Spencer honestly saw no reason why she should lie to her mother about Ashley, she sure as hell had had her fill of having to hide their relationship, “Yeah, why?” She crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one hip as she waited to be chastised. “I thought you two were… You know….” Spencer arched a brow at her mothers comment, reading the dissapointment on her face,

“What? Broken up?” She inquired, a bit annoyed that her mother still had issues associating normal relationship terms with her and Ashley.
“Yes. ‘Broken up’. Aren’t you?” Paula was frowning a bit, checking over her shoulder as her husband walked into the room.
“Um… Well we…” Spencer hesitated, trying to decide whether or not she was really, really in the mood for this argument all over again.
“What are you two talking about?” Interrupted Arthur, looking concerned as he glanced between Paula and Spencer.
“Ashley.” Both Paula and Spencer replied in unison. It was one of the rare times they were ever synchronized.
“Me and Ashley…. Talked… We aren’t necessarily together, but I wouldn’t say we were… You know… Broken up.” Sighing she rubbed the back of her neck, watching the look of annoyance flash across her mother’s face. Oh great, this again.
“Spencer, I really wish you would reconsider-“ Paula began, although she was once again interrupted by her husband.
“Paula….” He warned, placing a hand on the small of her back.
Spencer looked grateful as she breathed a little sigh, turning towards the kitchen, “Well, I’m starving… So I am just going to get something to eat.” She turned, escaping into the kitchen.

As soon as she was gone, Paul turned, glaring at Arthur, “Arthur, how can you possibly condone this?” She whispered lowly, her fists clenching.  Arthur didn’t back down as he stood there, glancing to make sure Spencer was out of earshot before he spoke, “Look Paula, she’s smiling, she is eating, hell she is practically glowing. How could I NOT condone it? The only thing I have seen her do this past week is cry and sleep- I couldn’t be happier to see her better again.” Paula rolled her eyes, teeth clenched, “You know why she was like that? Because of Ashley, that’s why. That girl is nothing but bad news.”