‘Dammit’

Grumbling her way back to the cabin, she found Spencer putting on her sneakers.

“Morning” she tried, forcing bright and cheerful into her voice.

“Morning” Spencer replied, far too softly for good.

One of the other girls threw her pillow at Ashley, hitting her in the back.“Shut the hell up Davies it’s dawn.”

Ashley shrugged, and pulled on her own shoes. She walked out of the cabin, inhaling the crisp outside air. Spencer emerged next to her.

“Cmon” she said, pulling the blonde by the sleeve. She stayed motionless. “Sit by the lake?” Ashley offered, mentally crossing her fingers.

Spencer didn’t say anything, but she followed, and Ashley sent up a thank-you. They made their way down to the lake as it lapped at the shore’s edges, not too far from the camp. Smoke was rising from the main communal hut, and breakfast would be soon. Ashley let Spencer sit down, and then sat, a careful distance away. She let the silence marinate between them for a decent interval and then cautiously asked,

“Do you want to tell me what’s wrong”

‘Way to play the “nothing happened, I don’t know what you’re talking about, it wasn’t me and if you say it was me, I’ll see you in court” card’

Spencer remained mute.

“Ok” shrugged Ashley. She leaned back on her hands and looked out to the lake.

Spencer took her completely by surprise. One minute she was sitting a metre away, and the next she was on her knees next to Ashley, her cold hands cupping the brunette’s face, and her mouth descending.

What happened next was pure poetry, at least as far as Ashley was concerned. The soft lips she’d felt just once were pressed against hers. She and Spencer were awake, together, sober, and Spencer was kissing her. She fell back on one hand, bringing the other up to gently touch one wrist, and opened her mouth slightly. She felt Spencer press the advantage, and her stomach went wild. The kiss was hot, insistent, and oh so good. Ashley could smell the fresh sweet perfume that was Spencer, as it wrapped itself around her. She moaned slightly, tongue tangling with the blondes. She had completely lost track of herself and of anything else going on, when she was left bereft. Spencer stared down at her, shock and, maybe, awe on her face, but it was tinged with horror. Ashley stared, unable to say anything as Spencer turned and ran.

Dumbstruck, it took her moments to react. The second she got herself in order she was up and running, faster than she ever thought possible. She caught Spencer about halfway up to camp, grabbing her on the elbow and spinning her around. She opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by the tears slowly running down the blondes face. Wordlessly, she pulled her into the strongest embrace she could muster, ignoring any protests, and murmuring comforting mumbles. She felt Spencer relax, and kept going. She could have stayed there all day, but the camp was stirring, and soon people were going to come out. Ashley didn’t feel like having an audience. She pulled back, still gripping Spencer’s elbow lightly.

“Spence” she said, softly, her eyes watching a few people emerge from their cabins, not able to look at the other girls face.

“Don’t… please” the request was a choked of sob, and Ashley was torn back to Spencer’s face. The blonde wasn’t crying again, but looked strained and hurt.

“No… no” Ashley tried to reassure her “Look, this, this doesn’t have to mean anything” ‘God let me be saying the right thing.’ “We’re just friends right… I mean, that was… nothing” she finished weakly.

“Ash” Spencer sounded distant. Hollow.

“Spence please”, now Ashley was pleading. “I just want to be… friends.”

Spencer took a ragged breath and then sighed it out.

“Me too” she said, with absolutely no conviction whatsoever.

‘Gutless wonder’