Disclaimer: I own nothing

AN: ACK sorry for the wait, something was wrong with my files and I couldn't edit any of them. But finally here is a chapter and I'm working on the next two. I know some of you are upset the story is moving slowly, I just beg that you stick with it.

Reviews are appreciated. And I will try and update again a bit later :D

12

I sat between Stacey and Carmen at the first basketball game of the season. We were treating ourselves with a night out after completing our Freshman midterms. Not that a basketball game was really our choice of fun, but it was still fun to be out with everybody. Ninth grade had so far been interesting but we clung to our friendship promise from the summer. Carmen rested her head on my shoulder and yawned.

"This crap is boring. Remind me again why we're here?" she asked.

"To cheer on Ashley, Madison and Glen," I replied simply.

"You do realize that that's just cheering on cheerleaders right? …And your brother? It makes no sense at all," she said and I laughed at her and nudged her. She sighed and lifted her head and leaned back so she was leaning on the bleacher behind us.

"Come on Carm, live a little," Stacey said.

It was the end of the first half of the game and the cheerleaders came out to do their routine. Stacey and I clapped excitedly for our friends as they walked to the center of the gym to set up while Carmen barely raised a hand. But then again I didn't expect her to still be awake so it's progress.

I watched the cheerleaders get into position all symmetrical with their hair all in high ponytails. I have to say though, I wish our school were different colors because those green and yellow uniforms looked out of place. The music started thumping through the speaks and the girls started their routine.

It was definitely less of a cheer and more dancing, which makes me question the whole idea of cheer leading. If your going to just dance, then maybe you should be in a dance class and not on the cheer leading team that has little to no cheering for the teams actually going on.

I watched Ashley as she performed the choreography flawlessly, her hips moving in time to the music. I felt my face heat up but figured it was from the crowded gymnasium. Carmen nudged me.

"What?" I asked slowly turning my head not really taking my eyes off the routine. She just raised her eyebrows at me.

"What?" I asked again more forcefully but she just shook her head and returned her attention to the middle of the room. I did the same and soon the dance was over.

All of the girls ran super fast back to our bleachers and sat down excitedly most likely hyped from their half-time show. Ashley turned to us and smiled and waved, which I returned. We were only two seats higher so I said, "Great job!" Her cheeks were flushed and she smiled.

"Thanks Spence, I'm so glad you guys came!" she said right before the whistle blew and our attention was drawn back to the second half of the game. King High won, but that was to be expected with my brother and Aiden on the team working together. Since glen's been on the varsity team they've had a winning season.

We all stood at the buzzer stretching out. I walked down the bleachers and hugged my brother, "Great game Glen," I said and he smiled before getting dragged away by some girl. I just shook my head knowing she didn't have a shot. Glen may be a flirt but he never actually enters a relationship with someone.

"Ash great job again!" I said pulling her into a hug and she smiled hugging me back. We were interrupted by a tapping on her shoulder, Aiden.

"Hey guys," he said and we responded politely.

"So Ash, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang tomorrow or something, and grab a bite to eat," he asked. She looked hesitant and looked at me questioningly and I shrugged, in shock. I knew Aiden liked her but I thought it was just some stupid crush that would pass. I wanted to tell Ashley to say no, but why would I say that?

"Uh, sure I guess," she agreed and he smiled and walked away. She turned to look at me apathetically.

"Hey Spence, thanks for coming. Sorry but I got to take Ash for a moment, we'll see you guys in like ten minutes," Madison said dragging Ashley away towards the other cheerleaders and I nodded and found Stacey and Carmen waiting outside the gym for me.

"I'll be right there guys, I'm just going to use the bathroom," I said before walking down the hall. I heard voices around the hall as I neared the bathroom and paused for a moment listening.

"Damn man you got Ashley to agree to go out with you!" I heard a voice say.

"Ha, yeah I know. I'm gonna have her in the bag soon enough," I heard a voice, unmistakably Aiden respond. I felt my stomach twist in disgust as he talked about my best friend like an object.

"She's super fine, tap it quick," the other voice said.

"You know I will, she won't be able to resist me," Aiden said laughing and I heard their footsteps disappear. All thoughts of the bathroom disappeared as I walked quickly back to the gym. I had to find Ashley and tell her what I heard. She couldn't go out with Aiden if he just thought he could get sex from her.

I found her and Madison standing together outside the gym and I rushed over to them.

"Ash, I need to talk to you," I said hurriedly.

"What's the matter?" she asked concerned.

"I don't think you should go out with Aiden," I said and Ashley looked confused. I was vaguely aware of Madison's eyes narrowing at me as she scoffed but I didn't care about her right now.

"Why not?" the Latina asked butting in anyway, "He's hot and he likes Ashley. It will boost her reputation immensely dating one of the star players. Of course she should go out with him."

"Well I just heard him talking about 'having her in the bag' Madison. He obviously only wants sex," I said. Ashley's face was unreadable but Madison came back quickly with an answer, "Of course he's a normal teenage boy, he's going to want sex. It doesn't mean she shouldn't go out with him, just because you don't want her too," Madison said glaring.

"Madison, just go for a moment," Ashley pleaded.

"Ash-" I said.

"Spencer, Maddy's right. Plus I already agreed to go out with him and I can't just say no now. One date doesn't mean he'll get anywhere, you know I won't let him," she was reassuring me. I didn't want to be reassured, I wanted her not to go and think about what she was doing.

"You don't even really like him!" I said.

"It's one date! Stop being jealous and clingy!" she came back angrier. I wasn't jealous! Why would I be jealous! She's insane!

"But it's wrong! You don't like him and he only wants you for sex. Sex he apparently rightly thought he could get easily!" I said and immediately regretted it. I just implied that my best friend would easily give herself over to him just because he wanted sex. I was horrible.

"Is that what you think of me?" she asked hurt.

"No of course not," I answered quickly trying to make amends. She nodded and we stood there quietly for a moment. I hoped she could forgive me for what I had said, I don't even know why I said it.

"Look I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for coming," she said quietly adjusting her gym bag on her shoulder. I watched her walk away and meet up with Madison. I sighed and turned around to catch Glen so he could drop me off home.