What now? The question had replayed itself in mind several times as we road back to school. We were both soaked through and through and the slow summer breeze that flowed in the windows just wasn't drying us fast enough.

"Ash, what're we going to do about these clothes. We can't just walk into the school like this, what will people think?"

" We aint necessarily gotta go straight back there. I mean, if you're willing, I know a place where we can go and get cleaned up."

'"Yeah alright"

She reached across the seat and placed her hand on my knee, pulling me closer to her. I laid my head onto her shoulder. We'd settled into our sameness. I could see the question still sitting firmly on her brow. Sure it needed to be answered, but she wouldn't bring it up until I was ready; a silent gift to me.

" Where are we goin'?"

"Kyla's"

" Ash you know she hates me, isn't there anywhere else we can go?"

" She does not hate you, she's just set in her ways. Now she's about the only person I know of who'll let us rinse ourselves off a bit without asking questions"

Kyla was Ashley's half sister. Ashley's dad had slept with Kyla's mom the night his wife took her last breath. It had been the town's biggest and oldest scandal, driving Kyla and her mom to live in the outskirts. I'd met Kyla a couple years after I'd met Ashley . Kyla hadn't been to kind to me from the start, any time I asked Ash about it she'd simply smile and say that Kyla was " set in her ways". The truck finally stopped in front of an overgrown lawn. The large house loomed out towards the sun, proud in its old timey ways. Ashley untangled herself from me and we both hopped out of the car. As we walked towards the front door, I unconsciously moved closer to Ash… I wasn't afraid to admit that that girl scared the mess out of me. Thinking about it now sends chills down my spine.

Of course Kyla answered the door before we could knock. She peered at us as her hand shaded her eyes.

" What yall done gone and did now?"

'" Kyla don't start with that shit, we just need some dry clothes and maybe a shower before we head off back to school"

'"Alright, you don't wanna tell me what's going on with you, fine by me. You know where the bathroom's at. Some of Daddy's jeans are up there in the spare bedroom for you ash…some wife beaters of his too."

" Aint you gonna speak to Spencer?"

" What for, she aint shown no interest in speaking to me"

She turned and walked back into the house. Ashley led me up the stairs. She pulled me into the bathroom and I began to undress.

" Hey Ky, bring us some towels, will you?", Ashley yelled.

" Don't act brand new Ashley, you know where they are."

" Just bring em Ky"

Ashley turned back to where I stood without any clothes. My hands moved to unclasp her bra.

" Aw hell, here I'm dropping these towels right here. Don't get any of your juices on the mats ladies."

Ashley and burst into laughter, the moment instantly lightened by Kyla's antics .

" Hey, um you could go first if you want and uh I'd wait outside even…if that's what you want"

I smiled and pulled her into a kiss. She stepped out of her jeans as I led her over to the shower.

/

Ashley and I moved to get dressed. Ashley wore what she usually wore; a pair of her fathers' jeans and a wife beater. She tossed me a pair of the pants as she continued to dress herself.

" Uh, I don't think so"

" What?"

" I can't wear this stuff ."

" Why the hell not?"

"People will know that something happened"

" Oh yeah, and disappearing for four hours won't tip them off." She said laughing.

" This is serious, I can't let Aiden find out that.."

" That what?" she knew that I couldn't say it. She stared at me intensely before yelling " Kyla, you got something that Spencer can wear?"

"That what Spencer?"

" That I uh…."

" Look you make sure that barbie princess over here brings my shit back" Kyla said to Ashley as she threw the clothes onto the bed. Ashley started to say something but Kyla had already left the room.

/

With both of us clean and dressed Ashley thanked Kyla and we headed for school. Once we reached the parking lot an irritated Aiden immediately ran over to us.

"Spencer, where the hell have you been?"

"Hello to you too farm boy, care to let her breathe before you go hopping down her throat."

" This has got nothing to do with you, Spencer out of the car now!"

" Wha-oo there partner, you aint her damn daddy. "

" Spencer lets go!"

" Not until you calm down, I was with Ashley, obviously I'm fine"

"Whelp you heard her, guess you better be moving along."

Aiden reached into the car and slapped Ashley hard across the face.

" Aiden stop, she'a girl !"

" You're right…sometimes I forget that. Walk like a man, talk like a man, gunning after MY girl like a man!!! Next time you pull some shit like this you'll get your ass kicked like a man, you best believe that!!"

Ashley got out of the car and leapt on him. At first he just let her hit him but soon he got tired of it and started to hit her back. I knew I had to do something before Ash got hurt.

" Ashley stop it, stop it right now!!"

" Alright that's it break I up. All three of you to the principal's office!"

Aiden hit Ashley in the face one last time before storming off to the office.