+SPENCER'S HOUSE+

After being dropped off by Ashley, Spencer was now inside her own house. She made her way to the kitchen; looking for her brothers, mom, dad... or really, anyone for that matter.

The house felt cold and dark to her. Even a little bit scary.

Once in the kitchen, she unwillingly turned on the light above the kitchen sink. She looked around the room and noticed that there were dishes still on the table. Pots, pans, plates, glasses -- even dirty napkins.

Spencer wrinkled up her nose, as if an unpleasant smell just lingered in front of her.

Spencer: (out loud) I can tell mom hasn't been home in awhile. Or even dad, at that. (rolls her eyes) Boys are so gross. They don't even care --
: (distant voice) Who are you talking to?

Spencer was so startled, that she let out a little gasp. She turned around to see who was speaking; with her right hand over her heart.

Spencer: (frowns) What are you doing here?
Madison: I came over to talk to Glen.
Spencer: Not that it's any of my business, but... what about? i'm so awesome at playing 'dumb'
Madison: (claps her hands together) Just some -- relationship issues.
Spencer: Not that I care or anything, but are you guys doing okay?
Madison: (looks down) Yeah, we're good. why am i being so nice to Spencer?
Spencer: why am i being so nice to Madison? So, Glen's here?
Madison: (looks up at Spencer) No, he -- left.
Spencer: (lowers her eyebrows) Left? You mean, he just got up and left you here?

Madison shakes her head: up and down.

Spencer: that doesn't sound like Glen. Are you okay?

Madison slowly raises her head up to look at Spencer straight in the eyes, then, all of a sudden, releases all her built up tears and emotions and is now a crying, sobbing train wreck.

Spencer: oh my gosh! should i hug her?

Even though Madison was the school's royal bitch, somehow, Spencer completely put aside their differences and took Madison in her arms. Madison was like a little wet puppy and Spencer didn't know what to do, but hold her.

Spencer: (patting Madison's back) It's okay. It's okay.
Madison: (between sobs) I just can't believe it -- (sobs) he just -- (sobs) left.
Spencer: I know, I know. But, are you sure that you're pregnant?
Madison: (sniffs) See, that's the thing, I'm not even for sure -- (raises her head to face Spencer's) Wait, how do you know?
Spencer: crap! Umm, a 'source' told me.
Madison: (lets go of Spencer and presses her lips together) It was Sherry, wasn't it? (comes close to growling) Ahh, I hate her! That little bitch!

Spencer tried to calm Madison down by saying that it wasn't Sherry, but Madison just wouldn't listen.

Madison: (clenches her fists and her teeth) And she calls herself a 'best-friend'. (shrieks) I'm going to kill her!
Spencer: Madison, don't do anything drastic.
Madison: Pipe down, Carlin. I'm not a murderer.
Spencer: (shakes her head) It wasn't even Sherry who told me --
Madison: (waves her hand) I don't care. Whoever told you must've heard it from Sherry.
Spencer: And why do you say that?
Madison: Because she's the only person I told. Which, therefore means that she must've told somebody about it.
(AWKWARD SILENCE)
Madison: Well, it looks like Glen's not coming back anytime soon. So, I'm going to go.

She turns around, walks to the door, then stops and turns back around to Spencer.

Madison: Thanks for being here, Spencer. (smiles)
Spencer: wow, i must've just stepped into the twilight zone You're welcome.

Madison awkwardly turns back around and exits the house; leaving Spencer all alone in one big, dark house.

Spencer: (deeply sighs) Well, that was eventful. (looks over at the clock on the microwave) It's almost one. Ugh! And I have school tomorrow. (sighs) I'd probably better get this mess cleaned up.

So for the next hour, she thoroughly cleaned the whole house. Except for her parents' room, Glen's room, Clay's room and the downstairs bathroom.

She looked at the microwave clock again and it read 2:10a.m.

Spencer: I wonder...

She got out her cell phone and called Ashley's number.

Ashley: (groggy) Hello?
Spencer: Hey, Ash. Did I wake you?
Ashley: Yeah, but -- I don't care. What's wrong?
Spencer: I was wondering if you could pick me up in the morning. You know, for school.
Ashley: Sure. You sound like you've been doing jumping-jacks in your attic or something.
Spencer: (laughs) Oh, I've been cleaning. No one's home and the house was a mess.
Ashley: How come no one's home? Have you been there all by yourself?
Spencer: Yeah. I don't know where anybody is. Not even Clay.
Ashley: Oh. Yeah, I'll come at 7 and we'll go get some breakfast before.
Spencer: Okay. See you in about 5 hours! (laughs)
Ashley: You're too big of a morning person, Spence. (laughs) Bye.
Spencer: Bye.

Spencer hangs up the phone and decides that she'd better go to bed. She turned off all the lights and went to her own room to crash for the rest of the morning.

+7:10 a.m. ...+

Spencer's waiting for Ashley by the window. Peeking through it every 10 seconds.

Spencer: (closes the blinds and looks at her watch) Where is she? We're going to be late --
(HONK, HONK!)

She hastily opened the front door and trotted out to Ashley's car.

Spencer: (gets in) Hey! (big smile)
Ashley: Hey. (smiles back) What are you hungry for?
Spencer: Ahh, I'll eat whatever you eat.
Ashley: (rolls her eyes) Spencer, how come you never say what you feel?
Spencer: (widens her eyes) Sorry, Ashley. But, it's just food. what's her problem?
Ashley: (sighs) Sorry. (deeper sigh) Let's just go.
Spencer: (raises eyebrows) Okay. jeez!

After getting their breakfast, the two girls parked in the school parking lot, but right before Ashley opened the car door, Spencer stopped her.

Spencer: Ash, what's wrong? (serious face)
Ashley: (looking at her own hand) Nothing.
Spencer: (presses her lips together) No, that wasn't a 'nothing' nothing, that was a 'something' nothing.
Ashley: Spencer, just drop it, okay?
Spencer: (shakes her head) No. Ashley, tell me what's wrong. (narrows her eyes) Now!
Ashley: No, Spencer!

Ashley gets out of the car and storms off; leaving Spencer speechless in the car.