CHAPTER 1…Welcome back seniors

“Ugh…that has got to be the most depressing thing I have ever seen…”

Ashley glared at the banner that hung in front of the main entrance to the school.

Welcome back seniors

“Oh come on its not that bad…senior year is supposed to be the best year ever right?”

Ashley made a face at Spencer as she let herself be dragged down the main walkway and into the school.  It was the first day back after a long and leisurely summer and both girls couldn’t wait for the school year to begin.  Spencer couldn’t wait because it meant the last year in high school and a year closer to her going to college.  Ashley on the other hand couldn’t wait because this meant her final year as an adolescent and she couldn’t wait to be 18 and free of mommy-dearests control.  The year had potential.

This past summer also had potential and proved to be one of the most interesting and fun ones either girl had ever had.  Paula Carlin had moved out and was living in an apartment near the hospital, Glen had recovered from his torn ACL and had spent the entire summer going through rehab to get back on track, Clay had taken summer courses and he was already bubbling with excitement about college applications or something like that, and Spencer…well Spencer had come full circle with her sexuality and she had definitely been more secure in the new relationship.  It didn’t hurt that Arthur had a long talk with Spencer shortly after Paula left and gave Spencer a chance to really open up about how she was feeling and what she was going through.  All in all he pretty much won the “dad of the year” award and went out of his way to make Ashley feel welcome at the Carlin residence.  Clay and Glen still didn’t quite understand Spencer’s choice, but at least they didn’t bug her about it.  Too much.  Basically the summer was full of changes and surprises, and Ashley had to admit, she had a blast not leaving LA for once. 

But like all good things the summer came to an end and Ashley and Spencer now found themselves back where it all began.  School.  As the girls made their way to their lockers they looked around at all the excitement going on around them.  First days back are always fun and technically, this was Spencers first first day at King High.