A/N. Here's the next chapter. I worked kinda hard on this one, sorry if it's not Spashley oriented...I'm trying to build some drama. I'm not sure if I am succeeding, but well...what do you guys think?

Chapter Four

As Spencer sat on the bench, the sun shining down on her face, she thought about past. It had been five years since that moment. Since the moment when her life had changed. Spencer Carlin had spent these last five years trying to forget the pain, trying to forget her life with Ashley Davies. These years had not been kind to Spencer. She'd tried to move on, she even left the city for a while. Now, at 25, Spencer was trying her best to move on from the heartache. She recently was hired to teach at an elementary school just outside of Los Angeles. She still spoke with Aiden. The conversations were far between, but sometimes they were enough to get Spencer through the day.

She hadn't had a steady relationship since Ashley. She believes that it is because the part of her that was wired to love, was broken when Ashley tore out her heart. Spencer couldn't stop the flood of memories that invaded her consciousness.

"Spencer," Aiden yelled, interrupting Spencer's internal trip down memory lane. Grinning, Aiden picked up the short girl, pulling her tight against his body. He swung her around in his arms before finally setting her down. "How are you?"

Spencer smiled at him. "Much better now that you are here," she said, poking him in the chest with her index finger. "How have you been?"

"Nice avoidance of the question there, Spence," he said, raising an eyebrow, "but I'll play along." He led Spencer to a bench and the two sat. "Well, I suppose that the big news is…Haley and I finally got engaged."

Spencer threw herself into Aiden's arms. "Aiden, that's so amazing. I can't believe she didn't tell me." She admired her friend's smiling face, "It's so great seeing you smile again."

"Yeah Spencer," he started, lowering his gaze, "I just wish that you could be happy too."

Her smile fell, "Happiness is overrated, Aiden. I have my job, I have you and Haley, I have my family…that's all I need."

Aiden shook his head, "But I miss seeing you smile, Spence. I miss your laugh. I miss the way that you were…"

"Before she broke me heart?" Spencer shot sharply, aggravated that Aiden would even bring her into the conversation.

"I was going to say 'back in high school'."

"I was happy once, Aiden. I just don't think I could ever have that again. And like I said, I have you and Hales."

Aiden shook his head, his longer hair brushing against his forehead. "Of course you have us, Spencer. But we hardly see each other anymore. You have your students, we have our business…we have separate lives Spencer. I mean, don't get me wrong, Haley and I love you, but we still only see you, what, once or twice a month. And it's been 3 months since I last saw you, what with your job and everything. You are 25 years old Spencer, you need to get out of this slump."

"Now you sound like my mother," Spencer mumbled, "I was in love once, Aiden. And I'm tried of trying to find someone to 'heal my broken heart'."

"She misses you."

Spencer's eyes shot in his direction, "You've talked to her?"

He nodded, "I've seen her." He paused before continuing, "She's back in town."

Spencer hadn't spoken to Ashley since that night. As far as she knew, Ashley had moved away with her mother. She didn't even know that Aiden still spoke with her. It made sense though, they were best friends.

"She's been asking about you," Aiden stated, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I didn't know what to tell her."

"Tell her whatever you want, Aiden. Ashley isn't a part of my life anymore." Spencer shook her head as the memories threatened to return, "I don't care what you tell her."

"What if she asks to see you?"

"I don't want to see her. I don't want to look at her, I don't want to speak to her, I don't even want to think about her, Aiden." She paused a moment. "Ashley's been dead to me for years."

Aiden's jaw tightened at Spencer's choice of words. But she had no idea what Ashley's been through over the last five years, and he bit his tongue about the subject. It wasn't his story to tell. "Look Spencer, I'm not condoning what Ashley did. And I would never begin to defend her, but she's been through a lot."

"And you think I haven't?" Spencer shouted angrily. "Aiden, you have no idea the pain that I've been through."

"I know, Spence. All I'm saying is that Ashley is her own worst enemy. And trust me when I say that she's punished herself worse than anyone could have. Even you."

Spencer remained silent, her head suddenly clouded by the memories of her and Ashley. Their first meeting. Their first walk on the beach. Their first dance. Their first kiss. Their first time making love. Their final fight. Spencer's chest tightened as she recalled that feeling. The feeling of knowing that the one person in this world who meant the world to her had thrown her away. Had chosen sex over her. Had broken her heart. "I don't want to talk about Ashley anymore, Aiden."

He shook his head, "Ok, Spencer." He pulled her into a hug, rubbing her lower back. "I'm sorry."

She wiped a stray tear with her sleeve as she pulled away from the embrace. "It's ok. She's your friend, I understand that." Spencer composed herself, changing the subject, "So, tell me about this engagement. How did you propose?"

A sheepish grin crossed his face, "Actually, it's a funny story…see, because…well," he stuttered, "Haley…actually proposed."

Spencer gasped in mock-shock, "You let your girlfriend propose?"

"Define 'let'. I don't think I really had a choice."

"Had a choice in what?" a voice said from behind the two.

Spencer turned her head and her jaw fell open. "Oh my god."