Hey guys! I want to thank you all for staying with me...I've just realized how much free time doesn't exist in my life. Sorry about this chapter being so short, I'm uploading 17 and 18 together, because you guys didn't wait to read an 900 word chapter. Let me know what you think of this story. I'm a little nervous that my plot is starting to get a little confusing. If it is I'd be happy to answer you questions, if you comment I'll be sure to get back to you ASAP. I hope that I find some free time to review the rest of the story so that you guys cam read it! Thanks for reading!

"Ashley, hurry up," I heard my mother's voice from downstairs. I quickly put on my shirt and rushed down the stairs.

Today was commitment day, where all the students who have decided to commit come together and sign papers and what not. Exciting, but not. I wasn't sure if Spencer was committing anywhere, because she didn't like to talk about it. I figured that she was when I didn't see her car in the driveway. I got in the front seat of my car and followed my mom to the school. Sure enough, Spencer's Jeep was sitting in the parking lot.

When we entered the conference room, it was filled with people. I saw representative from every different school. I managed to find the representative from UNC. He was wearing a hat, with UNC written on it. He guided us over to a different section of the conference room that was quieter. Emily was also in the same section, with her family. She waved as I walked by and Sid disappeared to hang with Noah.

"Ashley, right?" he asked gathering his papers. I nodded. He took Emily and I to a table. There were different table set up all around the room. I hadn't seen Spencer yet.

"Alright, I want to congratulation you two on your plan to commit to the University of North Carolina. It's a pleasure to have you play for our team."

He explained the signing process to us, about how we have to play for the team all four years if we want our scholarship money, and all these other rules that I wasn't really paying attention too. After we explained everything we signed the commitment letter and received a package of UNC apparel. I congratulated Emily on her swim commitment.

I hadn't seen Spencer during the entire ceremony that was until I rounded the corner and saw a different ceremony going on. I saw Spencer shaking the hand of a person wearing a naval uniform. When Spencer caught my eye, her smile faded.

"Ashley, are you ready to go?" my mother asked coming up from behind me. I nodded quickly before taking one more look at Spencer.

The ride home my silent, one because Sid had gone home with Noah, and because I just found out that Spencer's going into the navy. I don't have any bias against the navy; I think that it's great. But for some reason it's different for Spencer. I mean Aiden is in ROTC now, and I think that that's great. I just wished that Spencer had told me. Spencer wasn't home, when we pulled into our driveway. I took a seat on the swinging bench and waited for Spencer to get home. I didn't have to wait long because Spencer pulled up a short while later. She looked at me over the car hood before heading inside.

I hit my head on the back of the wall, "how could I be so stupid?" I said, wracking my brains. I sat there for a little while longer, before I heard a gentle pounding on wood. When I looked up, I found myself face to face with beautiful oceans orbs.

"So the navy," I said breaking eye contact.

"Ashley I was going to tell you, but I guess I got caught up with things," she said taking a seat next to me.

"Why the navy?"

"Because of my mother," she said looking out onto the lawn, "I would rather go to any other place, but I can't."

"Of course you can," I said frustrated.

"That's what you don't understand Ashley," she said getting up, "you got a full ride, I only got a quarter tuition scholarship. My family can't afford it! The only place they can afford is the navy."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean too…"

"It's fine," she said sighing.

"It changes you," I said. Spencer looked at me with confusion.

"What changes you?"

"War."

"Ashley…"

"Spence, just hear what I have to say, please," I said looking at her in the eyes, "It changes people, Spencer. They're never the same person, ever. What we have is something special and unique, and I'm afraid that you're going to change."

"I'll still be the same Spencer, you've always known," she said grasping my hands. I wanted to believe her so badly, but I knew that she was lying. When my dad got back from the army he was a different person. He wasn't the soft, funny person that we all loved. He had put a hard shell around himself. It's been almost thirteen years since, and he still isn't the same person. Spencer is going to change, even if she thinks that she's not. My father didn't even notice the change; everything seemed natural to him. I don't want that to happen between Spencer and I.