“Ash? Are you nervous or something?” I decide to break the ice. She takes her eyes off the television to look at me.

                “No, why would I be?” She replies quickly averting her eyes from mine.

                “I don’t know it’s just…you keep playing with your ring.” I say removing my hand from around her shoulder, after noticing her stiffen.

                “Oh I haven’t even noticed.”

                “What kind of ring is it?” I ask, wondering why I haven’t asked this question before.

                “Huh?”

                “The ring… What’s it for?” I ask, setting my body into an Indian style position, now staring at the side of her face.

                “It’s a uh…it’s a…it’s a commitment ring.”

                “A commitment ring? Don’t you have to be in some sort of rela…tion…ship.” Realization hits me with the last word. She has a girlfriend? Her eyes give me all the confirmation I need, as I look away from her face to the coffee table.

                “You lied to me…again.” I let out a bitter laugh, as I make my way off the couch, and hopefully out of this house.

                “Spencer…wait…” Her hand grabs my shoulder, never letting go. “Look, I wanted to tell you…really.” I shake my head, not quite grasping the fact that she’s telling me this now.

                “How long?” I ask in a voice lower than a whisper.

                “What?” She knows exactly what I’m asking, she always does.

                “How long have you had a girlfriend?” I ask in a harsh whisper.

                “Spencer…that’s not important.” She lightens her grip on me, but never let’s go.

                “How long Ashley?” Tears threatening to spill in my eyes. I know she sees them, she knows I need an explanation. I’m past the point of being mad, now it’s just…shock.

                “Six months.” I must have heard wrong, so I ask for conformation.

                “I’m sorry what?”

                “Six…months.” No, I heard right apparently. This night it appears to not be looking up for me at all.

                “You kept this from me for Four months? And after everything we’ve been through today you still couldn’t tell me?” I ask, making my way past her to the couch.

                “I wanted to tell you Spencer…really I did…I just didn’t know how.” She replies as she takes a seat next to me, far enough to not make contact.

                “Maybe after we made the promise would have been a start.” I let out a chuckle, which she’s surprised to hear. She gives me a small smile in return.

                “Right…so you’re not…mad?” She asks hesitantly.

                “Mad no…disappointed…yes.” I notice with Ashley, I can’t stay mad at her for long…it’s just not possible.

                “I’m sorry Spencer…really, you have no idea.” She says playing with her fingers. After a few seconds of silence I take her hand in mine and caress the back of it.

                “I know you’re sorry Ashley… I get that this is a big deal, but you have to trust me okay?” She nods, as I intertwine our fingers.

                “I can do that.” She replies, a relieved smile making its way on her face.

                “Promise?”

                “Promise.” She squeezes my hand, both of us refusing to let go just yet.

                “I don’t believe you.” I say lifting my free hand so that it’s in between both of us, and stick out my pinky. She laughs. What? I’m serious, she should know this by now. Every time we make a promise, this seals it for me.

                “Ugh, fine.” She takes her pinky to link it with mine.”You’re such a geek.” I let out a laugh, completely agreeing with her.

                “Yeah, but you love me don’t even lie.” I pull her body into mine, hugging her as we settle into a comfortable silence. Both of us just happy to still be the best of friends, maybe even better than before.