The rest of the morning, Spencer kept thinking about Ashley's attitude. That worried Spencer; knowing that Ashley could possibly be upset over something that she did.

That thought was overpowered by the sound of the lunch bell. Spencer got up and made her way to her usual table. The one that her and Ashley would always sit at. Then, Spencer heard the sound of a girl squeal. She turned around to see Lexi all hunched over, holding her sides, laughing her head off. Spencer also saw Aiden standing there with her; laughing as well.

Spencer: (to herself) I wonder what's so funny. Ugh! I hate girls who cackle when they laugh. She sounds like a freakin' witch --

The conversation in her head was interrupted by Ashley flopping down on the bench next to her.

Ashley: (dramatically sighs) Ahh, I hate Ms. Goldsbing! She thinks that everything she says is like... golden!
Spencer: (hesitantly) What happened?
Ashley: The real question here is 'what didn't happen?' She's so mean and old. She has her opinions and I have mine. Hers just happened to clash with mine! (she gets out a pink piece of paper) So, she gave me detention. Ugh! How stupid, right?
Spencer: is Ashley bi-polar? Sure, I guess.
Ashley: (frowns) What's wrong?
Spencer: besides the fact that just a few hours ago, you were totally pissed at me Well, do you want me to be honest?
Ashley: Ahh, yeah.

Spencer: Okay, well... I'm kind of worried about you, Ashley.
Ashley: Why?
Spencer: I don't know. Maybe because just this morning you slammed the car door in my face and now you're all buddy-buddy with me.
Ashley: I was having a bad morning, Spencer. That's all!
Spencer: Oh whatever! Then why wouldn't you tell me what was bothering you?
Ashley: Because, it was... personal, okay?
Spencer: (almost screaming now) Just tell me!
Ashley: No, Spencer! Drop it!

The two girls had their classmates' attentions now. And the funny thing is, they didn't even notice; let alone care.

Spencer: No! I won't just (air-quotes) 'drop it'.
Ashley: You know what, Spencer? I'm --

Ashley was thankfully interrupted by the 2nd lunch bell. She took a minute or two to look at all the scrambling students making their ways to their 3rd hours. She looks back at the glassy-eyed Spencer and lowers her eyebrows.

Ashley: You really want to know, don't you?
Spencer: Well, it'd be nice to know what's bothering you.
Ashley: (slowly nods) Okay. Meet me by my car after school. We'll go some place quiet and just... talk.
Spencer: (gets up with a satisfied/concerned look on her face) Okay. That sounds good.
Ashley: (stands up to meet Spencer's level) Alright. (pauses) I'll see you then.

They both awkwardly turned around and went their separate ways.

After the last bell rang, Spencer made her was to her locker before going to Ashley's car. As she's putting her Biology textbook in her locker, she hears that same high-pitched squeal that she had previously heard during lunch. She took one full step to her right to look in the Math Lab window. Her mouth dropped at the site she saw.

Spencer saw Lexi sitting on the counter with Aiden standing between her legs; kissing.

Spencer let out a rather loud gasp and realized that they had heard her.

They both turned their heads in the directions Spencer was in.

Spencer sharply ducked behind her locker door. She waited for a minute before quietly closing it and then quickly made her way to Ashley's car.

Once she walked through the front double-doors, she saw Ashley sitting in the driver's seat of her car; waiting.

Spencer walked up to the passenger's side door and opened it all the way.

Spencer: (gets in and slowly turns to look at Ashley) How long have you been waiting?
Ashley: Not long.
Spencer: Oh.
(AWKWARD SILENCE)
Ashley: (starts up the car) You ready?
Spencer: (deeply sighs) Yeah.

Ashley puts the car in Drive and heads off to a place that is known by both of them.

It was there under their pier that both girls felt at one with each other. Sitting together in the cool, shaded area was possibly the most comfortable place to be; at least, it was in Spencer's mind.

They both took a seat next to each other; leaning against one of the bigger poles that was holding up the pier.

The two girls said absolutely nothing for a while.

Ashley: (chuckles) We seem to be having a lot of these moments.
Spencer: What moments?
Ashley: (turns to look at Spencer) You know, the awkward silence moments.
Spencer: (nods her head) Oh, those moments. (giggles) Yeah, I wonder why?
Ashley: I don't know. But, I do know one thing -- I love you, Spencer. And, I'd never do anything to hurt you. Ever!
Spencer: I know. And, I love you, too. But, will you still tell me what was bothering you this morning?
Ashley: Yeah, I'll tell you. (sighs) This morning I was in a really crappy mood because... I got a call from my dad's manager saying that he had just booked this new tour that was starting.
Spencer: And -- that's... bad?
Ashley: Yeah! Because he booked it on my birthday. (claps her hands together) So, there's another promise that's down the drain.
Spencer: What do you mean 'promise'?
Ashley: (sighs again) Well see, my dad promised that on my birthday, he'd take me on a weekend getaway with just him! No fans, no roadies... nothing. But, I see that he'd rather spend his time with his #1 priority: his music.
Spencer: (narrows her eyes; getting wrinkles on her forehead) I'm sorry, Ash. Is there anything I can do?
Ashley: (smiles sweetly) No. I just realized that my whole life is going to be full of let downs. Why let one of them get to me?
Spencer: Because you love him.
Ashley: (looks up at Spencer's eyes) Yeah, I do. (looks away) And I hate to be let down by people I love.
Spencer: I know. It hurts, doesn't it?
Ashley: 'Hurts' is such an understatement. More like, 'kills'.
Spencer: (slowly blinks) I know. (presses her lips together) Are you sure there's nothing I can do?
Ashley: Yeah, I'm sure. I'm glad that I have at least one person in my life who I can count on... you. (smiles)
Spencer: You can count on me for anything, Ashley. You know that, right?
Ashley: (big smile) Yeah, I do.

The two girls hugged and then ended up sitting under the pier for a whole hour. Just sitting and watching the sun set under the ocean wall.

The next day at school, Spencer was hastily walking towards study hall when she bumped into Aiden.

Spencer & Aiden: (same time, same tone) Sorry.

They both laughed at their timing, but Spencer's smile quickly fades into a flat-lined grin.

Aiden: (noticing Spencer's mood change) What?
Spencer: Nothing. I was just wondering if you found out which part Lexi is.
Aiden: 'Which part'? What are you talking about?
Spencer: Well, you said that all the new girls are either gay or look like dudes. I was just wondering which one
you thought she was?
Aiden: (rolls his eyes) Alright, alright. I knew that I heard someone from outside the room the other day.
Spencer: And?
Aiden: And -- what?
Spencer: Are you two like... going out or something?