Amy woke up the next morning to see Ashley standing over her, eating a bowl of cereal, looking at her like she was some kind of a science experiment. Startled, Amy let out a loud yelp, and Ashley backed away.
"Stop insinuating I'm ugly!" Ashley huffed.
"I didn't say you were- just, God, don't stand over me like some kind of freak!"
Seconds later, the sound of pounding feet reached her ears, and Ricky burst into the room in nothing but a towel, soap still in his hair.
"I heard a scream..." Ricky explained, worry deep in his eyes.
"I just got startled, I'm sorry." Amy said, scrunching her face a little.
"It's okay, don't apologize. Sorry for... wetting up the hallway." he said, walking back towards the bathroom.
Amy smiled a melty, contented smile, and Ashley made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat.
"God, you two are nauseating."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Amy said cheerfully.
"Whatever..."
"So, what are you doing back here?" Amy asked, the early morning fog finally clearing from her brain. "I thought you were in Florida till Fall."
"Eh, it got boring." Ashley shrugged. "I missed my room, and working at a stupid frozen banana stand was lame."
Amy smirked.
"Anyway... glad you're okay." Ashley said quietly, a bit reluctantly.
"Thank you. I'm really fine."
"Yeah, I know, I talked to Mom on the phone." she nodded. "I didn't come back because of youor anything, if that's what you're thinking... Florida is just... sucky."
Amy nodded." Of course not, why would I think that?"
"Right, well... I'm going downstairs now, and I better not trip on your boyfriend's nasty shower water."
Amy smirked. "Fiance!" she yelled after Ashley, laughing when Ashley threw a "Whatever, like anyone cares!" over her shoulder.
Later that afternoon, Ricky went out to check out some apartment listings, and Ashley had went with George to take Robbie back to Anne's condo, so Amy was alone in the kitchen with John, making lunch.
"Mmmm... Peanut butter..." she said, handing him a plate.
But, then there was a knock on the door...