She was like a drug to Ashley Davies – like Cocaine or Marijuana only one hundred times more powerful and addicting.  Ashley had begun to feel the side effect almost immediately after her supply of Spencer was cut off abruptly.  Watching the blonde was like watching the authorities confiscate her supply of crack.  It was absolute torment for Ashley to be away from Spencer. 

Ashley watched as Spencer walked swiftly by her, not even glancing over to look at her. Ashley could feel the sting in her eyes as tears began to form.  On an angry impulse, Ashley ripped open her locker and snatched the picture of the blonde.  Caleb’s voice stopped her from ripping it up.

"Hey, Ashley," Caleb greeted her casually, "Long time no speak, huh?"

Ashley rolled her eyes and without a word, jerked the locker door open once again, hitting Caleb hard in the face.  Before he knew it, blood trickled slowly out of his nose.  "Omigosh! I am so sorry, Brit!! Are you alright?" Ashley asked, insincere concern dripping off of ever word.  A proud grin tugged at her lips.

Caleb looked down at Ashley and smiled weakly, oblivious to Ashley’s sarcasm.  “Uh, yeah.  I’m sure that was a mistake,” Caleb muttered, dabbing at the blood with his handkerchief.

Ugh.  What an egotistical asshole.  And he’s so old fashioned.  Who brought him up like that? Ashley thought, a quiet giggle escaping her.  She opened her mouth to say something else but her voice was replaced by Aiden’s.

"What’s up British man?" Aiden asked.  Caleb looked over at him and shrugged. 

"Nothing much really.  I just got thumped in the face by a locker door.  But I’m fine."

"Aw," Ashley cooed mockingly, "Poor baby."  Caleb glared at her for a moment.  His face softened because he remembered that "he loved her." 

"Excuse me, Caleb," Aiden said, purposefully shoving Caleb out of the way, "Your standing in front of my locker."  Ashley laughed gently.  Swinging his backpack around as if to get it into his locker, Aiden ‘accidently’ whacked Caleb in the chest.  "Shit.  Sorry, Caleb," he said as he dropped his bag onto the British man’s toes.

Caleb clenched his jaw to prevent a shout from being heard.  "No, no.  It’s fine.  I’ve, uh, I’ve got to go to class.  That is if I can make it there without being thumped, hit, whacked or slapped.  Talk to you all later."  At that, the Brit limped away slowly, watching out for any incoming backpacks or swinging locker doors.

*                     *                       *

Ashley grinned up at Aiden.  "Thanks."

"No prob, Ash.  I had a feeling that you’d like to slap him around a bit.  How are you holding up?"

"What?" Ashley asked, unaware that Aiden knew that she was no longer with Spencer.

"How have you been? I mean, I heard that…"

"My supply of my own brand of heroine has been cut off completely?"

Aide’s brow furrowed.  "You mean Spencer, right?" he asked.

Ashley rolled her eyes and punched him playfully in the shoulder.  "You know what I mean, Aiden.  Spencer is like a drug.  The more access I have to her, the more addicted I get and the more I need her here with me.  But when she…"

"Ash.  It’s fine.  You don’t have explain to me."  Aiden enveloped the girl in a tight hug and planted a tender kiss upon her forehead. 

"It’s just that I need her.  All I want is to be with her again.  I just miss her so much.  And she won’t forgive me.  Hell, she wouldn’t even look at me if she had the choice," Ashley whimpered, tears forming in her eyes.

"Oh god.  Ash, don’t cry," Aiden said as he wiped away a tear with his thumb.

"I just feel so empty! So broken.  And so violent sometimes," she cried.

Aiden patted her back gently and whispered, "Tell you what, we’ll go somewhere.  You and me.  Just to escape everything.  I sure as hell need some sort of escape."

Ashley looked up at him, a glint of security gleaming in her eyes.  With a soft nod, Ashley whispered back, "Alright.  But don’t think that all this mushy stuff is getting you anywhere closer to being my boyfriend."

Aiden stuck out his bottom lip, "Whaaat?"

"Aiden, you know I’m still in love with Spencer."

"I know, I know.  I’m just fooling around with you.  I’m fine with it all.  Now let’s get out of here."