The days after the first kiss…part 9 (Spencer) G

Title: The days after their first kiss …part 9 (Spencer) G
Author: astabasta
Rating: G
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Spencer, Aiden
Summary: Spencer misses Ashley. Or does she?. Author's note: This series is my vision of what happens in the days after Spencer comes home after her first kiss (and whatever else may have happened) with Ashley. I have taken the liberty of introducing 4 new characters. This story line comes from my need to give Spencer a friend (or two) which she really hasn't made since she moved to LA. This is my first posting and I am having a "Spencer's-first-time-with-Ashley" moment: I'm a virgin at this and a nervous wreck but I so want to get it on…this website. Feedback and comments are welcome.

Spoilers/Warnings: None

Chapter IX

It's been almost a week since Ashley boarded a plane to meet her dad in Europe leaving Spencer behind in L.A. Spencer was willing to feign sickness from her internship, willing to feign illness in front of Paula and Arthur-until they left for work-so that she could see Ashley off; give her one last kiss and hug good-bye. Unfortunately, she couldn't convince Clay to pick her up from the airport once Ashley's plane had taken off.

She has not heard from Ashley since she left. For the last few days at the art marketing firm, Spencer checks her e-mail every few hours to see if Ashley sent her something. Ashley's dad had told her that the communication systems in the Eastern Bloc would be sketchy at best.

During her lunch break, Spencer's cell rings. Aiden's name appears on the display.

"How are you holding up?" Aiden asks before Spencer can say hello.

"Okay," Spencer says void of her usual energy, slouching low in the hard plastic cafeteria seat.

"I called you on Wednesday to see if you wanted to hang out. Did you get my message?"

"Ya, I did. I really wasn't in the mood. Sorry I didn't call you back."

"You really miss her, don't you?"

Allowing her bottom lip to protrude and her brow to furrow, Spencer pouts but she does not answer Aiden's question.

"It sucks that you couldn't even see her off at the airport," Aiden continues.

With a sudden jolt, Spencer sits right up in her seat and asks, "How do you know?"

"She called me from Budapest at about 3 o'clock this morning."

"She called you!"

"Ya. I was so out of it. I didn't even know it was -"

"What did she say?" Spencer interrupts, eager to know and angry that she's hearing second hand news. Why didn't she call me?

"The line wasn't that great. There was a lot of static. She said something about taking the last few days just to get over jet lag. Her dad's roadies are cool. Room service sucks. She's already learned how to buy pot in Hungarian. And...what else?"

Spencer holds her breath waiting for news about her.

"Oh ya and she told me to tell you something."

Spencer perks up, "Ya?"

"But the call dropped."

Spencer slumps down in her seat.

"She's been trying to call you for the past few days since she arrived over there but your line rings once then goes dead. She was surprised that she got through to me."

"Is that what she told you to tell me?" Spencer asks, both disappointed and annoyed.

"No, like I told you, we got disconnected so I don't know what she wanted to tell you. I'm sure it was something really sappy and sweet... whatever you gay girls say to each other."

"Aiden, I'm so going to hang up now."

"No wait, Spence. You can't hide out in your room and be all gloomy until she comes back. Let me take you out...as a friend. No funny stuff, I swear. I promised Ash that I'd keep an eye on you. I really like you both. I have total respect for what you two have going. You're really good for Ash."

"What?"

"She actually thinks of someone else other than herself."

"Why did she decide to go on the trip?"

"Ash? Like you even have to ask? She loves adventure, the power of saying 'I've been there' or 'I've done that.' Nothing can hold that girl down."

"Nothing, huh?" Spencer asks, dejected.

"I don't mean it like that. She really wanted you to go with her."

"She told you that?"

"Not exactly, but I've known her long enough to know."

"Just the person I was looking for," a voice whispers in Spencer's ear from behind her head.

Startled, Spencer springs up, turns in her seat and stares into Emily's sea-deep green eyes and brilliant face.

"I'll call you later," Spencer says slamming her phone closed before hearing Aiden's good-bye.

"Em!" Spencer exclaims, color returning to her face; a little too much color, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all week."

"I'm not here anymore," Emily explains, "I decided not to come back after last week's incident with Cruella. I have a part time job now hanging or installing pieces at the Students' Art League. Come to think of it, it sounds lamer than what I was doing here. But at least I like who I work with and I'm getting paid."

"So what are you doing here?" Spencer asks scrunching her nose.

"Looking for you," Emily says.

Spencer looks suspiciously at Emily.

"Actually I came by to smuggle out a project that I was working on with Cruella. I put a lot of time into it and I'm not about to let her get all the credit for it. Now that I have it," Emily sheepishly taps her portfolio case, "I went looking for you. So here we are."

Spencer smiles dreamily at Emily; an expression that feels a little foreign and awkward on Spencer's face since she hasn't really smiled all week.

"You still owe me an afternoon at the expressionist exhibit," Emily mockingly scolds. "This is its last weekend at LACMA."

"I guess I better pay up then."

"I'll pick you up at two."

"Okay."

"Actually, I'll pick you up at one. We'll do lunch."