“Yeah, sure.” Ashley answers quietly. “You wanna ride home?” Spencer looks at Ashley in surprise at her answer and her question. ‘Wow. Really thought it was gonna take more than that. But hey, don’t see me complaining.’ Spencer smiles at Ashley.

‘Sure. That would be great. Thanks Ash.” Spencer and Ashley both continue on to her Porsche in silence. Reaching it and getting in, Ashley starts up and peels out the parking lot.

So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Um… well…I..um..” Spencer takes a deep breath. ‘Wow. Nervous much’

“Um… I’ve been noticing that you’ve been pretty distant with everyone lately. Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine. Just… been thinking a lot lately. That’s all.”

“Oh.” Spencer says, shifting a little in her seat. “I kinda noticed that you seem extra distant with me. Did I do something wrong?” Spencer says quietly, looking down at her hands like it was the most interesting thing at the moment. Ashley looks at Spencer and can’t help but feel guilty. ‘Maybe I should have listened to Jacy , like weeks ago. I hate that I put that look on her face.’

Ashley sighs as she pulls up to Spencer’s house. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just that…” Ashley trails off and closes her eyes, leaning her head back.

“There’s just stuff on my mind. Stuff that you don’t know about and… At the beach, I admit I kinda freaked out on you and I’m sorry for that. I really am. And I’m sorry if my being distant and everything else hurt you. I had no intention of hurting you. I know you said that you wanted to figure out the mystery that is me but I gotta warn you. It ain’t pretty And it can, no it will get fuckin’ crazy as hell. I can tell ya that right now. Are you still up for that?”

Spencer had looked up from her hands in the middle of Ashley talking. As Ashley finishes, Spencer looks at Ashley with a small smile on her face.

“I would like to try. I… I really like you Ashley. And… I hope… I just… I am here for you if you ever want to talk.”

Ashley opens her eyes and looks into Spencer’s eyes for the first time in forever. “Thanks” She says quietly matching Spencer’s smile.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you later Ash.” Spencer says stepping out of the car.

“Yeah. I’ll see you Spence.” Watching Spencer make it to her door and shut it behind her, Ashley lets out a breath. ‘That went well’ With the small smile still on her face Ashley turns on her radio and How Far We’ve Come by Match Box is playing.

Ashley pulls away for Spencer’s house and heads on home unaware of what is waiting for her on her night out.