Ashley could see Spencer’s shoulders tense, her entire body stiffening as the blonde struggled to stop whatever it was taking hold of her. She longed to reach forward, rub Spencer’s back and ask what was wrong. To take the girl in close to her and fend off whatever was ailing her. It was painful for Ashley to not react, to not try and save her.

The coppery taste of blood filled Spencer’s mouth as she bit down on the inside of her cheek, her fists balled as she tried to ride it out without leaving the room. But when she felt like she might just start hyperventilating she stood, rushing out the door, too distracted and breathless to ask for permission. She took a seat by the same wall, exposed to the rain although she hardly noticed. She pulled her knees in close to her chest and hid her face in her hands, the tears mixing with the rainwater.

With wide chocolate eyes Ashley watched, her heart walking right out the door behind Spencer. It stood out there beside the weeping girl, demanding she get over her own fears and help Spencer for god sake. If she really loved her, which she most surely did, now was the time to prove it.

She watched as the water steadily soaked through Spencer’s attire and the blonde set to shivering, her clothing pasted to her skin. It was at that point Ashley rose from her seat, slipping out the door without the teacher noticing and walking carefully up to Spencer. Inhaling a deep breath she then sat down beside the girl. She stayed like that for a moment, not caring how wet she was getting, just wanting to be near her. Slowly she stretched her arm across Spencer’s narrow shoulders and pulled her into her own warmth, slightly surprised when the blonde didn’t resist.

Instead Spencer leaned heavily into her, her body shaking as she struggled to take in normal breaths. Just being in close proximity to Ashley helped, and the way her warmth enveloped her soothed her heart and calmed her lungs. They sat like that for a while until Ashley broke the silence, the cold wetness starting to get to her, “C’mon Spencer… Let’s go back to my house, get you some dry clothes. You’re going to get sick out here.”