Chapter 2, The Walsh Birthday's

Brenda Walsh and Dylan McKay had been dating for just four weeks, when they already hit some problems. They were studying together at Dylan's when the phone rang. Dylan picked it up, "Hello? Oh, hey. Tomorrow? Okay, see you then." And he hung up.

"Who was that?" Brenda asked curiously.

"Ashley," Dylan replied, not bothering to look up.

"Oh," Brenda said quietly.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just a little weird when the girl your boyfriend is in love with calls him," Brenda replied.

"She's my friend, Brenda. I'm with you, and she's with your brother. I don't see the big deal."

"And what are you two doing together tomorrow?"

"We're going bowling," Dylan shrugged.

"You and Ashley, alone, bowling?"

"Uh, to sum it up, yeah," Dylan replied confusedly.

"Like a date?"

Dylan sighed, "Like two friends hanging out."

"Well, I don't want you to go," Brenda said quietly.

"I'm not going to blow off my friend. Who happens to be your friend too, by the way. You know, the first girl to ever make contact with you here. We've never done anything to make you not trust us like this," Dylan stated.

"You were in love with her for god's sake," Brenda responded.

"I can't believe how jealous you're being," Dylan stated.

"Jealous? No, no, no, I am not jealous."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm going whether you like it or not," Dylan stated.

"Fine," Brenda said hotly, throwing her books into her bag and storming out. Dylan shook his head as the door slammed. He still loved Ashley, very much so, but they both had someone now. Dylan had come to the conclusion that he'd always love Ashley. And he had just lost his first girlfriend since because of it.

The next day, a similar conversation took place between Ashley and Brandon. The two of them were playing around in Ashley's pool when Brandon asked, "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I'm going bowling with Dylan," Ashley responded.

"What?" Brandon asked.

"Me...Dylan...Pins...Balls..."

Brandon looked alarmed.

"Bowling Balls," Ashley corrected.

"Yeah, I'm sure those are the type of balls he has in mind," Brandon mumbled.

"Are you saying you don't trust me?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm saying I don't trust him. He's in love with you," Brandon reminded her.

"But he's dating your sister!" Ashley retorted.

"That only makes this whole thing worse. Cause not only can he try something on you, but he can hurt my sister," Brandon explained.

Ashley sighed, "I understand your concern. Really, I do. But he won't try anything, okay? We're just friends now, it's not a big deal," Ashley said, trying to convince him.

Brandon looked down, "I don't like this."

"Okay, how about in exchange, you become friends with a really hot girl, and we'll call it even," Ashley said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Fair enough."

"So, your birthday's coming up, right?" Ashley asked.

"Yeah," Brandon replied.

"Well, I have something really great planned for you, mister," Ashley said.

"Really? What is it?"

"Don't ask, don't tell," Ashley replied mysteriously.

The next day, Ashley and Dylan headed to the Bowling Alley. It was the first time they had hung out like actual friends in almost two years, and it really felt good. Dylan loved the fact that Ashley was the only girl he had ever known that didn't make any sort of fuss about wearing used shoes. Any other girl in Beverly Hills would make a big scene about having to trade in her 784 dollar shoes for some cheap ugly ones.

Their conversation started out lightly, and then, Ashley said, "Brandon isn't exactly thrilled about me being here."

"Same with Brenda. Actually, that's an understatement. I think breaking up is more than not exactly being thrilled," Dylan replied.

Ashley's jaw dropped, "You...You guys broke up?"

"Yeah. The girl's got some really nasty jealous streak. Pretty big drama queen, too," he added.

"I don't get it, it's not like they have anything to worry about," Ashley said, picking up her ball and tossing it down the lane. She turned back around immediately, not bothering to look at the results, and said, "I mean...Just because there's some history, and chemistry between us...That doesn't mean anything's going to happen."

"Strike," Dylan said somberly.

Ashley smiled and shrugged, "Is that supposed to surprise me?"

Dylan laughed, "I guess not." His face got serious again, "You think we've got chemistry?"

"I know it," Ashley replied quietly, "But we could either do the stupid thing and act on it, or we can be smart and stay faithful."

"You forget, I have nobody to be faithful to," Dylan replied.

"Do you really want to prove Brenda right?" Ashley questioned.

"Good point," Dylan responded.

Two days later, Dylan was walking to his car from school, and Brenda was already waiting there. She shielded her eyes from the sun and she smiled a little bit. "I'm sorry." Dylan looked at her, and then continued on to the car. "I shouldn't have been so jealous. Ashley's been so great to me, and you've never done a thing to deserve that. I don't want to be one of those bitchy girlfriends who freaks if her boyfriend's in the vicinity of another girl."

"It's okay, Brenda. We all get jealous sometimes," Dylan shrugged, speaking from personal experience.

"So, do you hate me?"

"No way," Dylan replied, smiling at her. She smiled back, and kissed him.

It was Brandon and Brenda's sixteenth birthday. They had already celebrated with their friends at the Walsh's house, and now it was time for them to celebrate with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Ashley and Brandon left first, and Ashley made Brandon wear a blindfold. She drove, made him get out of the car, and then took his hand and led him inside the place. When she took off the blindfold, they were in a deserted amusement park. "My uncle owns this place. I got him to close it tonight to everyone but us and some workers, who're getting paid overtime. Welcome to part one of the Brandon Walsh birthday extravaganza!"

Brandon smiled, took her by the wait, and kissed her. "This is great, Ashley. Now, let's go check out what it's like not to have to wait in line."

Ashley smiled back and they went on rollercoasters, water rides, the ferris wheel, haunted house, fun house, and many other rides, finishing at about 10:00. "Hungry?" Ashley asked.

"Starving," Brandon replied. Ashley smiled in delight, and took his hand, leading him back to the car.

"Great. I know the perfect little place."

The two of them drove for a while, and finally stopped. Brandon took the blind fold off, and saw they had stopped at Ashley's house. "Let me guess, your house doubles as a resturaunt?"

"Something like that," Ashley said with a smirk. But they didn't go in the house. They went around the back to the pool house, which was where Ashley pretty much lived on her own, because she liked the privacy. Ashley unlocked the door, and stepped inside. "Okay, sit at the table and close your eyes."

Brandon smiled suspciously and did as he was told. He could hear Ashley rummaging, and then heard her say, "Okay, open." He opened his eyes, and before him were about a dozen apple pies.

"Did you rob a bakery?"

Ashley smiled and shook her head, "For dinner, you and I will compete in a pie eating contest," Ashley announced.

Brandon started laughing, "You're nuts, you know that?"

"Well, it's better than taking you to some resturaunt where you can't even pronounce the food, and end up with cats brains or something. Besides, what guy doesn't want pie for dinner?"

"Very true," Brandon agreed with a laugh, "But there's no way a girl can beat me at some pie eating contest. Especially one who's about half my size."

"Don't judge me by my size, Walsh," I told him.

"You actually think you can beat me?"

"I know I can. Now, on your mark. Get set. Go!" the two of them launced head-first into the pies. About ten minutes later, we looked up at each other, and burst out laughing. "Ha, I win! I ate six, and you ate five!" I declared triumphantly.

"No way," Brandon said in utter amazement.

"In all fairness, I was prepared. That was the first thing I ate in a day and a half."

"Ah, cheater," Brandon said with a laugh. We wiped some of the pie off each other's face, and ate a bit of it, then started laughing all over again. "This was such a great night. God, I love you," Brandon choked out while laughing. They both stopped suddenly.

"What did you say?" Ashley asked, her eyes growing wide in shock.

"I said I love you," Brandon said, more sure of himself and clearly.

Ashley looked shocked for a second, but then, she leaned in and kissed him until things got really passionate, and the two of them ended up having sex for the first time.

About ten minutes after Ashley and Brandon left, Brenda and Dylan decided to go out for dinner. They had fun talking and laughing and went into the resturaunt together. They ate their dinner, and then shared a bowl of ice cream for dessert. Dylan smiled over at her, "So, we've been dating for almost two months, right?"

"Right," Brenda replied, taking a bite of ice cream.

"And are you fully adjusted to Beverly Hills?"

"Yeah. I never thought I'd meet someone like you so fast," Brenda said.

"Well, Happy Birthday, Ashley."

"What?"

"Brenda. Happy Birthday, Brenda."

"You just said happy birthday, Ashley," Brenda said slowly, "Unbelievable, Dylan."

"I'm sorry, okay? It was a little mistake. It's not like it means anything," Dylan tried to explain.

"Well, it's obvious she's on your mind," Brenda countered.

"Do you have to be so dramatic about it?" Dylan asked.

"Dramatic? Are you kidding me, Dylan? Forget it, I'm done with this."

"Brenda, please don't leave. I'm really sorry," Dylan pleaded, "We all have our baggage, Brenda. I'll be honest with you, all right? I love her, but you're the only girl I've liked enough to try to get over her. You're really great, Brenda. Please, just give me some time to finish getting over her." Dylan made it seem like he could get over her, when he very well knew it would never happen. Brenda sat there, looking as if she were contemplating what to do or say to him.

"Okay. Just...Just promise you won't go after her while we're dating, cause I couldn't handle that. If you don't see yourself getting over her, tell me. I really like you a lot, Dylan."

"I like you a lot too, and that's why I'm really going to try to make this work." And the sad thing is that the truth was, if Ashley had become interested, he'd drop Brenda in a heartbeat.

Steve was driving Donna and David home from the Walsh's house, when they decided to start gossiping about their four friends. "I don't know why Brenda is wasting her time with Dylan. He's obviously still in love with Ashley," Donna stated.

"Wait a second, Dylan's in love with her?" David questioned.

"Yeah. Sorry kiddo, more competition for you," Donna joked, "What is it with guys and her anyway? Steve, you almost went out with her Freshman year. David, you're completely head over heels. Dylan's totally in love, and Brandon's dating her."

"It's kind of like a rule of life to go through a phase of falling for Ashley Gilmore," Steve shrugged.

"So, she's kind of like Dylan McKay for guys," Donna concluded.

"Really? Dylan's the one at school you girls all go for? But he's such a loner. I'm so much more popular."

"And so much less good looking," Donna teased.

"Thanks, Don."

The next morning, Brandon woke up in Ashley's bed, but she was nowhere in sight. "Ashley?" he called out. She came into the room, carrying a tray of food. There was orange juice, toast, baccon, waffles, and a muffin, for two. "Breakfast in bed?" Brandon questioned.

"Look under your pillow," Ashley told him, "Your gift is there."

Brandon arched an eyebrow, and put his arm under the pillow. He pulled out a beautiful silver watch. "Do you like it?"

"You kidding? I love it," Brandon responded, pulling Ashley into the bed and kissing her. "I'm so lucky I have you."

"Yeah, you are pretty lucky, aren't you?" Ashley joked.

"Last night was..."

"Great," Ashley finished, taking a bite of toast.

"Yeah," Brandon said, "It really was. Thank you so much." He smiled for a second and asked, "Was that...Was it your first time?"

Ashley looked down and smirked, "Yeah. How about you?"

"Yup."

Brandon left at about noon, very nervous to how big a fit his parents would have. He had, after all, been out all night, and didn't even call. He said last night had been worth any punishment he may recieve. About an hour after Brandon left, Dylan showed up at Ashley's door.

"Dylan, hi," Ashley said, surprised to see him. She moved out of the way to let him inside.

"Hi," he said quietly, then looking around, his eyes rested on the tray of food, "Uh, were you hungry enough to eat for two this morning?" Dylan asked, knowing the answer.

"No," Ashley replied, seeing the hurt in his eyes.

"You...You slept with him?"

"Yes," she replied, looking at her feet.

Dylan tried to shrug it off and said, "Brenda and I almost broke up again last night."

"What happened?" Ashley asked, glad for a topic changer.

"I called her by your name," Dylan answered.

"Oh," Ashley responded silently, not knowing exactly what to say.

"I...I can't get over you, Ashley," Dylan said sincerely, "I've tried, and I've tried, and I've tried, and sadly, this is the most progess I've ever made. I like you so much, and I feel so guilty about it because of Brenda."

"I...I know what you mean, Dylan. I have really strong feelings for Brandon, I do. But seeing you with Brenda turns my stomach. I have feelings for the both of you, but there's no way I'm going to hurt Brenda and Brandon like that."

"But you have no problem hurting me?"

"You and Brenda got together before me and Brandon!"

"I didn't know that! I figured you guys were together when I saw you kissing. Gee, I wonder why I'd come to that crazy conclusion. How stupid of me," Dylan said sarcastically.

"So, you asked Brenda to go out with you out of spite? Isn't that a little harsh, Dylan?"

"Like you didn't say yes to Brandon out of jealousy," Dylan muttered.

"Hey, I just may have a future with Brandon, okay? Can you honestly say the same about Brenda?"

"No, but I like her. Who do you have stronger feelings for, me or Walsh?"

"I'm not answering that," Ashley replied flatly.

"Fine, whatever. We'll just go on being friends, pretending there's nothing between us whatsoever," Dylan said angrily.

"I don't get how you could do that to Brenda."

"I love you, Ashley," Dylan said simply, "That's how."

Brenda stormed inside the house, still angry and upset. She went upstairs to her room, when Brandon walked in, looking concerned. "Are you okay?"

"No. My boyfriend called me your girlfriend, who happens to be my best friend's, name. I can't keep doing this, Brandon. Whenever I'm with Dylan, we both pretend that the truth isn't there, but it is, and I can't keep pretending that it isn't there anymore. He loves her, not me. I'm such an idiot for bothering with him."

"Things are so complicated here," Brandon said, "I told Ashley that I love her last night, and she seemed happy, but I can tell her feelings for Dylan are still there. I try to keep telling myself that everyone's got their baggage, and everyone has that one person they just can't let go of. I'm just afraid that one of these days, she's going to decide her feels for Dylan are stronger than they are for me. I'm crazy about her."

"Life was so much simpler in Minnesota," Brenda sighed, "What if he went over to her this morning to work things out?"

"Ashley wouldn't do that to us. Besides, I was there, I'd have known if he came by."

"You were there? This morning. Oh my god, did you guys...?"

"That's none of your business."

"Well, you aren't over there now, Brandon."

"So?"

"So, he could be there." Brandon looked a little worried, got up, and ran down the street. He was about to knock on the pool house door, but just then, Dylan came out. Ashley smiled warmly at Brandon. "Hey, Brandon. Did you come by for your jacket? You left it here."

Brandon was glad to have an excuse, rather than seeming like a jealous freak. "Yeah, uh, thanks."

"No problem," Ashley said, trying to ignore the looks Brandon and Dylan were giving one another.

"So...What are you doing here, Dylan?" Brandon asked.

Ashley groaned, Here it comes, she thought.

"Just checking on her, that's all," Dylan responded.

"Well, she's fine, so you can go now," Brandon said.

"Fine," Dylan said, and after a second, looked over at Ashley, "I'll seeya later, Ash."

"Yeah. Seeya."

Dylan looked one more time at Brandon, and walked out. "You're alone here with him?"

"Yeah. Why, does that bother you?"

"Yeah, it does. I don't trust him alone with you," Brandon stated.

"Don't you trust me though?"

"Yeah..."

"So stop worrying," Ashley told him, kissing him on the cheek.

Brandon wanted to stop worrying, he really did, but he had a really bad feeling. Ashley was one of the only girls he'd ever really cared about, and he didn't want to lose that.

So, how is it so far? Love it, hate it, let me know!