A big thank you to those who put 'For You' on alert(: I hope you will join the reviewing gang soon(:
A bigger thank you to all the lovely people who reviewed and shared with me their thoughts on the story(:
I know I left most you guys a little lost the last chapter(:
But rest assured that i'll fix that soon! (:
Charlee: Hey babe(: wow! This has got to be your longest review for me yet(: Glad you like the new segment(: Haha, I thought a little cuteness was necessary to balance it out(: Use this chapter to decide what you think of the previous chapter okay?(: I appreciate your thoughts so very much, and it flatters me that you put so much thought into it. Makes me wanna write better! :D
REZ18: Hmmm...let's see if you're right this chapter(:
Judelltar: Aurora is 4 as mentioned in the first chapter(: Ash has been with Aurora from the very start since Kyla had her. But Ash has been taking care of Aurora the past year, since something happened to Kyla. Whether Spencer will be all innocent you need to wait to find out(: I agree with your thoughts though. So maybe that'll give you a hint. I'm glad you like it(:
Idwalkthroughhell4u: I see you are very very agitated by Carlson(: And i'm glad I could evoke that emotion. I really appreciate your thoughts!(: But hey... maybe you were too quick to decide that Ashley is a womanizer... It was only mentioned that gorgeous girls fall at her feet, and Ashley does stuff leaving Carlson to pick up the pieces. What stuff exactly? :o I hope I make you feel better this chapter(:
Disclaimer: I own nothing SoN, only the few characters I made up and the storyline.
-/-
(In the previous chapter)
-Ashley's POV-
I got into my car and started the engine. I called Madison's aunt to tell her that i'll be coming to get Aurora in about an hour and a half. Enough time for me to collect myself yet again. I know I need Aurora right now. She's the only one who can calm me down again...
What do I do now? Go for something I feel new and good in my life, or protect my best friend and be haunted by my past?
Chapter 9: Heartbreaks and Heartaches
-Ashley's POV-
When we got home, Carlson and Madison had left just as I had hoped. The drama with Carlson in the morning, and a day at the arcade and an ice cream date with my beloved niece that made me feel a whole load better, has left me pretty awfully tired. I see that the long day has taken its toll on Aurora too, as her eyes droop sleepily while I dress her in her pj's for bed.
"Thank wou today Momma Ashy, Rora happy, Rora tired..." Aurora sleepily said and let out a small yawn. I kiss her forehead lightly and scoop her up easily.
"Of course you are baby girl, it's been a long day hasn't it?" I whisper as I carried her to her bed, gently placed her on the bed and tucked her in. I kissed her forehead once more and I switched on her night light that gave shadows of a rotating carousel. Slowly, I tiptoe towards the door, that was when I heard Aurora whisper to me a soft goodnight making me smile.
I made my way to my room and got my bath ready. The shower has always been my place to think, somehow thoughts flow better here, where I can hide my vulnerability. The warm droplets of water relaxed my muscles making me feel better, after about half an hour, I stepped out and wore my boy shorts and wife beater. I get on my bed and reached out for my side drawer. I took out my diary, yeah I had a diary that only I know about. It provides me an outlet to let out my feelings. To say out what I can't tell anyone...
(flashback)
Ashley Davies was one of those girls who had it all, the perfect poster family despite the sudden addition, good looks, and popular. What surprises many is that she is still down to earth, and absolutely humble. Her longtime best friend was Andrea Carlson and Madison Duarte joined the group when they were in middle school. Madison's latina quirks, Andrea's straightforwardness was held together by Ashley's rationality like glue. Ashley was harmless unless threatened, but she wasn't gonna be threatened if you hurt her, but rather if you hurt her family, her two best friends, and most of all her sister that Ashley was fiercely protective of.
One thing that Ashley lived by was that, love meant trusting another individual with your heart. Knowing full well they can break it, but trusting and hoping they won't. Because of this belief, despite getting much attention from guys and girls alike, Ashley went past a date. No, Ashley wasn't shy, just closed up. She'll date, she'll dance provocatively, she'll kiss after a good first date. This leading many to believe that Ashley was a heartbreaker, a player. But what they don't know is that not once has anyone gotten even a glimpse at her room door, much less lay down on her bed. No one until Jamie, in college. Ashley fell head over heels for Jamie, in a time so short it was scary. But Ashley wasn't cautious because Jamie made her feel so safe. And that was her first mistake. Jamie and Ashley became official after 3 weeks of dating, mistake number 2. Jamie became a part of the 3 musketeers, who was joined by Andrea's new girlfriend, Charlotte not long later. They became a tight-knit group. After about 2 months of dating, Ashley and Jamie never went past 2nd base. They've had heated make out sessions, lots of groping, sometimes under the shirt, but never anything more than that. Jamie was such a sweetheart to Ashley, and never rushed her.
So on their 3rd monthsary, Ashley made big plans. She felt she was ready for the next step. She told Jamie that she couldn't celebrate their monthsary, a white lie, so her surprise could happen. Dressed with the mission to seduce, picnic basket packed with baked pasta, wine and chocolate, not forgetting roses. Ashley then set off to Jamie's house. Upon reaching Jamie's house, Ashley took a deep breath, and approached the front door which wasn't locked. Ashley let herself in, and started to look around for her girlfriend. That was when she heard passionate moans. Not wanting to believe her ears, Ashley went to Jamie's bedroom, luck has it was that the door was half open. What Ashley saw made her gasp.
Jamie was only in her panties, and someone else was in her bed, kissing all over Jamie's neck, and touching her all over under the covers. More passionate moans were heard and then Jamie groaned out for the girl to just enter her already, that was when Ashley snapped out of her dazed state and dropped the picnic basket and flowers to the floor. Two heads snapped toward her direction, that was when she saw who was writhing under Jamie. Charlotte. Andrea's girlfriend. Ashley slapped her hand over her mouth and ran out of the room. She could hear footsteps behind her but she kept running. When she was about to reach the main door, she felt a hand tug her hard turning her around. It wasn't the person she was expecting to see. It was a scantily clad Charlotte who ran after her. Jamie couldn't care less apparently.
"Please please please don't tell Andrea. It'll break her. Please. You're her best friend. I'll break up with her first thing tomorrow. I'll leave i'll disappear, I can't do this..." Charlotte pleads.
"Go." was Ashley's quick reply before she got into the car speeding off.
Ashley reached her home, and tiptoed her way in, flung herself on her bed and cried her heart out. She cried from the shock of the sight she saw, cried from knowing that Jamie didn't care enough to run after her to explain, cried because Jamie hasn't made any move to contact her, cried because of what happened to her best friend, cried because she finally trusted enough to let someone all the way in. So Ashley cried on her own, because she couldn't find it in herself to tell anyone, because it wasn't just about her.
The next morning, she got a call from a crying Andrea.
"She left Ash, the most amazing, most perfect angel left me. For no reason. She just left..." Andrea weeped. Ashley couldn't bear to taint the perfect image her best friend had of her lover. So she kept it to herself, and didn't make known her heartache either. All because she needed to be there for her best friend.
(end flashback)
I eventually told Madison one night by accident, when we went out drinking, Taylor went on a trip with her family and wasn't in town. Madison wanted so badly to tell Andrea, but I told her that it's the past. That it should be kept between us.
I wasn't the same since that incident though, and I knew my friends realised, but they attributed it to the fact that Jamie and I broke up. Only Madison knew. I staved off dating for awhile. When I started dating, I willed myself to put myself out there again, so I tried really hard, too hard. Maybe that led to strong signals of commitment being given, but then, after awhile, I'll just close up again, leaving the other party, guy or girl heartbroken. Once I dated a friend of Jamie's, and it ended badly. Hence, Jamie's lack of trust in me in that area. I really don't blame her, but it's getting harder to not snap.
When Aurora came along, I saw someone new I could adore, put in my efforts to love with no caution. Aurora became my rock alongside my friends and family. Everyone could see though, that I was different since Aurora. I was happier, more light hearted, and i'd listen to the little girl and bring her out ever so often that many thought that I was her mother.
Despite being tired, despite all the drama. I had to text someone that had been on my mind all day. Just the thought of her made me calm down a reasonable amount.
"Hey(:" I text.
"Hey, I thought you'd never get in touch (:" came the quick reply.
You're different Spencer Carlin, so different that I could kiss you without hesitation. But now i'm scared. I'm scared i'll run into hiding again after a moment of bravery. I don't want to hurt you...
-Spencer's POV-
I have been laying around all day, restless. I have been eagerly waiting for some form of contact from my brunette stranger. I got some things done though, I filled out several job applications, I got in a 3 km run, and baked cookies with dad and Clay.
At about 11, when I was getting ready for bed, I felt my phone vibrate. Ashley's name appeared on the screen and I had a big grin on my face. What is this girl doing to me?
"Hey" the text read. I felt that Ashley was feeling off, but I didn't want to start off our first contact with heavy conversation. I send back a quick reply and eagerly wait for hers.
She's something special this Ashley, I can feel it. There's so much mystery in those chocolate eyes though. Pain even...
-/-
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