Spencer hugged herself closer inside of Ashley's black sweatshirt. She was beginning to think maybe she should have changed before leaving. They both sat on the hood of Ashley's car, overlooking the city. The blonde recognized it as their run away spot the night of the dance. A chilling breeze made Spencer's body tighten and retreat further into the sweatshirt. As her nose tucked under the collar she breathed in slowly, her eyes closing at the smell of the Ashley's perfume lingering on the fabric.
Ashley stopped right in front of her. She was close enough to smell a mixture of perfume and smoke from some club. She moved slowly. Or was Spencer's mind slowing it down? It gave her time to back away. If she wanted. Her hand came out and let her fingers wrap around Spencer's wrist, and she give it a small tug.
"Come on. Let's go talk." She saw Ashley look at her house, trying to peer into the darkened windows for some sign of life. Another tug. Stomach. Wrist. Same thing.
Spencer let herself be slowly led to the car. Ashley's grip on her wrist loosened and was beginning to slip away. For that one moment Spencer let herself act on impulse. She grasped at Ashley's hand, linking their fingers and pulled the girl close to her. Their hands hung between them while the blonde's arm wrapped around the girl's neck, moving her into a tight hug.
"I missed you." Spencer whispered against Ashley's skin, shivering slightly, and then pulled away, a shade of pink in her cheeks. She moved around the car and slid in, waiting for Ashley to do the same.
"I missed you too, Spence." Ashley was looking at her. Her eyes were shut but she could feel it. She always knew when she was watching her. Spencer smiled under the sweatshirt and opened her eyes. The city was lit below her, burning bright and brilliant. Leaning, she settled herself on her back on top of Ashley's car, staring at the sky above her. It was empty. Blank. Ashley followed her lead and lowered herself down beside her.
"I guess the city makes up for the lack of sky." Ashley's voice was amused.
"It's definitely not like Ohio. You can always see the stars, even in cities. But LA has its advantages." She turned her head and smiled, letting her hand move over the hood of the car and to Ashley's. The smile was returned before Ashley looked back at the blanket of darkness covering them. Spencer never looked away.
"You got to be jealous of Kelly. Why couldn't I be?"
She could own up to the fact that she was pleased when Ashley had admitted she had been jealous. Even in a 'friend' kind of way. Spencer held onto the hug, even in her awkward position on the bench in the hallway. Fingernails slowly rubbed on her back and shoulder. She just wanted to stand up and hug her properly…
"I don't know, Spence." Spencer felt their fingers lace together, and watched as Ashley looked back at her again. "But I'm sorry."
The blonde's lips curled slightly, casting her eyes upward to trace a blinking light she decided was a plane. She waited until Ashley did the same.
"Me too."