Spencer: Yeah.
Ashley: Well, as I was at the Grayson Intersection, I saw --
Spencer: You saw what?
Ashley: I saw -- your dad, in a car... with that same woman he was with that night.
Spencer: What were they doing?
Ashley: Well, they definitely weren't talking, that's for sure.

Spencer gets up from her seat on the bench in front of her house and walks to the nearest light-pole and leans up against it.
Ashley gets up and follows Spencer's path.

Ashley: Spence, are you okay?
Spencer: I don't know -- I just don't understand how he could do that... to our family.
Ashley: Maybe -- you should talk to him about it.
Spencer: Yeah, you're probably right.
Ashley: And don't take 'no' for an answer... because I know you, Spencer – 'The Softy' - Carlin.
Spencer: Thanks, Ash. (big smile)
Ashley: No problem. (hugs and kisses Spencer goodnight)
Spencer: I'll see you tomorrow.
Ashley: Alright. Be strong, Spencer.
Spencer: I will. Bye.
Ashley: (talking out her car window now) Bye!

She puts her car in drive and pulls out of the driveway; leaving Spencer standing outside to compile her strength. Once she was fully prepared to confront her father, she entered the house.

As she's walking quietly to the living room, Spencer can hear her father whispering on the phone.

Arthur: I know, I know. Well, maybe some time tomorrow we can. I don't think so. I'm kind of worried, though. Because I think my daughter might have some idea about -- yeah. Okay. Sure. Umm, probably not tonight. (chuckles) Why? Oh, I see. Okay, well I better get going. She's probably about to come in. Alright, bye.

He hangs up the phone, lets out a big sigh and looks over his shoulder.

Spencer hears him hang up the phone and she quickly takes a sharp left up the stairs. Once she was upstairs, she decides that she will let him come to her. There were so many thoughts and images floating through her head, that she couldn't sort them all out in one night. After about 45 minutes of sorting and classifying her thoughts, she opened up her laptop and logged on. Spencer was relieved to see Ashley's screen name available on her Buddy List. She double-clicked her name and opened a new screen.

+CONVERSATION+

scarlin07: ashley, I need to tty soo bad
1sExYaSh: well ur gonna have to wait
scarlin07: y?
1sExYaSh: cuz I'm not ashley
scarlin07: o. who r u?
1sExYaSh: who wants to know?
scarlin07: spencer
1sExYaSh: o ur spencer?
scarlin07: yeah now who r u?
1sExYaSh: andrea

scarlin07: andrea?
1sExYaSh: yeah
scarlin07: is ash there?
1sExYaSh: yeah but she's cleaning the guest bedroom
scarlin07: will u tell her something 4 me?
1sExYaSh: sure
scarlin07: tell her that she just broke her promise 2 me
1sExYaSh: will she know what ur talking about?
scarlin07: o she def. will
1sExYaSh: ok i'll tell her
scarlin07: thanx
1sExYaSh: ur welcome
-- scarlin07 signed off at 10:43pm--

The next day at school, Ashley was walking to her locker when she saw Spencer standing at the soda machine. Ashley pulled the strap of her purse up on her shoulder and sprinted towards her.

Ashley: Spencer, I'm sorry. I just --
Spencer: (not looking at Ashley) Why don't you just save it! Go tell it to somebody who cares... like your 'dead' friend Andrea.
Ashley: Spencer, (pauses and looks at Spencer's reflection in the soda machine) I couldn't tell you the truth.
Spencer: Oh, so you just lied about her death? That's really sick, Ashley. (shakes her head)
Ashley: I know. But --

Spencer proceeds to walk away, but Ashley puts her hand on Spencer's left shoulder.

Ashley: But, I wanted you to feel like you were the only one I've ever loved.
Spencer: And now I feel that I'm the last person you love. (fake smile) You know, I thought that it was you on the other end of the conversation. And do you know why I thought that?

All Ashley could do was simply shrug her shoulders.

Spencer: Because I trusted you. And I wanted to believe that you were just joking. But -- you weren't and now... I don't know if I can ever trust you again.
Ashley: Spencer, don't say that.
Spencer: But unlike you, I'm actually telling you the truth.

Spencer gives Ashley a disappointing look and walks away. Ashley just stood there next to the soda machine; all alone, as the bell rings. She turns to her right and looks at her reflection in the glass of the machine. She looks at herself in disgust and then violently punches the glass. It doesn't break, but there is, however, a crack that went about halfway up the glass. Ashley looked down at her still tight fist and there was blood on it. Since her adrenaline level was so high, she didn't even feel the pain. Once she calmed down, she decided that it'd be best to go to the nurse and get her hand checked out.

How's everyone liking the story? I'm sorry for the lack of updates lately, but my computer's program was being retarded. Later…

P.S. R & R.