I stand speechless, my feet frozen in place as if nailed to the floor. When I finally realize just who it is standing at my door, I close my mouth and try to form moisture again.

“Carmen? What are you doing here?” I hear myself nearly squeak out.

“I came here to talk to you.” She says with her face angled towards the floor but her eyes looking up to me.

“Well you can’t do that.” I nearly break my neck turning back to Ashley who makes her presence known and stands between Carmen and I. I see the look in Ashley’s eyes and I’m surprised fire hasn’t shot out yet.

“Yes I can, I think I have a right to talk to Spencer if I want to.” Carmen practically spits back at Ashley and takes a step forward, bringing their faces mere inches apart.

I can almost see the foam dripping from their mouths and I see bad things happening if I don’t step in.

“Guys come on. Can’t we settle this in an adult fashion?” I ask, my eyes darting between the two of them. I try to step between them to put them at least at arm’s length from each other but as soon as my arm hits Ashley’s chest, she grips my arm hard and places it by my side.

“Not as long as she’s here.” Ashley says through clenched teeth, her eyes never leaving Carmen’s.

“My thoughts exactly.” Carmen seethes.

I witness their stand-off a little bit longer until I’ve had enough. “Okay, seriously, this is ridiculous. Carmen, what is it that you wanted to say?” I say forcing myself between them, looking Carmen square in the face and pushing Ashley backwards a few steps.

They both seem to fall out of their trance and Carmen’s eyes find the sadness they showed when she first arrived.

“Well I kind of wanted to talk in private.” Carmen says looking behind me at Ashley to make her point.

“Anything you have to say to Spencer you can say it in front of me.” I hear Ashley say as she tries to wedge herself between Carmen and me for a second time but I don’t let her. I put a hand on each of her shoulders and turn her towards me.