“I’m glad I found you.” The girl replied simply, and without an ounce of falseness. Ashley felt her throat tighten, and wondered what it was about those words that suddenly made her want to cry.

Ashley looked away then, swallowing hard to rein her emotions in. Spencer watched, and getting the impression that she might want some time alone, she stood up. “Well, I am going to head upstairs. If you want to talk or anything, my room is the last door on the left side. Don’t worry about waking me, I won’t mind.”

“Good night Spencer.” Ashley spoke, having regained her composure.

“Good night.” She replied, smiling her sweet smile before turning and walking up the stairs. Ashley listened to the sound of her footsteps on the carpet, counted them until she heard a door creak open then shut. The house was overwhelmingly quiet. Other than the occasional rumble of a car driving by, there was nothing. It was a far cry from what she was used to.

Lying on her back she stared at the ceiling, trying to weigh her options. She could stay here, in this small suburban home. But that would make her a burden, a burden on the only person she’d ever even begun to admire. Plus, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t find her. The alternative was to go back to Max, who despite his shortcomings was good in one aspect. She didn’t care about him. There were no expectations there; she could be whoever she wanted. Plus, she had left home for a reason.  

“Fuck.” She muttered to herself, groaning softly and rubbing her face. Ashley could not go back to him empty handed.

Spencer woke with a start to the sound of her mother shouting her name. With a tired moan she looked at her clock, reading the numbers 6:30AM with disdain. There was a small slip of paper sitting next to it, folded into a neat square. She sat up, slipping her finger beneath a fold and spreading it open. In black ink a note had been scribbled across its surface.

Sorry.

Blinking she felt her heart sink lower into her stomach as she realized exactly what was going on. She wasn’t surprised when she descended the stairs and found her mother red-faced in the kitchen, “Spencer Carlin would you like to explain to me why half of my jewelry is GONE?”