Moving to LA was perhaps the most dramatic change that had ever happened in Spencer’s life. Exposure to the big city life was a shock to Spencer’s Springfield upbringing. And then she met Ashley…

Ashley was a storm in her life. She knocked her off her feet and blew her away. For the first time in her life, Spencer felt she could be herself. She could have fun. She had no inhibitions and had no need to conform to traditional methods. She had a friend who was one in the truest sense of the word. And then she fell in love…

The bell rang. Spencer almost jumped out of her seat. She hastily closed her book, not caring that she was crushing a page. She threw the book in her bag and slung it on her shoulders.

Spencer hurried across the corridors which were fast filling with people rejoicing the end of school. She made her way towards the exit, shoving the people in her way.

“Hey Spencer! Stop pushing!” Spencer dimly heard Alice shouting at her.

Ashley had skipped the last period, not a very unusual feat for her. She was sitting in her car, calming her nerves. She wasn’t the nervous type, especially not when it came to her girlfriends. But Spencer had a different effect on her. Ashley feared she would do something wrong and lose Spencer. She was afraid Spencer might be offended. She was afraid to look like a fool.

Ashley was not accustomed to being a special person in anyone’s life. She had few flings but it never meant more than lust for either party. But for the first time, emotions were involved for Ashley and she did not know how to deal with it.

Ashley had been denied affection from the most primary source, her parents. It had turned Ashley bitter and distrustful. Her entire life had been a series of desperate drama to gain attention.

Spencer was the only one who had seen Ashley behind the wild, rebellious façade and had accepted her. Ashley would have just died a happy death to have a friend like this. She didn’t even think her growing feelings for Spencer would ever be reciprocated.

Ashley’s was brought out of her musings by a loud knock on her window pane. She turned to her right to see Spencer standing with her hands on her hips, a mock frown on her face.

Ashley unlocked the passenger’s door. Spencer was about to slip in when Ashley saw a figure approach and grab Spencer’s hands. Immediately, Ashley got out of her car. To her horror, Spencer’s mother was standing there, imprisoning her daughter with an iron-like grip.

“Mom! What are you doing?” Spencer was angry.

“Ashley, it’s okay. Spencer will go home with me.” Paula’s eyes were ice cold.

“But mom, I’m going over to Ashley’s place.” Spencer shouted.

“You seem to have forgotten that we will be having guests over tonight. I want to stop by the grocery and you need to help me prepare for dinner.” Paula hissed at her daughter.

Without waiting another beat, she walked towards her car, almost dragging Spencer with her. Spencer turned her head to give Ashley a helpless look.

Ashley mouthed the words, “It’s alright. I’ll call you.” She mimicked talking on the phone to show what she meant. Spencer nodded but her face was red with annoyance.

Ashley sighed when she saw Spencer and her mother disappear amongst the parked cars. She was looking forward to that evening with Spencer. She had even mentally planned a romantic way for her to tell Spencer how she truly felt. In a strange reversal of roles, Spencer had been more frank about her feelings. Ashley was still too dazed with Spencer’s confession and the new bouts of emotions within her to be able to voice them clearly.

She got into her car and started the engine. Her stereo was turned on to a deafening loud so that she could drown the disappointment and frustration welling inside her.