blurry images in her mind.

My heart was pounding, and I swallowed hard as I watched realization strike. Her eyes narrowed. "We," she began, taking a step toward me, looking at the closet, and then to the bed.

"No we didn't. Nothing happened," I said, shaking my head.

SHe cringed, the memory obviously replaying in her mind. "You fog up Parker's windows, I pull you out of the car, and then I try to…," she said, shaking her head. SHe turned for the door and grabbed the knob, her knuckles white. "You're turning me into a fucking psycho, Pigeon," she growled over her shoulder. "I don't think straight when I'm around you."

"So it's my fault?"

SHe turned. Her eyes fell from my face to my robe, to my legs, and then my feet, returning to my eyes. "I don't know. My memory is a little hazy…but I don't recall you saying no."

I took a step forward, ready to argue that irrelevant little fact, but I couldn't. SHe was right. "What do you want me to say, Ashley?" sHe looked at the bracelet, and then back at me with accusing eyes. "You were hoping I wouldn't remember?"

"No! I was pissed that you forgot!"

Her brown eyes bored into mine. " Why ?"

"Because if I would have…if we would have…and you didn't…I don't know why! I just was!"

SHe stormed across the room, stopping inches from me. Her hands touched each side of my face, her breathing quick as she scanned my face. "What are we doin', Pidge?"

My eyes began at her belt, and then rose over the muscles and tattoos to her stomach and chest, finally settling on the warm brown of her irises. "You tell me."