Spencer: Okay.
Ashley: I guess I should start from the beginning. First off, my name's not Ashley --
Spencer: What?
Ashley: I'm just playing. (laughs) Jeez, Spence. Okay, for real this time. Starting with Andrea. (sighs) I told you Andrea died because... I didn't want you to know about... us.
Spencer: (narrows her eyes) Us?
Ashley: Yeah. You know how I told you that we were just friends-with-benefits?
Spencer: Yeah.
Ashley: Well, we weren't.
Spencer: Weren't? So, that means... no longer, right?
Ashley: Exactly. We aren't a 'thing' anymore, but... we were.
Spencer: How big of a 'thing'?
Ashley: (widens her eyes) Big. Like, she was the first girl who I really loved. (looks past Spencer) I really loved her.
Spencer: (looks down) Oh.

Ashley noticed Spencer's sudden change in attitude and knew she had to say something to reassure her love for the blonde.

Ashley: But, I love you in a different way than I loved her.
Spencer: Explain.
Ashley: Our love is more... real. My love for Andrea was like... more of -- a hot love.
Spencer: (sarcastically snickers) What's the difference between 'real love' and 'hot love'?
Ashley: To me, 'real love' is... wanting to see that person every single day, not being able to sleep at night because you're thinking about them, butterflies in your stomach when you see or hear that person and knowing that you can't live without that special someone. And for me, Spencer Carlin... you're that special someone.

Spencer couldn't help but smile. She loved it when Ashley used her full name.

Spencer: Okay, that works. But, what about 'hot love'?
Ashley: 'Hot love' is, only wanting that person for -- obvious reasons.
Spencer: Oh, I see. Well, how long were you two like that?
Ashley: Oh, just from the summer of freshman year to the summer of sophomore year.
Spencer: That's a long time.
Ashley: No, not really.

(SILENCE)

Spencer: So, are there anymore lies I should know about?
Ashley: Nope. At least, none that I can think of at the moment.
Spencer: Well, if anymore come to mind... just tell me. I won't be upset.
Ashley: Okay. I promise.
Spencer: See, that wasn't so hard, was it?
Ashley: In a way, yes and in a way, no.

They both give a sweet little grin to each other.

Ashley: So, we good?
Spencer: Yeah, we're good.

They give each other a meaningful hug and then just sit for about 30 to 45 more minutes before getting up and heading home.

The next day at school, Spencer was sitting in her seat, in the classroom of her worst subject: World History. With every sentence the teacher said, the droopier her eyes got. All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door. The teacher stops in mid-sentence and opened the door. Now that Spencer was awake from the loud knock, she shifted her weight to the right, in order to see the "knocker" more clearly. All she could see was a beige sling-over backpack, white-washed jeans, black and white checkerboard Van slip-ons and the Guidance Counselor. The teacher whispered "Okay" to the Counselor and turned back around to face the class.

Teacher: Class, can I have your attention, please?

The class roar dies down and their attention is now focused on their teacher.

Teacher: Thank you. Now, I'd like for you all to meet our new student, Alexandra.

The new girl taps the teacher on the shoulder and whispers into her ear.

Teacher: Oh, I see. Excuse me, class. Her name is Lexi.

There was some snickering going on amongst the class, of course. But Spencer couldn't help but be peeked. There was something about this girl that had Spencer hooked. Maybe it was her style: clean-prep-punk. Maybe it was her hair: medium length, brown curls. Maybe it was her facial features: petite nose, rosy cheeks, blue eyes and those lips... Spencer liked her lips most of all. She must've been staring, because the interesting girl smiled a sweet, friendly smile to Spencer.

Teacher: (skimming over the classroom) Well, I don't see an empty chair -- oh wait! There's one. Behind Spencer.

That startled Spencer and for some reason, she got butterflies in her stomach.

Lexi: Okay, who's Spencer?
Teacher: Spencer, raise your hand, please.

Spencer hesitantly raised her hand. Lexi's eyes darted at the raised hand. And when she saw whose hand it was, she smiled and seemed to blush a little.

Teacher: Take a seat, please. And, I'll catch you up after class.
Lexi: Okay.

She made her way to the back of the classroom and sat down in her new seat.

Spencer didn't know if she should turn around and introduce herself or just keep quiet.

Spencer: decisions, decisions, decisions. Should I? What do I got to lose? (she turned around and faced Lexi) Hi! Umm, I'm Spencer.
Lexi: I'm Lexi. Nice to meet you.
Spencer: You, too.
(AWKWARD SILENCE)
Spencer: So, where'd you move from?
Lexi: Oklahoma.
Spencer: Wow, I bet it's different here, huh?
Lexi: Yeah, a lot different.
Spencer: I just moved here this year, too.
Lexi: Oh really? Where were you from?
Spencer: Ohio.
Lexi: Cool! I have family from Ohio.
Spencer: What part?
Lexi: Cleveland.
Spencer: Oh, I was from the central area.
Lexi: Yeah?
Spencer: Yeah. So, what's your last name?
Lexi: Cooper. Yours?
Spencer: Carlin.

Lexi just smiled and looked at Spencer square in the eyes. Spencer smiled back.

Spencer: So, what are you doing after school?
Lexi: If you call sitting at home 'anything' then, that's what I'm doing.
Spencer: (laughs) Well, how about you hang out with me.
Lexi: Sure!
Spencer: Alright. Meet me in front of the double-doors after the bell and we'll go from there.
Lexi: Do you drive?
Spencer: No, but my mom will probably pick us up.
Lexi: Well, I drive. So maybe, you could just ride with me.
Spencer: (smiles) Okay. Yeah, that's better than having my mom come.
Lexi: Okay, cool!
Spencer: Alright.

The bells rings and Spencer and her new friend walk out of the room together.