I want to assure everyone that there will be no abuse in any of my stories present, past or future. (Except for the odd fisticuffs) ;)

Disclaimer: Me no owney!

Spencer's POV

"Wait up a minute, Spence!" I heard the gruff voice through the heavy panting behind me and slowed my pace to a walk as I waited for my dad to catch up.

"Hurry up dad! There's not that long left now!" I shouted back, turning around to see him jogging up with four men dressed in black sweats surrounding him. I was thankful I didn't need that much protection when I was running; I wouldn't have been able to see the scenery with all the bodies in the way. I looked past him to see a police car rolling up behind him. I probably would have found it ridiculous to bring so many people on a father/ daughter run but I was used to it by now.

"I don't know when you got so fast. I'm sure you weren't this fast even last week!" that's probably because I wasn't, I thought.

Usually I didn't mind jogging at my dad's pace, I'd talk to him about whatever as a distraction as he huffed and puffed away. But today was Wednesday. And that meant that I was meeting Ashley and her sister at seven and I wanted to be ready on time.

"Well I kind of wanted to get home early. I'm going out with Madison and everyone at seven." I told him as I started walking towards him, my two bodyguards shadowing me.

"Spencer, that's five hours away. Please don't tell me I raised my daughter to spend half of her day putting her make up on. You look beautiful without it." He told me sternly.

"Of course I'm not. When have you ever seen me wear excessive make up? But you did teach me that a hostess is always well prepared. And seeing as I'm hosting this shindig I feel that I should dressed fashionably early to make sure everything is prepared." It wasn't a complete lie.

"That's my girl! You'll make a fabulous wife to somebody someday. Speaking of, how are things going with you and that Griffiths kid?" he asked as he slung his arm over my shoulder, mainly to support himself.

"Ew, crap! He'd better not be thinking of proposing to me! I'm still trying to get him to dump me!" I said shuddering at the thought of being Spencer Griffiths.

"Now, Spencer. Don't be rude. His parents are lovely, well-respected people and he seems to have the right take on things. Why would you want him to dump you?"

"Because, he doesn't listen when I try to dump him. He only listens to mother and she's gonna be dragging me down the isle at the first whiff of marriage." I knew it was okay to vent to my dad, he knew what it was like to be controlled by my mother. Everyone thinks that my dad is the most powerful person in the world, but you just have to follow the puppet strings to my mother to see how untrue that is.

"Now, now. Don't talk about your mother that way. I'm sure she's just looking out for your best interests. If you talk to her, I'll bet she'll be more than happy to compromise." I sighed heavily at this and shared a disbelieving look with Tony, one of my running guards.

We decided that now my dads breathing had evened out somewhat, we'd be good to carry on with our weekly run. I kept pace with my dad this time. The fact of the matter was, we wouldn't be going home until he finished running, which would be the same no matter how fast I went.

I looked around as we jogged along, but now that I had dads guard as well it was hard to see anything past the wall of bodies. I decided to jog slightly ahead.

We were in some National Park which looked pretty cool. There were other people here which I used to find pretty awkward when dad first became the president. But now I'm pretty used to people looking when they realise who we are. I caught sight of some kids with their mum staring wide mouthed and offered them a smile.

Jogging slowly wasn't too bad actually. It gave me time to think. Think about Ashley. I don't know what it was about her that made me smile so much. Maybe it's because she's the first who isn't caught up in all this portentous political crap but doesn't stare at me like those kids did either. She treats me like a normal person, a person that she likes, a person that I like. I like who I am when I'm with her. I bet that's the reason that I keep wanting to see her.

When we came in sight of the ice cream stall, my dads pace suddenly seemed to pick up and I took that as a challenge to race, so naturally I sprinted the last 200 metres to the stall ahead of my dad. He didn't stand a chance. I ran straight up to the guy serving and asked for 10 vanilla cones with all the toppings. He looked pretty shocked at first and stuttered a few times before quickly getting to work on the order. I was glad there wasn't a queue 'cause we usually end getting pushed to the front and I feel quite bad about the little kids who have to wait for about ten minutes while the vendors making our ice creams.

By the time my dad got there, the guy had finished making them. I started handing them out to everyone while the bodyguard who had my dads wallet paid the money. Me and Tony took the two guys in the police car their ice creams and decided to sit in the back while we all ate them. I wanted to eat mine on the grass but Tony told me that it would be too dangerous for me to just sit there. Apparently I was an 'open target'. Ridiculous.

After our routine post-run ice cream I was escorted to our town car which was waiting at the entrance of the park with the other police car to take us home. The ride back was relatively quiet seeing as it was dads driver and not Rex. I was just waiting to get home so I could start getting ready. I'm sure I wasn't supposed to be this nervous. But my leg wouldn't stop jumping up and down.

Finally we were pulling up outside the house and I ripped the door open to sprint up the stairs before the car had even stopped and again when the guards weren't doing it fast enough. Only, when I managed to get into the entranceway I ran smack into someone. And when I looked up I actually wished for death to take me. Or him.

Nicolas Griffiths. My mortal enemy. And my boyfriend. Oh lord! What did I do to deserve this? I decided to pretend I hadn't recognise him. So crazy it might work!

It didn't work. Especially seeing as I walked straight past him and into my mother. Yay! That's exactly what I wanted. From a gremlin right to his master. She didn't seem as pleased to see me. I don't know why though, 'cause I'm pretty sure she was looking for me. Maybe it was because I was in the act of giving Nick the brush off. Either that or she doesn't like the fact that I was in front of him in my sweaty running gear. Too disgusting or something.

If that was the case then she should be scowling at him all the time. He's definitely gross.

"Where have you been, Spencer? Nicolas has been waiting for two hours to take you out to lunch." She has got to be kidding. I looked down at myself pointedly hoping that she would get the picture. She just raised her eyebrow in question.

"I've been running, mother. I go running with dad every Wednesday."

"I see. And you couldn't put your running plans on hold when you realised that Nicolas was planning on taking you out. What type of girlfriend does that?"

"And when would this realisation have come to me, mother? I've heard nothing of these plans, and even if I had I wouldn't have put my plans on hold. I like running." I implied with my eyes that I did not enjoy dining with Nick. I was raised to have manners, and even though I couldn't stand the guy I wouldn't be rude him by saying anything bad about him out loud.

"What's the problem darlings?" my dad said as he made an appearance. I knew he was going to take my mothers side no matter what. Spineless.

"Arthur, dear. Spencer neglected her responsibilities as a girlfriend and abandoned the plans she made with Nicolas." At the mention of his name, Nick stepped forward and offered his hand to my father.

"Nice to see you again, Sir." What a grease ball.

"And you too, Griffiths. I hope your treating my daughter well." He said half serious, putting a hand on my shoulder. I doubt I could have felt like any more of a child than I did then. I mean, I was in the room.

"Of course, Sir. As much as she'll let me." He told him putting a hand on my other shoulder. I felt totally sick at the feel of his meaty hand on me. I doubt that the sweaty thumb rubbing against my neck was accidental. I shivered in disgust, and wanted to slap the smirk he gave me right off of his face. He thought that was a good shiver? Puh-lease! Meanwhile, my dad was chuckling at his words.

"I know what you mean there boy. She likes to be independent, this one." Then he patted me on the head. At that point I flushed red in anger.

"I am still here, father! And if you recall, I have plans that I need to prepare for."

"Ah, yes. But what about young Griffiths here? You did stand him up after all."

"You have got to be kidding me!" he gave me a look that showed me I was treading on thin ice, "I mean, what would you suggest father? I'm free tomorrow lunch."

"Now I hardly think it's fair to keep poor Nicolas waiting any longer than you have already. I'm sure if Nicolas is free for dinner, then you should go out now." My mother lovingly supplied.

"Yes. That seems like a marvellous idea, darling. Are you free Griffiths?" sweet lord, no!

"Father! Remember that I have arrangements already; the plans can't go forward without me. What would it look like if I cancelled on more plans at such short notice?" ha! Let's see them cancel my plans with Ashley now!

"Ah, you are right there, sweetheart. Oh! By Jove, I think I've cracked it! How about this? Spencer, you can go to out with your friends tonight." Yes! Muahahahaaa! I am an evil genius! "And young Griffiths here can go with you!" Sugar!

"What an excellent idea Arthur! I don't know why nobody else thought of it." Mother was beaming. I could see through her like a squeaky clean window, she couldn't wait for her friends to hear through their daughters that I'd brought Nicolas Griffiths to our little get together. She really needed to get a life.

"Wait! It's supposed to be a girl's night. It isn't really fair to change the rules for myself. Plus, he might feel uncomfortable, won't you?" I couldn't believe I was stooping so low as to plead to him for help but that's what I was doing now.

Of course, he had no idea how to read my facial expressions and so instead of listening to my silent appeal, he grinned toothily before slinging his arm on my shoulder and saying, "Of course not! I'd love to go. As long as you're there I'll never feel uncomfortable." That just makes one of us then.

"Well that's settled then! Spencer, you go upstairs and get ready and you can come with me." He said, indicating for Nick to follow. I'd totally laugh at the fact that my dad has no clue what his first name was if I didn't already feel like crying.

Mother had followed the other two, leaving me alone in the large entranceway. I stomped up the stairs and into my room and whipped out my phone as soon as my door had slammed shut behind me. I quickly found the number I was searching for and pressed the call button.

"Hello? Spencer?" I heard her voice on the other end of the line. I suddenly had a woozy tummy; I hoped I wasn't coming down with anything.

"Hey, Ashley. I just wanted to call and let you know that my parents are making me bring Nick along. I hope that's okay, I tried to get out of it but there wasn't much I could do with him standing there. It's okay if you want to cancel." I said without trying to hide my dejection. Stupid parents.

"What? Of course that's okay Spencer, why wouldn't it be? I'm not going to cancel. Unless… do you want me to cancel?" now she was sounding dejected.

"No! No, no, no. I really want you to come. I want to meet your sister. I just assumed that you wouldn't want to come if you knew he was coming."

"Don't be silly! Why would you think that? So, I'll see you there then? Wherever 'there' is." She said happy again.

"Of course. I'll see you soon." After that we both hung up but I kept repeating her question in my mind, "Why would you think that?" why did I think that? Why did I think that she'd be bothered that my boyfriend would be there? I mean, I didn't call any of my other friends to see if they'd mind.

Whatever. It's just 'cause she's a new friend. I can tell that we'll be best friends one day soon and maybe I just want to make sure that she didn't think that I was one of those girls. You know, the one's that invite their boyfriends to all the girls nights and ditch their friends every chance they get. Because I'm definitely not.

I couldn't leave without him. Once I'd showered and put on a pair of jeans and a v neck t shirt I jogged down the stairs, hurrying in an attempt to leave without him, only to find everyone already waiting at the entrance. Now with the addition of Mr Jones. Whoopee!

I slowed my pace as I reached them and looked suspiciously between them. They were all smiling at me except for Mr Jones. I suppose they were meant to be kind smiles but I was actually quite disturbed. Especially seeing the smile on my mothers face. You could tell that she was struggling to remember how to do it.

"What's up?" I asked as I stood in front of them while they carried on smiling like it was going out of fashion.

"Nothing's the matter, Darling. You just look particularly charming tonight. Now don't stay out too late will you? You know how I worry." That was clearly my father speaking.

"Oh and Spencer, Mr Jones has offered to escort you there as an extra precaution. Isn't that kind of him?" my mother added. I wondered if she was purposefully ruining my life or if that was just a bonus.

"Yes mother, that's wonderful. Thank you Mr Jones." I said politely. I still hadn't gotten over the fact that he was the one to ruin my last meeting with Ashley, but on the other hand I haven't heard anything about Ashley from my mother so I should really be grateful to him for keeping quiet about her. Maybe he isn't so bad.

He replied with a head nod. That was slightly annoying. But I was still going to give him the benefit of the doubt. We said goodbye to my parents and the three of us headed down the steps to the car waiting for us, me smiling at Jack who was sat at the front desk as I past, he smiled and waved quite enthusiastically back. When we got in the car there was some random guy driving up front. This didn't surprise me, seeing as I'd already arranged for Rex to pick up Ashley and her sister. I didn't want someone I didn't know picking her up. Rex was nice and I knew he'd be all chatty and whatnot. Besides, he already knew about her and so I knew no questions would be asked.

The ride there was highly uneventful. There was an awkward silence throughout the car and my plan to push Nick out of the door didn't work out because some idiot had put the safety locks on. Oh, and I also elbowed him in the gut when he tried to put his hand on my knee. I think that's all that there is worth mentioning.

When we got there we were greeted by the dinner crew aka my peeps who looked at me sympathetically when they saw Nick behind me. I greeted them happily enough but couldn't bring too much enthusiasm to my face with his hand on my lower back.

I just sat down at the food bar where I decided to wait anxiously until Ashley arrived. The waitress came up to me nervously and asked me something about a drink. I smiled at her and saw that she relaxed somewhat before asking for a coke which she immediately fetched me. I smiled again as she set it down and noticed her blush slightly before rushing off again. That was weird. I was too busy thinking of Ashley to wonder about it though.

I was to busy thinking about Ashley to realise that Madison had sat down next to me.

"What're you thinking about, Carlin?" she whispered under her breath so as to avoid Nick from hearing. He was, of course, sat next to me and trying to make conversation with the now bored looking waitress. I noticed this and decided to save her while also avoiding Maddie's question.

"Excuse me! Sorry to disrupt your conversation, but I was wondering if you could possibly get a drink for my friend here." I asked her with a kind smile, gesturing to Maddie.

"Of course! What would you like Miss?" to say she looked relieved was an understatement; she was positively beaming at me as she came over.

Madison ordered her drink all the while looking at the waitress with a critical stare. The waitress didn't seem to notice though, she was still smiling at me.

"Thank you, Stacey." I said, seeing her name on her name tag. For some reason she was blushing profusely at this and so I decided to not talk to her for a while in order to give her time to calm down, the poor girl looked about two minutes away from a heart attack.

"You, didn't answer my question." Maddie whispered as soon as the girl was gone. Darn it! I thought she'd have forgotten.

"Oh, just wondering when Ashley would be here. I hope she hasn't been held up." I was actually trying to remember what she looked like. I could only see her eyes and mouth clearly when I thought of her. I knew she was beautiful, but that's about it. I couldn't even look at her Dear Mr President Song on the internet because it was apparently banned on every website imaginable. Such is the power of the President.

"I thought as much." She said smirking. I didn't really see why. What I told her wasn't as bad as what I was actually thinking.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not sure I liked the expression she was sporting.

"What does she look like? Ashley, I mean." She answered my question with one of her own. Normally I would have pulled her up on it but instead I found my self smiling and adjusting myself in my seat as if I was about to divulge in some great gossip.

"Well, she's got big brown eyes that sparkle like I don't even know how; curly brown hair that she just lets fall yet it still looks like a professional worked for hours on; she's always smiling or laughing and when she does-"

"Her nose crinkles?" Maddie asked, looking behind me.

"Yeah…" I said twirling in my stool to see Ashley, with an adorable nose crinkle aimed at me.

A smile immediately found its way onto my face and I quickly jumped out of my seat, grabbing Maddie's hand and dragging her with me as I went to stand in front of Ashley. I had clearly forgotten how incredible she looked. Even the random parts of her face that I did remember paled in comparison to the real thing.

She was wearing dark jeans with an old band tee and yet she looked ready for the red carpet. I quickly pulled her into a hug by way of greeting, but also because I had really missed her in these past two days of not seeing her. I was pleased when I decided that she felt just like I remembered the first time we hugged: warm and soft. She smelt great too, like apricots and something completely unique.

She returned it fervently and it may have been slightly too long but who can really judge these things? Apparently, Ashley's sister could because I heard a throat clearing from behind Ashley and we quickly broke apart to see someone looking at the two of us with the same smirk that Maddie had a few minutes ago. I raised my eyebrow to her and she stepped forward, completely unfazed, and introduced herself.

"Hey! I'm guessing that you're Spencer. I'm Kyla, Ashley's sister." She said pleasantly. I was extremely impressed to see that she wasn't nervous at all; usually people were fidgeting and stuttering all around me. I glanced at Ashley to see her shaking her head, when she caught me looking at her she gave me an eye roll making me smile brightly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Kyla. And yes, I am Spencer." I told her smiling and shaking the hand that she had outstretched. She was dressed in a denim skirt and a funky patterned t shirt. She looked a lot like Ashley: same hair and eye colour and complexion, but her hair was straight and her eyes didn't really sparkle and she was a bit shorter.

Still really pretty, but she was no Ashley. I don't think any one was as beautiful as Ashley though. Anyway, after that I introduced her to my friends. And I am rather ashamed to say that they all had the same smirk as Maddie and Kyla when they met her causing my accusatory frown to deepen. But Ashley didn't seem to notice, thank god. I am also pleased to report that she was even less intimidated by all the political offspring than Kyla. I could tell she was going to fit in easily.

She was just having a conversation with Carmen and Chelsea about music while I was talking to Kyla and Maddie about something I wasn't really paying attention to (I was too busy making sure Ashley was comfortable talking to strangers) when the bane of my existence came back from the toilet. Apparently he had gone there while I was still at the bar. In truth, I had completely forgotten that he existed, let alone the fact that he was here.

"Well, who're these lovely ladies then? I'm sure we haven't been introduced before." I'm pretty sure there was a visible vein in my forehead at that moment. Which made me even more peeved when I saw Ashley notice it. I hate him.

"This is my friend Ashley and her sister Kyla. Ashley, Kyla this is my boyfriend Nick." I said rigidly. His name tasted like phlegm in my mouth.

"Hello there. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said holding hand out for Ashley to shake. And then moving on to Kyla. They both shook his hand with a polite 'hello'.

"You do look rather familiar Ashley. Are you sure we haven't met before?" his eyes looking her up and down. Something I did not appreciate. Then I realised what he'd asked and quickly shook my head at Ashley, telling her that he couldn't know who she really was.

"Oh! I- err. I'm, ahh…" she seemed, struggling to come up with a good lie that he wouldn't pull her up on and was looking at me for help. When Nick turned to see what she was looking at I smiled hurriedly at him as I saw Ashley pull a panicked face at me, quickly changing to a relaxed smile when he turned back to her. I suppose from the outside it may have looked comical but for me it was quite nerve-racking. If he found out who she really was I wouldn't be able to see her again.

"Maybe you've seen Ashley from a school function. She's the Dailey's daughter. You know, the MP and his wife." Whoop, Whoop! Go Spencer, it's your birthday!

"Oh yes, I remember you now. How is your father?" haha, what a goof!

"Absolutely remarkable, thank you for asking." Ashley replied with some mock solemn expression as she spoke making everyone but Nick, who had no idea, snicker.

Nick was grinning at having made such a good impression. I was just relieved that I'd pulled it off. And everyone else's shoulders seemed to slump in relief as well.

"So," I said loudly enough so everyone could here. "How about we start then?" I was rubbing my hands together in excitement. I noticed Ashley looking around with a smirk on her face which grew wider when her gaze landed on me. This caused me to smile wide back, I couldn't help myself.

"A bowling alley? Really?" she asked, raising a brow playfully.

"Of course. And we're the only ones here!" I smiled happily, throwing my arms out to demonstrate my point.

"Yeah well, that's what happens when your fathers the president. You can't go out to public places without having the whole place shut down and about thirty guards surrounding the place." Nick imputed not-so-helpfully.

I scowled at him, but he was to busy looking around with a bored expression to notice it though. I would have kicked him in the shin, but that was probably considered childish. Sigh. I looked around the room too, and was slightly annoyed to see ten of the guards covering the exits as or silently watching everyone near me. I knew it was for my protection but when I turned to Ashley to see her looking as well, I was pretty peeved. How would she ever think of me as normal person when I had guys wearing suits and ear-pieces surrounding me 24/7?

"Well I think it's great. I've never had a whole bowling alley to myself before." I heard Ashley's voice as she smiled at me reassuringly. I smiled back, my mood instantly lighter.

"Okay then, let's play! Who wants to be on what team? They'll be uneven seeing as we now have seven people." I said sending another glare towards Nick. Or should I say, Dick. Mwahahaha! My evil genius mind strikes again!

"Okay then! We'll be a three." Chelsea said, indicating herself, Maddie and Carmen. "Oh and Nick, you'd better be on our team, otherwise we'll have no chance in beating Spencer." Carmen added, making her my favourite person at that moment.

"Pfft! As if it matters how many people you have. We're gonna beat you like eggs on a Sunday anyway." Ashley said, putting an arm around both me and Kyla, uniting us as a group. Okay, she was definitely my favourite person.

We all got set up then, ordering our food, picking out our weapons of choice (or bowling balls to the amateurs) and setting up our score table. I may have 'accidentally' written Dick instead of Nick. That's when the real fun began. We started to bowl. And when I say bowl what I really mean is a death match to the finish. I was glad to see that Ashley and Kyla were just as competitive as me, Ashley maybe more so. She'd get red in the face when she was arguing about the game cheating her and gloated way too much when she got a strike (which was pretty often).

"Come on Ashley, it's your turn! This'll win us the game. No pressure though!" me and Kyla said as we cheered her on from the sidelines. Her small frame strutted up to the ball rack as she picked hers up and then confidently strode to the lane. She lined it up like a pro, her tongue sticking out and everything as she concentrated.

Everything went quite – as were the rules of the game so as not to distract anyone. Everyone looked on in anticipation as she had a few practice swings but not letting go of the ball. Just as she was about to swing my eyes seemed to drop from where they were looking and somehow landed on her bottom. I couldn't help but notice how firm it looked as it tensed up when she stepped forward practically in slow motion, and then when it relaxed it still looked firm but then soft at the same time. I wonder what it would feel like to touch… Damn.

I was shaken from my thoughts when Kyla suddenly squealed next to me. She jumped up and started cheering like a maniac. A maniac on the floor. She was dancing like she'd never danced before. I stood up to almost mechanically, I shook my head and started cheering to, apparently we'd won the game. Ashley was doing some kind of happy dance similar to Kyla's and I couldn't help but laugh it.

She turned to us with a huge grin on her face before bounding up and pulling me in for a bone crunching hug, causing me to lose my breath in more ways than one. When she turned to hug Kyla I still had a goofy looking grin on my face but I had no idea why. And I kept sneaking glances at her bottom, and I had no idea why I did that either.

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