Yo dudes. I'm sick today, which means I get to miss school, which means another update for you. There are only a few more chapters left and I'm really happy this story is almost done. First stories are always the hardest. This chapter is loosely based off of a real experience of mine when I first came to terms with my friends' death so I apologize if it's a little depressing. But after I finish this story I'm thinking of continuing my two-shot titled Please. If you haven't read it yet, you really should. Again flashbacks are in italics. I apologize again in advance if the dialogue in the flashbacks isn't exactly what happened in the show, I'm just going off memory.

Stolen Hearts

[Spencer's P.O.V.]

I'm really glad how Ash reacted to seeing everything at King. She was really spacey, but I kind of expected that you know? I find it easier to remember the good times, because at least then I always have something to smile about. It doesn't mean that I forget the bad times though, but the good out weight them completely.

Ashley's driving this time as we make our way to the cemetery. She hasn't said much, she's just been singing along to the radio.

I really love listening to her sing. It's these moments when all her guard is down, and the world really gets to see the real Ashley Davies. I really hope when we get back to Ohio that I can convince her to sing that song she sang to me when she showed up at my house a few weeks ago.

Two weeks. Has it really only been two weeks?

"So, what's on your mind blondie?"

It's like she has some freaky Spencer sense or something, mind reader much?

"Nothing it's no big deal."

It's really not; my mind is just drifting,

"Spence that's a lie and we both know it. Spill it."

As if I could say no to her when she's getting all aggressive, it's pretty much hot.

"It's just hard to believe that it's only really been a few weeks since you showed up at my house."

"Yeah, it seems like it's been this way forever huh?"

Yes and no. We aren't anything like we used to be, but that's not a bad thing. It's a wonderful thing. We're so much closer than we were before.

"I guess. A lot happened so fast you know? One second I was all wrapped up in school, and the next you show up at my door and change my whole life, again."

Which reminds me, I'm going to be SO behind in school when I get back. No, when we get back. Because it's not just me anymore, it's Ashley and me. And that feeling alone is enough to make my heart spin.

"Someone had to come and bring back some fun into your life. And who better than Ashley Davies."

Insert eye roll here.

I so do not want to go to school today. I have way too much to do. Between history and science, my whole day is full of boring. At least I won't be alone all day, Ashley will be sure to send me a billion texts. Speaking of Ashley…

"What are you doing?"

What IS she doing? Outside of my window, in a bikini? Not that I'm complaining, if chicks want to come stand outside of my window in bikinis then more power to them.

"Ditching. Wanna come?"

Me? Ditching? HA! That's funny. It's bad enough that I have to live with Paula Carlin, but living with her after being caught ditching school will be a whole lot worse. No thanks, I'd rather live until my next birthday.

"I can't. I have a history test and a science lab."

"Can't or won't?"

Won't, or will? Boring day at school full of history tests and science chemicals, or hot day at the beach, with a bikini clad Ashley?

"Okay, I guess we're here."

This is depressing; I go from visions of bikinied Ashley, to a cemetery.

"Okay, let's do this."

I get out of the car and meet Ashley in the front of it. I grab her hand and lead her to where Aiden was buried. She seems hesitant, and I don't want to rush her, so I make sure to keep physical contact with her so that she knows she's not alone in all of this.

We walk over to the grave, and I see the inevitable change in Ashley's whole demeanor, I put my arm around her, just to be pushed away.

"Can I uh, have a second?"

As much as I want to say no, I have to say yes.

I walk over to a tree and sit down. It really is a beautiful day, the sun is out, it's warm but not humid, it's one of those days that you imagine how it would feel to be inside of a postcards picture. I try not to eavesdrop, but I can't help but hear Ashley talking.

"Gosh, this couldn't be any more weird could it Aid? I mean seriously, I was supposed to be the first one dead. The booze the girls, I had death written all over me for a long time. Not to mention how stupid I feel standing here talking to a rock. You're probably up there laughing your ass off though."

She puts a piece of her hair behind her ear and then decides to sit down. I can't help but notice how amazing she looks in this light. The way the sun is shining through her hair makes her look like a supermodel. I hear her sniff a little, and she continues her little speech.

"I think I really freaked people out a few weeks ago. I left to go chase Spencer down. It was crazy, I know. But it's all kind of working out now. We still have a long way to go, and I know that, but everything is falling back into place. But I guess that's not what freaked people out. I kind of, sort of, I completely tried to avoid the fact that you were gone."

She looks up to the sky, and then looks back down at the headstone in front of her.

"It's weird I know, but I seriously couldn't deal with it all. I know I freaked Spencer out, it's probably the whole reason she's here, she's the whole reason I'm here actually. She got me to realize that just because you're gone, doesn't mean everything has to be different, if that even makes sense, it probably doesn't. But if it made sense I probably wouldn't be the same Ashley though right?"

She laughs to herself, and begins to trace over the letters of Aiden's name.

"So enough with the depressing shit, I really came here to thank you. I probably could have thanked you from my room, or whatever, but here I am. I'm not sure what your motive was for jumping and taking that bullet were, but either way, you saved Spencer. You probably thought the bullet was going for me, but it really wasn't. It had Spencer's name written all over it."

She stands up, puts her hands in the pockets of her too short jean skirt, takes a deep breath and says two words.

"So, thanks."

I turn my head to look interested in something other than Ashley. I see her walk over and take a seat next to me.

"That wasn't too bad actually. Thanks for making me come here, thanks for just sticking around with my crazy self."

Someone has to right? Just kidding.

"Don't thank me; I just wanted the old Ashley back you know? All of her, not just part of her, I guess this was the first step. But I kind of noticed that you aren't that same girl anymore."

She looks kind of confused, and starts playing with my fingers.

"I mean, you've grown up, a lot. Which, I never, ever thought was going to happen."

She smiles and grabs my other hand and looks me dead in the eyes.

"I'll race you back to the car."

She gets up and makes a mad dash for the car, and I quickly get up and follow her.

Even though sometimes things change drastically, some things will forever be the same, and I'm okay with that.

I stop running and walk over to Aiden's headstone.

"Thanks Aiden, I guess not all jockstraps are bad."

Ashley has stopped running as well, and yells over to me.

"Come on slowpoke!"