Disclaimer: I don't own South.

AN: Ok so this was so much longer when I wrote it out. I don't get it. Ugh. Anyway, here's another chapter! Review it please! And I'm sorry in advance for drawing out the relationship.

Chapter 8

I pressed my back up against the wall waiting for my breathing to even out. I haven't played one on one since before Glen and I started the team. I had forgotten how much you needed to concentrate. When it's one on one no one has your back and it's quieter, making it easier for someone to sneak up on you. I hunched over to keep myself obscure and started to cautiously walk through the arena.

"You really should learn to watch your back," Ashley said as my vest lit up. Darn. I stood up straight and turned to face her. She grinned as she walked up to me.

"I mean, honestly, you make this almost easy," she said with a teasing tone.

"You better watch it. I'll get you back," I said chuckling.

"I'd like to see you try," she said challengingly with a wink. She lightly poked me in my ribs and I jumped back slightly.

"Spencer Carlin are you ticklish?" she asked with a mischievous grin.

"W-what? No!" I said trying to back up but Ashley's hands found my sides before I could get away causing me to double over and land on the floor in a fit of giggles. I am so ticklish it's not even funny, so of course she's taking advantage of that.

"Ashley - stop! Please!" I forced out between fits of laughter. I was laughing so hard I could feel my stomach muscles tightening. She continued to laugh as she poked my stomach, while ending up on top of me. She stopped for a minute and looked into my eyes. Her eyes were so light and coco colored and I could see them perfectly even in the darkness of the arena.

"We have to stop meeting like this," she whispered brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes. I felt my breath catch in my throat and I bit my bottom lip lightly out of nervousness. I can't believe this happened again. I have no idea why she causes me to feel this way. We looked at each other for what felt like hours.

"You know that was a corny thing to say right?" I asked breaking the silence but she didn't answer me. Instead she lowered her head slightly. I'm almost positive she can feel my rapid heartbeat through my chest. I almost lifted my head up to kiss her when the lights popped on signaling the end of the round. Ashley looked surprised but I couldn't blame her, I was lost in our moment too.

"Time's up. Please exit the arena," sounded and we slowly stood up. I looked at Ashley but she just headed out of the arena to remove our vests. I followed her unsure of what to do. That was the second time we had almost kissed and the second time we had been interrupted. I just want to know what she's thinking. I unclasped my vest in the front and started to take it off over my head.

"So are you guys going to enter the Laser Tag tournament?" she asked breaking the silence. It was a cross between uncomfortable and comfortable silence but I was still happy she decided to talk again.

"Hell yeah," I said. Probably just a bit too excited there. Great make yourself a total nerd Spence. But she just laughed as we walked into the lobby, "We should definitely play each other again, it's great practice." I nodded along. Hopefully it'll be one on one again.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom, you want to get the scorecard? See who was better," she said.

"We both know I was better," I said chuckling.

"We'll see," she said sticking out her tongue at me before laughing and heading towards the bathrooms. I walked over to the counter and Stacey looked up at me and smiled.

"Hey Spence!" she said, "No team today?"

"Nope, I was actually practicing with someone one on one," I said, "Makes it much harder," I finished with a chuckle.

"Well I'm sure you were amazing," she said her hand brushing my arm, "You're amazing. I've seen you play before and you get so into it. It's great that you have such passion." I smiled as I felt Ashley come up next to me. She had her lips pursed as she looked at Stacey's hand on mine.

"Am I interrupting?" she asked tersely.

"No, I was just talking to Stacey," I said unsure. I don't know why she's so closed off all of a sudden.

"Oh well, let's get the scorecard and go. We don't want to take her away from her job," she said bringing her eyes to Stacey's.

"Oh I don't mind, I love talking to Spence," Stacey said meeting Ashley's gaze. She handed me the scorecard but their gazes never broke. You know that saying "you could cut the tension with a knife"? Well I never really understood it that much but I think if the person who came up with the expression were here they would replace knife with something really dull. Or smaller. Like a pin or a really dull...something. Whatever you get the picture, it was tense.

"Come on Ash, let's go. I'll see you around Stacey," I said lightly tugging on Ashley's sleeve. Stacey turned to me and smiled saying, "Bye Spence. See you soon!" Ashley just turned and walked out of the building and I followed.

"So...Want to know the scores?" I asked referring to the still folded scorecard in my hand.

"Are you two dating?" she asked completely ignoring my question. Well that caught me off guard.

"Wh-what? No!" I said. Stacey and I are just friends, I only ever see her here, why would she think that?

"You do know she was flirting with you right?" she asked searching my face. What? That can't be right. Stacey is just friendly to everyone. Except for Glen when he hits on her. But we're just friends. Then again she's always complimenting me and lightly touching me, "Oh my God! She's been flirting with me!?" Ashley stared at me as I connected the pieces before bursting out in laughter. I tried to brush it off and be calm and collected, but I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"Wow Spencer," she said. I just shook my head looking away in embarrassment. I can't believe I never noticed Stacey was flirting with me. Huh. Ashley looked at me suddenly before asking, "You're not seeing anyone though are you?"

"Nope. Single Spencer. That's me," perhaps I should stop being such a dork. She grinned and then it was back to normal again.

"So you want to hang out tomorrow? We can come here again and practice? Or something else?" she suggested as we headed to her very nice Porsche. I was just about to say yes when I remembered I had plans for tomorrow.

"Actually, I have my friend Chelsea's art show tomorrow," I said.

"Oh," she replied.

"But why don't you come too? I'm sure other people from school and her art classes will be there too. We can go together," I said.

"Sounds like a plan," she said grinning and putting the car in gear. I'm actually hoping it'll sound more like a date.