Even Better At Night

Chapter 2: Secrets and Stones

Setting: Thursday After the Lockdown

Queen of Vixens: Thank you, very much.

NatitaluvsSmV: Thank you, too.

Ashley was laying in her bed, trying to concentrate on the chemistry homework that sat in front of her. She scratched out an equation from her notebook, and started over. As hard as she was trying, Ashley couldn't focus on her work.

She sat up and leaned back against her pillows. Closing her eyes, she let her mind wander freely and it soon landed on Spencer Carlin.

Ashley contemplated just how often she thought about her best friend. This person. This girl. This perfection, were the words that spun themselves inside the brunette's head. Soon, they were on her lips. On the margin of her notes.

A smile of content replaced the words on Ashley's lips.

Spencer stood unsure outside Clay's room. Softly, her knuckles tapped on the door.

"Come in," Clay's gentle voice permitted. "Oh, hey, Spence. What's up?" He asked as his younger sister entered.

"I need to talk to someone. In confidence." Spencer added the last bit after thinking a moment.

"You can talk to me, I'm always here," Clay assured her.

"Thanks," Spencer said quietly as she made her way to his bed. "Clay, I'm confused about some...stuff." She didn't want to give it away right off the start.

"Is it homework? I can always help you there," he inquired confidently.

"No, it's probably as far from school as you can get," Spencer told him. His smile dropped slightly. "I'm confused about my sexuality."

Clay was shocked. "What do you mean? Do you think you like girls?"

Spencer was looking down at her socked feet. Clay could barely hear the nearly silent, "Yes," that she muttered.

Clay put his arm around Spencer. "I'm not sure if I can help you much, but I'm always here to talk to. I promise you that much." Clay paused a moment. If you don't mind me asking, why do you think you like girls?"

"Because when I look at Ashley, I see myself with her. Not as a friend, but as so much more. It's hard to explain. I'm not sure if it's just Ashley or all girls I have a thing for, but I can't deny that it's there." After explaining, Spencer was beginning to cry.

"Don't cry, it's okay." Clay pulled his sister into a hug. "I'm glad you came to me, it makes me feel really great. Thank you."

"Clay," Spencer began through slow, deep breaths, "can you promise me you won't tell anyone? Especially Mom or Dad?"

"I promise. If I tell them before you do, then I hope I get what I deserve."
Spencer smiled as she hugged Clay one last time. Standing up she said, "Thank you," one last time and left his room.

A few minutes later, Glen walked into Clay's room.

"Did I hear Spencer crying?"

Clay wasn't going to lie. "Yeah," he replied.

"Why? Was it Aiden? I swear to God, if it was Aiden who made her cry, I'll make him feel just as bad." Glen's face began to get angrier.

"No, it wasn't Aiden," Clay told him, rolling his eyes. "Stop looking for reasons to kick his butt."

"I'm not! I just...I...just...Why was Spencer crying?" Glen asked, unable to defend himself.

"She came to me in confidence, I'm not going to break that."

"Oh, alright." Glen knew there was no reason to argue. Clay wouldn't break any promise or agreement he made.

Spencer woke up suddenly. She looked at her digital clock, next to the bed. It read "12:17" in bold, red letters. She let out a sigh as she pulled herself out of bed. She walked over to her dresser where she had a glass of water. Taking a drink, she heard the noise that awoke her. A slight tap at the window, then another on the ground.

Spencer walked over to the window and saw Ashley outside in her swimsuit. In the brunette's hand were pebbles. Spencer let out a quiet giggle at the thought of Ashley throwing rocks at her window.

"What are you doing here?" Spencer inquired, keeping her voice down.

"Do you want to see beauty?" Ashley replied. It won't get much better than what I'm looking at.

Spencer tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I'd like that." As long as you're there, too.

"Get dressed then." Ashley called up softly.

Spencer quickly changed into her bikini and quietly started down the stairs.

Ashley met her outside the front door. "I parked a few houses down, to avoid waking your parents up."

"Alright, let's go."

Ashley grabbed Spencer by the wrist and led her down the street to her car.

"Where are we going anyways?" Spencer asked after a minute in the car.

"The beach."