Spencer slowly shut the door with a soft click. She stood still, listening for a sound, for anything. Hearing nothing, she began to tiptoe up the stairs. Looking up, she was greeted by the sight of an exhausted Paula. Blue eyes slid shut, cringing as she prepared for the assault.

"Where have you been?" She noted the control that was wavering in her mother's voice. Opening her eyes again, she saw the parental worry all over her face. "Ashley's. She needed help…"

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Mom—"

"Spencer, what on earth have you been doing all this time?"

Spencer blushed, and looked down at her feet.

The blonde muted the television as Ashley came back into the room, much as she had a while ago. She smiled, pulling herself up to sit against the pillows as she watched Ashley go through the post-shower routine.

She turned to Spencer, her hands firmly on her hips, blocking the television. "There. Vomit free. Teeth brushed, mouth-washed, and hell, I even flossed for you." A smirk was on her mouth. Spencer couldn't help but stare at the pink lips before shifting her gaze to Ashley's brown.

A blush was spreading across Spencer's cheeks. She let her eyes wander over the body of the girl in front of her. Swallowing past the nervous lump there, she bit her lip.

"You're blocking my MTV."

Brown eyes narrowed playfully. Reaching behind her, Ashley's hand found the power button, effectively turning off all distractions. Spencer trembled slightly as Ashley made her way over to her.

"I-I told you! I was helping Ashley. She was in trouble."

"Just because your friend is trouble doesn't mean that you need to drag yourself into it as well, Spencer!"

Spencer slowly was climbing the stairs, closer and closer to her mother and her judgments. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"No, Spencer! It's not okay! You can't come running in and out of the house at all hours. You didn't even answer your phone. You could have been on the side of the highway, and met me for my morning shift at the hospital!"

Confused, Spencer pulled her phone out of the sweatshirt, and sure enough, she missed two phone calls only a couple hours earlier. Opening her mouth, her head tilted to the side a little, looking at her glaring mother. "I…I guess it was on silent."

She shook as Ashley's mouth played with her bottom lip. One of her arms hooked around the brunette's neck, holding her to her, while the other was gently stroking the tanned face against hers.

She melted into Ashley, amazed she had never felt this before. Every guy before had been all hard edges, rough, and with a lack of thoughtfulness. This small girl in front of her put them all to shame. The body standing so close to her own was soft and warm. It was comfortable and…natural. The brunette's hands were firm against Spencer's back, but she never trapped her in the embrace.

She couldn't help it when she hissed softly, arching her lower back. Ashley's lips were moving across her jaw, and cool fingers and nails stroked the skin exposed on her back. She didn't know why Ashley pulled back and looked at her, concerned. "Are you okay?"

A nod. Lips met again. Spencer shifted her weight from one foot to the other, unwilling to break the contact their bodies had.

"Spencer…What's going on between you and Ashley?"

Spencer's eyes turned wide, her jaw dropping in shock. "What are you talking about? She's my best friend. If this is about me leaving last ni—"

"Yes, it's about that. And all the other times you haven't been your usual self because of that girl."

This is it. So close. Spencer couldn't think straight. Straight?

"Maybe I've never been…myself…until we moved here." Spencer began walking down the hall to her room, swinging the door open.

They were on the bed, bodies close, buried under the blankets. Spencer smiled at Ashley genuinely, nothing hidden anymore. No more fear of…feelings. The brunette reached over, tucking blonde hair behind an ear.

Spencer had chuckled softly when Ashley removed the hair clip while her lips had been suctioned on her collarbone. She immediately began running her fingers through the blonde tresses.

Spencer was practically glowing at the tenderness Ashley had shown her. It wasn't something the average person got to see. Her ego swelled at that.

Spencer whimpered and the world stopped. Ashley's hands would retreat and her lips hovered near the blonde's. She'd breathe her questions onto Spencer's face. Spencer would shake her head, terrified of Ashley continuing, but just as scared of the thought of her stopping.

They found her breaking point. Only so much new information in a morning. But Ashley hadn't been put off at the need to stop. She had understood her. It was nothing Spencer hadn't done before, but it was all so brand new…

"Spencer! We're not done!" Her mother's voice invaded her thoughts as footsteps came closer on the wooden floor of the hallway.

"Why not! I said I was sorry! It won't happen again." Frustration was building in her, causing her to grip her cell phone until her knuckles turned white.

"I want you to stop seeing Ashley. She's changed you, Spencer."

Spencer looked at her mother is disbelief. "You want me to stop hanging out with one of the only friends I have here?"

"Maybe you'd have more friends if you made the effort!"

"I don't want other friends! I have Ashley…And that's enough for me. I'm sorry it's not enough for you." Spencer turned her back towards her mother, trying to hide the pained expression on her face.

"I just want the best for you. I don't want you being dragged down and changed by someone…like her." The tone in her voice changed on the last few words, making Spencer spin around.

A little more. Closer.

"What do you mean?"

"Spencer, she's gay! I don't want you being influenced…" Blue eyes moved to the floor.

Spencer took a deep breath unable to keep her voice from trembling from the intensity. "I'm…more myself…than I have ever been…And it's because of Ashley."

There was a pregnant silence, and it was killing Spencer with the weight of it.

"I…I think I'm gay." It was hardly above a whisper. The lack of noise that buzzed in her ears made Spencer wonder if her mother had heard her at all. She felt her heart slamming inside of her chest, and was suddenly lightheaded. She said it. She said it, and there was nothing left to say.

She was back into her own clothes, and couldn't help but longingly stare at the warm pajamas she had shed. She shuffled around as Ashley dressed herself, and smiled when she found Ashley's black sweatshirt on the back of the chair at her desk. She turned her head, giggling softly when Ashley stumbled a little while pulling on some jeans.

"Ash?" Spencer lifted the sweatshirt, her fingers stroking the standard cotton material. She felt the girl come up behind her. A hand was on her hip, warming Spencer's skin, even through the jeans.

"Take it."

"I should have kissed you that night." There was a touch of sadness in her voice, as if apologizing.

"You weren't ready, and that's cool, Spence."

Spencer turned around, still holding the sweatshirt. Leaning in, she placed a soft kiss on Ashley's lips. She still found herself hesitant, even after learning the depths and talents of the brunette's mouth for the past hour. Ashley's lips pulled into a smile against her own. They broke, Ashley reaching around and giving Spencer's bottom a quick smack. She yelped, pink coloring her cheeks.

"Time to get you home."

Spencer wasted no time in pulling the sweatshirt over her head. She was enveloped in the scent of Ashley.