[One weekend Ashley, Spencer, Kyla and Aiden were all at the mall sitting around a big fountain. “Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys.” Kyla says. They all nod in one way or another. Spencer’s phone beeps. She’s been texting Chris all day. “Anybody want some food?” Aiden asks. Kyla shakes her head and Spencer keeps texting. Ashley gets up. “I guess I could eat.”
On the way to the food court she notices that Aiden seems kinda twitchy. “Dude, are you ok?” She looks him up and down. He shakes his long hair out of his face. “I uh I have to tell you something. I just don’t know how to say it.” He’s nervous.
“It’s ok Aid, I know you’re gay. And I think I might be too.” Ashley claps his back. “Is it really that obvious? Do I need to work on my straight boy act?” He worries. “No, I just know you.” Ashley laughs a little. “Tell me about this thinking you’re gay.” he leads her to a bench. “I think I like Spencer.” Ashley whispers.
“What do you mean, you think you like her?”
“I don’t know. I just catch myself staring at her sometimes. And recently I’ve been wondering what it would be like with a girl.”
“Ash, there’s no doubt you love her but she’s a lost cause. If you come to GSA with me on Monday, I’ll hook you up.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet.”]
Two months passed and no progress was made between Ashley and Spencer. Spencer dumped Chris and is now with Zach. Ashley’s starting to face the fact that she really is a lesbian. Aiden still hasn’t come out to Spencer or his dad. Kyla met a girl named Madison and now they hang out all the time. Ashley gives in to Aiden’s suggestion of hooking her up.
[Ashley didn’t want to go it alone with her date so she made Aiden come too. He introduces the girl as Rose. She has light red hair and brown eyes. She’s a few inches taller than Ashley. They all go to Ashley’s game room to play Wii. After Aiden wins Mario Kart four times on a row they retire to the pool.
“Aiden, you’re such an ass! You couldn’t just lose on round.” Ashley pushes him in.
“He’s SO gonna kill you tomorrow. It took him like an hour to do his hair.” Rose laughs. “I know. He uses more product than anyone I know.”
“So, how long have you guys known each other?”
“Since we were like 4. A bully stuffed him into the tube slide and Spence, that’s our other friend, and I had to pull him out. Then I pushed the bully off the monkey bars.”
“Once a wimp always a wimp.”
“I AM NOT A WIMP!” Aiden yells across the pool.
“Brawny-Man over there said you’ve never been with a girl before. But I find that hard to believe.” Rose moves closer to Ashley.
“It’s true.” Ashley looks down wishing she had her cap on.
“It’s kool. Girls love virgins.” Rose lifts Ashley’s face. They inch closer and closer until- a throat clears.
Ashley jumps up. “Mom! It’s not- we were just-”
“Stop. Don’t tell me. I’d rather not have to know. There’s money on your card. Look after Kyla. I’ll be in Italy, arrivederci.” Christine walks away. Ashley stares after her numbly.
“Ash, are you ok?” No response. Aiden gets out of the pool soaking wet.
“What happened?”
“Her mom just came out here and completely ignored the fact that we were about to kiss. Then said she’s going to Italy and left.” Rose waves her hand in front of Ashley’s face.
“Is that all I get? Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Not even a bit of emotion! How can she not care? Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Why doesn’t she care about me?” Ashley goes from a whisper to a scream, crying.]
The next weekend Spencer was sleeping over with Ashley.
[Ashley laughs texting Rose. Spencer huffs. “Who are you texting?”
“No one special.” Ashley says guiltily. “No one special, my ass!” Spencer reaches for the phone. She misses. “It’s just someone Aiden introduced me to.” Ashley says vaguely. Spencer grabs the phone, a new text comes in.
“Saturday night at 8, can I pick you up?” she reads. Ashley snatches it back, replying quickly. “Are you gonna tell me?” Ashley takes a breath.
“Spencer, I- I like girls.” “This can’t be happening. You can’t like girls. If my mom finds out we’ll never see each other again.” Spencer rambles.
“So, we don’t tell her. She doesn’t have to know.” “You don’t get it. She’s already suspicious. She barely let me come over.”
“Well, are you at least ok with it?” “Oh, yea. I’ve kinda had a hunch but I figured I’d wait until you told me. I know Aiden’s gay too. I don’t care though, I love you guys. I’m just worried about my mom.” Spencer hugs Ashley.
“How did you know?” Ashley grins.
“With Aiden I could tell he likes Glen. I mean, every time Glen’s around he puffs up his chest and tries to act all macho.” Spencer laughs. “Yea, I told him to stop doing that.”
“With you I just noticed you checking girls out. And I know this might sound crazy but I remembered that first time your mom ditched you and it kinda seemed like you were going to kiss me. I know you probably weren’t, though. I mean we were 11.”
Ashley gulps. “To tell you the truth I did think about kissing you that night. But I got scared and chickened out.” Spencer takes her hand.
“Well it’s better that you didn’t. There’s nothing like that between us. So, tell me about this girl you’re texting.” Spencer is nonchalant. Ashley feels a pang in her heart and fights back tears.]
The next night Rose pulls up in front of Ashley’s house in her purple VW Bug and honks. Ashley walks out in boy jeans and a man-beater with her hair down. Rose is in spaghetti straps and a jean skirt.
[“Wow, I love your car.” Ashley gets in. “Thanks it’s electric.” Rose starts to drive. “Where are you taking me?” Ashley is excited. “To the side of the highway so I can tie yo u up and rape you.” Ashley’s eyes widen.
“Just kidding. Relax, we’re going to a movie.” Rose laughs. “Good, cause there’s no way we’re having sex on the first date.” Ashley sighs. They get to the theatre and it’s almost packed.
“Just so you know last time I had this much popcorn I ended up barfing.” Ashley half whispers. “Ok, no more popcorn for you.” Rose moves the gigantic bucket.
“See, what happened was after the movie we were all on Aiden’s trampoline and my asthma was acting up. And right after I did my inhaler I spewed popcorn everywhere.” Ashley laughs.
“If you think that’s bad; This one time I was driving Aiden home and he looked kinda green. So I asked him what was wrong and he said he won a jelly bean eating contest at lunch. So I pulled over. R
ight when I stopped jelly beans came pouring out of his mouth. Some of them were whole, and I think a few came out his nose.”
They start cracking up. Then the movie starts. It’s an animated bedtime stories gone wrong kind of thing. About half an hour in Rose takes Ashley’s hand. Subsequently, Ash puts her head on Rose’s shoulder. Rose gently leans down placing her lips on Ashley’s when- someone clears their throat.
They look up. It’s an usher.
“Sorry ladies, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” They get up and follow him out. “What did we do?” Rose is angry. “We got some complaints that you two were disturbing the movie.”
“We were quiet the whole time.” Rose steps towards him. “Look, all I know is that I got 4 complaints about your conduct. Rule says I have to make you leave.” He cowers. Rose grabs him by the collar.
“Aren’t you supposed to check out those complaints?” “N-not aft-ter the fourth one, I just have to remove the party causing the disturbance.” He stammers. Rose raises her fist but Ashley pulls it down.
“He’s not worth it. Let’s just go to my place and chill.” Rose wraps her arm around Ashley and drops the weasel.
On the way home Ashley says “It was because we’re gay, wasn’t it?” Rose just nods. When they get up to Ashley’s room Rose leans her against the door frame, kissing her softly. Then the door opens and Ashley falls to the floor.
“Ash I’m glad you’re back because-”
“Spencer! What are you doing here?” Rose helps a startled Ashley from the floor.
“Kyla wanted some company so I stayed to wait for you after you left. Who’s she?” Spencer is not sure why she’s a little jealous.
“This is Rose, that girl I was telling you about.”
“Oh, OH! I should go, bye!”
“You don’t have to,” But Spencer is already gone.]

About a month later Rose asked Ashley to be her girlfriend. They became an official couple. Christine got back from Italy and is giving Ashley more of a freeze than normal. Aiden has a boyfriend named Geof, and finally told his dad who was fine with it. Spencer is single and Kyla is dating a guy named Jimmy. They’re all partying in Ashley’s game room.
[“Hey sweetcheeks.” Geof says to Aiden who’s playing Wii tennis. “I’ll be over in a minute, I have to kick Jimmy’s ass.” They kiss quickly.
In the corner Kyla and Spencer are chatting. “…I know, he looks really bad with facial hair.” Kyla says. “Kind of old and scruffy.” Spencer comments glancing at Ashley.
Rose and Ashley are slightly removed from the group, making out in the doorway. “You’re such a good kisser.” Ashley giggles. “You’re the one that taught me.” They lock lips again. Rose slides her tongue across Ashley’s lip asking for entrance. She accepts. They french for a minute and then Ash pulls away.
“Is your tongue pierced?” “Yea, I also have two on my hip. They were my ex’s idea. I don’t really like them.”
“I think that’s hot. Maybe I’ll get some. I don’t even have my ears pierced though.” Ashley laughs glancing over at Spencer, who looks disgusted. Then she pulls Rose into her kissing her hard.
“Ugh, look at them over there sucking face. Haven’t they heard of manners?” Spencer scowls. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’re jealous.” Kyla says. “I’m not jealous. I just don’t think everyone wants to see how far Ashley’s tongue fits down Rose’s throat.” Spencer snaps. “Woah, down girl. I was just joking.” Kyla giggles.]
This little spark of jealousy slowly leads Spencer to a realization that she has feelings for Ashley. Sadly, Ashley and Rose only lasted another month after this because Ashley didn’t want to take the next step. Aiden and Geof stayed together for 5 more months but then Geof’s parents found out and sent him to reform school. Kyla and Jimmy lasted a week.