The blonde looked up, her heart caught in her throat as she remained stationary in her seat. She knew that if she and Ashley left together it would only fuel the rumors more. Reluctantly she shook her head, her eyes still shimmering with tears. Ashley stood there for a moment longer, pleading with Spencer to follow her, but she soon realized it was a lost cause. In a brief moment of vulnerability her face reflected all of the hurt and resentment she was feeling at that moment. The look hit Spencer square in the gut and she even flinched slightly, her eyes shifting to her hands as Ashley turned and stormed out of the room.

Once in the hallway the brunette paced back and forth, her heart throbbing in her ears as she strained to get control of herself. Eventually she just sat down with her back to a wall, slumping her head into her hands and shutting her eyes. She had to stay here till her mother came to pick her up, seeing as she lived too far away from the school to just walk. She stayed in that position for about 15 minutes, collecting her thoughts and feeling abandoned, until she heard a small voice beside her.

“You okay?” The voice spoke and Ashley looked up, recognizing Chelsea. She was one of the few people at this school that she was friendly with, and she was hoping that the girl wasn’t here to taunt her.

“Not really, no.” The brunette replied, wiping her hand over her eyes in an effort to remove any evidence of tears.

“I heard about you and Spencer…” Chelsea mentioned quietly as she took a seat beside Ashley.

“From who?” The girl responded quickly, giving Chelsea her full attention as she sat up a bit straighter. If she found out who started all of this she was going to kill them.

Chelsea was silent for a moment, not sure if she should name her source, “Ashley… I shouldn’t…”

“Come on, I need to know. It’s important.” Pleaded the girl, her arms unfolding as she turned to face the dark haired girl beside her, “Please.”

“Aiden… Aiden Dennison.” She spoke finally, watching Ashley’s face contort with anger as her jaw locked. Of course it was Aiden, she should have guessed. Little dick Dennison couldn‘t handle the rejection and had to start a rumor to get even.