It was about a 10 minute walk from Spencer’s house to Ashley’s and she knew the way by heart.
It was a Sunday afternoon and Spencer had got back from Church with her family about three hours ago. The family had had a slightly rushed Sunday dinner as Glen had got a big game later at some High School in a nearby city. Spencer really wasn’t that interested. Her parents were taking him to the game but she and Clay had decided to stay behind because they had papers to write. Well, that was her excuse. Clay had actually got a paper to write but she just didn’t want to sit in a car for an hour, then sit in some crummy school for another hour or so, then come home listening to Glen complaining about the referee, or the other players, or the court, or his shoes. Aiden, the substitues or the cheerleaders. Glen was a good player, his attitude however, was not good. Instead Spencer had waved her brother and parents off, run back to her room to grab a jacket and her keys, yelled goodbye to Clay and left the house.
Spencer was about half way there when she noticed she’d not stopped thinking about Ashley since she woke up.
She was even pretty sure she’d drempt about her.
This wasn’t how friends acted. She never thought this much about her friends back in Ohio.
She was puzzled, but more than that she was nervous. Ashley didn’t know she was coming over. Would Ashley mind that she was on her way over? Would she be nervous to see Spencer?
3 minutes to Ashley’s house.
They’d been flirting quite a lot. It was flirting. She realised that now. How long could she and Ashley keep playing this game before they passed the point of no return? As long as they both kept laughing it off they could pretend they were friends and nothing more. Ashley flirted with everyone though, was Spencer any different to the girls in the clothes shops she flirted with? The waitresses? The bartender?
2 minutes to Ashley’s house.
Spencer flirted because it somehow felt right, she wanted to be part of Ashley’s life in every way. She wanted to be Ashley’s family. She told herself it was because Ashley hardly had what anyone would call family, but deep down she started to realise the extent of her feelings.
1 minute.
How would she act when Ashley opened the door? Would she give her a kiss on the cheek? That was acceptable by a friends standard. A hug? Was that too desperate? What would she say? What was her excuse for turning up on Ashley’s doorstep?
And suddenly, there she was. In front of the house she loved as much as dreaded.
Her stomache was flip-flopping and her heart was racing. Ashley was more than just a friend, but how much longer could she keep up the pretence for?
She cleared her throat and walked to the door. Pressing the bell she tried to look casual and calm.
Footsteps in the hallway.
The door handel turned and the door swung open.
Spencer looked up to see Ashley’s mum stood there expectantly.