Once again sorry for the delay in updating, thanks for the reviews I read every single one of them and you guys never fail to disappoint me with your insight, humor, and flattery skills lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter:)

Chapter 12

"What's going on?"

Ashley looked around the room, taking in the sight of the two priests standing next to her best friend Madison.

"Ashley, we're all here to help you. Even Madison, we have a great therapy program that will help you overcome this burden that you're carrying." The priest directed his words to her.

"I'm sorry, but I don't need therapy. Madison, come on." Ashley gestured to her best friend to follow her out the door. She wasn't moving and Ashley noticed there were tears in her eyes.

"Ashley, Madison's not coming with you. Now you need our help, you need God's help, and we're offering it to you right now...I'm afraid that if you refuse...we will have to expel you from this school."

Ashley looked to her best friend, her eyes pleading for support.

"Madison?"

"I'm sorry, Ashley. I love you, but I can't." She was crying.

Ashley's heart constricted. She'd never felt so betrayed...and so alone. She walked out of the church doors, tears clouding her vision as she left her best friend behind.

"Ashley Davies?"

Ashley shook herself out of her memories as she looked towards the receptionist behind the desk.

"Yes?"

"You can go in now." She smiled.

"Thank You."

Ashley walked into the room, chocolate eyes surveying the scene, pictures of artists and platinum records were covering the office walls, from Shania Twain to Alicia Keys. It had been a week since her fight with Spencer and they still hadn't talked. Spencer had left immediately after their fight with her mother to spend time with relatives in The Hamptons. And now here she was, ready to talk music in the office of one of the biggest music producers in the industry.

"Have a seat Ashley. I've been looking forward to meeting you."

She left the office more excited than she'd ever been in her life, but also more confused. He'd offered her a music deal, the whole bang, album release, tours, music videos, everything she's always wanted. But the thought of Spencer kept nagging at the back of her head. Spencer hadn't even wanted to talk to her, she just up and left without a word, Spencer probably didn't even want to be with her anymore but yet here she was still thinking about her. Still making her a factor in making one of the biggest decisions of her life. And it was making her angry, making her feel like the biggest fool in the world.

She was still contemplating all of this when she opened the door to her room, only to find Spencer sitting on her couch. Spencer, hearing the door open turned towards her. The shock of seeing her there froze Ashley still. She'd only come back to pack up her things and leave, it was obvious to her that she wasn't needed anymore and it hurt too much being in that house. She'd already made all the arrangements, calling her sister to ask if she could stay with her for a bit while she figured out what she wanted to do. There wasn't really much to figure out, she was going to take the record deal...there was nothing holding her back.

"Hey"

Ashley could only just stare at her, still a bit shocked to find her sitting on her couch after a week of no word. She finally recovered enough to reply.

"Hey"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to just barge in here like that..."

"Spencer, why are you here?" Ashley cut her off.

"This room smells like you."

"You know that's not what I meant. You've been gone for a week, no call, no word from you, and all of a sudden here you are...in my room."

Ashley moved closer to her, stopping short when she got a better look at Spencer's face. She looked tired, and Ashley couldn't help but feel compassion for her.

"I needed to see you."

"I'm leaving Spencer."

"What?" Spencer's hands were folded in her lap, she looked so weak and vulnerable that Ashley sat down next to her on the couch, willing herself not to cry.

"I'm leaving. You don't need me, Spencer. I want you to be happy more than anything, and I don't think I'm what's gonna make you happy."

"You're wrong." Spencer was adamant. "I'm sorry, I needed to get away, time to think. There's so much going on, so much I want to tell you."

"Then tell me." Ashley said softly.

"I'm scared, I'm so incredibly scared of hurting you. I just wish things could be simple, I left you thinking it would be easy. That if I could be away from you for a month then I would be able to stay away from you forever. I couldn't even manage a week, Ashley. All I ever thought about was you, how much I miss you...it was driving me crazy. I can't live without you Ashley, I know I should and I'm being selfish keeping you here with me, but I can't do it. I need you, I need you so much it hurts."

The tears were falling now and Ashley was making no moves to stop them. She didn't want to leave. She needed Spencer just as much as Spencer needed her.

"I'm not going anywhere." Ashley pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her hair as she felt Spencer's tears on her neck.

"I need to tell you something." Spencer murmured into her ear.

"Ssshh, not now, I don't need to know anything right now."

"Ashley you do, I need you to know this before you decide to be with me." Spencer sounded frustrated.

"I don't need anything to help me decide to be with you. I'll always be with you, it's not a choice for me."

"Ashley, please..."

"Okay, one month. Tell me in one month and I'll let you know how I feel about it then."

"Ashley..."

"One month."