“First off, that thing is ancient. It’s from when my parents first got divorced and when my mom and I were beginning our downward spiral so that’s the only way I found an escape, hooking up with different people whenever I wanted to.” I let my eyes wander around the apartment as I hear her confirm my suspicions. I feel her hand on mine and I turn to look her in the eye. “I know it sounds bad and it was, but that’s in the past, I’m not like that anymore.” I see compassion in her dark eyes. “I really like you Spence. I don’t know what it was that you did to me but you’ve broken me, in a good way.” I smile up at her and she returns the smile. “And second off,” she continues, “I didn’t even try to sleep with you the other night. And when you left then I tried to get a hold of you. Back in the day I would have just said whatever and moved onto the next available girl.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.” I say, smile still planted on both of our faces. With the mood lightened I figured this would as good a time as any to bring my night up. “So you’re going to think I’m a complete lame ass or something, but I kind of searched Aiden out to ‘straighten me out’.” I say shamefully, not sure of how Ashley would take it.

To my reassurance, she laughed it off. “Oh and how did that go?” She asks with her hand still resting on mine, but I wasn’t complaining.

“Um, interesting to say the least. We went to dinner and then back to his dorm room.”

“Uh oh, Spencer going to a boy’s dorm room.” Ashley says in a mocking tone.

“Shut up,” I say playfully and nudge her shoulder with mine. “Everything was fine until I tried to leave.” She gives me a look waiting for me to finish the story. “Yeah, he kind of tried to rape me.”

Her expression changes from playful to serious. “What?! Are you okay?!”

I laugh off her anger and ease her frustration. “Yes, I’m fine. I stopped him before anything happened. I can fend for myself.”