Disclaimer: I don't own South

AN: So here is another update. Again I apologize for the wait and the shortness of the last chapter. Hopefully I still have readers... Anyway, I promised a longer chapter and I hope this is okay. Please review!

Chapter 14

I stood awkwardly on my front stoop as my mother shoved her key into into the front door. She hasn't spoken a word to me sinceshe picked me up from the principal's office at school. Ashley, Sherry and I were all sentenced to one days detention for "Violent Behavior and Fighting." I don't see how I ended up suspended considering I was trying to break up the fight, but I guess it doesn't matter now.

I knew the second my Mom walked into the office that things weren't going to go over well. She was still in her doctor's coat when she walked into the building. One look her way and I knew it would not be pretty when we got home. My mom came in putting on the act she does for everyone: the Picture Perfect Mom with a family with no troubles. But I know the second we get away, her real feelings and personality will come out. I guess I understand why she does it; she doesn't want a bunch of people in her buisness but sometimes it seems as though she is being fake and it annoys me.

I walk into the house and into the kitchen to sit at the table. I have a sinking feeling that this isn't going to be a quick conversation.

"Spencer? What are you doing home so early?" my dad asked in confusion as I plopped in a chair.

"I'll tell you why. Your daughter decided to get into a fight today," came the stern voice of my mother as she followed me into the kitchen. My Dad, who of course had an apron and oven mitts on, put down the spoon he was holding only to look at me in shock. I gave him a sheepish look. Honestly I really don't know how to respond to that in any way.

"What happened?" my dad asked not bothering to hide the surprise in is voice.

"They're calling it a gay hate crime," my mother butted in before I could speak, "Honestly Spencer, why were you involved in that?" she asked turning to me.

"Mom, it's not even that big of a deal. It wasn't even our fault. Sherry provoked us and Ashley was just standing up for us," I tried explaining.

"Why were you even involved in this Spencer?" my mom asked.

"Ashley is my friend," and so much more. But now is so not the time to drop that bomb.

"I don't like the idea of you hanging out with this girl, Spencer. She sees like bad news," my mom said. I stared at her unbelievingly.

"Mom!" I complained looking at my dad for some backup, "How can you say that? You've never even met her! Is this because she's gay?" I asked not truly wanting to know the answer.

"It's because she's bad influence!" my mother responded her voice raising.

"You don't know anything about her!" I shouted. How could she say this without even meeting Ashley? Ashley was protecting me during that fight and my mom immediately hears the word "gay" and can't even bear to hear the facts.

"Well I think I know enough after this little incident," my mother explained cooly. I glared at her in anger before turning on my heel and running up the stairs to my room. As I was climbing the stairs I heard my Dad trying to reason with my mom. I can't believe she would even try to act like she knows all the facts.

I honestly can't even describe how angry I am at her right now. I can feel my entire body flush with heat as my bedroom door slams shut. I stare at my bed not really being able to sit down on it because I felt restless from the anger. How can she judge someone before meeting them? UGH! I threw myself facedown on my bed. I stayed like that for a moment before I smacked my bed as hard as I could. I looked at my hand, thinking how stupid I was for punching my bed, then proceeded to do it again a few times. I felt myself calm down and I shut my eyes from exhaustion the day.

When I arrived at school after my suspension it was a great relief. My mom had made sure to wake me up early to complete a list of chores she left, so I would "do something useful" on my suspension. Then she came home and I got another lecture about my "friends" (aka Ashley) and "influences." I couldn't really take much more. I walked down the halls when I heard someone yell my name. I turned to find Ashley running to catch up with me, "Hey, how'd everything go?" she asked.

"Oh you know, my mom threw a fit. There was anger and yelling. And here I am," I replied. She gave me a pout of sympathy and I smiled. No matter how annoying she was when we first met, I find myself loving every moment we spend together. Wow I'm such a sap, but I can't help it. Ashley smiled back and me and leaned in. I admit that I love whatever it is we have together, but in that moment I froze up.

I'm not ready for this. The last time we showed any affection it resulted in our suspension. What would my mom think? Why do I care, just stop and kiss her! But I do care. So I turned my head.

"What's the matter Spence?" she asked pulling back after her kiss being rebuffed.

"Not here Ashley," I said turning away, but she grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"What's going on?" she asked her eyebrows creasing together in confusion. How do I explain that I'm scared out of my mind of this, of us?

"I can't do this. We can't do this. Not after what happened, if my Mom finds out I'm so dead. I'm just dealing with a lot Ash," I said. I could immediately tell this conversation was going to take a nasty turn.

"Why not Spencer? Is this because of what happened? Because that was nothing," she said staring me in the eye, "we can get through this," she brought her hand up to stroke my face but once again I moved away. I saw the hurt in her eyes as they filled. I didn't want to hurt her, I just needed time to think. God, why is this so hard? Why is it so confusing? I thought I had everything figured out. Liking someone shouldn't be this much trouble. Her facial expression hardened to keep me from seeing her cry.

"Maybe we should just cool it for a while, at least around school and stuff," I suggested.

"What? So people don't see us together? I'm not ashamed of who I am or who I like Spencer," she said with a hardened voice. It was no longer playful or husky, but it had a note of finality to it. This is not how I wanted this to turn out, I didn't want us to fight. I just wanted to calm the PDA. At least until everything cooled down, or I could confront my mom.

"I'm not...ashamed," I said weakly, and she laughed bitterly. We stood there for a few moments in silence before she broke it quietly asking, "so what now?"

"I think, maybe, we should take a break," I replied even though it hurt me to do so. However short of a time I had spent with Ashley so far, it had created a bond. This is stupid. Why the hell did I do this? Why am I so stupid? Ashley turned to walk away but stopped and turned back around.

"It's who you are Spencer," she whispered. I didn't reply, or look at her. She turned back around and started to mold into the crowded hallway. I felt my eyes prick and I rushed to the nearest bathroom to avoid questions about my tears.