One week later...

Ashley was staring at the clock on the wall watching the minutes tick by. She was patiently waiting for the sixth period bell to ring so she could hurry home. Her last class was brutal because she sat right next to Jimmy. They hadn't spoke to each other since the night at the pool hall. Every time Ashley thought of that night a massive lump would settle in her throat making to hard to breathe. Jay didn't try contacting Ashley, which for her, further proved he only wanted sex from her. As soon as the bell rang Ashley bolted for the door. She was practically running when she heard Jimmy call her name.

"Ash! Wait up!"

Ashley knew she couldn't ignore him forever. She was stuck in this school until she graduated. She wasn't sure if she had the patience to outrun Jimmy for the rest of the year. She stopped and turned.

"What's up Jimmy? I 'm kind of in a rush."

"Look I wanted to say I'm really sorry for how I acted the night at the pool hall."

"It's fine Jimmy."

"No it's not. I way overstepped my boundaries. I just want to see you happy to Ash and I know we aren't together anymore but I still worry about you. Before you say don't I know I shouldn't worry about because you're strong and if Jay is what makes you happy then I'm happy for you."

Ashley put her hand on her chest suddenly feeling out of breath.

"Thanks Jimmy but don't worry about me and Jay it was nothing serious. It's already over."

"Oh I thought you guys were serious. I mean the way you guys were looking at each other it seemed a little intense."

The lump in Ashley's throat kept getting bigger cutting off her air and making her dizzy.

"I gotta go Jimmy. I'll see you later."

Ashley turned a corner and ran as fast as she could. She fled down the hallways and flew out the entrance of the school. She didn't stop running until she reached her car. She leaned against her car and let out huge gasps like air. She felt like someone had been holding her underwater and she finally came up for air. Her lungs burned as tears stung her eyes. She missed him. She missed him so much it hurt. She hated that he had such a profound affect on her that she had become a panic attack having mess since that night. She closed her eyes as the familiar gnawing hollowness clawed at her insides. She felt empty, unwanted and mainly pathetic. She missed Jay so much even though all he wanted was to use her. She took deep breaths as she felt air return to her lungs. She wiped the tears from her eyes and unlocked her car. She tossed her backpack in the backseat and got in the car. She was closed the door and was about to the key in the ignition when something caught her eye. A small white envelope was stuck under one of her windshield wipers. She let out a annoyed sigh thinking it was from Jimmy. She got out of the car and grabbed the envelope. She opened and pulled out a piece of paper. Her stomach dropped.

"Ash it's Jay. I really want to talk to you. Please call me anytime. I miss you blue eyes."

Ashley's heart clenched in her chest. She wanted to call him him but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Ashley didn't want to think of Jay hurting her again. She has already had her heart broken to many times and feared Jay could turn it to dust. Not wanting to think of a future of pain Ashley crumbled up the paper and tossed it in her backseat. As she got back into her car her cell went off. Ellie's number lit up the phone.

"Hey Ell."

"Hey Ash. What's wrong you sound down."

"Nothing. I'm fine just tired. I was thinking about grabbing some coffee at The Dot. Wanna join me?"

"Yes! Anything is better then the sludge they have at The Core."

"Great. See you Ell."

Jay sat in his apartment waiting for his cell to go off. He prayed Ashley would call after the note he left her. He had been a complete mess since the night at the pool hall. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He even tried to go out and look for another girl but he couldn't even bring himself to talk to a single girl because they weren't what he wanted. He felt like a jerk for not telling Manny to piss off because he actually cared about someone. Ashley had laid her heart out on the line by being honest and showing everybody she didn't give a shit about their disapproval. Jay felt like a coward. Maybe he didn't deserve Ashley. Maybe she was better off without him. His cell suddenly went off. He nearly dropped the phone as he answered it.

"Ashley?"

"So I'm guessing she hasn't called?"

Jay let out a sigh of disappointment.

"What do you want Spin?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Aw thanks for checking in mom."

"Anything for my boy."

"I'm fine okay no need for the check ups."

"Dude why don't you just come down to the The Dot will hang out and then do something after my shift. You have been like a freaking hermit man."

"I'm not sure if I'm in the mood for a bromantic night Spin."

Spinner went silent for a few seconds.

"So there isn't anything I can do to convince you to come out of your shell?"

"Nope. Sorry man."

"Not even if I said Ashley Kerwin just walked in looking beautiful and it looked like she might be staying awhile."

"Are you screwing with me?"

"I guess you will have to come and find out."

Spinner hung up. Jay quickly got off the couch. He grabbed his jacket, slapped on his backwards cap and took his keys. He flew down the stairs and quickly got into his car. His nerves started to kick in on his drive over there. He wasn't even sure what he was going to say to her. He wondered if she would even listen. He finally reached The Dot and as he saw her car in the parking lot his heart started pounding like a drum. He got out of his car and stood in front of The Dot. This was his only chance to tell Ashley how he really felt. To say all the words he had been wishing to tell her. The thought of letting someone in terrified him. To let someone see he wasn't a bad ass all the time that he could actually be a decent person. He always felt safe having a wall built around him but somehow Ashley managed to bust down every insecure wall he ever built. He took a deep breath.

"Man up Hogart." He repeated as he walked through the doors.

Short I know but the next chapter which will be the last will be epic greatness!