a/n: so its been forever..but i found a little time and decided to update..

Ashley smiled to herself as she took her seat in fifth period chemistry. Aiden strolled into the classroom and sat down in the seat next to Ashley, it was the one class they had together. He noticed her cheerful mood and, with a kiss on her cheek, asked, "What's gotten into you?"

"Oh nothing…everything…I don't know. Hey, um… I am bringing a new friend over after school so you think you can get a ride home from a guy on the team or something?" Ashley asked without even looking up at Aiden.

"Sure. Can you pick up Haylee then?"

All of a sudden, a red flag went up inside of Ashley's head; how could she ever explain Haylee to Spencer? She wished that Spencer wouldn't have to find out so early in their friendship because having a kid at seventeen was a major turnoff. There's nothing I can do though; Haylee is my responsibility. After telling Aiden to catch a ride with someone, she couldn't bear to ask anymore of him so she replied, "Yah."

For the remainder of the day, Ashley tried to think of something to tell Spencer. The best she could come up with was that Haylee was her little sister. Ashley let out a nervous sigh when the final bell of the day rang. She walked as slowly as possible to the parking lot where she would meet Spencer. The thing that bugged Ashley most about the whole situation was the fact that she cared so much what Spencer thought of her. For Ashley, it was a new feeling, caring about someone else's opinions of herself, and she already couldn't stand it. She felt nervous, anxious, excited, and scared all at once to the point where she wanted to throw up. Suddenly, she felt bad for all the crazy, obsessive girls who spent their entire lives sucking up to people and trying to impress them. "What a waste of time," Ashley thought out loud just as Spencer walked up to her.

"What's a waste of time?" Spencer asked with a smile, curious as to what a certain beautiful, carefree brunette thought about on her own time. Ever since their conversation at lunch, Spencer has this lingering feeling that there was something special about Ashley and it made Spencer want to get to know her.

"Oh…um…nothing. You ready to go?" Ashley quickly changed the subject.

"Sure," Spencer replied a little disappointed that she couldn't get Ashley to open up to her.

As they came up to a gorgeous, expensive car, Ashley claimed, "This is it."

Spencer was surprised because for some reason she hadn't pictured Ashley as the materialistic type and a small "Wow" was all she could manage.

Ashley saw the blonde's amazing smile tilt slightly into a frown and felt the need to explain herself yet again. "Daddy's a rock star. It really, really sucks that I hardly ever get to see him, but there are cool benefits a girl can get from being related to someone famous." Oh crap, that sounded really shallow.

"I see." Spencer wasn't quite sure how else to respond to what Ashley had said. Basically, she excused her father's absence with money and gifts. It had begun to seem that Ashley was a lot different than Spencer's first impression of her. Maybe she's just trying too hard? Hopefully.

"Wow, um….that came out totally wrong," Ashley tried to fix the bigger and bigger mess she was creating for herself. Both girls giggled trying to make light of the situation. "Let's just go."

"Good idea," Spencer agreed.

They got into the car and after a few minutes of silence, Ashley pulled the car into the parking lot of what looked, to Spencer, like a daycare. Ashley announced, "We have to make a quick stop. That okay?"

"Sure," Spencer replied wondering what they could possibly have to do at a daycare. Spencer loved little kids though so she asked, "Can I come in with you?"

"If you want to," Ashley sounded astounded that anyone would want to spend more time than they had to in a room full of squealing toddlers.

Spencer understood the tone of Ashley's response and just smiled at her. The second they entered the building, a little girl ran over to Ashley and tugged on her jeans. Spencer saw how Ashley's whole face lit up as she picked the little girl up and placed her on her hip. She concluded that Ashley must know the little girl very well.

Ashley spoke softly and cheerfully to the little girl, "Hey you. How was your day? I love you so much, Haylee."

Spencer was a little confused as to how the two were connected and Ashley wasn't offering any information so she would have to ask herself, "Haylee. How precious. Is this your little sister, Ash?"

"Umm…not exactly," Ashley half answered while signing out Haylee. They walked to the car and once Haylee was all settled in her car seat, Ashley felt like she should tell the truth. "Spencer, I have to tell you something."

"Okay."

"It's about Haylee," Ashley started nervously.

Spencer smiled, "She's adorable."

"Thanks. But that's not what I meant," Ashley hesitated.

"What Ash, you can tell me anything."

Spencer's innocent, accepting eyes finally caused Ashley to continue, "She's my daughter."