Hide my heart- chapter 2
Ashley had been keeping Spencer company for about an hour and the two girls were hitting it off much to Ashley's delight. Ashley had recognised Spencer from school which was impressive considering how little time she actually spent there. Her lack of school enthusiasm was mostly down to the fact that she already knew what she wanted to do with her life and didn't feel school would help her with that.
"So are you and Aiden a thing?" Ashley asked as they wondered around the different rooms of the massive house.
"What?" Spencer nearly choked on her drink.
"You're always with each other whenever I see you at school and you guys came here together" Ashley explained her question.
"We're just best friends and that would be like incest or something" Spencer answered thinking about being with Aiden.
"So you're single?" Ashley pushed.
"Yep, I don't know if you've picked on this but I'm not really one of the cool kids plus my brother was kind of a big deal around this place so guys are terrified to talk to me"
"I don't think that's because of Glen" Ashley said out loud without thinking.
"What do you mean?" Spencer asked feeling self-conscious all of a sudden.
"Well….you're gorgeous Spencer. I'm pretty sure guys are just intimidated by that" Ashley cringed at her own words hoping she hadn't freaked Spencer out with her honesty.
"You're clearly drunk" Spencer laughed blushing slightly.
"You are clearly terrible at taking compliments"
"It's kind of new to me especially coming from like the most popular girl in school"
"I'm not popular Spencer"
"Oh please you have hundreds of friends that fawn over you all day and I bet guys tell you how hot you are all the time"
"Those people put up with me because of who my Father is not because they actually want to be my friend Spencer" Ashley stated with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Well I don't believe that for a second. I've only known you for an hour and I think you're ok" Spencer tried her best to make Ashley smile again.
"Just ok?" Ashley asked with raised eyebrows and Spencer just smiled sweetly leaving Ashley planted to her spot. The brunette soon followed Spencer who was heading back towards the beach where everybody else was still hanging out. Seeing Aiden head over Spencer smiled her happy smile and embraced her best friend who returned the hug.
"Is baby Carlin drunk?" Aiden teased taking in Spencer's goofy smile.
"Nope just relaxed" Spencer asked honestly, she had felt slightly buzzed but not stupid drunk.
"Ok, do you wanna leave or are you ok?" Aiden asked clearly checking out Ashley who was stood in perfect silence.
"Aid I'm fine, go have fun you don't need to babysit me" Spencer answered annoyed that Aiden treated her like such a baby some times.
"Don't worry Aiden I'll look after her" Ashley interrupted putting her arm around Spencer in a perfectly innocent way.
"Ok cool, why don't you guys come join the group?" Aiden offered pointing to even larger group that congregated around the open fire.
"We're cool Aiden unless you want to Ashley?" Spencer answered hoping she wasn't forcing Ashley to spend time with her plus she was pretty sure that Aiden was in to Ashley.
"We'll be over in a bit Ok?" Ashley answered signalling for Aiden to leave which he did with a big dorky smile on his face.
"He likes you I think" Spencer mentioned to Ashley figuring she could possibly play matchmaker.
"He's cute. Anyway it looks like you need a top up" Ashley replied without emotion taking Spencer's hand in her own pulling her towards the bar. As they were approaching the bar they were stopped in their tracks by Carmen.
"Oh hey Carm where did you get off to?" Spencer asked smiling at her other new friend.
"I was about to ask you the same thing" Carmen replied sounding less than happy. Her gaze was firmly fixed on Ashley and Spencer's still entwined hands and she didn't look too happy.
"I've just been hanging out with Ashley….erm Ashley this is my friend Carmen. We work at the diner together sometimes" Spencer tried introductions to lighten the mood but during her introductions she noticed that Ashley's gaze was very similar to Carmen's.
"We actually already know each other Spencer" Ashley explained regaining her normal expression.
"Oh yea?"
"Yea just from around school" Carmen added trying her best to smile.
"Ok well Ashley and I were going to get some more drinks do you want to join us?" Spencer offered unsure as to why they were both been so weird.
"Actually I was just looking for you to say I'm leaving"
"But we didn't get a chance to hang out?" Spencer whined not wanting Carmen to leave plus she felt a little bit for spending most of the night with Ashley.
"Don't worry we can hang tomorrow or something?" Carmen offered getting a smile from Spencer or hugged her goodbye.
"It's a date Carm….text me when you get home" Spencer demanded as Carmen headed off leaving the two new friends stood in near silence apart from the loud music and crowds of people.
"Ok how do you two know each other?" Spencer questioned feeling completely in the dark.
"That's not important….let's get you that drink" Ashley answered heading to the bar and grabbing some plastic cups pouring random concoctions of alcohol and fruit juice into them. Handing Spencer a cup Ashley downed her drink waiting for Spencer to do the same.
"Are you ok Ashley?" Spencer concerned by the brunettes sudden mood change.
"Yea so do you think that you could hook me up with Aiden?" Ashley asked changing the subject confusing Spencer further.
"I'll try I'm sure it won't be hard. I saw him checking you out earlier plus I doubt anybody ever says no to you" Spencer admitted seeing a glimpse of the smile Ashley was wearing earlier but it was like she mentally shook it away.
"Let's get you back to Aiden" Ashley announced heading off without waiting for Spencer to follow. Spencer followed Ashley wondering what the hell had just happened in those few short minutes to make Ashley go from vibrant to withdrawn.
Spencer spotted Aiden's smile as he saw Ashley approaching and decided that it was time for her to leave as everything had just gone sour.
"Hey girls' you ready join the rest of us?" Aiden asked clearly a little buzzed.
"Actually I was just coming to find you to say I'm leaving" Spencer replied noticing that Ashley was avoiding any interaction with her now.
"Wait and I'll come with you" Aiden offered always the gentleman.
"No you stay and hang with your friends Aid I'll call a cab" Spencer reassured him knowing that he wouldn't be ready to leave.
"Don't be silly Spence you know you're my number one"
"Aid its cool….I'll call you when I get home" Spencer added as she turned to leave, she stopped and smiled at Ashley who smiled back but not in the same way she had done earlier.
"Nice to meet you Ashley"
"Yea you too Spencer" Ashley agreed turning her attention to Aiden. Spencer watched as they started to interact, Ashley was laughing at something Aiden had said. Spencer headed back through the house so she could call a cab but she noticed that Carmen was in the kitchen talking to Chelsea.
"Hey guys….Carmen I thought you had left?" Spencer said as she joined her two friends.
"I was on my way but I saw Chelsea so I thought I'd hang a bit longer. You ok?" Carmen asked showing no signs of the anger she showed earlier.
"Yea just tired….I was just about to leave actually"
"No you can't leave Spence I've only just got here and you know we've got to dance" Chelsea replied dancing on the spot making Spencer laugh out loud.
"Come on Spencer just for a little longer" Carmen joined in with the pleading. Both girls were giving Spencer their best puppy dog eyes which was slowly melting away her strange mood.
"Ok fine…you two suck by the way" Spencer moaned as they dragged her to the make shift dance floor. After few minutes of feeling self -conscious Spencer let herself go just enjoying the music. Chelsea and Carmen were enjoying the music and all 3 of them were having fun. After a few songs Chelsea excused herself to go and get a drink leaving Carmen and Spencer to their own devices. Carmen took the chance to move closer to Spencer placing her hand on her hips pulling her so they swayed to the music in time with one and other. Spencer noticed that Carmen's already dark eyes had gone a shade darker and this new side of her gave Spencer some strange tingles that she couldn't quite place. Going with the flow Spencer opened her eyes seeing Ashley and Aiden dancing on the other side of the room. Spencer observed them as they danced and noticed how her best friend looked almost giddy taking on his new role as high school jock very well. Ashley seemed to be into Aiden and Spencer hoped that they worked out so Spencer had a reason to hang out with Ashley again.
Pulling her eyes away from Ashley and Aiden Spencer focused on what was happening in front of her. Carmen was a lot closer than she had remembered and she suddenly felt every pair of eyes in the room on them. Feeling slightly panicky Spencer backed away surprising Carmen with her sudden movement.
"You Ok Spencer?" Carmen asked in her ear sending shivers down her spine.
"Everybody is staring at us Carmen" Spencer pointed out barely raising her eyes from her feet. Carmen looked around the room noticing that their dancing had drawn the attention of most of the crowd.
"Ignore them I'm sorry. Let's go" Carmen replied taking Spencer's hand and walking her past where Aiden and Ashley were dancing only to be stopped in their track
"Where you going Spencer?" Aiden asked as he held tightly to his best friends arm.
"Home" Spencer replied simply smiling.
"With her?" Aiden snarled looking over at Carmen who just threw Aiden a smug smile.
"Carmen was going to give me a ride. Come with me" Spencer instructed as she pulled Aiden away from the crowd.
"Seriously Aiden I get that you're protective of me but what do you have against Carmen?"
"Spencer she's gay and she was totally enjoying that little dance that you two just shared way too much" Aiden explained looking more annoyed.
"So what if she is gay? That doesn't mean anything. Look at all these girls dancing together Aiden. Do you think that they are all going to go have wild lesbian sex?" Spencer argued and Aiden took the time to follow her gaze. A dorky smile was soon plastered on his face and both friends started laughing.
"Ok point proven. Ashley just said a few things about Carmen and I was worried but I trust ya" Aiden said as he hugged Spencer. Aiden headed over towards Ashley but she reluctant to leave with her eyes stuck to Spencer who was now approaching Carmen trying to ignore the chocolate eyes on her.
"Sorry about that Carmen" Spencer apologised but the shorter girl seemed less than enthused.
"Don't worry about it, I have to go"
"I thought you were going to give me a ride?"
"Yea I can't later Spencer" Carmen replied as she exited the party leaving Spencer stood alone looking shell shocked. Spencer had no idea what had just happened in such a short amount of time and now she was stood alone at a party. She headed back towards the kitchen where she had seen a phone figuring she could call a cab so she could get home. As she went to grab the phone a small hand stopped her.
"I thought you were leaving with Carmen?" A husky voice asked still not loosening the grip they had on Spencer's hand.
"Not that it's any of your business but I'm not" Spencer snapped back quickly removing her hand as she looked up at a smiling Ashley.
"Why not?"
"I have no idea she got all weird after Aiden went crazy at her" Spencer sighed as she leaned against the cabinet.
"Can I give you a ride?"
"You've been drinking"
"I'm fine, come on. What kind of host would I be if I didn't make sure everybody got home ok?" Ashley pleaded with a cheeky smile.
"Ugh fine it's not like I have any other options"
"I'm so touched" Ashley mocked as she headed to the garage where her car was. She opened the side door and signalled for Spencer to follow. Spencer couldn't believe the amount of cars that were in the garage, it looked like a car lot not a family garage.
"So do you have a car for every personality?" Spencer joked as Ashley searched for her keys.
"Ok I'll give you that one. Look Spencer I'm sorry about earlier...I have no excuse so can we just forget about it and start again?" Ashley offered and Spencer simply replied with a head nod and smile.
