It had been two weeks since that night at the beach. Two weeks of secretly dating Spencer. Secretly. It made it fun, sneaking around to get alone time, pretending to do homework when Spencers mom walked in, meeting up during lunchtime and after school in deserted places to avoid awkward glances from bystanders. Yes Spencer had not given a damn that day at the beach. But it was sort of easy to be open with total strangers, people that they would probably never meet again, and both girls new that.

Since then, Spencer had decided that now it was up to her, alone, to decide when to tell her mother. Both new it was best to tell her first before she heard it from someone else. Ashley didn’t want to pressure her but deep down she knew that it would be better to just get it out in the open now rather than later. Not to mention she was happy, and she wanted the entire world to know why. As Ashley sat rummaging through her cd’s trying to find her dad’s latest album, she felt 2 arms wrap around her and the scent of strawberry kept her from second guessing the person hugging her from behind.

"I missed you." Spencer whispered into her ear gently kissing Ashley’s neck.
"How much? It’s only been a few hours since school got out.." Ashley said with a smirk.
"Well not that much… you know." Spencer said sarcastically as she got up and sat down on Ashley’s bed.
"Nope now that I realize it, I didn’t miss you at all. I don’t even know what I’m doing here.."
She got up and shrugged as she started walking towards the door.
"Oh no you don’t!" Ashley said running up and grabbing Spencer’s hand pulling her towards her.
"Well.." Before Spencer could even say another word, Ashley’s lips collided with hers. She tried deepening the kiss, her tongue grazing the roof of Spence’s mouth, but she pulled away smiling.
"I just wanted to come by to say that I think tomorrow’s gonna be the day."
"Day for?…"
"Telling my mom. My family. Then from there, we can tell whoever." Spencer said smiling.
"Nervous?"
"A little?"
"Scared?"
"Out of my mind.." Ashley sat down on her bed and motioned next to her. Spencer sat down with her hands in her lap looking out the doorway. Taking Spencer’s hands in hers, Ashley smiled at her and Spencer turned to look at her, smiling back.
"Do what makes you happy ok? If waiting makes you happy, then wait. You have to be ready. Your mom, or anyone else for that matter might not be ready, but you’re the only one that matters. And no matter what, I’m here. Always."
"I know Ash. But I want to share this with them. You make me happy. I want to tell them. And I’m ready to tell them. I’m just not ready for their reactions. I’m not ready to be…to be hated by my own family." She said, her eyes welling up with tears as she look back towards the door. Ashley placed a hand on her cheek and turned so they were facing one another again, and she kissed her. Her lips lingering for a moment, savoring the softness, the pureness of the kiss between them. She tasted the cherry lip gloss and and felt Spencer’s fears go away, even if it was for just a moment.
"They won’t hate you ok?" Ashley said in a reassuring tone, with her eyes still closed for fear of seeing Spencer’s eyes still filled with unshed tears, "Glen and Clay already think something is going on, just like half the school and your dad has already made it clear that he will always love you no matter what…."Ashley smiled and opened her eyes, looking into Spencer’s."Just like me.."
Spencer smiled and stared back "I will always love you too, Ash. Always." And with that she took her into her arms and hugged her. Ashley hugged back, both feeling their warmth radiating off the other’s body.
"Do you want to stay here, with me, tonight? Before things change..again?" Ashley asked, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"I’m way ahead of you there.." Spencer said, pulling away and smiling as she pointed to her bag that she had set in the corner earlier.

Ashley giggled and layed back onto the bed. Spencer followed placing a quick kiss on her lips. Before she could pull away, Ashley deepened it, letting her hand caress her cheek. Spencer finished with a lingering kiss on the lips and cuddled into Ashleys arms. She smiled as she inhaled the spicy perfume that she knew all to well from the hoodie she wore earlier. She slid one hand under her head and another around Ashley’s waist.
Ashley smiled as she inhaled the smell of strawberries that came from Spencer’s gorgeous blond hair. She leaned down and kissed her head and began to run her fingers through her hair while her other hand found Spencer’s and she clasped it.

Both girls knew that this might be the last time they could lay here, tangled in one another without a worry. But, both knew that even after tomorrow, they would still have each other to fall back on, and that was enough for them both to sleep soundly.