“You know, I'm not so much in the mood anymore Mads.” I tell my friend as we get ready for the party.

“What?” She turns to me and questions. “Five hours ago you were all like 'oh my God, Madison... I really need a good party to go to tonight.'” She says, calling herself mimicking my voice.

“First of all, I sound nothing like that. And secondly, five hours ago I had a run in with Carmen and my head was all screwed up. I'm feeling much better now, thanks.”

“Nope.” She shakes her head as she struts over to me, half naked might I add. “We're not doing this Spencer. You're going to this party tonight, even if I have to drag you out of here kicking and screaming.” She tells me, getting right in my face.

“But I don't--”

“I don't wanna hear it.” She shakes me.

“Oh my God, shaken baby syndrome much?”

She chuckles as she stops shaking me. “There's gonna be so many hot chicks to sleep with at this party tonight though Spence, how dare you pass up an opportunity like this.”

“You know I'm not that kinda girl, Mads.” I roll my eyes at my friend for even suggesting such a ludicrous thing.

“Well you know what they say,” She shrugs as she pulls her shirt down over her head. “The best way to get over one person is to get under--”

“You better not even think about finishing that.” I say, glaring at her.

“Just saying.” She shrugs as she makes her way over to her closet. “You need to get over Carmen, I don't see what you ever saw in that two timing manipulative bi--”

“I think I got it.” I cut her off, raising my hand and rolling eyes. “Carmen wasn't like that in the beginning. She used to be so sweet and caring and loving. It's like once she had me, she flipped a switch or something and completely changed her whole personality. I don't know how I didn't see it from the beginning. How I didn't see past the façade.”

“Don't put that on yourself Spence. There was no way you could have known that she was a complete psychopath.” She says as she grabs a pair of black skinny jeans from her closet and slips them on. “She even had me fooled.” She adds.

“I just feel stupid I guess.” I shrug. Standing and slipping my legs into my jeans. I put on my red and black retro Jordans as Madison puts on her gray and black Supra's.

“Well tonight,” She starts, walking over to me, pulling me up from the bed and spinning me around. “we're gonna party and forget all about that skank Carmen.” She spins me around again, getting a good look at my body. “Damn Spencer!” She shouts. “You looking good mami. You're gonna have all the girls chasing after you tonight.”

“Nah.” I shake my head as a blush spreads across my cheeks.

“Please, you looking so good I'd go gay for you right now.” She says and I knit my eyebrows together.

“You know sometimes I wonder about--”

“Don't even think about it.” She cuts me off, shaking her head. “I love my man and his man parts sweetie.” She adds. I make a gag face and she slaps my arm. “Carmen is gonna be so jealous when she sees you tonight.”

“Wait what?” I stop dancing and quickly face her. “Carmen is gonna be there?”

“I don't know.” She shrugs. “Probably. I mean it is the last party of the year and Kaci's throwing it. Everyone knows her parties are epic.” Madison says and turns around to grab her iPod.

“Seriously Madison, I can't go to this party.” I shake my head hysterically as I sit back down on the bed. Staying away from her and being okay with our break up is one thing, but seeing her... dancing and laughing and flirting with other girls, I just can't do it.

“Spencer we've discussed this. You're not gonna miss out on this party because your lame ass ex may or may not be there. And that's the end of this discussion.”

“Madison I'm not going.” I shake my head. “You can't make me.”

–

“See! What'd I tell ya? Best party ever right?” Madison yells over the music as her and Aiden dance next to me.

If you haven't already guessed I came to the stupid party. Well technically Aiden carried me to the party but whatever. I'm here and I can't wait to leave. In case you're wondering, Carmen is here and she's tried to talk to me at least five times already.

This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. Carmen has this way about herself, she can pull you in and once she has you in her grasps... it's so hard to break away.

“Spencer stop thinking about your ex-girlfriend and dance with us.” Aiden says, trying to pull me closer to him and Madison. Yeah, no thanks.

“I'm gonna get a drink.” I pull away and head towards the bar. “A Shirly Temple please.” I tell the bartender who gives me a weird look before heading off to make my drink.

What? Alcohol and I don't get along.

And Shirly happens to be my favorite girl at the moment.

“Hey.” Carmen comes up behind me and whispers in my ear. You have got to be fucking kidding me.

“Carmen I really don't--”

“I didn't come over here to ask you to take me back again, Spencer.” She shakes her head as she scoots in next to me. I turn to face her. Wrong move...her eyes are pulling me in right now.

“Then what do you want?” I ask in cold voice. I'm trying to spare my dignity here people.

“I just wanna dance with you. I won't see you for three whole months and probably even after that, I just wanna have one last dance with you.” She leans closer to my ear. “Remember how good we dance together?” She whispers, sending shivers up my spine.

Fuck my life right now.

“Fine.” I tell her after contemplating it for a moment.

“Here you go.” The bartender says, getting my attention. I turn around and take my drink from him, taking a sip slowly from the straw.

“You and alcohol still not speaking?” Carmen asks with a smirk.

I shrug. “We're on a break.”

“Well you guys did have that falling out a few months back.” She says and we both chuckle. See, this is what I'm talking about right here. It's so easy to fall back into everything with her. Like nothing ever happened. “Come on.” She says, pulling me onto the dance floor as the band starts another song. When the beat comes in Carmen pulls me closer to her, grinding her hips into me. I fall into the music easily, letting Carmen have me in ways she hasn't in weeks. As the lead singer starts singing it only spurs Carmen on more. The raspy tone of her voice sending chills up and down my spine.

“As the rush comes, As the rush comes, As the rush comes, As the rush comes.” She starts, swinging her brunette hair slowly from side to side. She closes her eyes as she starts the first verse and the drummer picks up the beat. “Traveling somewhere, could be anywhere. There's a coldness in the air but I don't care. We drift deeper life goes on. We drift deeper into the sound, As the rush comes.” As Carmen pulls me in impossibly closer I find myself not being able to take my eyes off the lead singer, something about the way the words fall off her lips and the way her body sways with the beat. It intrigues me. “Embrace me, Surround me. As the rush comes. Embrace me, Surround me. As the rush comes, As the rush comes, As the rush comes, As the rush comes. Traveling somewhere, could be anywhere. There's a coldness in the air but I don't care. We drift deeper into the sound life goes on. We drift deeper into the sound feeling strong. As the rush comes. Embrace me, Surround me. As the rush comes. Embrace me, Surround me. As the rush comes.”

“Spencer, I can't go a whole summer without seeing you.” Carmen whispers in my ear, pulling my attention from the girl on stage.

“Don't do this.” I plead with Carmen. We're dancing and I'm fine with that, but she wants to take this somewhere that it doesn't need to go.

“You need to know this, Spence. I love you.”

“We drift deeper. We drift deeper. We drift deeper into the sound life goes on. We drift deeper into the sound feeling strong. So bring it on. So bring it on. So bring it on. So bring it on.”

“You cheated on me, remember. You did this to us.” I reply as our bodies still sway with the beat. I feel like we should stop dancing, that the moment has passed and I should just walk away, but I can't move. The girl on the stage is keeping me planted in this spot. The lyrics of her song and the way they escape her lips is keeping me here.

“Embrace me, surround me. As the rush comes. Embrace me, surround me. As the rush comes.”

“I know.” Carmen whispers and I feel like shit for what I did. I don't expect you to forgive me right away Spencer. I know that this is gonna take some time, but I just need to know that you're willing to try. You're willing to give us another shot.” I can hear the desperation in her voice.

“Embrace me, surround me. As the rush comes. Embrace me, surround me. As the rush comes.”

“You don't deserve my forgiveness.” I reply softly.

“You're right, I don't. But I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“Embrace me, surround me. As the rush comes. As the rush comes. As the rush comes. As the rush comes. As the rush comes.”

“I don't know if I can.” I answer her honestly.

“Just think about it, Spencer. Take the summer to really think about it. About us...about all the good times we had. How good we are together. I'll be here waiting for you.” She says, barely above a whisper as she places a chaste kiss on my lips and walks away as the band finishes the song.

“As the rush comes.” The lead singer sings the final words and just like that whatever trans I was in, was gone. I could see clearly now. I watched as Carmen disappeared into the crowd.

“What the fuck was that?” Madison asks once her and Aiden reached me. I turn to her and shrug, because honestly, I don't even know myself. “You danced and I mean you really danced with that skank Spencer.” Madison adds as I hear the lead singer tell everyone they would be taking a short break.

“I don't know what happened Mads, honestly. I was drinking my drink and then we were dancing and I... I don't know what came over me.” I tell her honestly.

“Fuck Spence!” Madison exclaims, shaking her head. “You can't just be going around dancing with your crazy ass ex.”

“I know.” I nod. “I'm gonna get some water.” I tell the pair.

“Okay, then we're getting the hell out of here before skank face decides to make another appearance.” I nod and make my way over to the bar.

“Water please.” I tell the bartender. He gives me another weird look but gets me a water anyways.

“Not many people order a water at a college party.” A girl says as she comes up next to me, sitting her drink on the bar.

“You're drinking water.” I tell her as I look down at the clear substance in her glass.

“I'm not allowed to drink on the job, otherwise I'd be--”

“Oh my God.” I say when I finally look up. “You're the lead singer of that band...” I trail off, realizing I probably look like a total groupie. Here I am getting excited about a band that I'd never even heard until a few minutes ago.

“Serenity.” She nods and smiles. “I'm Ashley.” She adds after a moment, holding out her hand for me to shake.

“Spencer.” I reply, taking her hand.

“Can I make a confession?” She asks, taking a sip of her water. I nod, doing the same. “I saw you...” She pauses, choosing her words carefully. “On the dance floor I mean, with that girl. You move so...” She trails off, smiling a bit. “You get really into the music.” She settles on.

“That song,” I start, replaying that moment in my head. “It was unbelievable.” I admit, taking another sip of my water to hide the blush I'm sure appeared on my cheeks.

“Thank you.” She smiles widely. “It's new actually. I wrote it on the plane ride here from California.” She says like it's no big deal.

“Well it was amazing.” I tell her again.

“Thank you.” She smiles and I have to bite my lips to keep from smiling. “Well, I have to get back to work, this is a paying gig after all. My band and I don't get many of these so we try to make the ones we do get count. Build up an audience you know.”

“Well you definitely have a new fan in me.” I say realizing how groupie-ish that must have sounded. She chuckles and nods.

“Good to know, Spencer.” The way she said my name sent shivers through my body.

“Bye Ashley.” I wave as she turns to leave.

“You're staying for the next set though right?” She half shouts back to me as she walks towards the stage. I nod and she smiles. “Good.” She yells as she climbs on the stage.

“You ready to get out of here?” Madison appears next to me.

“I think we should stay for a few more songs.” Is my reply as the band starts playing again. Ashley's eyes catch mine and a smile creeps it's way onto her lips as she starts to sing the next song.

“Ooooo, what was that?” Aiden asks, pushing me a little.

“Nothing.” I chuckle and shake my head.

“Right, like we didn't just catch that look she gave you.” Madison chimes in.

“It was nothing.” I assure my friends.

Absolutely nothing...

–

Song Used -Motorclycle- As The Rush Comes