Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: So this chapter is not as long as I would like, but definitely longer than it originally was. I'll post as soon as possible.

Thanks to many of my reviewers, they all make me smile! :)

Review please.

Chapter 8

I stared blankly at my computer screen, my eyes unfocused. It had been a week since the incident at lunch and the name calling hadn't let up. Now the rest of the cheerleaders had joined in and I heard snide comments from jocks. The only time they wowuldn't say anything was when Glen was around. I heard a ding signaling that a buddy had signed on. I focused my eyes on the screen and saw, musicluvr453 signed on. Ashley.

I double clicked her screen name and a box to instant message her came on. I sat there for a few moments debating with myself on what to say. I had typed at least dozen different sentences and deleted them all not thinking of anything to say. Finally I decided on something simple.

S: Hi

I waited. It seemed like hours, but in reality a few seconds. I don't know why I messaged her, I just needed answers. I didn't even know it she would message me back. After a few moments she did though.

A: Hey. What do you want?

Slightly harsh, but at least she answered right?

S: How are you?

A: Spencer.

I could practically hear her sigh my name, that's how well I knew her.

S: Fine, why Ashley, please explain to me.

A: What do I need to explain?

S: Why you did what you did? Why we aren't friends anymore?

She hesitated, I didn't know if she was taking a long time to right an answer or just trying to find the right words to say. In the time I waited I could hear my brother clonking up the stairs and his bedroom door open and shut.

A: Sometimes friends just grow apart Spencer and we learn to deal with it.

S: But we didn't Ash! You decided and I don't know why! Why did you do this?

A: I don't know.

I didn't type anything back, I had no idea what to say. She didn't know? That's just not good enough! You don't throw away a lifelong friendship for reasons unknown to yourself! She's being so stupid, never in my entire life has she been this stupid and she's been pretty stupid.

I sat there for a few more minutes staring at the screen, waiting to see if she would type something. I didn't want to be reptitive but she wasn't giving me any straight answers. Like why she would embarrass me like that. Did Madison put her up to it? Did Sherry? What did I do to them to make them hate me all of a sudden?

When she didn't type anything back I decided to try once more.

S: Just don't Ashley, don't do this. Or tell me why.

A: I can't be your friend anymore Spencer.

I felt tears start to brim in my eyes and trickle down my face. My nose suddenly felt stuffed and I sniffled.

S: This doesn't make any sense. You know that right?

A: Yes.

She's so irritating. She knows? What the heck kind of answer is that? Ugh.

S: You realize you're being stupid right?

A moment passed.

"Spencer, dinner!" I heard my Dad shout up the stairs. I cleared my throat so that my voice so that he wouldn't be able to tell I was crying.

"I'll be right down," I shouted back.

A: …Maybe. I'm sorry Spencer, but this is the way it is for now.

S: It doesn't have to be.

A: Yes it does.

Musicluvr453 has signed off.

I signed and logged off. I walked into my bathroom and splashed cold water on my face and dryed it off so no one would know I was crying. I briefly looked in the mirror to check my face. It was no longer puffy and splotchy so I headed downstairs to eat with my family.

That was the last actual conversation I had with Ashley.