“Spencer!” Aiden called from across the cafeteria, “Spence! Come over here!”

Spencer smiled as Aiden called her name and made her way over to him.  Taking a seat next to him, she said pleasantly, “Hey.  How have you been?”

“Doin’ pretty well actually.  Kyla’s been keeping me outta trouble and outta the hospital,” he replied with a bit of humor lingering in his voice.

“That’s good.  You still talk to Sasha?”

Aiden shook his head briefly.  “Haven’t heard from her in a couple of months.”

Spencer nodded her head in understanding.  “By the way, how’s the girlfriend?” Aiden asked his mouth full of meatball and bread.

“Aiden, that’s so gross.”  Aiden let out a loud laugh.  “Um,” Spencer said, unsure if she should tell Aiden about what happened between Ashley and her, “Me and Ashley, um, we’re not together anymore.  We, uh, broke up three days ago.”

Aiden swallowed and his mouth fell open.  “Wait, are you kidding? No more Spashley love?” he said, his eyes expressing bewilderment and incredulity.

Spencer shook her head sadly.  “No.  I just couldn’t handle all of it.  Her arrogance and frustration.  It was all taken out on me.”

“What are you all talking about?” Caleb inquired, appearing out of nowhere.  He sat down across from Aiden with his lunch tray.  Spencer groaned quietly.

“We’re talking about the pressure she felt at the dance academy she attended.  Spence couldn’t handle the pressure so she dropped out,” Aiden lied, sensing that Spencer wasn’t ready to spill the beans about her and Ashley.

“Oh cool.  You were a dancer? Ballet, I presume.”

Spencer looked over at Aiden momentarily.  “Em, yeah.  My instructors wanted me to practice six days a week and for eight hours.  Sounds extreme but it’s totally true.”  Aiden nodded wildly as Spencer spoke.

“Wow.  So, when did you start dancing?” Caleb asked, seeming to be completely absorbed in the conversation.  There was a long, awkward pause as Spencer looked over at Aiden once more.  “Since, like, I was four.  Yeah, four,” Spencer replied nervously.

“Wow.  That’s all I can really say.   You must’ve been a beautiful dancer,” Caleb said quietly. 

Ugh, I want to beat this guy with a stick.  Why doesn’t he just get hit by the bus or something? Spencer thought.

“Shit!” Spencer muttered as something came in contact with the back of her head.  She whipped around to see who had thrown the object at her.  She spotted Ashley waving wildly, a wide smile plastered across her face. 

Spencer shook her head briefly before turning back around.  Soon enough, just as Spencer had expected, Ashley came bounding toward them.  “Hey, hey girlfriend!” Ashley exclaimed.  The blonde looked up at her and frowned slightly.  Ashley plopped down next to the English man just as Spencer got up to leave.

“I’ve got to run to Biology class, guys.  I’ll catch up with you later,” Spencer said, knowing that it was a poor excuse to leave, “Mr. Ross will murder me if I’m late.”

“I’ll go with you!” Ashley said, another one of her typical smiles tugging at her lips, “Math is the next room over.”

Spencer’s frown disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.  With a false smile that meant nothing, Spencer replied, “It’s alright.  I don’t feel like getting an additional lecture on the way to class.”  She smiled down politely at Aiden and Caleb. 

Ashley watched helplessly as the blonde walked off, anxiety hidden behind those dark eyes.  “Ash, I’ll walk you to class,” Caleb suggested, placing his hand over her own.  Ashley scowled down at his hand and rose to her feet.  With a firm shake of her head, she stomped off without looking back.