She rested her palm on Ashley’s forehead then turned her hand so that the back touched the same spot. She did the same thing on the girl’s cheeks.

Spencer frowned. “You’re hot,” she stated solemnly. Ashley offered a weak smirk in return making Spencer roll her eyes. “You know what I mean,” she explained with an amused gleam in her eye.

“I think you’re sick,” she added absentmindedly.

Ashley’s brows furrowed and she quickly shook her head. She sat up quickly and leaned back on her elbows. Her eyes widened momentarily because the action had caused her head to spin; her elbows gave way and she fell back into her pillow.

Spencer watched her, suppressing a chuckle. “Okay, scratch that; I know you’re sick.”

“No, I’m not sick,” Ashley said, a hand on her forehead seemingly trying to still her spinning feeling. Her words had more oomph than they had before. The other girl noticed that when Ashley spoke in full sentences, her voice was forced. Thick and raspy.

“Uh, yes. Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not!” Ashley said forcefully. She coughed from the strain. Calming her tone she added, “I haven’t been sick in years.”

“Well, Babe, I don’t know vhat to tell you… so… surprise.”

“Nooo…” Ashley groaned and covered her face with her hands. She sighed and peaked out through her fingers. “Time?”

“Uhh…” Spencer looked over her shoulder at the bright red numbers of the clock. 10:13. “Quarter after ten.”

“When are we going?”

“Eleven thirty, I think she said.”

They’d been in Ohio for about four or five days at this point, and it was made aware to everyone that Ashley hadn’t seen any part of it besides the house and the airport.

Cecile said that wouldn’t do, so she told the girls that she’d take them around the town and to the mall.

Ashley obviously wasn’t in any state to leave the house, though.

“Can I still go?” she asked hopefully even though she already knew the answer. The worst thing about it was that she was really looking forward to spending time with just Spencer and Cecile, and she really seemed to like the older woman; she was nice.

“I don’t think so,” Spencer told her sadly.

Ashley sighed and chewed her bottom lip.