“Ok,” Spencer said.

            Spencer stood up and held her hand out to Ashley. Ashley took Spencer’s hand and held it all the way back to the car. She drove to her house. She slowly walked inside. She was dreading this conversation.

            They got upstairs and Ashley shut the door behind Spencer. “Sit,” she said. It wasn’t a demand; it was more of a suggestion. Spencer sat on the edge of Ashley’s bed.

            “Ok,” Spencer said. “Talk.”

            “Ok,” Ashley said. She took a deep breath before starting. “As you know, I had a hard time dealing when my dad died. Then with Kyla coming in and Aiden being all over her, things got really messed up. You were having troubles with your parents so I had to be strong. But I was hurting so much. Then I found a way to take the pain away, to make me feel better.”

            “Drugs?” Spencer asked.

            “No,” Ashley said.

            “Then what?” Spencer asked.

            Ashley sighed. She lifted her shirt over her head. Spencer covered her mouth with her hand. Ashley had cuts all over her stomach and upper arms. Some were deep, some weren’t. There were fresh cuts and some that were healed and turning into scars.

            “Let’s start off with answers to your questions even though you aren’t speaking,” Ashley said. “I started just after my dad died. I did it because I didn’t know what else to do. It helped a lot. It made me feel better. It took all the tension and pain away, for a little while. I used various objects. Mainly razorblades and knives. I’m crazy. I know.”

            Spencer sat there in shock. She didn’t say anything. She stood up and walked over to Ashley. She lightly traced a finger over some scars and cuts.

            “Say something,” Ashley begged. “Please say something.”

            “Oh Ash,” Spencer choked out. She looked deep into Ashley’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped.”

            “I didn’t want to bother you anymore than I already had,” Ashley said. “You were dealing with family stuff and I didn’t want to get in the way.”

            “You will never get in the way,” Spencer said. “I’ll always be there for you. You know that. You will never bother me either. I love you and I don’t want you doing this to yourself.”