Frowning at the thought of being distracted, Spencer returned to her test and quickly filled in the remaining bubbles. As she stood up to turn in her test, she noticed that the spot Ashley had been sitting in was empty. Too caught up in her own phase of determination to do well, Spencer had been unaware of Ashley’s exit, which took place after 10 min. into the test.

Ashley sat, staring in front of her, overwhelmed with the familiar feeling of failure. Her back was hunched over, her legs firmly closed pressing against one another, and her hands were gripping the edge of her cement seating. A tall tree loomed over her, cloaking her body in a shadow. She scolded herself for barely making an attempt to pass her test, realizing that she should actually be crediting herself for making an effort to learn the material for once.

 "Why would this time have been any different?" Ashley questioned herself mockingly.

"You’ve never had the right motivation. Just because your study buddy is a potential fu-." her words were cut off as she noticed the clouds begin to shift, causing a change in the angle of the sunlight which was spreading light onto Ashley’s feet, leaving them basking in a warm glow. 

Ashley began to stand up, feeling still somewhat distraught. That is until the cynical teen looked up and noticed Spencer making her way toward her with a concerned look on her face.

"You finished early?" Spencer spoke trying to hide her disbelief at the setback of Ashley not waiting for her.

"Finishing it would’ve required starting it.." Ashley spoke in a very aggravated tone of voice, but trailed off trying to soften the tempo, indicating that her anger wasn’t being directed at her consoling companion.

Spencer remained silent, trying to come up with the right words to make Ashley feel better, realizing the brunette’s fragile state.

Burning with shame, the silence was agonizing only reminding Ashley of how she had somehow let Spencer down. Feeling hopeless and downtrodden, she decided to walk away, and run off to a place that was comforting leaving her to think in isolation. The low spirited teen walked right past Spencer and back into the school.

Spencer cocked her head, turning her body slightly to watch Ashley flee somewhere completely unexpected, "Now where is she going?" she thought.

Without hesitation, she followed after Ashley, "Hey, wait up. Lets do something. Anything you want."

Ashley who was so deeply buried in a hole of self loathing, felt herself being pulled out by the hand of a compassionate lover, as Spencer’s came into contact with hers.

To Spencer’s relief, Ashley didn’t turn her away replying, "Follow me," in a curiously provocative tone of voice.

Hand in hand with Spencer, Ashley felt a jolt of excitement of being able to reveal her spot, giddy at the thought that it could become theirs. Backtracking back toward the psych classroom, Ashley felt a small tug at her hand being made by a worried Spencer. It was that pull that made Ashley realize the risk she would be placing her friend in, and herself.  If word got out about the place Ashley took so much pleasure in escaping to, there could be some serious consequences both she, and Spencer being an accomplice, would have to face.

Pausing a few doors down from the classroom, Ashley turned toward her supportive partner, "Are you sure you want to come with me? The place I’m going to is kind of off limits."

"What do you mean off limits?" Spencer questioned, her adventurous spirit faltering, returning to a paranoid state of mind.

tbc