“Yep, Wow, I thought I couldn’t possibly like Mr. C. any more than I already did, I find out he like’s my dad’s music!”

“You’re not mad at me?” Spencer expresses his worry.

“Of course not…ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong. I know ya feel like ya did ‘cause I’m not the one ya found this out from, or whatever, but you didn’t…I’m not mad.”

Now that that’s out of the way, they look at each other adoringly for a moment before Spencer breaks the silence.

“There’s still one very important thing we need to talk ‘bout…somethin’ I think we’ve both been avoidin’ ‘cause we’re not sure what to say, but we gotta talk ‘bout it…” Spencer pauses as if asking Ashley if she knows what he’s talking about.

“The kiss?” She answers.

“Yeah, um…did ya feel anythin’?” Spencer questions shyly.

“Yes! If you’re askin’ that question that must mean you didn’t. She worries.

“No, that’s not it at all…I just need to know how you felt before I got all sappy and admitted that despite your mom, the feelin’ I got from kissin’ you was unbelievably, incredibly, amazin’!”

He immediately wondered if he came on too strong, but Ashley thinks it’s sweet and feels the same way.

“Awww really?!”

Ashley asks with a big smile. Spencer nods happily.

“So, what does this mean? People say kisses and even sex doesn’t have to mean anythin’, but we’re agreed the kiss means somethin’ to us. So, what now?” Spencer wonders.

“It means we deserve to have another kiss, a real one, with no interruptions of any kind.” Ashley says flirtatiously.

“Hmm…Definitely!” Spencer answers flirtatiously as well.

He continues

Does it also mean you’re my girlfriend?” He asks hopefully.

“No…’cause ya didn’t ask me yet.” Ashley replies sweetly.

“Sorry, it’s kinda hard to think when I see that beautiful smile of yours!” Spencer says honestly.

“That was either a lame as line or really sweet…hmm…I’ll go with really sweet!” She smiles.

Spencer reaches across the school desk for Ashley’s hand, and takes a deep breath.

“Ash, you’re not only one of the best girls I know, but one of the best people in general. You accept and understand me as well as anyone ever has. I’m not good at this sorta thing I’m not good at a lot of things, but I know that I’ll be better with you so will you please be my girlfriend?” Spencer’s shaky voice nervously utters.

“Yes!” Ashley answers almost in tears at Spencer’s heartfelt remarks.

She gets up from the desk, walks around it to her new boyfriend, bends down to his level, and they kiss. It’s their first real kiss, and their first kiss as boyfriend and girlfriend.

The bell rings end of lunch.

“Damn I hate that bell!” Ashley groans.

“Its okay Ash, there’ll be more times!” Spencer smiles.

“Many more times! Ashley flirtatiously says while wiggling her eyebrows.

The End

In future chapters of The Odyssey of Me: Are the rumors about Glen actually true? Is he really gay, or is it a misunderstanding? Will things get so bad between Ashley and Christine that she has to live with The Carlin’s; at least until Raife comes home? What will happen once Raife is back? Finally, what’s next for Spencer and Ashley?