Ashley picked up her ringing phone and cautiously put the receiver to her ear.

Ashley: Hello?
: Hey, Ashley!
Ashley: (hesitantly) Hey… Nikki?
Nikki: The one and only. Wow! I haven't talked to you in like... forever.
Ashley: Yeah, (repeating Nikki's tone) forever.
Nikki: So, how have you been?
Ashley: Oh well, I've been. Does that count?
Nikki: Anything counts with you, Ashley.

The way Nikki said that, it made Ashley get chills down her spine.

Ashley: Okay, well... thanks for calling.
Nikki: No, no, no! You can't just let me go like this.
Ashley: Why not?
Nikki: Because... I think I still love you, Ash.
Ashley: Nikki, look. We had our thing, it didn't work out... so, get over it!

Just then, Ashley hung up the phone and all Nikki heard was a dial-tone.

Once Ashley hung up her phone, she shook her head from side-to-side.

Ashley: (to herself) That is one psycho girl! (shakes her head again) I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved.

With that said, she moves over to her bed and goes back to her self-loathing phase.

+MONDAY+

After a good/depressing weekend, the two girls had to return to school, for an even more good/depressing 1st day back.

As Ashley is walking to her locker, she spots Spencer sitting at one of the lunch tables; eating a breakfast burrito and sipping on an apple juice.

Ashley: why does she have to be so beautiful?

Her stomach did a quick churn when she saw Spencer's head sharply turn in her direction.

Spencer spotted Ashley, as well and took a good, long look at her.

Ashley immediately locked her eyes with Spencer's and couldn't help but slightly smile.

Just then, Spencer picked up her trash and moved towards the trashcan. Once she threw away her trash, she made her way over to the still slightly smiling Ashley.

Spencer finally made it over to where Ashley was and just stood there; looking at her.

Ashley looked down at the ground, all of a sudden, she became a very shy girl.

Spencer: (puts her head down, too) Ashley, I'm sorry.

Ashley looked up at the radiant blonde.

Ashley: what do I do? I don't want to sound mean, but -- You should be. okay... that was so mean!
Spencer: (surprised) Well, I just wanted to say -- sorry.

Spencer turns around and is about to walk away, when Ashley sticks out her hand and places it on Spencer's left shoulder.

Ashley: Wait!

Spencer turns back around to Ashley.

Spencer: What?
Ashley: Spencer, I'm sorry. That came out all wrong. I just -- (pauses)
Spencer: You just... what?
Ashley: (looks Spencer in the eyes) You really hurt me, Spencer.
Spencer: (sighs) I know. (closes her eyes and shakes her head) And, I don't even know why I did it.
Ashley: Well, my cousin does have that affect on people. (laughs)
Spencer: (nervously laughs) Yeah. (pauses) So, are you okay?
Ashley: (waves her right hand across her face) Oh, yeah. I'm fine. (takes a deep breath) Are -- you, okay?
Spencer: Yeah. (sighs) It's just -- it made me feel really bad. But, basically... I'm okay.
Ashley: (shakes her head) Good. (looks Spencer in the eyes and slowly comes up to her) So... are -- we -- still good?
Spencer: (slowly blinks) I --
Ashley: Because, I definitely am, so...

Spencer let out a little giggle and then said the best sentence Ashley had ever heard.

Spencer: Well, I definitely am, too! (softly laughs)

Ashley didn't feel the need to respond. She just took it upon herself to grab a hold of Spencer's hand and gently nudge her elbow into Spencer's side.

Spencer decided not to say anything either; she just went with Ashley's flow.

Why put up a fight against Ashley?
It's not like she stood a chance.

The rest of the day went smoothly ... that is, until a certain Carlin came and checked Spencer out of school during her third hour English class.

I know – it's not one of my longest updates, but – an update is an update, right? Read and reply, please!