Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: Ok ok fine reviews are not mandatory but are encouraged and much appreciated ;) I just had a heated discussion with the voices in my head and the said named bricks. They're ganging up on me and I can't decide on where this story will go from here. Enjoy!

Chapter 21

Ashley POV

"Earth to Ashley" A voice calls out "Yo Ash"

I ignore it as I touch my lips again, grinning like the dumbass that I am. My face is starting to hurt but I can't stop and I'm afraid that my face will cut in half. I close my eyes and try to recall the feeling of Spencer's soft lips on mine. The warm tingling sensation I felt all throughout my body that I have never experience in my life. It was the best feeling ever, both exciting and frightening at the same time. I know it's wrong to kiss her without her knowledge but that is the only time I will be able to show her how I feel. I shake my head, I am such a coward. How in the hell do I show Spencer how I really feel if I still have doubts and hesitation in me. Someone shakes my shoulders as I open my eyes and see Aiden sporting an amuse smirk

"Why are you so happy?" he said

"Nothing" but I keep on grinning like a fool "What took you so long Aid?" folding my arms on my chest, giving him an annoyed pout

"I just got your text. So what's up? Why are we at Spencer's place?"

"I need you to help me find Spencer's phone but I got no idea on how"

"Why? What happened to her phone?"

"I don't know what happened but when I found Spencer. She was completely out of it…" I'm cut off by Aiden as he step closer and put his hand on my shoulder. I hissed as a splitting pain made me clinched backwards.

"What the hell happened to you? You're bleeding" Aiden looks concerned, studying my body

"I'm fine. It doesn't matter" I wave my hands to reassure him

"No, you're not" Aiden looks around "Where's the bathroom? We need to clean you up first and no buts" Aiden eyed me as he points his finger at me. I slump in defeat as I pointed the way to the bathroom and Aiden left. No point in arguing. The quicker we finish, the faster we find her phone. We need to do this quick before Spencer wakes up. Knowing how stubborn and silly Spencer can be, she will take no time in resting and look for the goddamn thing, even if she's still sick. I run my hand through my hair, thankfully the bleeding has stopped as Aiden comes back with a first aid kit and immediately tended the wounds on my shoulder and head.

"Thanks Aid. You're so sweet" I look at the excellent work he did and plant a kiss on his cheek. He shyly turns his head as he slightly blushed. I giggle at him. I love him as a brother and he tends to get embarrassed easily like me, especially at showing affection or getting affection.

"But now that I'm all patched up, can we focus on finding Spencer's phone?"

He nods "Ok, any ideas?"

"Well, I think Spencer's phone probably got stolen by someone because when I call it, it rings but gets rejected. So someone's definitely has it and is using it" I explained, very proud at my investigation skills.

"Why don't you keep calling it until they eventually picks up?" He suggested. I hand him my phone.

"Here, keep calling it. I have to finish cooking so I can feed Spencer before I can take her temperature and I think she needs to drink some medicine too" I got up and heads in the kitchen to finish the soup I was cooking earlier. Aiden follows me, my phone pressed against his ear.

"Talk about being sweet" He grins

I playfully punch his arm "Shut up" But I can't help grinning too.

Once the soup is finish, I put some in a bowl; got some medicine and I bring it up in her room. I left Aiden downstairs as he still tries to contact Spencer's phone. I enter Spencer's room. It's dimmed, a soft ray of light coming through the window lights the room. I gently sat next to her. The soft ray of light shines on Spencer's face, I watch her. I study her soft facial feature, her long blonde hair, her rosy cheeks, her delicious red lips.

"Spencer" I whispered "Spencer wake up" Her eyes flutters open

She turns to me and breaths softly "A-ashley?"

"Yea, it's me" I said as she rubs her eyes "You need to eat and drink some medicine" I pointed at the tray on my lap

She confusingly looks at it and then to me "Y-you're really strange when you're kind" It hurts me as she said that "I'm not use to it" she continues

"It'd be annoying if you somehow blame me and I kind of feel responsible" I sigh "Don't worry, I will make sure you'll return the favour ten times over" I playfully smirk, she looks at me puzzled.

I clear my throat "Anyway, your mom and brother are not home. Are you usually home alone?"

"Yeah, ever since my dad died, I've been alone. My mom is busy at work and my brother can't stand being here. I think it hurts them being home… you know too many memories" she sadly looks at a picture on her nightstand. It's a picture of her and her dad, the same picture in his office. "That's why…" she starts to sob "Lily is my only pillar of support"

I'm surprised by her sudden confession as I patiently listen her "After dad died, I was really insecure and lonely but every day, slowly but surely, she would gently comfort me" she breaths heavily "even though it was through texts, I knew that whatever she said was sincere, it was because of Lily that I managed to pull myself together and get up every day. She was the one who gave" she shakes her head as she corrected herself "gives me strength" tears slowly stream down her eyes "Yet I lost the only thing I can use to communicate with her" the sudden realization that she lost her phone, she quickly sits up "No, I can't sleep, I have to find my phone"

I gently face palm her and forcing her to bed. I hold her down with my hand on her forehead and the other on her shoulder "If you get up for something stupid like that, I'll hit you" my voice full of irritation

"Uwah, let go! Let go of me" she tries to wiggle her way out of my hold

"You've looked at all the possible places already. There's nowhere else! Stop being such an idiot and accept that the phone is lost" I scream at her.

She stopped her struggle and remained still "T-then… then tell me what to do, Ashley" she whispers "Even if it's something bad or illegal, I don't mind…" her breathing quickens "How can I get my phone back?" her raspy voice hiccups "I've realized that I'm being an idiot but as long as I get Lily back, I'm willing to do anything. I am willing to be an idiot!" I lift my hand off her face and see her crying hysterically. This is the first time I've seen her cry like this and it pains me so much to see her hurting and I can't do anything. No, this can be it. I will not accept this. I will do anything and everything to get that phone back to see her smile and be happy again. Then an idea on how to find it hit me, I got up and took a pen and piece of paper and handed it to Spencer.

She looks at me puzzled "…W-what? What's that for?"

"Give me that Lily's number. You should know that at least"

She nods "Ye-yeah"

"I'll contact Lily with my phone. I'll tell her that your phone got stolen. If she is all that great as you claim she is, she should know what to do next. She can investigate or something" I turn my back and stand in the doorway "Well, you should eat the soup and drink your medicine. I'll be going home now"

She lifts her head "A-ashley, thank you. You've helped me a lot"

"Shut up and eat. You don't have to thank me" I turn to her and give her an angry look "After I leave, lock your door and sleep like the dead. If you dare take one step outside, I'll skin and hang you upside down"

"I… I understand" she looks scared "I promise, I'll stay home"

I close her door. I lean on it for a few minutes and I listen to her. The soft clinging sound of porcelain lets me know she starts to eat. I sigh in relief. What a pain Lily has turned out to be. Spencer shouldn't really have to worry about her; she just has to use Lily when she needs her.

I walk down the stairs and I hear Aiden talking on my phone. "So you're the fucker who stole the phone"

I grab the phone and hear a man on the other line "W-what are you talking about? I don't understand what you mean. What phone? Who are you?" he mockingly said

"Are you stupid? Of course I am talking about the phone you're using. How could someone you've never heard of before have your phone number, you fucking moron? Here's the deal. I will pay you a lot of money for that phone. I'll give you twenty minutes to bring it to me. I'll text you the address. Don't be stupid now. If you don't want to suddenly be in some unknown accident or kidnapped and have your organs sold, you will do what I ask of you. I am a very powerful and wealthy woman and you don't want to piss me off. Now you got nineteen minutes" I end the call. I quickly send the address

"What if he doesn't come?" Aiden asked

"Then I will call the phone company. You do remember that I brought that phone, right? And I do pay the bill. It's top of the line. I am pretty sure we can track that phone with all the high technology we have now" I mockingly said to him. I simply smirked

"Good idea but I still hope he does return it. It will be a lot easier"

I nod "I agree. I better go now"

"Where are you going?" he ask curiously

"To the park. I asked him to meet me at the park. I didn't send this address, Aiden. I don't want him to find out where Spencer lives, just in case"

"I'll come with you" Aiden offered

I raise my hand "No, stay with Spencer. I'm not sure if she'll listen to me and stay at home. So you better look after her" Aiden nods as I walk out of the house. "Be careful" Aiden shouted.

I check my watch once again. It's been thirty minutes since that call. Now I am leaning on tree at the park, hiding underneath the shadows waiting patiently for that moron who stole Spencer's phone. He's late. It just makes me angrier. From a distance, I see three punk teenagers walking towards me. Good, they are here. They stopped just a few feet from me. The one in the middle steps forward, the other two side steps on both my sides as they surround me.

"You're late" I said angrily

"Sorry princess but I needed some back up just in case" princess? He has the audacity to call me princess. "You're alone? You're just making it easier for us" he laughs

I sigh. I hate people who judge me just because I am a girl. "Let's cut to the chase now, ladies. Where's the phone?"

He raises his eyebrow and put Spencer's phone from his pocket "Here. Now where's my money?"

I pulled a wad of cash from my back pocket and wave it to him. They exchanged looks and the one in the middle nods as he snaps his fingers. "Get her" The one on my left side launch at me, I quickly step backwards as he tries to grab me. The one on my right tries to punch me; I easily dodge it and punch him breaking his nose. "You bitch" He falls backwards in pain, holding his nose. I look down on him and I smirk. The one in the middle surprised me as he landed a punch on my wounded shoulder. I winced in pain. Oh they are playing dirty now. Two can play at that game. "Ok ladies if you want to play, let's play" I flex my arm around as I step out of the shadow. Recognizing who I was, they stopped. "Oh my god, you're Ashley Davies" the one with the bloody nose said and he turns to his friend "you didn't tell me we're going to rob Ashley Davies, Mike"

The one in the middle turns who I assume is Mike "I didn't know but it doesn't matter" he tries to punch me again and I dodge it as my foot connected to his crotch. He fell to the ground. I reach in his pocket and grab Spencer's phone and his wallet. I look at the only boy standing and waited for him to move. I pretended to come at him, making him shake and fall backwards. Red and blue lights and siren sounded from afar. I turn to face them "Listen to me very carefully" I looked inside his wallet and pulled out his I.D. "Mike Jackson" I read out loud "I will not report you. I will give you a second chance, Mike. Don't blow it, I want you to change your ways. I will check up on you in the future and I will be keeping this" I tap his I.D. on my hand "The same goes for you two. It will be wise to listen to me" I start to walk away but I turn to them one last time "And you didn't see me"

I am once again at Spencer's place. Aiden greeted me at the door. "Ashley, you're bleeding again. What happened?"

"I am fine, Aid. Some punks thought they can take me but I prove them wrong"

"That's my girl" he grins proudly.

"How's Spencer?"

"She's sleeping. She drank the medicine you gave her. That stuff is strong though. She was out in seconds"

"Good"

I headed upstairs to return Spencer her phone. I open her door. She is in deep sleep. Has her fever subsided yet? I place my right hand on her forehead to check her temperature as my other hand takes her hand. Don't scare me like that, silly girl. My heart beats fast. I will never, ever run away. I will be here to fight every single day 'til I will make you realize that I am always here right by your side. I just can't live without you now. You're everything I will ever need and you mean the world to me. I gently squeeze her warm hand. But because I am a coward and I can't say these words to you yet, for now you're hand in mine is enough.

Spencer POV

Someone inside my room, this person is really gentle while holding my hand. Something slips between my fingers. Is this? Is this a phone? This is… my phone. I smile softly. My phone is in my hand. The gentle hand left mine and I immediately missed it. I open my eyes and see a blurred silhouette in the dark. From the feature I can tell she is a woman but she has her back to me and with my high fever and the medicine I took, I can't see properly.

"L-lily?" I said and the silhouette stopped and stiffened. "Damn" she mumbled softly which I barely heard

"So dark" my raspy voice called out "I can't see your face" I whispered "But you're Lily, right?" I can see white spots everywhere. Is this because of my fever or is this a dream? Tears slowly fill my eyes as they further blurred my vision.

"Is this a dream…can't be, right?" I firmly grip my hands around my phone "Because there really is a phone in my hands. You really helped me get it back…" happy tears stream down my cheeks as I smile happily "So great, so cool, I'm so happy. Lily, you are really cool" I felt a finger trace my tears away as I close my eyes and lean to her touch. "You're the best in the whole world, Lily. Gentle and heroic, the best hero in the world" she gently covers my eyes with her hand "No matter what other people say, you're my number one hero in the world. Lily, my greatest protector" I can't believe it. She returned me my most precious phone. Still covering my eyes, I felt her lean forward and a warm soft lips brush against my cheeks. She lets it linger longer, making me feel wanted. In the end, just like a dream, without saying a single word, Lily disappeared beyond the darkness only leaving a very small and gentle mark as proof that she indeed does exist.

A/N: Reviews are love. So send love ;)