I woke up to light taps on Ashley’s window. It was drizzling against the widows, making strange shadows on the gray floor. I shifted a little, trying to see the clock. It was six in the morning, but I couldn’t sleep. The beautiful, broken girl in my arms kept murmuring and whimpering in her sleep.

“Ashley?” She curled up closer to me. “Wake up honey.” Ashley whimpered and clung tightly to my shirt. My arms rubbed up and down her back trying to sooth her. I kissed her ear and whispered, “baby, come on. Wake up.” I felt her muscles tense ever so slightly as she woke up.

“Spencer?” Sleepy brown eyes looked up at me still a little disoriented. “You’re still here?” I brushed the locks of curls from her face.

“Yeah… you needed me…”

“I do need you, Spence. You know that right?” My face crinkled up in confusion.

“I need you too Ash.” I smiled at the relief that rushed over her face. “I love you Ashley. I’ve… I’ve never loved anyone like I loved you…” My smile fell as I say the pained look cross Ashley’s face before she buried it in my neck. “Ash? Ashley what’s wrong? Don’t… don’t you love me?” I chocked out. Her head snapped up at the sound of my crying. Soon she was sitting up, almost in my lap.

“Spence, stop that, baby.” She whipped the tears in my eyes and gave me a weak smile. “Aw, babe, don’t cry anymore. You do that too much.”

“Because of you.” I whimpered without thinking. My head snapped up just in time to see the flash of hurt cross her face. I reached out, but she pulled back. “Ash, I wasn’t thinking.”

“You-you’re right, Spence.” She looked down at her hands. “I just hurt keep hurting you.” It was killing me to see Ashley like this- weak, hurt, lost. She needed to know that I’d always love her. I don’t think was us to that. Leaning in I connected our lips. It was innocent, simple, and perfect. I pulled away and smiled.

“You’re worth a little heart-ache… you’re my everything.” A real smile finally spread across her face making her nose crinkle. She wrapped a hand around the back of my head, pulling me to crash our lips together. I smiled into the kiss as I cradled her jaw in my hand.