Alright guys, school's started and I'm running out of chapters. So they might be coming at you a lot slower. As always reviews guilt/motivate me to find time to write. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Youuu know.

REVIEWERS:

Purpleniya: Yeah, that darn school thingy slowing down my creative process. Well, Arden thinks she's worth the wait and chooses to wait.

BreakYourHeart: Minor briley. Minor minor. In this one. Yeaahhh, I could just make a whole other glee story where my OC's from this story meet Brittana. xD

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A Figure from the Past

A week later

Ashley's POV

No one's seen Coop, besides Lucy when she dropped by Sappho's, in a week. People are getting worried. Arden just says she's trying to work things out. But how much time does she need? What could possibly be stopping her?

Sappho's is having a party tonight. VIP list only. Coop said she'd come but who knows. It'll be the first time Arden sees her since their kiss goodbye.

Lucy's sister, Carmen, is coming by the club to DJ for us. She's quite the looker, believe me if I didn't have Spencer I'd be after her again. Yeah we had a minor thing back when we were kids. She's a year older than us and has all the Latina assets if you know what I mean. Wonder what Arden will do, she always did have a little crush on Carmen. Will she keep her word to Coop of waiting?

We arrive at the club early to help set up. Wiley's bringing in crates of glasses and beer. She nods to us, smiling and we see Bridget staring at her girlfriend lift heavy things. Wiley's like a soft butch ya know? She's got the butch mentality and the protector thing going on, but she's also kind of femme. Bridget looks like she's about to drag Wiley into Lucy's office for a good time any second now. I think Spencer notices because she kisses my cheek before walking over to Bridget and distracting her.

"Well, well, well, has the great Ashley Davies settled down?" A familiar voice says behind me. I turn around and see Carmen Reed, grinning at me. "Good to see you, Ash. "

I pull her into a hug, "You too, Carm. What's it been a year?"

She nods, "About. Been busy doing the club circuit most nights. I was surprised I didn't run into you lately since I've been back in town." She was DJ-ing in South Beach for a month or so, claimed they had great pay. "But then I see you with cute, blonde and pouty and it alllll comes together. Happy for you, really am."

"No chance at you settling down anytime soon, then?"

"I thought I was going to a few years ago, but we all know how that ended." Carmen was at UCLA and had a girlfriend for a long while. Something happened between them and Carmen was distraught for about a month.

"Yeah, but you never know. A good person could be right around the corner, maybe even at this party." I shrug and see Brooke walk in.

"Brooke!" I call her over. Carmen's eyes widen and she turns back to me.

"Hey Ash. How's it goin'?" She looks over at Carmen and her face drops. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Carmen turns around, "Good to see you too, Brooke. What's it been 2, 3 years?" Carmen gives a fake smile.

"Wait? Hold up. How do you know Lucy's sister, Carmen?" I turn to Brooke who's eyes widen.

"She's Lucy's sister?" I nod. "Shit. Where the hell is Coop?" She looks around.

"Alex is here?" Carmen asks as her eyes light up. What the hell is going on?

Brooke whips her head back at her, "She's supposed to be. But I'm sure she'll want to leave as soon as she sees you." Brooke growls out.

"Oh come on, Brookie, that was in the past." Carmen brushes it off.

"Yeah well she's still fucked up over it, okay?"

Carmen raises a brow, she looks impressed, "Guess I'm hard to get over."

My eyes widen as I look between them. Shit. There's no way. "Alex Cooper was the one that you were planning to settle down with all those years ago?" Carmen smirks and nods.

"Yeah, before she fucked Nikki." My head whips around to Carmen who shrugs. "Believe me, Alex was more than pissed when they were put to do a show together, but Nikki eventually made her realize that she had no idea Carmen was taken, nor that Nikki was a bad person." Brooke shrugs.

"Hey Brooke there-" Alex freezes.

"Hey Al." Carmen turns towards her, smirking and Alex seems to be imitating that of a fish.

"Yeah, that would be Carmen Reed. Lucy's sister. Or…your ex-girlfriend, which ever you prefer." Brooke pointedly glares at Carmen.

Alex looks lost. She has no idea what to do, so she just turns around and walks off. "Stay the fuck away from her." Brooke yells at Carmen and follows Alex.

They've caused a scene and word is starting to get out over their past history. "I've gotta go set up my station, Ash. I'll see you around." Carmen murmurs as she walks off.

Spencer walks up next to me and runs her hand along my arm, "What happened, hun?" She questions but I just bring her into a hug. She chuckles, "I missed you too, Ash."

"Everything's so fucking complicated." I groan into her neck.

"So tell me and I'll help uncomplicate it." Spencer grasps my hand in hers and she smiles softly, caressing my face. I seat us in a booth and begin telling her both sides of the story that I heard. She looks like she's really thinking it over.

"Wow, poor Al. No wonder she can't tell someone she loves them." I tilt my head and look at her curiously. "Ash, she has obvious feelings issues. Brooke herself mentioned that she was 'still fucked up over it'. Carmen screwed her up. Alex probably loved her and is scared to let her guard down and love again." Oh, well, it makes sense now. "That's why she needs time to be ready for Arden. She needs to be able to embrace love." She's definitely the more emotionally smart one.

I smile, "I am sooo glad I have you. I would have never pictured that." I lean my head on her shoulder as she wraps an arm around me.

"That's what I'm here for, babe." She smiles and pecks my lips.

The party's in full swing. A-listers are everywhere and I have Spencer on my arm as I joke and schmooze, letting them all know I'm taken. I see Carmen jump down from her DJ area and walk somewhere briskly. She doesn't reappear for a bit so I excuse myself and Spencer. Spencer looks at me questioningly. "Carmen." I say and she gets it. We need to keep an eye on her.

As we approach we see another person running into the match. Arden?