“Wow. Spence, check it out.” I look to we’re Aaron’s pointing at to see Ashley talking to some guy. “I’ve never seen her outside of Pop Mills.”

“Who Ashley?” Aaron and both turn our heads to look at Jill.

“You know her?” I ask wondering how she knows Ashley and what she knows about her. Jill and Aaron have only been together for about two weeks now, and in these to weeks, she hasn’t been to Pop Mills diner with us.

“Yeah, she use to go my school. I heard she dropped out after she found out she was pregnant.” I take in Jill’s words as I look over to where Ashley was, but isn’t standing anymore.

“I’m going to step outside for a minute.” I tell them and make my way to the front of the house.

I’m standing outside leaning against my car, with my eyes close when I have that feeling of some one watching me. I open my eyes and Ashley’s standing in front of me. I look down at my hands the second our eyes meet. This is stupid she’s the one who was acting like a bitch. So why am I hiding away like I’ve done something wrong.

“I’m sorry.” I look up when I hear those words leave her mouth. We stare at each other for a minute before she starts to turn, to leave.

“Ashley…” I say pushing off the car, stepping closer to her. “Do you need a ride home, after the party?”

“No thanks, I came with a friend.” I leave it at that and let her walk off, I know not to push.

What Jill said about Ashley dropping out of school after finding out she’s was pregnant keeps playing in my head. Mostly the pregnant part, do I believe it.

“Hey.” Not being able to think about anything else. I find myself late for school again, standing at a bus stop watching Ashley say goodbye to the two unidentified kids again.   

When the school bus drives away, Ashley turns to me.

“Do you ever go to school on time?” She asks taking her seat on the bench.

“Do you even go to school?” I say taking a seat beside her.

“Why are you here?” She asks ignoring my question.

“Why are you?” She lets out a frustrated sigh, at my question.

“Seriously, what do you want?” She says turning her head to look at me.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Do you know my name?” She just stares at me trying to figure out where the question came from.

“Is that what you want?” She says and this time it’s me who’s confused. “For me to know you name. Is that what you want?” She clarifies.

“I’m late for school.” I tell her not knowing how to answer her question.

“Spencer!” I turn around at the sound of my name coming from her mouth. “I know your name.” She says and for the first time, she smiles at me. I open my car door and head to school, not even caring that I’m going to be trouble when I arrive, because she knows my name. Ashley knows my name.  

TBC