So I know I am terrible at updating my stories but life gets in the way. I am going to try and stay up to date on this one as I really like and think I can progress it. Thank you for reading if there is anybody still out there….xxxx

P.s This is a big old update.

Chapter 3

Spencer had spent most of her day relaxing on the decking reading a book. If there was one thing that could distract Spencer Carlin from her life it was books. She would read anything and had always been the same since she was little. She welcomed the distraction from her otherwise pathetic life and also from the constant phone calls from Bree, the ex. Spencer thought she had made herself clear when she left L.A but apparently the message had not been received. You see there was no major issue in the relationship, they got on well, had great sex and never really argued. The relationship was just simple and even though she cared for Bree there was no real emotion, at least not for Spencer. Bree had wept when Spencer told her she was leaving for the summer and she thought it would be better if they spent some time apart. Of course Spencer felt bad but she thought Bree would take some time and agree with her….but no the girl had spent the last 2 weeks harassing her in every way possible and it was driving her insane.

Spencer could hear her phone ringing in the kitchen where she had left it earlier needing some space. Her Grandma appeared holding the phone with a judging look on her face.

"You need to speak to this poor girl Spencer" Ivy instructed with a raised eyebrow causing Spencer to roll her eyes in a very childlike fashion.

"I have spoken to her on numerous occasions but the message is not sinking in"

"Who knew you'd end up the heartbreaker?" Ivy chuckled handing the phone over to her granddaughter.

"Hardly…I can't even break up with a girl properly"

"Just be kind to her Spencer because she obviously cares for you"

"I promise but just not right now" Spencer replied going back to her book assuming the conversation was over. After a few seconds she noticed Ivy was still looking at her.

"Anything else?"

"Actually yes I need you to drive me to town please" Ivy instructed and Spencer chuckled knowing full well that Ivy could drive herself but figured her Gran had decided to take advantage of having her around.

"Carlin Taxi's at your service" Spencer joked as they headed inside and she grabbed her keys.

As they drove down the slight hill towards the stores Spencer asked Ivy where they were going.

"You can pull over here thank you Dear" Ivy instructed as they approached the music store. Spencer looked at her Gran confused.

"I want to start piano lessons and this is the place that helps with that"

"I bought you all that sheet music the other day. Why can't you just use that?"

"I'm old and rusty Spencer….I need some guidance to blow out the cobwebs" Spencer couldn't help but be suspicious of her Grans actions. Ivy Carlin was one of the most stubborn old people in the world which is why a lot of the family no longer visited. Ivy went to exit the car but noticed Spencer wasn't moving.

"You're not coming in?" Ivy questioned.

"I'll just wait here"

"Don't be silly. It's hot in this old truck and there's no air con" Ivy argued.

"Honestly I'm fine right here"

"Spencer Carlin you better move your ass" Ivy was little but still scary so Spencer as instructed and followed her Gran into the store. Ashley was talking to an older gentleman at the till and Spencer noted that the girl looked just as tense as when they spoke.

Ivy obviously bored of waiting walked over to the till while Spencer hung back pretending to look at the guitars which were hanging from the wall. Once the guy Ashley was talking to left Spencer watched as her Gran interacted with Ashley.

"Ashley Dear I would like to start piano lessons" Ivy told her with a kind smile. Ashley was surprised the old lady was asking for lessons as she knew that Mrs Carlin had played piano at the community centre for years before she took over but she wouldn't dare question her.

"Let me get the diary Mrs Carlin"

"Please call me Ivy" She instructed as she looked around the room for her granddaughter.

"Spencer darling this Ashley Davies" Ivy told her making Spencer let out a sigh. Spencer walked over the counter and smile politely.

"I know Gran…we met the other day. Nice to see you again Ashley" Spencer smiled at the brunette who had her eyes glued to the large book in her hand. Ashley finally looked up and their eyes met. For a second they just looked at each other until Ashley's eyes darted away back to the book.

"Erm…Mrs Car….I mean Ivy I can do Thursday mornings at 9 if that's okay?" Ashley offered now only looking at Spencer's grandma.

"That would be fabulous. Can you do the lessons at my house?" Ivy knew she was probably pushing her luck as the girl was so skittish and unsure of everything but she knew she should try. Spencer noted that Ashley looked slightly panicked again and felt almost sorry for her.

"Gran I think they do the lessons here" Spencer interrupted after the silence became too much for her plus she had clicked what Ivy was up to now.

"I'm sure Ashley won't mind bending the rules for an old lady like me" Ivy was laying it on thick and Spencer couldn't help but laugh. Ivy became distracted by somebody over street.

"Look there's Martha from bridge. I just need to go speak to her. Spencer will go over the details with you Ashley. I will meet you at home" Ivy moved out of the shop with purpose stunning both girls as they stood there watching her.

"Sorry about Ivy" Spencer offered with a smile which Ashley returned.

"It's fine, don't worry. So is this Thursday morning okay?"

"Yes I'll give you the address" Spencer went to write it down but Ashley's hand on hers stop her.

"I know where she lives" Ashley told her and quickly removed her hand.

"Not in like a stalker way but you know small town and all that" Ashley explained making Spencer laugh a little.

"Do you need picking up or anything?" Spencer offered remembering the bike and knowing that her Gran's house was right on the outskirts of town.

"No…..thank you" Ashley quickly added the gratitude remembering how annoyed the girl was last time she was ungrateful.

"Hey you're getting the hand of those manners"

"I'm trying" Ashley smiled and it felt genuine to Spencer who smiled back straight away. She also couldn't help but wonder about another meaning behind Ashley's words but chose to stop over reading everything.

"See you tomorrow morning Ashley" Spencer waved and left the store heading straight to the truck.

Kyla watched the blonde leave the shop before heading in. She had spotted her interacting with her sister and daren't interrupt because Ashley was actually smiling. Pushing the door open and hearing the familiar bell ring Kyla spotted her sister sat at the counter smiling to herself. Kyla could've cried in that moment.

"Hey big sister" Kyla finally said as she sauntered over.

"Hey yourself"

"So was that the blonde that gave you the ride?" Kyla figured she'd just ask as Ashley was bound to freak out. The brunette was fiddling with the pen as she seemed to mull over her sisters question.

"Yes. Look I'm sorry about the other night Ky" Ashley rarely apologised for her actions and it wasn't because she a bad person or mean but because she was so wrapped up in her own hurt and heartache that she didn't even register that anybody else could feel the same.

"Don't be silly Ash. Maybe we can try again tonight?"

"Okay"

The rest of the afternoon seemed to drag for Ashley even though the store was unusually busy for a Wednesday afternoon. It was most kids from the local high school coming to play around with guitars they couldn't afford but that never bothered Ashley as she used to do the same thing when she was in high school.

**Flashback**

"Ashley should we even be here?" Taylor whispered as Ashley guided her around the pitch black store. It was about 9.30 pm and they were both due home in 30 minutes but once again smooth talking Ashley Davies had convinced her to make one more stop before dropping her home.

"Its fine Tay don't worry" Ashley replied amused by her girlfriends worrying. Taylor was a worry and Ashley wasn't which is why their relationship worked so well. Tay would ground Ashley and she would push Tay to try new things. After searching she finally found the flash light and turned it on. She couldn't help but smile seeing Taylor's perfect face looking back at her slightly annoyed.

"Why are we hear Ashley?" The red head was sounding annoyed but Ashley knew better.

"Will just trust me and sit down?" Ashley pleaded and Taylor complied. Ashley handed Taylor the flash light and vanished into the darkness. After a few bumps and curses the room filled with the sound of an acoustic guitar. The music danced around the dark room and Taylor couldn't help but smile. Taylor darted the flashlight around the room trying to find Ashley as she strummed the guitar in a way that would always melt Taylor's heart.

"So I wrote this song for you and I needed you to hear tonight" Ashley spoke over the light strings of the guitar and then she was in front of Taylor.

"God I love you" Taylor sighed as her eyes met Ashley's.

"Love you too Tay. Now listen"

**END OF FLASHBACK*

Ashley was at the diner before Kyla for once and she was pretty confident she was going to stay or at least she hoped she would. Ashley would never deliberately hurt her younger sister but sometimes things became too much for her and she couldn't stop herself from running away instead of trying to deal. Kyla was the only family member that really bothered with her now. They had all tried but they lost patience after the first year or so. It hurt that her own family had given up on her but she honestly couldn't blame them even she was bored of dealing with her own stuff. She was stuck in a life that she didn't want without the one person she needed and she hated it.

"You're here" Kyla stated as she approached the table seeing the sad look in her sister's eyes.

"Your smart" Ashley quipped and Kyla didn't mind. She missed the sister that used to tease her and make her life hell. She would give anything to have that sister back. In the last day or two Kyla had seen flashes of this girl which made her hopeful.

"Did you order yet?" Kyla took a seat opposite Ashley and grabbed the menu.

"Nope was waiting for you. So how's everything?" Ashley asked the question but she soon lost interest as she spotted a familiar blonde walk into the diner. Ashley could hear Kyla waffling on about this and that but she was paying no attention. She smiled to herself without realising at first but as she noticed she realised it felt good.

"Hey Ashley! Earth to Ashley" Kyla was waving her hands manically in front of the dazed brunette but to no avail. Kyla turned in her seat and followed her sisters' gaze and she also smiled. Ashley was staring at another girl and this was huge. Both Davies sisters averted their eyes as Spencer looked over and they both felt like idiots.

"That's the girl from the store" Kyla pointed out trying to be cool.

"Mrs Carlin's Granddaughter to be precise"

"What's her name?"

"Spencer" Ashley told her fighting the smile that was playing on her lips.

"Hey Spencer" Kyla yelled across the diner causing everybody to look at them and Ashley to blush. Spencer spun around and her eyes met Ashley's. Kyla signalled for her to come over which she did.

"I'm Kyla Davies it's nice to meet you Spencer" The smaller Davies sister stood up and shook the taller blonde's hand.

"You too" Spencer replied as she shook the girls hand and then the silence hit, which was awkward and strange and made them all want to run away. Ashley especially looked traumatised by the whole interaction.

"How long are you in town for Spencer?" Kyla finally spoke.

"Until the end of summer and then I head home" Spencer replied feeling a bit weird. Ashley was looking at her but she wasn't really reacting to anything that was being said around her. It was like she had switched which made Spencer uncomfortable.

"Cool we should hang out some time" Kyla was trying to be nice and figured that is she hung with Spencer then Ashley might open up a little bit more. Spencer looked at Ashely again and she was now looking at the menu intently.

"Sure…look it was nice to meet you Kyla but my food is ready so I need to go. Ashley hopefully I'll see you tomorrow" Spencer smiled sweetly as she picked up her food and left. The Davies sisters both sat in silence watching the pretty blonde leave the diner with her take away dinner. Kyla looked at Ashley with an almost scowl.

"You scared her off with your brooding stares" Kyla snapped a little annoyed that Ashley was so broken.

"If you want to talk to her then go do it. You don't need me anymore this isn't high school" Ashley looked annoyed and Kyla was waiting for her to get up and leave.

"She seems nice Ashley and you just blanked her completely"

"Kyla just drop it"

"Or what? You'll run away? Not talk to me for days? Hide in your apartment? Miss out on life? Go ahead Ash" Kyla was trying to call Ashley's bluff and for once she refused to let her get away with it.

"I have a life Kyla" Ashley snapped but as predicted she grabbed her bag and swiftly left the diner. Normally Kyla would sit there and order still but for some reason that night she couldn't do it.

"You might be alive Ashley but you are not living! You have let what happened 4 years ago consume and destroy you because you blame yourself. I get it you lost the love of your life and that is sad but it is no reason to give up! Taylor would be so mad at you…." Kyla was almost yelling this at her stubborn sister who had suddenly frozen.

"Don't you dare talk about her Kyla!" Ashley screams shocking Kyla.

"She wasn't just yours Ashley. She had a family, she had friends and she had a life. God if I could do anything to stop you hurting I would but you are so beyond help its scary. I knew Taylor and I know that she would hate this version of you. She would've yelled at you long before now and she would not have taken half the shit I have over the last 4 years" Kyla hadn't noticed the tears on her face but she had noticed them streaming down her sisters.

"Nobody asked you to stick around Kyla, nobody else did"

"You don't need to ask me you're my sister. Even though I want scream and shout at you I will never give up on you Ashley. I honestly will never stop being here until I know you are happy again and I have my sister back because I miss her so much" The hurt of Kyla's words were evident on Ashley's face.

"I love you Kyla, I really do but I can't stop how I feel" Ashley admitted wiping her face.

"Do you want to?"

"Do I want to what?"

"Do you want to stop feeling like this?"

"I think I do" Ashley admitted crying even more as the words left her mouth. For the first time in 4 years Ashley didn't want to feel angry, guilty, sad or broken. She wanted to be the sister that Kyla missed. She wanted to be the girl that would make people smile with her attitude and antics. Kyla embraces her older sister hoping that that night would become a starting point for something new.

Ashley had been floating in the surf for 2 hours, the nightmares had woken her up and she couldn't get back to sleep as usual. The peace of the ocean had helped soothe her after what had happened the night before. She had always known that her selfish ways were hurting Kyla but there was something that stopped her from caring. As the morning breeze blew across her face she realised that she was freezing cold so headed in. As the wave carried her to shallows she spotted Spencer jogging on the sand. Ditching her surf board on the sand Ashley jogged after her having no idea why.

"Hey" Ashley puffed as she jogged next to the blonde who looked more than surprised to see her. Spencer stopped running and took a swig from her water bottle.

"The surf any good?" Spencer finally asked realising that Ashley had used up all her social graces by saying 'hey'.

"Bit flat but good for thinking"

"Do you do that every morning?"

"Yep without fail. Do you run every morning?"

"Most of the time. I'm obviously not as dedicated as you" Spencer replied with a smirk before looking at her watch. "Nearly 8 I better get going and you have a piano lesson in an hour"

"I only live just there" Ashley pointed to a stack of apartments at the top of the sand dunes. They were made of wood which was peeling, there was a wraparound balcony on each level and bright blue shades on each window. They looked well-worn but quite homely in away, or at least more homely than the massive building that Spencer lived in which looked cold and prison like.

"Cool, well, have fun with Ivy"

"Are you not going to be there?" Ashley suddenly asked almost sounding panicked.

"I have some errands to run" Spencer was pretty confident that she had seen some sort of disappointment on Ashley's face.

"But I should be back before you finish up" Spencer added quickly hoping to put the smile back on Ashley's face.

"Cool"

"Cool" Spencer couldn't help but let out a slight laugh as she waved good bye continuing her run. Ashley was like a different person today which had blown Spencer's mind completely. The girl seemed less guarded and more relaxed. As Spencer was running she spotted the girl from the diner last night and came to a stop.

"Have you seen Ashley?" Kyla asked Spencer looking into the ocean.

"Actually yea. She was just down there but was heading back to her place" Spencer explained as she examined the other girl. Kyla was obviously younger than Ashley but they shared a lot of features. They both had those brown eyes but Spencer had already noted that Ashley's had caramel in them which made them stand out more. Kyla was obviously concerned with her appearance and came across as more preppy and straight edged. So far Spencer had only seen Ashley in a wet suit or baggy jeans, a vest and flip flops. Yes the combination was adorable but Spencer imagined the girl would look breathe taking if she was more confident.

"How was she?" Kyla asked sounding concerned.

"Great actually. Not to sound strange but she's not much of a talker"

"I know, but give her a chance"

"What do you mean?"

"Just that my sister has been through a lot, I'm sure you know all about it but I think she's getting there"

"I have no idea what she's been through Kyla and I haven't asked her" Spencer replied surprising Kyla with her answer. Every person in the town knew about Ashley and they loved to gossip about it.

"Why haven't you asked when you obviously know there's something?"

"Because she seems broken and I don't want to add to that"

"You're not like other people Spencer"

"Thank you?" Spencer answered wondering whether she was been insulted or complimented.

"It's a good thing, trust me. Have a good day" With that Spencer continued jogging dreading the hill she was about to climb but she loved to run. Running was her escape, it gave her room to breathe in between the chaos that was her life.

Ashley approaches the old farm house with some trepidation. She had taught a lot of people the piano before but some reason this lesson was given her more nerves than she could handle. She knew Mrs Carlin as a nice old lady that spent a lot of time trying to help people. She was one of the few people who didn't look at Ashley with sympathy or anger or confusion. She would just smile sweetly and carry on with her day like Ashley was any other twenty something girl making her way in the world. She raised her hand and knocked the door hearing some voices inside. She had already noted that the truck was out front which probably meant Spencer was in, this caused more nerves and doubt. Finally the old wooden opened and there she stood. Her blonde hair was still wet from her shower and her cheeks were still a little red from her run but in that moment Spencer Carlin looked perfect to Ashley and it almost caused her to cry. She could feel the guilt rushing through her and she did everything she could to fight it because she knew Kyla was right.

"Ashley Hi…." Spencer looked almost embarrassed that Ashley had seen her in her old shorts and basketball vest. It was a vest that her older brother Glen had given her when he left high school to go to play college ball.

"I'm a little early" Ashley stuttered holding on tightly to the folder in her arms.

"Ivy is just getting ready"

"I can wait outside"

"Don't be stupid get in here" Spencer told her as ushered her inside. Ashley assumed that the place hadn't been decorated since the late 70's but it still had a homely feel to it. Spencer led Ashley to the kitchen and offered her a seat at the table which Ashley took.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"A coffee would be great" Black coffee was something Ashley would never get bored of even though she knew it was bad for her. She watched as Spencer poured grabbed the mug and poured the drink then Spencer handed it to her.

"Thank you"

"No worries. So do you do house lessons normally?"

"Not really but your Gran is kind of hard to say no to"

"Oh Trust me I know. She has a habit of getting her own way"

"Do you come here often?" As soon as the words left her mouth Ashley froze, she had just used the oldest and worst chat up line of all time. Spencer burst out laughing which made Ashley blush even more than she probably already was. Despite herself Ashley was laughing to and not her fake laugh that she reserves for customer but a genuine, I am happy in this moment laugh and it felt good.

"Ashley darling you're here" Ivy bellowed from the door way which she had been hiding behind listening to the girls interact. She had known of Ashley since she was a little girl, her family were well off and well known in the town. Ashley was always a little a fire cracker who had raised hell through most of her high school years but once she met that pretty red headed girl it all changed. It all changed 4 years ago and Ashley had never been the same, even to this outsider but seeing her with Spencer had made Ivy hopeful that the young lady might be healing.

"Hello Mrs Carlin" Ashley replied standing up politely.

"Ashley I have told you please call me Ivy and please sit down and finish your coffee dear" Ashley did as instructed and Spencer joined her at the table.

"Spencer once Ashley has finished her coffee will you show her to the music room please?" Once again Spencer noted that Ivy was up to something.

"Considering you're having the lesson do you not think it would make more sense for you to show her?" Spencer replied in jest getting a raise eyebrow and death stare.

"Fine… Ashley would you like to see the music room?" Ashley nodded and followed Spencer through the hall ways. The house was actually a lot bigger than the outside leads you to believe. The long, narrow hall ways were full of photos of family and friends including a cute little blonde girl that stopped Ashley in her tracks.

"Is this you?" The photo was a 5/6 year old girl sat in a box sulking.

"Yes" Spencer answered feeling embarrassed yet again.

"You look kind of angry"

"Well I am"

"Why?"

"Because that box was wrapped in the most beautiful wrapping paper ever, with the biggest pink bow I had ever seen. I woke up on my 6th birthday and I was so excited because I had spent the whole year hinting that I wanted this Barbie dream house and there sat this Barbie dream house sized box in our living room. I rip into the paper going crazy and I finally get to the box which is just brown. Even at 6 I knew something wasn't right but I opened the box and it was empty, completely empty not even a scrap of anything"

"That's pretty mean"

"It was my parent's idea of a joke. They had put my Barbie dream house in my twin brothers GI Joe box and hidden mine altogether. So this is me mid breakdown which is completely fair and this is Glen mid melt down with my Barbie dream house" Spencer pointed at a photo of a screaming little boy stood next to the aforementioned Barbie dream house. Ashley couldn't help but smile at the silly story.

"You're a twin?"

"Yep we were born 2 minutes apart making me the baby of the family"

"Poor little Spencer" Ashley teased following Spencer the rest of the distance to the music room. Through door was actually quite spectacular and had already mesmerised Ashley beyond belief. In one corner was a black baby grand piano in perfect condition, in the other corner was a collection brass instruments and all over the walls were guitars. Ashley was stunned that this little old lady probably had the best collection of vintage guitars she had ever seen.

"You okay? You seemed to have gone catatonic"

"Why does your gran have all of this?"

"My Gramps was a musician way back when and he collected all of this stuff over the years. When he passed my gran decided to keep it all on display as some sort of shrine to him"

"It's incredible Spencer"

"Yea it is. Music is how they met actually. He was playing in some band in L.A and my gran wanted to play piano for them. The rest of the band were dead against because women didn't play in bands then but as you know not many people so no to her"

"That's the best story ever" Ashley looked like a small child in a sweet shop. As Ashley admired the instruments Spencer noted the time and quickly went to grab her Gran, worrying that Ashley would be late back to the shop.

Ashley sat at the piano and started playing the keys. There was no tune she was aiming for, she was just playing, letting her hands glide over the keys as she got a feel for them. The melody started flowing and she was completely lost in the music that she making up as she went along. Spencer and Ivy were stood in the door way admiring the young girl. Spencer was completely taken back by how relaxed and calm Ashley was while playing. Spencer was literally unable to take her eyes of the beautiful girl and she really didn't want the music to end but it did.

"Ashley you are incredible darling. My Joe would've loved you" Ivy gushed as she took a seat on the stool next to the petite girl.

"Thank you Ivy" Ashley looked up and saw Spencer looking at her so she offered her a smile which was returned quickly.

Spencer left the two of them to their lesson and headed to the front porch where she a date with a book. She was meant to go out to get the groceries but she just wanted to see the mystery brunette. Ashley almost seemed like another person today, she seemed less scared, less sad and this pleased Spencer. Spencer considered the conversation with Kyla earlier on the beach and she couldn't help but wonder about this 'thing' that happened. She wanted to ask Ashley outright but the girl was so delicate it would back fire rapidly so she decided that she would bide her time when it came to Ashley Davies.

Spencer had decided to leave to do the shopping before the lesson was finished. She didn't want to come across as a complete loser in front of Ashley. Ivy had informed Spencer upon her return that the lesson had gone very well and that Ashley would be back the following Thursday which pleased Spencer.

Ashley was still smiling to herself for the next two days after going over to Spencer's house. Their interaction had been limited but it made her feel good which was new and scary to her. Once again she had woken up from a nightmare but this one had been different. She had seen Spencer, only for a second but she had been there. Ashley had headed straight to the beach to get some clarity or some peace. She missed sleep, she missed her old life, she missed her old self and most of all she missed Taylor.

As the golden sun rose Ashley knew that the Indian summer the weather channels had been reporting was on its way. She felt warmer than she had most mornings and so did the water. The water was quite flat again but she didn't mind.

"Taylor I miss you so much and I think about you all the time but…." God how is this so hard!Ashley thought to herself. She was talking to a non-existent being who couldn't reply, couldn't be hurt and couldn't be seen but it was still hard.

"Tay I've been thinking about another girl I'm sorry but she makes me smile and I miss that feeling. I hate myself for what happened, I really do but I feel like I'm dead. I feel like I'm dying. Just give me some sort of sign, god this sounds so dumb, but please try for me. Make this okay Tay" Ashley hadn't cried this time even though she felt awful and like she was betraying Taylor. Looking out on to the beach Ashley spots Spencer on her morning run. Without another thought she paddles onto a wave and rides in straight into the shore. Spencer spots her and waves her over. Dropping her board on the sand Ashley walks over to Spencer.

"Hey"

"Hey"

"We have to stop meeting like this" Spencer jokes once again sipping from her water.

"I kind of like it. When I see you it means I've been out there too long" Ashley tells her with a warm smile.

"So I'm like an alarm clock?" Spencer teases pretending to be offended.

"Exactly" Ashley replies with a smile making Spencer smile back.

"I'm glad I have my uses"

"So erm do you want a coffee or something?" This was brave move for Ashley and both girls knew it.

"That would be great"

"Cool, follow me"

They headed up the beach in silence towards the block of apartments Ashley had pointed out a few days ago. Hers was on the bottom floor and the balcony was taken over with surf boards of every size, shape and colour. Ashley dropped her board over the fencing and then jumped over effortlessly signalling for Spencer to follow suit. Spencer rolled her eyes and fumbled over in the complete opposite fashion to Ashley making the other girl laugh.

"Not everybody is super cool and athletic" Spencer sulked as she found her footing. Ashley smiled and opened the back door. Without thinking and in routine she grabbed the extended zip on her wetsuit and yanked it down. She slowly peeled the wet material from her skin, which was always more difficult when wet and exposed her bikini clad torso.

Spencer tried to look away but even the girls exposed back was sexy. Ashley turned around and Spencer nearly passed out but quickly composed herself and paid close attention to one of the surf boards.

Ashley had forgotten what it was like another girl to look at her like that and she had to admit to herself that it felt good. She liked it and it made her feel confident for the first time in a while.

"Coffee?" Ashley asked with a smirk and Spencer simply nodded in response.

Ashley grabbed some mugs and invited Spencer inside her home. It was nothing fancy like she had been used to growing up but it suited her. She had made it as homely as possible with random items scattered around that she had collected over the years. Spencer spotted the photo on the wall of a pretty redheaded girl and Ashley. She wanted to ask about her but assumed that she was the reason behind everything Ashley was going through.

They sat at the table and Ashley served the coffee after grabbing a shirt to throw over herself after removing all of her wetsuit.

"No work today?" Spencer asked in between sips.

"Day off"

"Lucky you"

"Lucky me? You're a student every day is a day off"

"Not when you're living with Ivy" Spencer retorted and Ashley nodded in agreement.

"What does she have you doing today then?"

"I have the wonderful job of going to buy some paint and then I get to paint the outhouse" Spencer explained less than impressed but she knew that her grandma was unable to do these things anymore and she would never hire somebody to do it for her which was the initial solution Spencer had suggested.

"Do you want some help?" Ashley offered and Spencer was a little taken back by how different Ashley was acting.

"I couldn't ask you to do that but thank you for offering"

"I have nothing to do today and I actually enjoy painting"

"You enjoy painting?"

"Just let me help you"

"Okay but only if you do something for me?" Spencer was being brave now taking lead from Ashley.

"Okay?"

"Let me buy you dinner or something" Spencer nervously watched Ashley's face to see if she could read her and quite honestly the other girl looked petrified. Spencer suddenly wandered A) Whether Ashley was even gay and B) Just how damaged she was.

"Just as friends Ashley. Nothing more…..consider it a thank you with no hidden meaning or anything I promise" Spencer's words seemed to calm her but the room was still silent.

"Okay" The words were quiet, so quiet that Spencer was unsure whether she had heard anything at all. Ashley on the other hand felt like she had shouted the words. She had wanted to say yes straight away but her body and brain deceived and left her sat there like an idiot. Spencer had seemed so confident when she asked and then she backtracked so quickly which made Ashley more nervous. She was having fun with Spencer and wanted to say 'Yes it's a date' but she guessed she wasn't ready.

"Well, thank you for the coffee. I'll come pick you up in an hour or so?" Spencer stood up and finished her coffee even though it was too hot but she needed to leave. She needed to get out of there before she made it worse.

"Sounds good Spencer" Ashley walked her to the beach and watched as she literally ran off. Ashley stood there for a while until Spencer disappeared completely. Before she could mentally scold herself Kyla walked up to the balcony, climbing over it in a very similar way to Spencer.

"Was that Spencer I just saw leaving?"

"Are you stalking us?"

"Is there an 'us' to stalk?"

"We are just friends" Ashley snapped as they headed inside the kitchen. Kyla helped herself to coffee like she always did in the morning. The visits from Kyla became quite frequent about 4 years ago and it wasn't because Kyla loved her old sisters company so much. Kyla was mostly there to check Ashley had made it through the night. Things had gotten pretty dark and Kyla became her leaning post and support system. The morning ritual continued organically over the years unless Ashley has one of her strops. Although even though Kyla didn't come in for coffee on those days Ashley knew her sister would sneak up and poke her head to check she was okay.

"We're hanging out today" Ashley finally confessed realising that her sister needed something. Kyla literally dances around Ashley's kitchen.

"She also asked me to have dinner" Ashley added glumly.

"And we are unhappy about this because?"

"I froze when she asked me and then she panicked telling me it was just as friends and nothing more"

"She likes you big sister plus I checked her on facebook. Total lez" Ashley had to laugh at Kyla and less than subtle approach to life.

"I'm going in the shower. I'll see you later" Ashley gave Kyla a peck on the head and went to the shower. Once again she found herself smiling as she showered and she was even singing again which Kyla had heard from the kitchen. A small tear trickled down Kyla's cheek at the sound of Ashley singing. She hadn't heard her big sister sing since before the accident and to hear it again was incredible.