ashley pulled into the carlin’s driveway, turning off her lights so she wouldn’t wake the rest of the family. spencer was the only one awake and she wanted to keep it that way. she saw a light turn off in an upstairs room and soon spencer came walking out the front door. the way she was being so sneaky made ashley smile. this wasn’t the first time spencer had snuck out, but it never failed to amuse ashley as she watched spence stealthily close the door and tiptoe down the driveway.

"what are you smiling about?" spencer asked as they began to pull out of the driveway.
"the fact that everytime we do something like this it’s practically a sequel to mission impossible or something."ashley said with a laugh.
"oh whatever.." spence said, smiling to herself as she looked out the window at the passing buildings.

they had decided on a change of scenery for this outing. eating takeout at ashley’s place was always fun but her dvd collection was thinning and neither we’re up for the challenge of actually going out and renting a flick, so both decided that the beach would be a fun getaway.

it was way too cold to swim, so both girls just planned on relaxing on a blanket and talking about nonsense. ashley laid out a blanket. she took a seat and patted down next to her so spencer would sit too. ashley laid back resting her head in her hands while spencer sat, legs crossed with her hands in her lap staring at the water.

after a few minutes of silence, ashley playfully poked spencer in the side. "what’s wrong Spence? i haven’t gotten a single smile from you since we’ve been here!"
"not true!!" shouted spencer as she grinned pointing to her mouth.
"that’s better ashley said, lying back down on the blanket.
"ash.." spencer said as she layed down next to her. " were there ever times that you just didn’t want to be.. well.."
"gay? of course. all the times i’ve gotten dirty looks, when i’ve gotten mean remarks thrown my way, even when your mom keeps the door open when we’re hanging out becuase she thinks i’m going to attack you or something.." she said with a grin.
"i just, i don’t like not knowing. i don’t like how i can’t just say i am one or the other. you know?" spencer asked.
"what do you think would help you?"
"finding love. or something close to it. with anyone. that would tell me. i guess.."
"are you willing to find love with someone that’s not a guy?" ashley asked.
"i guess i am.."
"then that should tell you something right?" ashley said turning her head to look at spencer.
" i..i guess so. so then here’s another question." spencer said turning to look back at her.
"alright.."
"what if i think i’ve already found it?"
"what, love?"
"not necessarily. but something close to it. i’ve found a trust. a bond. a connection that makes me smile when i just think about it.." spencer said turning away looking up at the sky.
"then go for it, spence." ashley couldn’t help but wonder deep down who spencer felt that way about. what if it was aiden? they had been hanging out a lot. aiden had been into spencer since the day she stepped foot onto king high’s campus. what if spencer was starting to feel the same? she wondered whether or not she should say what’s been on her mind the past few weeks. the bond that has made her smile. the connection, not with just anyone, but with spencer. ashley had deep down wondered every night if she should tell spencer how she really felt…