“There were two incidents at school…One on the way to lunch…”

Spencer has a flashback to the incident with Madison, but all he can think is her running into him and barking…

“Watch where you’re walkin, estupido!”

End of flashback, Spencer continues.

 “And another durrin’”

Spencer has another flashback this time of the incident with Jack and Dick. Again, he is too upset to think of the parts where he put them in their places. He can only think of the mean things they said; He remembers them walking up to him and Ashley at lunch, then Jack asking him:

“You’re a dude right?”

Then, both guys looking down at his chair, and Dick adding:

“Half of one anyways”

The flashback ends with the boys laughing at him again, and teasing him about his “girly” hair. He snaps out of it and continues.

  “I pretended it didn’t bother me, and fired back at them…I didn’t want Ash, to worry.” He says seemingly getting more depressed by the moment.

“Spence, its great that ya don’t want your friend worry, but you don’t have to hide things from her…and I know its hard for ya to let people in…are you afraid she’d stop bein’ your friend if ya did?” Arthur asks amidst trying to lift his son’s spirits.

“No, I know she wouldn’t do that…she’s too good of a person….I just can’t…” Spencer stops what he’s saying and looks down again.

“Things went okay at Ashley’s though, right?” Paula asks hopefully; trying to move on to a more pleasant subject.

“Everythin’ was great! She went outta her way to make sure my handicap wasn’t an issue. She actually helped me up the steps!” Spencer says excitedly, and for the first time since he’s been home a smile plays on his lips.

“Awww!” Paula says happily.

Both Carlin parents smile. They are so happy that Ashley is such a good friend and an even better person. They know that things like her helping him up stairs mean a lot to him.

Spencer flashes back to the kiss. He remembers shyly moving in, closing his eyes, tilting his head into position, then, he remembers how he felt that sensational spark the moment his lips met Ashley’s.

“…It was great ‘til her mom showed up.” His joy fades as once again Christine has managed to extinguish it without even being there this time.