Hey guys next chapter is up! Thanks for all the reviews; I really enjoy reading them. Anyways I'll be posting one more chapter before I take a break from writing. I think I need to give myself a little rest before school starts again. Sorry readers, I promise that I'll post by the mid of August. I just need some time to relax a little. I hope that you enjoy this chapter. Review and let me know that you think!

I woke the blaring of my alarm clock. The ice packs around my waist were warm and liquidity. The bruises were still prominent, but the pain was gone. Damn, Spencer has magic hands. I pulled myself out of bed and into the shower. I let the hot water trick down my skin, relieving all the pains and stress.

I rummaged through my dresser and found my lacrosse rugby shirt and khaki shorts. The sweatpants they gave me were huge so I never wore them. I found my Sperry's under my bed and threw on my team jacket.

I heard my phone ding.

Spencer: Leaving in ten minutes. Meet you in the driveway.

Ashley: Sounds good.

I grabbed my bags and lunch before heading out of the house. Spencer was in her driveway putting her bags into her Jeep.

"Morning," she said taking my bags from me and putting them into the back.

"Morning," I said opening the door.

"Let me see," she said before letting me in the car. I was confused at first, but when she point to my shirt I realized. I lifted it up and she looked my bruises.

"You going to be okay to play?"

"Yeah," I said confidently. I am not confident whether I will be able to play the game. Only Spencer and Carmen know about my condition, and I have a feeling that Carmen will use it to her advantage.

"I'll see you in Physics," Spencer said getting out of the car.

"Okay," I responded.

"Call me if anything comes up okay," she said point to my shirt. I nodded and grabbed my bag.

I walking into English class and found Emily, who was dress similar to me, sitting in the seat in front of mine. She seemed to be in deep thought.

"If you think anymore, you head is going to explode," I whispered into her ear. She flinched and looked back as me, giving me a smile before returning to face the teacher. Okay, something was wrong. Emily was acting weirder than usual. She usually talks to me first thing in the morning and the teacher is always telling her to be quite. I whipped out my phone and sent her a text:

Ashley: Hey everything okay?

Emily: Fine

Ashley: Can we talk?

Emily: Fine, meet you in the locker room before the game.

"Girls, phones away now!" We were caught. Great. Hall had a no tolerance policy for cellphone. We found ourselves walking to the main office to meet with vice principal.

"Can we talk now?" I asked taking a seat in front of the office.

"Okay," she said plainly.

"About last night…I shouldn't have kissed you," I said truthfully, "I like you I really do, but I like you as a friend and nothing more. You just looked like you were having a great time and I didn't want to ruin it. It didn't feel right; it felt like I was kissing my best friend."

"I shouldn't have kissed you. It's just you kissed me and it would be weird if I just left you hanging. I like you to, but I'd rather be friends."

"So…we can move past this and be just friends again?" I asked.

"I'd like nothing better," she said.

I was surprised how simple that was. It previous attempts I've received slaps in the face. Emily was different; we had a mutual understanding.

When the vice principal came out to talk to us, he just dismissed us with a warning. He wasn't in the mood to deal with students and their cellular devices.

"Hey you ready for tonight?" Emily asked as we walked back to class.

"I hope so…" I said uncertainly.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Try to keep Carmen away from me," I said before heading to Calculus.

The rest of the day went by pretty fast. The pain from my bruises hasn't bothered me lately, except when getting up and sitting down. When I reached Physics class Spencer wasn't there. I was a little worried considering we were leaving for the game after this period. But, Spencer came in half through the period.

"Sorry," she said, "I had to deal with something." I so badly wanted to ask what she had to deal with but she didn't look like she wanted to talk about it, so I didn't ask.

"How are you holding up?" she asked.

"I'll be fine…I hope," I said but only the first part was loud enough to hear.

Physics class finally ended and we all filed out of the classroom. I followed Spencer to the locker room where the rest of the team was gathered. I watched Spencer get up on one of the bench to give a speech.

"It's been a great season, an undefeated season Ashley and I want to thank you for all the hard work that you have done this season. Now let's go kick some Cougars ass." There was a loud uproar as we exited the locker room and boarded the buses. I was going to sit with Spencer, but Emily pulled me away. I glared at her but when I saw Carmen heading towards us I quickly sat down. I was not in the mood for another showdown with Carmen. Emily did want I asked; keep Carmen away from me.

The bus ride over there was full of chatter; Emily and I fell into simple conversation. Even once and again I would catch Spencer looking back at me. A person began to move down the aisles towards me, when they came closer I realized that it was Coach.

"Davies," he said sitting in the seat across from me.

"Coach," I said turning to face him. He pulled out a letter and handed it to me. I took and examined it carefully. In the upper right hand corner read University of North Carolina. My mouth dropped as I read the university's name. Coach just smile and patted me on the back before leaving.

I quickly opened the letter and read it. Eyes going to and fro reading the words, they paused when I got to the phrase 'considering offering you a full ride to play for the UNC Tar Heels.' UNC wants me. From my knowledge most people who get 'considering you' letter often commit. I've dreamed of going there my entire life. It's been my dream college. I couldn't contain my excitement. Even though I was only a junior, soon to be senior, they were very impressed with my achievements. I let the smile creep onto my lips. It was plastered on my face until we reached Hillside High School.

We filed out onto the field and glared at the other team. Apparently they had an undefeated season as well. I didn't know too much about them other than that they were our biggest rivals. People actually hated them. When you looked at them they did look at little rough. The tallest person on our team was the shortest person on their team. Spencer and I shook hands with the captains before we ran onto the field.

Their center person, 12, was…huge. Not saying like round, but tall and bulky. She must have been four inches taller than me, maybe 6'2'' 180lbs. I put my stick up against her and waited for the referee to drop the ball. When he did I was pushed back as the girl grabbed the ball and torn up the field.

I felt myself racing after her with Spencer at my side. But before we could block her Carmen completely body slammed the other girl, and took the ball.

The pain in my side was getting worse. It hurt to exhale and even more to inhale.

"Ashley," I heard Spencer call out. I ignored her and went to face #12 again. This time I stole the ball and race up the field. The other team decided to retaliate against me for Carmen's actions. This is women's lacrosse for pity sake. We don't body slam each other, we gently tap. Well other player rammed me off my feet just as I release the ball from my pocket. I hit the ground. Damn.

There was a roar of applause from the other team, but a similar one from my coach. The ball had gone in the net, thank the lord. Now all I had to do was get myself up and do die in a hole. The player who rammed into my got up and walked away leaving me on the ground. I heard the ref blow her whistle. She knelt next to me and asked if I was okay I nodded and slowly crawled my way up.

I hobbled off the field as Coach started to walk towards me, but Carmen came up to greet me first.

"You should have looked where you were going Davies."

"Give it a fucking rest Carmen. Can't you see what you've done," I said pointing and the field and myself, "you've been a bitch to me since I got here. I can barely because of these." I pulled up my shirt and showed her the two, now three bruises. Her face had soften a bit and it looked like she was about to say something, but I was already fuming to let her say anything. "You've made every attempt to get your damn spot back, but have you ever thought of this. This team has never had an undefeated season since I got here. Every game you were in you hurt someone. I've tried to deal this you, but all you've done is spit it right back in my face. Well I'm done with your bullshit. I'm done, take you're damn spot see what I care." I stormed off the field leaving Carmen standing there. I walked right passed the Coach trying to give him a sign that I was done, for now. I think he understood because he nodded and headed back to the bleachers. I grabbed my bag, walking past the crowd of people towards the table near the parking lot.

I pulled the ice pack that Spencer had given me and broke them. I took off my shirt and lay down on the table putting the ice packs on my sides. I let out an angry sigh for letting Carmen get to me.

"You took a pretty hard hit out there," I heard someone say. I shot up, but immediately regretted it because pain shot up through my body. Dana was standing near the table.

"Dana," I said surprised. She walked towards me. I quickly removed the ice pack and went to put my shirt back on when she stopped me.

"I'm a doctor," she said, "I'm not trying to creep you out. Spencer sent me over to see if you were okay."

I managed a 'oh' and let her check the bruising. She got that look on her face like she was in deep thought. I watched as she looked over the purple and black skin. Then all of the sudden she jabbed at my side. I groaned out before jumping away from her.

"Sorry, I had to make sure it wasn't broken," she said putting her hands up in defense.

"Is it?" I asked taking a step forward again. She shook her hand. Thank god.

"I would recommend staying off it until for the next week," she said taking a seat next to me.

"Thanks," I said honestly. I should have listened to Spencer when she said not to play, but no I was too stupid.

"So when do Jess and I get to see Sid again?" she asked happily trying to loosen the tension.

"You're the first person I've heard ask me that…ever," I said shocked. Usually Sid is such a troublemaker no one wants to go round two with him. Dana just laughed.

"Are you kidding? Sid's an angel," she said laughing still.

"I think I must have hit my head harder than I thought," I joked back, "He's free when you want him."

"Good. I plan to see him soon. He gets Noah off my hands for a little while."

I noticed a heard of people coming from the field. The game must have ended. I was able to make out Spencer from the crowd. When the team for closer they look pretty beaten up, they were covered in grass stains and dirt. Spencer had some blood on her shirt. It's fucking girls' lacrosse not guys'!

"Ashley make sure to ice a lot," Dana said before going to meet Emily, who was pretty tattered herself.

Carmen passed me giving me a sympathetic look, but it just reminded me of how angry I was. I shoulder my bag and headed towards the buses. Carmen, again, sat down next to Spencer. Emily had gone home with her parents, so I was left with a seat to myself. I stretched out and put the ice packs back on.

The bus pulled into King High about an hour later. We all hopped off the buses and headed our own ways. When I looked for my car in the parking lot, I remember that Spencer had given me a ride to school. I glanced around looking for Spencer but she was nowhere in sight. I waited for twenty minutes to see if she would show, I mean her car was the only one in the parking lot now.

I saw a flash of blond round the corner, that had to be Spencer. I quickly rounded the corner after it, but spotted when I heard voices. Both all too familiar to me.

"Carmen I'm done with your little plan," I heard Spencer say.

"You promised me that you would go through with it," Carmen hissed out.

"Just because I'm dating you doesn't mean you can manipulate me like this," Spencer said stamping her foot. I was confused at first about what they were talking about, but I figured that it had to do with lacrosse and most likely me.

"You and I both had the same goals. And now Davies took look mine away from me. I don't want the same to happen for you. I got kicked off the team for you," Carmen said angered.

"You if I don't have those same goals or ambitions anymore!"

"I gave up everything. You can't let Davies just take it from under your feet. Do we have an understanding?" I heard Spencer mumble a 'yes'.

"Good then we'll do anything we need to make you that star player."

"Okay…"

"Spencer, I'm only doing this because I love you and I want the best for you." Carmen captured Spencer's lip before leaving. Spencer started to come my way. I quickly jogged back the parking lot and sat down next to Spencer's car and pretended like I had fallen asleep.

"Hey sorry I'm late I had to grab some things from my locker," she said getting into the car. I knew that she was totally lying. I got into the car and remained silent for the car ride home. Spencer was dating Carmen and Carmen was dating Spencer. Carmen, the one who I hate, was dating the person who had become an important part of my world. I felt Spencer's eyes on my most of the ride home, but I just stared out at the dark sky.

When we pulled up into Spencer's driveway, I quickly got out and grabbed my bags. I said 'goodbye' before leaving without another word.

Spencer's POV

I got back to my car and saw Ashley sleeping next to the door of my car. She looked so peaceful.

"Hey sorry I'm late I had to grab some things from my locker," I lied. I didn't want Ashley to find out what was really going on. I didn't want to do it, but Carmen has her ways. I'm not out out like Ashley is. I just keep it to myself most of the time, hell most of my friends think that I'm dating someone guy name Cam.

The car ride home was long and painfully. Ashley didn't say any thing; all she did was stare out the window. I kept glancing over to she if she was sleep or not. When we pulled up into my driveway, Ashley hoped out of the car and grabbed her bag before saying 'goodbye' and heading towards her house. I watched how gingerly she cared herself. She swayed back and forth probably to keep the pain at a minimal.

When I entered the house it was dark, so I'm assuming the parents were asleep. I quickly showered and changed before sitting at my desk and taking out my notebook.

Ashley Davies. I don't even know where to begin. Ashley. It seems like I've known her my whole life. We always have something to talk about. She always finds a way to cheer me up or make me laugh. When Carmen reminded me of our plan, it made to think. I've grown to Ashley and I don't want to push her away. I want to pull her closer, but I don't know what to do. She lost her girlfriend a few months ago, I don't know how, but I have a feeling it was hard on her. There's something about Ashley that makes her perfect, but I don't know what that is either. I can't continue this plan with Carmen. I've become too attached to Ashley.

I didn't feel a pair of eye staring at me as I wrote. When I looked up at Ashley's room her lights were off, except for a tiny glow of a small lamp maybe. I've always sensed when Ashley has stared at me. Every since I pointed out to her that she could see my room from her balcony, I've always sensed her looking at me as I wrote. Today was the first time where I felt suddenly empty.