Okay, so the begining of this basically sucks, the but bits with Spencer's inner monologue around the dialogue, is hopefully good.

Once more, thanks for the feedback!

The taxi ride home really gave me a chance to think – well I only went part way in the taxi, I went as far as the beach I walked the rest, basking in the early morning L.A sunshine. There is a certain sense of clarity you can gain just from walking, I used to go off for walks all the time back in Ohio. Granted the air back there was cleaner and fresher, but there was a breeze coming in from the ocean, making it every bit a beautiful morning.

The more I walked the more I thought. I had a slightly convoluted journey – walking in circles, stopping, double backing on myself and such. I hate to think about how much salty-smoggy air I inhaled in such a small space of time, but I walked off most of my anger.

I compared Ashley to Glen, after all they were both "players", both liked meaningless sex with an array of girls – at least Ashley wasn't a jerk like Glen, and she did sound sorry earlier that morning.

Ashley's past, is her past, it's not her present and it's not her future. It's something that can't be changed, and I was accepting that. Plus, when I thought about it more and more – ideas being mulled over in my mind – everything that had happened to her, had contributed to making her what she is, and making her the Ashley that I know and love.

By the time I had made it back home, I had a grin on my face. Memories of the previous night, warm in my mind. We were going to be okay.

"You better watch out, mum and dad are back, they know you were out all night." And I don't care; there is only one thing I can think about – Ashley – more specifically to the immediate future; ringing her.

"You sound almost happy about that."

"You okay Spencer?" Ah, Clay, my favourite brother, thank you for giving me the opportunity to rub something in Glen's face.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Ashley isn't feeling too good though." Ha!

"Ashley? You were supposed to be with Aiden." Yes, but unlike you he's not a jerk, so I ended up at Ashley's – that reminds me, I need to charge my phone and look into the whole, Aiden being gay thing, hmm.

"Forget it Glen, you stupid plan didn't work."

"Is it too much to ask for a phone call?" I wonder if she can sense me rolling my eyes? "Whether we're home or not, we really like to know that you're okay." So, I take it they didn't manage to rock the Kasbah last night, okay, been spending too much time with Ashley. "Not to mention you missed church!" Wait, if I missed church, then… but Glen is still in pyjamas. Huh?

"Sorry, I spent the night at Ashley's house," seeing as it was the Christian thing to do, looking after a friend in need and all, "I didn't think you and dad would be back so early." Yup, no Kasbah-rockage.

"How do we know you don't go to mass unless we make you?" Ah, the rational parent.

"Sorry." So, that's, what… four times I've missed mass in my entire life? Oh, that's it, I'm burning in hell for that.

I start to head upstairs, "Spencer," whoa, I've got an angry Catholic mother attached to my sleeve; not good, "can't you see I am worried about you, ever since we moved here, you've changed." Yes, as have all the other four members of this family.

"What am I supposed to do, stay the same?" Did I just say that out loud, like that? That was just supposed to be in my head…

"Spencer, listen…"

"…No dad, you know what," I think I've just located my spine, "Glen goes out every night and nobody says anything, and then I go out to help a friend and I get the inquisition, a little double standard, don't you think?" Oh, so my anger hasn't completely dispersed.

"It's that girl, I'm telling you." Mum, shut up! Okay, too much to say out loud.

"Here we go again, you know what her name is Ashley," As in, I'm falling in love with Ashley, "Ashley, why wont you ever say her name!"

"You want me to say her name? I'll say her name, you're not allowed to see Ashley." Hold up, what! What the…

"What? Why?"

"Because she's a bad influence," She couldn't have just let me go upstairs when I tried to, could she, and now this… "I am telling you. You are forbidden to see Ashley." I hate you. So much mother.

"Oh yeah, and how are you gona stop me," I'm standing up for myself and it feels great! "You're never home!"

Ouch, I mean, ow, who knew she could slap so hard? Before I can even register it, my feet have already dragged to up the remaining stairs and towards my room. As I slam my door shut I can't have ever recalled a house being so quiet. That is until I start to hear my own sobs.

When did my life become so fucked up?