“Well she’s gonna be. Soon, I can feel it; all the more reason to make this New Year’s one to remember.”

“It’s New Years Eve?”

“Yes ma’am, which is why I brought the essentials. Chips, soda, dip, and your personal favorite…PARTY HATS! WOOOH!”

Ashley couldn’t help but chuckle at her sister’s enthusiasm over such things. She got up and wrapped her in a hug.

“You’re such a nerd you know that? But I’m glad you’re here.”

“Anything for you big sister.”

They decorated the room with some makeshift streamers…AKA toilet paper…and laid the food out. Ashley hooked up her IPOD up to the speakers Kyla brought her a few weeks prior and they danced a bit…looking like complete fools, but having fun nonetheless.

They sat and talked about the happenings at King. Ashley had been doing school via email so Kyla was really her only connection to the hell hole. She hadn’t talked to Aiden since prom night…and really didn’t mind that fact either. Seeing him would just make her more upset than she already was. And that was definitely the last thing she needed.

As midnight, and thus a new year, drew near…in about 30 seconds to be exact…the girls prepared to ring it in with style. Standing, armed with confetti and noise makers, they jumped up and down as they counted.

“10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Ashley turned to and walked to Spencer’s bedside. She leaned down planting a gentle, lingering kiss on the blonde’s lips. She pulled back and smiled.

“Happy New Year Spence. I love you.”

She’d just turned to get another handful of chips when she heard something…something she hadn’t heard for quite…some…time.

“Ash…”

Wishful thinking… she thought to herself as she continued for the chips.

“Ashley?”

It was louder this time. Raspy, but definitely louder. Ashley looked to Kyla; Kyla looked at Spencer then back at Ashley. Shock, excitement, ecstaticness spread across their faces as they each rushed to a side of the bed and took a hand.

“Spencer? It’s Ashley. Spencer come on. You can do it.”

The blonde stirred a bit. Slowly fluttering her eyes open then quickly shutting them again at the sheer brightness of the room.

“Ash? Where am I?”

“The hospital.”

She shot her eyes open. It hit her like a ton of bricks when she realized why she was there.

“Oh god…how long have I been here?”

“Um…I dunno. Ky? How long? I lost count.”

“Seven months…and a couple weeks.”

Spencer sighed and looked over to Ashley. She expected to find sadness and regret in her eyes, thinking Ashley had gone back to Aiden, but all she found was joy and love.

“So I take it you decided on me huh?”

“Like there was ever any doubt. No way I’d leave the most amazing girl in the world for some stupid boy. Sorry Carlin, you’re stuck with me.”

“I’m not stuck. I’m right where I want to be. Well ya know…not literally…but with you…yeah. You know what I mean.”

“I missed you so much Spence.”

“We both did.”

“I missed you guys too. But I especially missed being able to do this.”

Spencer removed her hands from the grips of the sisters and pulled Ashley in for a long, passionate kiss.

“Yowza, yowza, yowza.”

“Kyla please tell me she hasn’t been watching Happy Days reruns.”

“Not that I know of…I think that was all her! Hell, I’d probably say the same thing if I were her haha.”

Ashley sat there with a dopey grin on her face just thinking…

Wow, what a GREAT way to start the New Year!

The End