Chapter Three

Ashley bounded across the beach, tackling the unsuspecting Spencer to the sand. "Ha!" she shouted, "Got ya!"

Spencer laughed, "Yes, you are very stealthy. But I though you wanted to go swimming?"

A grin spread across Ashley's face as she stood up from the sand. Reaching her hand out to Spencer, she easily helped the younger girl up. "Swim with me?" she asked, hope filling her voice.

Spencer threw her arm around the older girl, "Anytime." Spencer watched in amusement as Ashley raced towards the waves, squealing like a five-year old when the water touched her legs. "Cold?" Spencer asked as she walked down the shore to join Ashley.

Ashley nodded her head and held out her hand to Spencer, "Come on in, I'll keep you warm."

Ok Spence, that was yet another flirty comment Ashley has made toward you tonight. Spencer felt herself blush at the prospect of Ash keeping her warm. Their bodies pressed together…

"Spence?" Ashley asked impatiently, tearing Spencer away from her thoughts. Spencer joined Ashley in the water, laughing as the brunette grabbed her hand. Spencer leaned forward and splashed her unsuspecting friend. "Hey, I thought you said no splashing," Ashley whined as the cold water dripped down her face.

"No, I said you couldn't splash me."

"Cheater," Ashley grumbled. She leaned forward to return fire on Spencer, but she was quickly cut off.

"Ah, ah, ah. No splashy Ashley," said Spencer, waving a disapproving finger in front of her face.

Ashley pouted again and tried to stand herself back up. Unfortunately, at that exact moment a wave happened to hit the drunken brunette in the legs, knocking her into the water. Ashley, now fully soaked, stared up at Spencer, speechless.

"Aw, poor baby, are you ok?" Spencer said as she helped Ashley to her feet. Ashley nodded her head at the blonde, but a frown still covered her face. "What?" Spencer curiously asked.

"I don't feel so well," Ashley grumbled, turning and stumbling towards the beach. Once she reached the shoreline, Ashley lost her balance and soon found herself lying in the sand. Spencer rushed over to her fallen friend and was greeted with a painful grunt. I'm all sandy now," Ashley grumbled, looking down at her shirt.

"We can get you changed when we go home," Spencer said.

Ashley shook her head in disagreement. "Nope, home too far," she said, the mass amount of alcohol she consumed earlier that evening finally catching up with her. Before Spencer could stop her, Ashley reached down and grabbed the hem of her shirt. In one easy motion, she pulled the shirt over her head. Ashley closed her eyes as the sand, which had clung to her shirt, sprayed her in the face. "Mmm, better," she mumbled.

Spencer's mouth dropped open as she stared at the girl before her. Ashley's toned stomach glistened in the moonlight, each muscle tightening and expanding as she breathed in. Spencer, try as she might, could not tear her eyes away from the beauty that lie just a few feet from her. Ashley's beautiful breasts heaved underneath the lacy black bra that covered them. Spencer loved how supple and perfect they appeared, almost as though they had been perfectly molded by the heavens. Ashley grumbled and opened her eyes, turning her gaze towards her friend. "Hey," she whispered.

Spencer moved closer to Ashley, resting her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Hey." Spencer noticed the heavy frown that covered Ashley's stunning face. "What's wrong?"

"I just wanted to give you the best birthday ever. And I ruined it."

"No, shh, no you didn't."

"Yes I did. This night was supposed to be about you. It was supposed to show you how much I…care about you," Ashley started, "How much you mean to me."

Spencer, touched by the words, gently brushed a strand of chocolate hair out of Ashley's eyes. "I had a great night, Ashley."

"But you shouldn't have to sit here on this freezing beach. You shouldn't have to be taking care of 'drunken Ashley'."

Moving forward, Spencer gently lifted Ashley's head off the sand and placed it into her lap. Ashley, excited by Spencer's touch, leaned in closer to the blonde, placing her arms around the younger girl's waist. She breathed in Spencer's scent; a mix of strawberries and lavender. It was absolutely intoxicating. She buried her head deeper in Spencer's lap, taking in everything that Spencer was, everything she had.

Spencer gently rubbed her fingers along Ashley's back. "But I like taking care of you Ashley. You always take care of me. You're always so strong." Spencer paused, choosing her words carefully. "I think it's time that I'm strong too."

"Mmm," Ashley mumbled, sleep nipping at her eyelids.

"Ashley," Spencer whispered, "I think…I think that I…" Spencer's cell phone went off, snapping her out of the trance that she was in. Groaning she checked the caller ID. Glen. "Hello?" she asked as she picked up the phone.

"Hey, where are you? Mom's freaking out Spence," Glen asked, aggravated that his date with Madison was interrupted by his mother's quest to track down Spencer.

"I'm at the beach with Ashley," Spencer replied, glancing down at the sleeping girl on her lap. "Tell mom I'm sleeping over at Ash's tonight."

"She won't like that," Glen said. "But it's your funeral."

"I know. Tell her it's my birthday wish. Bye," Spencer said, flipping closed her phone and turning it to vibrate. She gently nudged Ashley awake. "Come on sleeping beauty. It's time to go home." She grabbed Ashley's shirt off the ground, dusted the sand off, and handed it to the drowsy brunette. "I think you'll be needing this," she joked.

Ashley furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. How did my shirt end up in the sand, she wondered. Shrugging, Ashley threw the shirt on and grabbed Spencer's awaiting hand. "Yes Spence, let's go home." The two headed to Ashley's car, different thoughts playing in their minds. Ashley desperately tried to piece together the events that occurred that night, while Spencer wondered when again she would be able to get the courage to tell Ashley how she feels.