The following day Ashley made it to her classes sober, but didn't really wear much of her uniform or pay attention to anything that was going on around her. Chelsea had ignored her all day and even Madison didn't even bother her about anything. She felt like crap and knew she looked like crap; with her uniform wrinkled and her hair sitting messily on top of her head. She had to wear her glasses as her contacts hurt her eyes; which were blood shot and looked tired. She had stopped drinking when Spencer threw her bottle in the lake and ended up passing out under the tree and woke up feeling like she just got the crap kicked out of her. Which is she was being honest, emotionally she sort of did.

So now here she sits during last period in Spencer's class, not hearing a word of what is being said and stares out the window the entire time. Chelsea didn't even sit next to her, so she was stuck sitting next to some brunette that kept staring at her. Madison was giving her the evil eye as soon as she walked into the class as if Ashley was going to suddenly blab their secret. But instead, she took a seat closest to the window and didn't pay any attention to when Spencer started the class. Ok, that's a lie. She did look up, but that was only to see what the girl was wearing. Otherwise, she was still mad at her for throwing her bottle in the lake.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the day Ashley stood and started making her way out of the classroom. "Ashley, I'd like a word please." Ashley looked at Spencer who was waiting expectantly, but rather than stop and listen she continued to walk out of the room, not in the mood for another lecture. "Miss Davies, I am talking to you!" Ashley just shrugged and left.

Chelsea, who noticed how her friend was acting all day, watched as Ashley blew off Miss Carlin. Even though she wanted to follow Ashley and make everything better she was still a little upset with her. So instead of following, she went down the opposite hall in search of Clay, they were going to have a movie night together.

Needing peace, Ashley made her way down to the music lab knowing no one would bother her there and that playing an instrument would be the only thing to calm her besides booze. After realizing that she was falling for Spencer the last thing she wanted was to be alone with her, afraid she'd cave and spill her secrets only to be hurt again. With the bet no longer in effect she needed to keep her distance.

Opting for the grand piano instead of one of the numerous keyboards, she sits down, adjusting the stool and begins to play a few chords and scales. After her fingers are slightly warmed up and she is a little relaxed with her guard slightly down, she actually begins to play. Closing her eyes she starts to play the intro to Gravity, by Sarah Bareilles.

"Something always brings me back to you.
It never takes too long.
No matter what I say or do I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone.

You hold me without touch.
You keep me without chains.
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your reign.


Set me free, leave me be. I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me and all over me.

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.
When I thought that I was strong.
But you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone.

Set me free, leave me be. I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be.
But you're on to me and all over me.

I live here on my knees as I try to make you see that you're everything I think I need here on the ground.
But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go.
The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down"

Sighing, she wipes her eye at a tear that's threatening to fall.

"I'm glad you're back to playing decent music today. I love that song." Ashley doesn't move or let on that she was just scared half to death, instead only listens as the clicking of heels gets closer to her, "Your voice still amazes me every time I hear it."

Ashley finally turns around when she hears the clicking stop and they just stares at her for a second before clearing her throat and looking to the ground, "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to talk to you about your grade, but you ignored me. Which, I don't appreciate by the way. Care to tell me what that was about?"

Ashley sighs and just shakes her head, "Spence can you please just go? I'm not in the mood to be lectured or share my feelings or anything like that."

Spencer raises her brow, "Who said anything about sharing feelings? A simple apology will do."

She rolls her eyes and turns back to the piano, "I am not apologizing for anything."

"Not going to apologize for anything? Does it not even bother you in the slightest bit that you may have really hurt my feelings this past week?"

Ashley stops messing with the keys and turns around locking eyes with her, "Can you please just go?"

Spencer clenches her fists, getting angry now, angry at how this girl is able to get her so upset. "It doesn't bother you that you made me feel like a piece of shit with only a sentence? I actually cared, and risked my job by falling for you and you can't even give me an apology for hurting me? You are not that cold hearted, I've seen glimpses of it and I don't buy this little act you put on. I know you care."

"You're right, I do care. And that's the problem. So no, no I am not going to apologize because than maybe you will be just as cold back and I can stop having these damn feelings." Ashley stands and starts to walk away from the piano, but turns around and walks right up to Spencer, getting in her face, "actually you know what? I am sorry about something, I'm sorry I made that bet. Because if didn't take the bet I never would have taken the time to get know you or never would have fallen for you or never would have had the chance to feel what it's like to kiss you. I wouldn't want to kiss you right now or want to feel your arms around me or tell you every little thing about myself. So I am sorry for that I made that bet, because if I didn't I would feel semi-normal right now and everything would ok! There, are you happy now?"

She goes to walk away, but is stopped by a hand that grips her wrist pulling her back. Turning around slowly, she meets a pair of blue eyes with her brown ones, "Ashley, I'm not going to hurt you…"

Tears threaten to fall from Ashley's eyes as Spencer takes a step closer, "Please Spencer…just leave it alone, you don't want to waste your time on me."

The threatening tears finally fall. Seeing this, Spencer steps closer cradling the shorter girls head in her hands and begins to wipe the fallen tears away with her thumbs, "I don't think you're a waste Ash…"

Finally lifting her gaze, she meets Spencer's and smiles. Leaning forward she lightly brushes her lips against hers, hesitating only a moment before making contact with Spencer's lips once again. This time it's soft, and slow, as if she's just getting a feel for her lips. It is Spencer's hands moving to run Ashley's hair that causes Ashley to deepen the kiss, pulling Spencer closer to her by her waist. She lets out a soft moan as she feels Spencer's tongue enter her mouth, gently doing a dance with her own. They stand there kissing slowly, with their hands exploring each others bodies, neither in any hurry. When they start to run out of air, it is Spencer who pulls away. They take a step back from each other, both breathing heavily and just stare each other; their eyes giving away their want for the other one.

After maybe 30 seconds of just staring at each other, Spencer takes a step towards Ashley, who also takes a step forward. However, Spencer quickly retreats as she hears footsteps making their way towards the room.

Spencer looks towards the door, and as if on cue, Chelsea walks into the lab, "Ashley there you are, I've been looking for you!" She stops moving when she gets into the room and notices Ashley isn't alone, "Oh hey Miss C, sorry if I'm interrupting, I can come back later…"

Spencer smiles weakly, "No don't worry about, Miss Davies and I were just finishing up." She glances at Ashley and then quickly makes her way towards the exit, "I'll see you ladies later."

Chelsea raises her eyebrow and walks over to the piano with a smirk, "What was she doing down here?"

Ashley sits down next to her, "She needed to talk to me about my grade, and yell at me for ignoring her in the classroom earlier today…"

Chelsea nods, "Right…"

"Yep, so what are you doing down here? I thought you were ignoring me?"

Sighing, Chelsea starts to tinker with the keys, "Well I was, but lets face you and I both know I'm incapable of staying mad at you for very long."

Ashley laughs and then smiles, "I'm sorry Chelsea. I know I've been a mess lately…" Chelsea gives her a look, "ok, I've always been a mess, but I know I've been meaner than usual and I'm sorry. I'm trying, ok?"

She nods, "Good, apology accepted. Now let's go get me food and then discuss the obvious sexual tension that's between you and Miss C."

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After the girls got food, they lied around in Ashley's room discussing everything from the weekend, to Clay, to Spencer, to Kyla's upcoming play… just catching up. Eventually Chelsea had to leave; she was meeting up with Clay for their movie night.

Once Chelsea left, Ashley finished her homework and decided her room definitely needed to be cleaned. It was around midnight when she finally finished with both and decided that she needed to talk to Spencer… and possibly have another make out session. Grabbing Al she quietly left her room and crept her way down the halls to Spencer's door, where she knocked lightly.

A minute or so later, a sleepy looking Spencer opened the door clad in plaid boxers and a white tank top. After realizing who it is, she looks very alert, "What are you doing here?"

Looking in both directions to make sure no one is looking; Ashley pushes Spencer back into her room and shuts the door behind her, "I umm…" she looks to the floor and then back up at her, "I just wanted to see you."

Spencer smiles at the admission, "I'm glad."

They stand there and stare at each other until Ashley couldn't take it anymore. She spent all night thinking about their kiss, and those lips on hers, and all she wanted now was to feel them on hers once again. Ashley nods as she walks over to Spencer, pulling her into a tight embrace, which Spencer reciprocates. "Is it ok if I kiss you again?"

Spencer doesn't say anything, instead answers her by attacking her lips. This time the kiss is more urgent, there's more behind it as both let out moans when their tongues meet. A few seconds later, Ashley pulls back, not wanting to rush anything for a change, and rests her forehead against Spencer's, "Can Al and I stay with you tonight?"

Spencer chuckles lightly at this and takes Ashley's hand, "Come on." She leads Ashley to the bedroom and they both climb into bed after Ashley sets Al on the night stand.

They each lay on opposite sides of the bed under the covers, facing each other. It is Spencer who breaks the silence, "What are you thinking about?"

Ashley sighs, "I'm not very good at this. Usually it's just about sex for me."

Spencer raises an eyebrow, "And that's not what this is about?"

She smirks, "Well not all of it."

Laughing, Spencer rolls onto her back, "Oh gosh, what am I doing? I could get fired."

"Do you regret it?" Ashley asks as she tugs on Spencer's arm to get her to look at her.

Seeing the worry in Ashley's eyes, Spencer's quick to ease it, "Of course not." She rolls over on her side and holds her arms out to Ashley who is yawning, "Come here."

Ashley obliges and they cuddle up next to each other, wrapping their arms arm around each others waists, and intertwining their legs. Spencer rests her chin on top of Ashley's head, "You know, we can't do this every night… we'll for sure get caught then."

Sighing, Ashley replies, "I know," she leans in and kisses Spencer's neck lightly, "but every other night we can."

Spencer laughs quietly before they both drift off to sleep holding each other.

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When she wakes to her alarm going off, she finds her arms and the rest of the bed to be empty. Sitting up abruptly, she looks around the room to find Al still sitting on the nightstand with a piece of paper hanging out from under him. Picking it up, she reads:

Woke up early and decided to sneak out before anyone would see me. Left Al there for company/protection, but don't think you get to keep him. I expect him back tonight.

-Ashley

Smiling at the note, Spencer sets it down and looks at Al, who just stares back. Sighing, she gets up and starts to get ready, in a slightly better mood than usual.