"Ashley maybe we should talk about this." I tell her as we walk into the house. She didn't say a single word on the ride over here and all I want is to know what's going on inside her head.

She stops abruptly, almost causing me to bump into her.

She sighs as she turns to face me. Shaking her head she says, "Spencer we don't have to talk about it or-"

"Talk about what?" Lexy comes from the other room and says. Ashley's entire demeanor changes in the blink of an eye. Suddenly she's not playing conflicted girlfriend of my best friend, her roles have changed and now she's the loving girlfriend. I let out a small sigh and she pulls Lexy into a hug.

"What are you doing here?" She asks, her tone happy again. Lexy embraces her but keeps her eyes trained on me.

"I got off work early. "She says, still looking at me. I drop my head, suddenly finding the apartment floor interesting. "I wanted to surprise you guys." I glance up and see her pulling back from Ashley. She glances at Ashley then back to me.

"That's amazing. I'm so glad you're here." Ashley leans forward and whispers in her ear. "I missed you." She adds in a seductive tone. Well if I wasn't uncomfortable before...

"What we you guys talking about when you came in?" Lexy pulls back, asking her girlfriend. "It sounded serious." Ashley turns and looks at me, pleading for my help.

"Oh." I perk up, trying to play it off. "Well, we we're just talking about the photo shoot. Ashley was a little upset at the stunt I pulled and I was just trying to apologize." I tell her as I close my eyes, hoping she would buy my bullshit.

When I open my eyes I see Lexy glance at me then back at Ashley. If the look on Ashley's face doesn't give us away then the look on mine probably will. We both look guilty as hell and as much as I'd like to say that what happened between Ashley and I, the almost...whatever, was innocent; but I know that it wasn't. I know that whatever may or may not have happened in that garden, I wanted to happen. A smile appears at her lips before she says. "I don't know how you got her to do any of that stuff in the first place." She chuckles out. I let out a sigh of relief and from the corner of my eyes I see Ashley do the same.

"I'm adventurous." Ashley says, scoffing at the insinuation her girlfriend was throwing out.

Lexy lets out one small chuckle before turning to her girlfriend and kissing her. "Sure, sure baby." She says patting Ashley's shoulder. I try to laugh to get myself out of whatever this mood I'm in is, but it's not working. "You two go and get ready, the movie starts in-"

"Oh crap." I shake my head, cutting Lexy off.

"What is it?" She turns to me and asks.

"I totally forgot that I told my mom we'd come over for dinner. You know how she is Lex, when I promise her something if I don't do it she goes-"

"Ape shit on your ass. Got it." Lexy finishes my sentence.

"I'm sorry. I totally spaced on that."

"It's cool." Lexy waves me off. "I haven't seen mama and papa Carlin for a few months anyways." She shrugs and turns back towards the stairs.

"What about the movie?" Ashley questions her girlfriend.

"We'll go another day." Lexy throws over her shoulder as she climbs the stairs. "You both should still go get dressed though, you know how your mom is about tardiness Spencer."

"Right." I yell back up to her. I turn and look at Ashley one last time, she drops her head causing me to sigh, before I head into the spare bedroom to change.

–

"Oh my God, I love this song." Lexy says as she turns up the Hot Chelle Rae song on the radio.

"It's been a really really messed up week. Seven days of torture, seven days of bitter." Lexy bounces in the passenger seat as she sings along to the song. "And my girlfriend went and cheated on me. She's a California dime but it's time for me to quit her." Ashley glances back at me through the rear view mirror and the irony of this song is too much for me right now. I need to fix my mood because my mom will totally realize somethings up. She's perceptive like that. So I decide the only way to change my mood is to have a little fun, so I sing along with Lexy.

"La-la-la." I bolt out. I'm no Ashley, but I'm not bad either.

"Whatever." Lexy sings in reply.

"La-la-la." I sing.

"It doesn't matter." Lexy counters.

"La-la-la." I sing again.

"Oh well." Lexy chuckles as she sings.

"La-la-la." I say again before we both yell out the chorus.

"We're going at it tonight, tonight. There's a party on the roof top, top of the world." We sing in unison. I can see the corners of Ashley's lip turned up and I know she's smiling. "Tonight, tonight and we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign. I don't know if I'll make it. But watch how good I'll fake it. It's alright, alright. Tonight, tonight." Lexy stays turned towards me as the next verse comes on and we sing it together. "I woke up with a strange tattoo. Not sure how I got it, not a dollar in my pocket. And it kinda looks just like you. Mixed with Zack Galifianakis."

"La-la-la." I sing as Lexy points to me, signaling it's my turn.

I point back to her as she sings, "Whatever."

"We're here!" Ashley shouts over the music, breaking Lexy and I from our karaoke competition. Boo, I was actually having fun.

"But my favorite part is coming up." Lexy whines as Ashley turns off the car.

"I'm sure they'll play that song at least fifty more times tonight." Ashley chuckles at her girlfriend and kisses away her pout, I have to turn away. "We don't want to keep Paula waiting do we?"

"Fine." Lexy says throwing her arms over her chest. Ashley shakes her head before getting out of the car and running around to open Lexy's door. Really? Could she get anymore perfect? I go to open my door after letting out of deep sigh at how pathetic I am, when Ashley quickly opens it for me.

"Isn't she such a gentleman?" Lexy turns to me and smiles as I get out of the car.

"The gentlest." I reply, causing them both to chuckle.

"I was just about to call the Calvary." We turn and see my mother standing in the doorway. I sigh and shake my head. Could this woman be anymore embarrassing? "Get in here before dinner gets cold." She yells, waving her hand at us.

We're like two seconds late.

"She's not serious, she wasn't gonna-"

"Oh yes she was." Lexy and I nod and say in unison. Never be late for a dinner my mom invites you to, she will not hesitate to call the cops and report you missing.

"Oh." Ashley says as we walk towards the house.

"Hey dad." I pull my dad into a hug as we enter the house.

"Hey pumpkin." He replies, squeezing me tightly. I missed my dad. Growing up, him and I were always the closest but in my sophomore year of high school he got this job as the director of a Children's Center and after that I barely saw him. He was always traveling; going to conferences and different centers across the country. We went from hanging out everyday to being lucky if we even got to say goodnight to one another. I guess after that, the older I got the more I realized that things just weren't the same between us. I was no longer daddy's little girl.

"Mom are you on call tonight?" I ask her as we all walk into the kitchen. Wow, something smells delicious.

"Yeah but I told them to only call me if there was a serious emergency." She replies.

"Mom it's the emergency room. Everyone that comes in is having an emergency." I chuckle popping a grape in my mouth as I hop in the counter.

"What'd I tell you about my counter?" She says, shoo'ing me off of it. "And don't eat anymore of that, you're gonna ruin your appetite."

I give her an are you serious face. "Mom is was a grape." I say hopping off the counter. "Not a double chocolate chip cookie." I add and hear my dad, Lexy and Ashley chuckle.

My mother narrows her eyes and me and says, "There's no difference." I just shake my head at her. I'm not gonna argue with Paula. Nope, no way.

"Hello Lexy dear." My mom puts whatever she just pulled out of the oven on top of the stove and greets my best friend with a hug and kiss on her left cheek.

"Hey mama Carlin." Lexy chuckles out.

"What have I told you about that!" My mom chastises her.

"Sorry Paula." Lexy drops her head and mumbles out. My dad laughs and shakes his head at my mother. She hates when anyone calls her by her last name. She said it makes her feel so old and since she doesn't have any grandchildren yet then she's no where near old enough for that.

"And Ashley my dear, good to see you again." She pulls Ashley into a hug, kissing her right cheek.

"Hello Paula." Ashley chuckles.

"Where's Glen and Clay?" I question as I take a seat at the table. Lexy and Ashley following suit. My father walks over and kissing my mom on the head before he takes a grape from the bowl and pops it in his mouth. See, like father like daughter. My mother slaps his hand when he reaches for another one before turning to me.

"You know those boys." She waves a hand before turning back to the stove to check if whatever else she had in there was done.

"What?" I throw my hands up. "And no Calvary for them?" I question with a raised brow.

"They both called." She turns back to me and says with narrowed eyes.

"Seriously mom, two seconds late." I shake my head and roll my eyes.

"A lot can happen in two seconds, Spencer." She says in a serious tone. A ding sounds signaling that whatever she had in the stove was done and suddenly her face and demeanor changes. She's perky Paula again. "Dinners Ready!" She practically shouts. All I can do is sigh.

–

"Once again, the food was amazing Paula. I feel like I haven't had a home cooked meal in forever." Ashley says, leaning back in her chair, looking as though she may burst at any moment. She throws her arm around Lexy's chair as my mom thanks her for the compliment.

"Your parent's don't cook?" My mom inquires. Suddenly Ashley is different. There's an acute sadness in her eyes. When she doesn't reply right away, I think I already know what's coming.

Lexy sits up, clearing her throat. "Ashley doesn't really get along with her parents." Lexy answers for Ashley.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." My mom and dad say in unison. Geez they make it sound like her parent's are dead or something. But how come I didn't know that? Well, besides the fact that I've only known her two days. I guess I've spent so much time pining after her I haven't really spent enough time getting to actually know her.

"It's okay." Ashley shrugs and shakes her head. Clearly wanting to be over this subject. I wonder the story behind that.

"Arthur did I forget to tell you what an amazing musician Ashley here is." My mother turns to my father and says excitedly.

"Oh is that right?" My father turns to Ashley and asks.

"Yes sir." Ashley nods. "Well I'm a musician," She chuckles. "I don't know about the amazing part."

"Non sense." Paula waves her off. "Oh Arthur." She turns back to my dad and says, animatedly waving her hands as she speaks. "She played this song for Spencer and I earlier, it was magnificent. Won't you play it again, dear?"

"Mom!" I whine. "She's not a circus animal that you can just get to do tricks whenever you feel like it." I shake my head.

"I wasn't implying that Spencer dear." My mother turns to me with a smile and says. She's knows exactly what she's doing right now and I don't appreciate it. "I was just simply asking Ashley if she wouldn't mind singing us a couple of songs."

"How'd it go from one to a couple?" I half shout. "No." I stand up from my chair. "This isn't happening right now." I tell my mom, waving a finger at her. "I know what you're doing and we're not gonna be apart of it." I tell her and she chuckles. What's so funny?

"Spencer I'm not doing anything I was just asking-"

"No." I cut her off. "We stayed here longer than we were supposed to earlier but not tonight mom, we really need to go."

"Oh come on honey can't you guys-"

"Nope." I shake my head.

"But I have dese-"

"No mom." I tell her again. "We have a movie to get to, right Lexy?" I turn to my best friend with a hand out, signaling her to tell my mom everything I'm saying is true. Whether it is or not.

"Uh." Lexy clears her throat, sitting up with a smile on her face. "It's true Paula, we did have plans tonight." She nods, elbowing Ashley in the rib slightly when my mom turns her attention towards her.

"Ashley I know you wouldn't mind staying a little longer right?" My mom asks in a voice that she only brings out when she's trying to get her way. Stand strong Ashley. Stand strong.

"Um...well...yeah...uh." Ashley trips over her words. I stifle a laugh. "We um..." She clears her throat and begins again as my mom looks on in anticipation of her answer. I glance at my dad and see he's just amused with this whole situation. He's used to my mom's antics by now. "We did have plans." Ashley finally gets out. My mom drops her head. "But," Ashley starts again when she sees my mother's disappointed demeanor. No buts Ashley. Don't do it. Don't do it! "We could stay for dessert." She adds. I just drop my head. Knowing my mom has won. I turn to Ashley and she gives me an apologetic shrug.

"Excellent." My mother perks up quickly. "I'll go get the Apple Pie and Ice Cream." She smiles at the three of us as her and my dad clear the table.

"You had to go and say but...didn't cha?" I turn to Ashley and say as I sit back down in my chair.

"Well her disappointed face was very convincing." Ashley shrugs as Lexy chuckles.

"It's fine, Spence really. I don't mind hanging out with your folks for the rest of the night." Lexy speaks up.

"Well I do." I roll my eyes.

–

Just as I suspected the rest of the night was hell.

Okay I'm being dramatic, it wasn't hell but it wasn't exactly heaven either.

I had to sit and watch Lexy and Ashley cuddle up to each other as my mom told embarrassing stories about me and Lexy's childhood. She laughed at the stories, I on the other hand, cringed and ducked my head.

How embarrassing are parents? Is that like some kind of law or something? A mandatory thing for parents?

After dessert and embarrassing stories came... you guessed it, the dreaded photo album. What's with a parent's need to show a photo of their children in the bath tub. What's that all about? I think there should be some kind of ban on showing a photo like that. It should constitute as child endangerment or something.

Okay I know I'm being ridiculous but so is my mom. I'm not sure this night could get any worse. When everything became too much I decided to head outside for some fresh air. I grabbed my camera from Ashley's car and looked over the pictures I'd taken of her earlier. I couldn't help but be amazed at how great they turned out. But photography is always easy when you have a subject like Ashley to take pictures of.

"Can I see?" Ashley comes out of the house and takes a seat next to me. I sigh before handing her the camera. I normally don't let anyone see my camera. My completed work, yes... But my camera...never.

"Oh wow, these are amazing." Ashley breathes out as she clicks to the next picture. I smile at the irony of that statement. "And I'm not just saying that because they're pictures of me." She adds, turning to look at me with a smile.

I shrug and nod, "It kinda is though." I chuckle.

"Screw you, Spence." She bumps shoulders with me and I inhale sharply at the nickname she'd given me. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"No it's okay." I shake my head, popping my shoulders up and down briefly. "I think we're good enough friends to start the nick name phase." I add with a smile. She smiles at me before turning back to my camera. She finishes looking at the rest of the pictures from her impromptu photo shoot, seemingly amazed with each click the next button. When all her photo shoot pictures were done she hit next and I see a picture of Carmen that I took ages ago.

"That's it." I tell her, trying to grab the camera back. She uses her left hand to ward me off.

"Is this Carmen?" She questions, looking at the picture as she continues to hold the camera away from me.

"Yes." I reply quickly. I stand up to get more leverage. After a small struggle I'm finally able to get my camera from her. I sit back down, staring at the picture of my ex briefly before shutting my camera off.

"She's pretty." Ashley says after a moment.

"Yeah." I reply softly, feeling awkward.

"Stupid." Ashley adds after a moment. "But pretty nonetheless." She says and I can't help the smile that appears at my lips. My smile turns into a light chuckle and she joins in with me. After a moment we both sigh out of out laughter.

"I'm sorry that this is happening." I say after a couple of minutes.

"What exactly is happening?" She turns to me and asks. Her eyes begging for me to say what she's feeling.

I close my eyes briefly, ingraining her face into my memory bank. I swallow before licking my lips. When I open my eyes I feel like Ashley has moved a foot closer to me. Either that or outside is shrinking. "This." I breathe out. "Me..." I pause and swallow again. "...wanting you." I add after a moment.

She licks her lips before taking her bottom one between her teeth. "Wanted." She breathes out before her lips curl into a smile.

I'm not sure I understand. But before I can ask her what she means, someone opens the front door. Ashley immediately shoots back away from me.

"Hey girls." My mother says, stepping on the front porch with us. Ashley and I both stand up from the steps. "Lexy is looking for you, Ashley." My mom tells her. She nods, turning and giving me one last look before heading back into the house. I turn to do the same when my moms hand on my arm stops me. "What are you doing Spencer?" She asks in a concerned tone. I told you, my mom has always been very perceptive. And although Lexy might be completely oblivious to the things going on around her, I know my mom isn't. And I know what she's asking me right now.

"I don't know." I answer honestly. She sighs before motioning me to sit down on the swing to her right. We both walk over and take a seat.

"When I was about fifteen, I was best friends with a girl named Joanna." She starts her story as I kick off, lightly swinging us. "Joanna had a boyfriend and I didn't at the time. At first it was nothing. Innocent touches, flirting...nothing serious. But over time feelings developed and we couldn't fight them anymore. I didn't wanna hurt Jo, she was my very best friend." My mother pauses, smiling at the memory. "But I knew what I was feeling and I knew that it wasn't just gonna go away. No matter how hard I fought for it to."

"What happened?" I ask, genuinely interested in her answer.

"I married him." She smiles.

"Dad was your best friends boyfriend and you stole him away?" I question with wide eyes.

"Yeah." She nods and gives me a conflicted smile.

"What happened to you and your friend?" I ask, hopeful that she isn't gonna say what I think she is.