Spencer was tossing and turning in her sleep. “No, I’m not going to go back to that mental institution, Mom,” Spencer stated in her sleep. You can’t make me! Ashley went to hold Spencer to calm her down.

“It’s going to be okay,” whispered Ashley. I’ll protect you from Paula. Spencer was trying to squirm from Ashley’s embrace, but Ashley wouldn’t let go of her. “You have to believe me when I say that I won’t let anything ever happen to you. I’ll always be here for you, Spence. I was a fool to let go of you once, I won’t do it again.”

The next day, Spencer woke up and noticed that she wasn’t in her own room. “This looks like Ashley’s room,” Spencer thought. Maybe because it is Ashley’s room. What happened last night? I remember talking to my Mom and coming over to Ashley’s. I had a few drinks, but other than that everything else was pretty much a blur to me. Ashley entered the room with a tray of food.

“Hey sleepy head,” said Ashley with a smile. Alright, so I brought you the official Ashley Davies hangover food to help you start your morning.

“I thought there wasn’t a cure for hangovers,” Spencer joked.

“They only say that because I found the cure before they did,” explained Ashley.

“Thanks, Ash for taking care of me last night,” Spencer smiled. You really didn’t have to do that.

“It was no problem,” replied Ashley. How are you holding up today other than having a hangover? Spencer let out a laugh.

“Alright,” Spencer stated. Thanks for asking. Spencer began to eat the food. “You’re not going to have anything?”

“Nope, it’s for you,” said Ashley.

“How did that party go?” Spencer asked. Last night was on the fuzzy side to me.

“You didn’t miss out on much,” answered Ashley. I know you’re having your issues with Paula, but while we dated you used to give me many lectures on my drinking habits. What’s going on with you? What’s your sudden interest in drinking?

“Can’t a person change?” Spencer questioned with a sigh. I did like you did when you drank, Ashley. I drank thinking the problems would go away, but they were still there. I thought the hole in my heart that appeared when you left for you would finally be filled. I didn’t know how to be happy. My Mom would tell me to snap out of it or else a nice boy wouldn’t want to go out with me. Chelsea tried to help me during this time, but I pushed her away, too.

“What about with the summer?” asked Ashley with concern.

“I mixed my alcohol with some anti-anxiety pills my Mom thought would make me go back to normal,” Spencer answered with a sigh. I remember being hooked up to an IV and my Mom calling me a stupid girl. She said that if it weren’t for Chelsea I would’ve been dead. I told her I would rather be dead than be suffering from so much pain, which led to me being sent to a mental institution and barely passing my sophomore year in high school.

“I d-didn’t know things got that bad,” sighed Ashley.

“I still have nightmares about it, but I’m trying to live one day at a time,” Spencer stated. I’m trying to put it behind me. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, right?

“Right,” responded Ashley. Spence, I want you to promise me something.

“Anything,” Spencer said.

“When things get this bad, I don’t want you to drink your problems away,” replied Ashley. I want you to know you can talk to me. I rather see you cry than see you drunk. Hell, I’ll even cry with you if it makes you feel better.

“I thought you hated when you see me cry,” Spencer stated.

“I do, but crying is healthier than seeing you drink,” sighed Ashley. So could you make me that promise? Ashley held out her pinky.

“Yes, I can,” Spencer responded as she held out her pinky.

“Good,” smiled Ashley.

“Are you sure something else didn’t happen?” Spencer asked with concern. I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.

“Yes, there is,” answered Ashley. Alright, here goes. Ashley took a deep breath. “I don’t know whether you did it because you were drunk or if you actually meant it, but you kissed me last night and told me that you loved me.”

End of chapter

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