Principal: (clears his throat) Excuse me, ladies. But we have a zero-tolerance policy for PDA here at King High.
Ashley: (looks at the frightened Spencer) I thought it was a mild-tolerance.
Principal: (points at Ashley) Watch it, missy. I've suspended you once and I'm not afraid to do it again.
Ashley: Why are you picking on us?
Principal: Because, I caught you two... doing whatever it was you were doing.
Ashley: Well, look. (points over at a boy/girl couple kissing)
Principal: (gives a quick glance then looks back at Ashley) Okay, what's your point?
Ashley: (has a surprised look on her face) You mean you're not going to go give them your little 'PDA Lecture'? You're just going to let them get away with it?
Principal: Well, in my eyes, they're not doing anything wrong?
Ashley: Oh, but we are?
Principal: Nobody, in their right minds, would want to see what you two were doing.
Ashley: (gets in the Principal's face) Says you.
Principal: That's it! (backs up and takes Ashley and Spencer by the arms) You two are suspended!
Spencer: For how long?
Ashley: This is so retarded! (looks at Spencer, but is talking loud enough for the Principal to hear her) I'm sorry you already have to go through your first gay-bashing, Spence.
Principal: (rolls eyes) I don't know exactly how long you two are suspended for. Off hand, I'd say a minimum of two days.
Ashley: (mocking him) Off hand, I'd say that I could sue you for discrimination.
Principal: Discrimination? Please, give me a break. I'm just trying to keep the peace around here.
Ashley: Well, you're certainly not going to keep it in this way.

The principal takes Ashley and Spencer into the ISR Room (In School Restriction) and tells them that the Guidance Counselor will be attending them shortly.

Ashley: (bitchy tone in her voice) Thanks, Princ. You've been an absolute gentleman to us. (rolls eyes)

The principal gives Ashley a little smirk, then walks out the door and slams it shut behind him.

Ashley: (looks over at Spencer across the room) Don't worry, Spence. All this is is a hate crime.
Spencer: But, why are they so... stupid, about this? It was just a kiss. (presses lips together) Everyone else does it.
Ashley: Yeah, but not everyone's like us. It's just their system; it's their way or the highway. wow, that sounded way better in my head
Spencer: This is all so... wrong. They shouldn't treat us like we're mutants. We're human beings.
Ashley: I know. Remember that day that we ditched and I said that most people will hate you for being gay?
Spencer: (quietly) Yeah.
Ashley: Well, you've just experienced your first session with it. I dealt with my first time at a mall.
Spencer: What happened?

Ashley closed her eyes for a few seconds and then opened them with a little tear in the corner of her left eye.

Ashley: I was walking through the mall with this girl, Andrea. At the time, she was sort of my 'friend-with-benefits'. So, of course, we were holding hands while we were window shopping. This group of big girls walked by and stopped and looked at us. I asked them what their problem was and they said, "You two queers are our problems." Andrea didn't take crap from anyone, so she got in the main girl's face and told her to shut the hell up. The girl pushed her back and then grabbed my arm and pulled me into her. She put her arms around my neck and started to choke me. (tears started welling up in her eyes) Spencer, I couldn't breathe. I tried to yell for Andrea, but when I looked up, the big girl had her on her stomach and wouldn't let her get up. She kept yelling my name... telling me I'd be alright and that she'd help me. Then all of a sudden, police lights and sirens went off and the girls let go of us and ran away. I had fallen to my knees and was gasping for air. I crawled over to Andrea and there was blood all over her face. Cuts, scraps and her eye... it was all bad! All I could do was hold her and pray that she'd recover. (pauses)
Spencer: (little tears rolled down her face) Did she?

Ashley then bursts out in tears and she is now sobbing and trying to catch her breath.

Ashley: (between sobs) No!

Spencer immediately started crying along with her. She couldn't believe how one person could have so many people leave her and still manage to be the happiest girl alive. Spencer couldn't help but think deeply to herself.

Spencer: (while looking off to the side) she sure does hide it well
Ashley: Even though we weren't together, I still loved her. I miss her so much.
Spencer: I know. (sniffs) I'm so sorry, Ash.
Ashley: (sniffs and then looks up at Spencer with mascara running down her face) It's okay. I just didn't expect it, you know?
Spencer: Yeah, I do. (she hugs Ashley really tight)
Ashley: Thanks. I'm so lucky to have you, Spencer.
Spencer: (smiles and kisses Ashley) I'm lucky I have you, too.

They wait a minute or two before the vice principal comes in and makes his announcement.

Vice Principal: Okay, ladies. You're free to go.
Spencer: No punishment?
Vice Principal: Nope. We had a Head Staff meeting and we realized that it was wrong to point you two out and... we're sorry. So, you're free to go.
Ashley: Okay, thanks.

Since they spent so much time in the ISR Room, when they got out, it was time to go home.

Ashley: Well, in a way, that whole lock-up thing was good.
Spencer: Oh -- in what way?
Ashley: Well, think about it. It was Spring Clean-Up Day and we didn't have to clean anything.
Spencer: Oh yeah! I forgot all about that. Yeah, I guess it was pretty good. (pauses) So, what are we doing for the rest of the day?
Ashley: Umm, well it depends.
Spencer: Depends on what?