"Stop strutting."

"I'm not strutting."

"Ash, you're so strutting!"

Our hands dangled between us, loosely wrapped around each other.

"I always strut." I shrug.

"I thought you said you weren't strutting."

"Spencer!" I say, exasperated. "I'm strutting because I have a hot girlfriend. And now, everyone knows it."

"Everyone knew it before." She peers around, looking at all the people checking us out. Our first day back at school as an official couple. It feels good.

And just for the record, hell yes, I was strutting.

"Well, now I'm holding your hand. And mackin' on you in between classes. And - "

"I get it. We're hot."

I nod, satisfied.

"You realize, though," Spencer starts, "That you've spoiled me forever?"

"Elaborate."

"Poetic declarations in front of a group of our peers? Looking all cute and nervous and in love?" She teases, kissing the back of my hand. "I don't know how anyone can top that."

"I wasn't nervous." I fake pout, then brighten. "And of course no one can top it. That's the point. You're just going to have to stay with me forever."

"Forever?"

"Forever ever."

"Forever, ever?" Kyla comes out of nowhere, walking by our side, making a face. "Forever ever?"

Spencer bursts out laughing, but I just glare. "Way to ruin the moment."

"Oh, come on." Spencer pats me on the arm. "Ashley here was just telling me how we're going to be together forever."

"What were you gonna do?" Madison joins us, jeering. "Make her sign a contract?"

"In blood." I joke lightly, despite the fact that I'm turning a little red.

"Aw! She's blushing!" Madison sounds highly amused by this. "Her heart doesn't pump ice water after all!"

"Unlike some of us." I snap. "Robot whore."

"Robot whore." She repeats, trying it out. "That's a new one. Nice."

"I thought so." I agree brightly. Kyla and Spencer giggle.

"Atleast they're not throwing eggs at each other." Kyla says.

"Atleast.." Spencer echoes, grinning.

"This is so great." Kyla beams, slinging an arm around Spencer and Madison. "Old friends, reunited! It's gonna be such a good senior year, just us girls!"

Madison stiffens. "Ugh. You're so right." She peers at us. "This is like the opposite of a sausage fest."

"The problem with that being?" Spencer asks sweetly.

"Aw. You're so my girlfriend." I kiss her on the cheek, making her smile.

"I need something male." Madison says suddenly, glancing about and primping her hair. "Later, ladies." She peels off from the group, in search of something with testosterone.

"Nice." Kyla says, laughing.

"You too, sister." I say, jerking my thumb over my shoulder. "Take a hike,"

"What?"

"Me and Spencer are going to go make out in the bathroom. We don't need an audience."

"Ah." Kyla puts on a false smile. "How I've missed being the third wheel."

Spencer just laughs and shakes her head apologetically. "Wanna get some early dinner after school?" She asks.

"Sure." Kyla agrees.

"Sorry." I interrupt. "Spencer and I are going to be naked in a dark room all day after school, so - "

"Ashley's treat." Spencer adds, cutting me off.

Kyla grins. "See you two later."

"Spencerrrr!" I groan.

"Ash!"

I pout at her. "Ash. Come on."

"I thought we were going to hang out after school."

"We are hanging out after school."

"But - "

"Hanging out doesn't always equal sex, Ash."

My eyes widen. "No one told me that! I thought 'hanging out' was our, like, codeword."

She looks at me quizzically. "I think you made that up in your own head."

"Did I?"

Spencer nods. I try to glare at her.

"Stop that." She says, lacing around arms through each other as the bell rings. "People are going to think I broke up with you."

I cock an eyebrow at her.

"Again."

"Spencer!"

"Too soon for jokes?" She manages to look remorseful and amused at the same time.

"Apparently not." I grumble, rolling my eyes.

"Aw, baby." She leans close to me, kissing my ear. "I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you later."

"Hot!" I hear someone yell.

"Back off, hog!" I yell back. "She's all mine." I wrap a protective arm around her shoulder.

I look back at Spencer, expecting her to admonish me for my display, but she's just gazing at me tenderly.

I smile a little tentatively. "What?" I ask.

She just shakes her head. "I'm so in love with you."