Chapter 3…

Spencer hung her head, while Kyla reached for the faucet handle.

“Shit KY, we’re here for barely an hour and you’re already terrorizing the tourists.” Ashley smirked and walked over to Spencer. She placed her hand lightly on her chin and began to bring her eyes into view. “Hey….you alright?” Spencer never made eye contact; she never did when any one was as close as Ashley was.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She swung her head to the side, causing her to lose balance on the counter top. Ashley managed to catch her before any more damage was done.

“Whoa there. Who are you here with?” Spencer’s motor skills had suddenly become active again and she slid her self off of the counter, reached for the damp paper towel, and held it to her nose while heading for the door again.

“I’m…uh…I’m here with my brother…Glen.”  She was moving slowly towards her spot in the sand where she was resting for what seemed like and hour before. Kyla and Ashley followed behind to make sure Spencer wouldn’t end up in any more distress.

They finally made it to Spencer’s spot in the sand. Slowly but surely. Then Spencer notices the paper lying on her chair, kept still by a soda can. She picked it up and read it.

Hey Spence,

Couldn’t find you any where. Aiden had an emergency that he needed my help with. Catch a bus home. I’ll be back late so if mom and dad …

Spencer crinkled the paper up and turned around. She didn’t notice how close Ashley was to her.

“I was just leaving…I can take you to where ever you need to go.” Ashley smiled gently.

Spencer hesitated and then admitted defeat. She wasn’t in the mood to go off on the stranger who had just read so rudely over her shoulder, so she gathered her things and let Ashley guide her to her car.

Ashley helped Spencer maneuver her belongings into the trunk, then went around to the passenger side of the car and helped Spencer get in.

“Thanks.” It was a soft whisper and even though Ashley heard it all she did was smile and proceed to the driver’s side, got in, and started the car.

“So…witch hotel are you staying at?” Spencer gave Ashley a puzzled and then began to laugh. “What’s with you?” now Ashley was laughing too. “How hard did Ky hit you?”

“No, it’s not that,” her laughing slowed. “I’m local…what made you think I was a tourist?”

“Iono…locals aren’t usually so timid.” That stung Spencer. She always thought she was easy to read…but now it was a fact. Her laughs stopped and she closed her eyes and settled into her seat, just as she had done earlier that day. “Hey, you alright?”

“Yeah…you know what I think I should take the bus. I live in LA so…” She was cut off.

“Good cause that’s where I’m headed.” Ashley stole a sideways glance at Spencer and smiled. “So what high school do you go to?”

“I don’t. I’m home schooled.” She cracked her eyes to see Ashley’s reaction and was surprised to see her grinning.