Sorry for the delay

Chapter 2

After watching to make sure Ashley made it to her apartment safely Spencer headed back to her home for the next few weeks. It wasn't her idea of fun spending the summer with her grandma but nobody else in her family bothered so Spencer felt obliged to do so. It's not like her grandma was some senile old bird who had hundreds of cats and a purse full of never ending Murray mints. In fact her grandma was quite active and sociable, in fact Spencer was really doubting her own social life since arriving in town. All the childhood friends that she had spent hazy summers with had moved out of town a long time ago. She had fond memories of the small beach town and she had hoped returning for the summer would help her figure out her next step in life.

Spencer was still at college studying English Literature but she had no idea what she wanted to do with it so most of her time at college had been spent partying and generally avoiding any real work or life decisions. In fact she was actually using her grandma as an excuse to escape L.A for the summer to avoid her current ex. Spencer was never one for confrontation and she couldn't see this changing any time soon. She was more than happy to spend the summer pretending her real life didn't exist. That was until she bumped into Ashley at the music store. She had been drawn to Ashley straight away but she found the girl strange and unnerving especially after the way she left the car so suddenly.

Spencer parked the old truck and ran back into the house. Her grandma was sat on the wrap around porch with a blanket. He long silver hair was resting on her shoulders, she had the same blue eyes as Spencer and the a similar smirk. She always looked as if she knew the biggest secret in the world. Spencer was convinced she probably did know every secret and there was no way that old lady was sharing.

"You shouldn't be at out here when it's raining" Spencer scolded as she climbed the wooden steps to the porch.

"Oh shush Spencer. I'm not one of those old people that will break any minute. Come sit with me" Her grandma lifted the blanket for Spencer to join her which she did.

"Did you get yourself some food?" Her grandma asked after a few moments of silence.

"Shit I forgot all about it. Let me grab it from the car" Spencer ran through the rain and grab the take away bag for the footwell.

"Where's your head at young lady?"

"I gave somebody a lift home from the diner. Left me a bit distracted"

"Who?" Spencer's grandma was very nosy which is probably why she knew so many secrets Spencer thought to herself.

"You probably don't know her...Ashley something. I didn't get her last name" Spencer replied as she picked at her now cold fries.

"Ashley Davies? Pretty girl that works at the music store" Her grandma finally said after thinking for a minute.

"I guess so"

"Nice girl deep down. Just a shame what happened really"

"What happened?" Spencer had figured Ashley was weird for a reason. The girl was so skittish and shy that there had to be a reason for her behaviour..

"I'm not one to gossip Spencer"

"Ha! All you do is gossip gran. I mean that's the whole reason you guys play bridge on a wednesday evening!"

"We do not gossip young lady! We discuss the community as a group"

"That's a very professional way of saying you and the girls gamble and gossip" Spencer argued with a smile. She loved these little arguments.

"Did you talk to Ashley?" Her grandma asked changing the subject completely.

"Sort of. Okay I spoke at her and she wigged out then ran away" Spencer confessed.

"She never used to be shy. In fact when she was a teenager she was quite the charmer that one and liked to get herself into trouble but things changed"

"Like what? Stop holding out on me"

"Ask Ashley not me! You obviously have some sort of interest in her"

"No I don't"

"I can tell you do so don't lie to me Spencer Carlin"

"Okay she might have peaked my interest"

"What about that girlfriend of yours?" Her grandma questioned with a raised eyebrow and smirk.

"Bree is not my girlfriend"

"Does she know that?"

"I'm going to bed"

"I remember when Ashley used to come in and play the piano for us at the retirement hall. It was beautiful and she was so talented"

"You sure you're not going senile?" Spencer asked as she stopped in her tracks.

"I just remembered is all. Good night Dear"

"Does she not play any more?" Spencer couldn't help herself, any information she could obtain was becoming important and had only just met Ashley.

"No she stopped" That was all her Grandma said before she headed up stairs deciding she had nothing better to do this summer.

Spencer found it difficult to sleep in at her Grandma's. The noise from the port was almost deafening which she always found strange considering she lived in a huge city which was full of noise. As she was awake she decided to go for a run to clear her head. She threw on her running gear and headed off. Her grandma had become accustomed to Spencer's running and no longer questioned where she was going or how long she would be.

She ran straight towards the beach immediately feeling relaxed and calm. She could never get this feeling while running in L.A around the decided to run along the waters edge even going barefooted just so she could feel the ocean on her feet. Never one to miss an opportunity Spencer stopped taking a deep breathe and admiring the perfect view across the bay. Taking a sit on the damp sand she scanned her eyes on the surf spotting a familiar brunette. Ashley was just sat on her board in the deep water. From a distance she looked pensive or like she was in deep conversation. Spencer knew it was kind of weird and creepy to be watching Ashley but something was drawing her towards this strange girl. After a while Ashley started paddling preparing to catch a wave. Spencer got to her feet and started her run back up. Yes this would come across as a bit stalkerish but she knew Ashley wouldn't come and find her any time soon. She watched as Ashley carelessly and skilfully rode the wave into the shore. Spencer noticed the smile on her face as pulled a few manoeuvres on the board. Finally Ashley was in the shallows tugging her board behind her, flicking back her wet hair. Suddenly Spencer felt nervous and considered turning around but it was too late, they were face to face.

"You surf?" Spencer could have punched herself there and then but she tried to keep the smile on her face. She noticed the surprised look on Ashley's face and the smile from surfing had faded slightly but she was smiling more than Spencer had seen before.

"You run?" Ashley replied with a smile making Spencer chuckle.

"Are you mocking me?"

"You're very good at pointing out the obvious" Ashley deadpanned this time with no smile but Spencer was pretty sure she was joking.

"It's a skill. So about last night, I'm sorry if I said something wrong or out of line. I have a habit of opening my big mouth without thinking...a lot" Spencer managed to make eye contact with Spencer once during her apology.

"You were right though. I was being rude. I shouldn't have ran off like that, it was silly" She was nervously playing with her hair which Spencer noticed and she rarely made eye contact. She started playing with her wetsuit tugging on the zip at the back.

"Why did you?...run I mean" Spencer knew she was probably pushing her luck but there's no way Ashley could out run her on the beach.

"Look Spencer you seem really nice and stuff but I have work soon so I have to go" Ashley started walking away and once again Spencer just stood and watched her go. She realised that everything with Ashley would have to be baby steps so she waved goodbye and continued her run. She was still desperate to know the story behind Ashley, she would ask questions when the time was right. That's if there ever was a right time.

Ashley practically ran away from Spencer, yet again. She was feeling panicked from her encounter with Spencer. She hadn't expected to see her at the beach and she was concerned that Spencer may have spotted her talking to herself. She had heard the whispers before from people around town. She knew it was weird but she needed it which she waited for Spencer t o completely exit the beach before paddling back out to her spot.

"That was Spencer" Ashley said out loud knowing there wouldn't be an answer.

"She seems nice, she gave me a ride home last night but I spazed out but she didn't seemed too bothered" Ashley looked at the deep blue water and smiled remembering some better times.

Flashback

"Get your sexy ass in her!" Ashley was sat on her board waiting for Taylor to join her but the red head wasn't moving from her safe spot n the shallows.

"No way Davies!" The petit red head called back with a smile.

"Nothing will happen to you Tay. I promise you..." Ashley knew Taylor would give in eventually. She always did especially if Ashley flashed her Davies smile.

"You promise?" Taylor asked after a short moment of contemplation.

"Tay I would never let anything happen to you. You know unless Sharks start chasing you then I'm totally out of here" Ashley knew humour was the way forward. Finally Taylor started paddling out until she was next to Ashley. Ashley reached her hand out and held Taylor's hand in her own placing a soft kiss on the back. She felt Taylor relax and they just stayed there for a while enjoying the moment.

End of Flashback*

"I miss you Tay. I really do, it just fucking hurts so bad. I would give anything to switch with you. I just want you back here with me! Acting like an ass, telling me how much my mac and cheese sucks or nagging me to go look at puppies with you. I miss the stupid things we used to do! Remember New York? Fuck we got into so much trouble for that but it was worth it" Ashley barely finished talking before she started crying again. The tears were normal so she let them flow and she wiped them away knowing she had to be at work.

"Love you Tay"