A small set up into chapter 12. Scratch away, the next one is my longest chapter yet (2,233 words) and i'm gonna make you work for it.


"Spencer? Are you busy?" Arthur's voice rang out, as he knocked on her bedroom door.

Spencer sat up from her lying position on the bed and stuffed the photo album she had been looking at under her pillow. "You can come in dad." She said calmly, trying to hide the quiver in her voice.

Opening the door, Arthur made his way into his daughter's room. "You didn't come down for my spaghetti, so I brought you some instead." He motioned to the bowl in his hand.

Spencer gestured towards the pile of school books and papers she had spread out in front of her. "I was thinking about building a bonfire." She said in a tired tone.

"Just make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy." He said as he looked around her room. Arrays of pictures were displayed on her dresser where the cheerleading trophy she had won back in Ohio sat, he smiled remembering the day she had won it. His gaze landed on his questioning daughter's face. "You do nice work." He said nodding his head in approval. "I haven't seen your room since we moved in. I didn't realize the walls were white; we could paint sometime if you want?" Looking around, he was still admiring the bedroom.

He's stalling, Spencer thought. I spare him, but it's so fun watching him squirm. She smiled at him, nodding her head as if pondering the idea of painting. "Black?" She asked, giving him a quirky smile.

He stopped looking around the room, and landed his stare on his daughter's curious blue eyes. "Is it time for your rebellious stage already?" He asked sarcastically. "We better go shopping; you're going to need a whole new wardrobe. Black is the new pink right?"

She laughed and shook her head at his attempt towards staying up to date with the styles. "No black. I'll go to Home Depot and pick out a color."

"Great. I can go with you if you want? We could make a day out of it. Go shopping, get you some new clothes that aren't black."

Spencer noticed the hopeful gleam in her dad's eyes and grinned. "I'd like that."

"Me too." He responded quietly, making no attempt to say anything else, he remained in the same spot, not moving.

"Did you mean right now?" She asked, looking at the clock. "I don't think they are open at 10:42pm."

"Oh no, you get some sleep and we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Getting off the bed, Spencer made her way over to her dad and embraced him in a hug. "Thanks dad." She whispered.

He kissed the top of her head, holding her tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Letting go, Arthur made his way to the door, stopping abruptly. "I almost forgot." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small piece of paper. "I was doing laundry and found this in your jean pocket." He handed the note to Spencer, turned and left, shutting the door behind himself.

It took her a moment to realize what it was. The note, on my windshield, in the parking garage, she remembered, unfolding the small square white piece of paper.