How To Break A Heart

Step Three

Spencer stared unblinking into her bedroom mirror, her expression contorted into a frown. Something didn’t look right. Her hair was straightened, her light make-up applied, her clothes a bit loose but no different than they’d ever been, and yet something seemed off. The girl chewed her bottom lip, staring into her own eyes in search of something. Whatever it was, it wasn’t there.

“Spencer, you coming?” Clay called up the stairs, and she pulled away from her reflection. It was the first day of school, and she was just hoping she’d be spared the drama of having Ashley in one of her classes.

“Yeah.” Spencer replied, giving herself one long look before pulling away and making her way down the steps. She joined her brother in the car, forcing a smile as she buckled her seat belt. Clay could tell by the way only her mouth muscles were used that it was as fake as any he’d ever seen before.

“You going to be okay Spence?” The boy inquired, sounding concerned as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

“I’ll be fine.” She lied, eyes staring absently out the window. In truth she was panicking. Being there at school, around all those people, all of those girls. Seeing Ashley and likely being ignored by Ashley. Or worse, confronted.

“Look… I uh… I never really got around to telling you this, but I think Mom was wrong for sending you away. I mean, I don’t think your relation ship with Ashley’s is, or was, immoral. If you really love her Spencer, you should be with her.” Clay spoke quietly trying to choose his words as cautiously as possible.

“Clay, you don’t understand. You couldn’t.” Spencer replied, her head leaning miserably against the window. This wasn’t a black and white situation. There were all sorts of shades of grey involved.

“I know what you went through this summer was tough, and you should have never had to deal with that, but you can’t let it control you. When it all comes down to it, you are who you are, and it’s you– not mom or anyone else- who is going to have to live with your choices.” As always, Clay was wise beyond his years.