A/N: Time to hook these bitches up! Shooooooot!

DISCLAIMER: No ownership whatsoever…bummer huh.

Chapter 11 – The Unwritten Rules

Spencer felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the way the brunette felt at that moment. They had just shared an intimate kiss which was interrupted by a girl who had screwed both of them personally – and there she was, albeit unknowingly, doing it again. However, Spencer did agree earlier to take the call from Claire. She just figured that it would be much easier to deal with it right then, rather than allow it to fester for another few weeks.

"I'm sorry about that Ashley. Claire texted me earlier and asked me to be available to talk when she called. I just needed to deal with our situation."

"I get it Spencer. She's your best friend. That connection runs deep…I just…just…never mind Spence. No hard feelings OK?"

"No. Not OK Ashley. I have been doing everything that has been asked of me for the last 17 years. I've had hardly any room for my own decisions. Well, I'm saying it's time for that to change. It's clean start time – no more bull shit "follow the leader" for me. I'm going to do some things I want and follow some things I feel – and Ashley, I'm feeling you. Fuck being meek and shy." Spencer was even shocked by her admission.

With those words Ashley's eyes lit up and she stood to embrace Spencer. "Do you feel that too?" Ashley whispered into Spencer's shoulder. "Tingles." Was all Spencer could say as Ashley nodded.

Once the girls were back in their room, showered and ready for bed, a slight nervousness overtook the mood. Laying in their beds, backs to each other, in the dark, neither girl knew what to say first. They had become accustomed to sharing stories about themselves as friends – and now they weren't sure what they were – what would they talk about. Ashley finally gathered her courage and took the initiative. "So Spencer?" "Yeah Ash?"…(slight pause) "Um well, I was thinking that maybe…maybe you might like to go out with me tomorrow night. I mean, no pressure or anything and we don't have to do anything romantic and we could just eat and then come back or go to the movies or just take a walk or it by the pier or…I mean, I thought it might be nice to-" Ashley rambled on before she was interrupted by an amused Spencer. "Ash? I'd love to go on a date with you. I mean, that is, if that is what you're asking…" Ashley could almost hear the blush fill Spencer's face as she spoke. "Yeah Spence, that's what I'm asking you." "Well I'm glad we got that settled." Spencer giggled slightly after she had said it. And just as she was about to say goodnight to Ashley, she turned over to see the gorgeous brunette on her knees on the floor in front of her. "Goodnight Spencer." Ashley said just before she dropped the sweetest chaste kiss onto Spencer's lips. "Goodnight back." Spencer breathed as Ashley slowly crawled back into her own bed.

Both girls fell asleep thinking about how the date might transpire. Each excited at the possibilities that were now in front of them. What would be behind those tingles? They were both excited to find out.

When Spencer awoke the next morning, Ashley had already left for class. "How did I not hear her leave?" she asked herself. As she stretched and began to get out of bed, she noticed a small card next to a single white rose. Opening the card she sighed as she read aloud to herself – "Sorry I wasn't here when you got up…I couldn't sleep and I had a few things to do this morning to get ready for the day – but trust me, you'll find out all the details soon enough. Anyway, I know I asked you to go out with me tonight, but I was kind of hoping we could make it an all day affair – well sort of. Since we only have 1st period together, it can't really be an "all day affair" but I have some ideas to keep you thinking of me so it seems like an "all day affair" – See you soon beautiful, Ashley."

Spencer POV

I felt the butterflies creep up inside my stomach again as I tied my hair up into a messy ponytail and pulled on my uniform skirt and buttoned up my top. "This is going to be fun…"I thought excitedly as I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door.

Once I arrived in 1st period, American Government with Father "JJ" (the supposedly hip, young, new wave priest) I looked around for Ashley who hadn't seemed to arrive yet. The bell rang and I took my seat wondering where in the world Ashley was. Just then the door flew open and in came Ashley looking out of breath. "Sorry Father JJ, the caf ran out of coffee again and you know how Sister Margaret is without her caffeine…she sent me to Starbucks…here's my pass." Ashley smiled in my direction as she handed the pass to Father JJ and took the seat next to me with two grandes in hand. "Here I got this for you…good morning." Ashley whispered to me as she handed me a grande mocha. I wasn't sure I should take it, especially after I heard a large throat clearing from the priest in the front of the room. But like clockwork, almost as if she knew what the priest was thinking, Ashley grabbed a bottled frap from her bag and handed it to him. "I got you Father J." Seeming satisfied, Father JJ turned around and began writing the day's notes on the board.

I am practically dumbfounded as I ask "How in the world do you get away with this stuff Ashley?"

"You have to know the unwritten rules Spence. Remind me to teach you someday." She smirked as we both opened our notebooks and began taking notes.

Finally class was ending and we were packing up to head off to 2nd period, when Ashley slipped a note into my pocket before heading to the door. "All day affair Carlin." She said with a smile and left.

Opening the note I read:

"Spencer,

Coffee was just the beginning. It was only the first of many moments you and I will have together today. When you get to second period, look out the window to your left towards the old shed…see you soon beautiful, Ashley"

"Left by the old shed huh..." now I was getting curious.

When I arrived in second period, I took my seat and did as Ashley's note had asked. I looked out to the window to the left towards the old shed. At first I didn't see anything but the shed – but as I looked closer, I saw one line from the song Ashley had written for me the other night on the side of the shed. "And maybe you could take me in

Somewhere underneath your skin…"

It was written small, but I noticed it. She had done that for me – and she was right, I thought about nothing but her for the rest of class because I couldn't stop staring at the side of that shed.

Third period went past pretty uneventfully, that is, until the class was interrupted with an announcement from the office. "Sister Fran? Could you kindly send Miss Spencer Carlin down to the office at once?" The voice asked. "Yes Ms. Brooks." Sister Fran responded. "You heard her Miss Carlin. Take your things with you."

I gathered up my things and left the class. On the way to the main building, I walked slowly as I was reminded about my arrival at Rydell and how so many things had changed since I had gotten there. Just as I was about to walk up the steps to the office, Ashley appeared from the door. "I believe Ms. Brooks requested you at once young lady. What took you so long?"

"Ashley? What are you doing?? How did you know I got called to the office?" I asked. "I had you called Spence…I told you…unwritten rules. You can get quite far if you know how to follow them! Now c'mon…I've got something to show you."

Ashley and I walked down a long path that led to a small pond. Next to the pond rested a blanket and a picnic basket. "Here Spencer, sit." I willingly obliged as I was simply in awe of Ashley's planning abilities.

"I wanted to have lunch with you – minus the prying eyes of all of Rydell. Plus, I didn't think 45 minutes was enough…hence getting you out of class early. We have an hour and a half now." Ashley remarked.

After eating a wonderful carryout lunch from an Italian restaurant in town, Ashley and I lay beside each other on the blanket in a comfortable quiet.

"Ash, thank you for lunch…thank you for all of this. It's amazing."

"Anything for you Spencer."

And with that, I reached over and threaded my fingers with Ashley's – longing to feel those touching tingles again. Sure enough, there they were.

I wished more than anything that time could just stop right there. Everything was so perfect and I didn't want to have to head back to class and ruin it – but skipping classes was a huge no-no as they called your parents, and the bell was about to ring.

"I wish we could blow off class and just spend the afternoon here Ash."

"Is that what you want Spencer? Like I said…anything for you…"Ashley replied casually.

"We can't skip Ash…my parents would find out and my mom would have a cow."

"Don't worry about it Spence…anything. For. You." Ashley said again as she pulled out her cell phone and made a call. "I owe you Tommy." She said as she hung up.

Just then Sister Mary Bernard's voice was heard over the campus loud speakers. "Attention students and staff. Classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the day due to a gas leak in the west wing. Please head back to your dorms. We'll have further information as the situation updates. Again, classes are cancelled for the remainder of the day."

"Just who are you Ashley Davies??" I asked just as Ashley was sliding over towards me. Then she whispered a simple reply in my ear. "I'm yours Spencer. That's who I am." And I leaned in and kissed her softly.