I walked into my apartment and set down my phone and my keys on the coffee table. I walked over to my desk and sat down, opening my computer. I signed onto AIM and looked through the list of online users. After noticing that no one was on worth talking to, I put up an away message: ‘not here. call me. <3′
I got up and looked out of the window. You couldn’t see too many stars because the lights still shone bright in L.A. even in the latest hours. But I could tell that the sky had cleared up. I opened up the sliding glass door, walked out onto the balcony and hoisted myself onto the fire escape ladder. I climbed up to the top rung and stepped onto the platform. I sat down, letting my feet dangle over the edge as I looked out at the city. A breeze swept over me, a cool refreshing one. I sat for a few minutes, listening to nothing. Silence in L.a. was rare, so I savored it. Well, until sirens started blaring in the distance and got louder. ‘Damnit. There’s not a minute in this place when something’s not happening.’ I headed back down to my place and closed and locked the door behind me. Just as I sat down on the couch my phone lit up and danced across the table. I picked it up and after not recognizing the number on the screen I answered.
"Hello?"
"Ash, it’s Aiden."
"Hey, what’s with these late night phonecalls?" I joked.
"Haha, sorry, but I was just wondering if Spence was with you. I just got home, but she’s not here and she’s not picking up."
"Well, I just left her at your place a little while ago."
"Oh well, just wondering, her car’s gone so I just didn’t know. You’ll let me know if you hear from her?"
"Yeah definitely. This is your number?"
"Yep, it’s my cell. Just call me or something if you hear from her."
"No problem. Later." I hung up. I looked through my calls list and found the number Aiden had called me from when Spencer was in the hospital. I dialed it and sat waiting for an answer. A ringback tone played on the other end:
California, California,
Here we come
I laughed a little at the irony of the song and kept listening. The song was cut short.
"Hey Ash."
"Oh hey. I don’t mean to bother you.."
"You’re not bothering me. I just, I uh, needed time to think. Aiden called you?"
"Yeah. I thought maybe I could try getting in touch with you. It’s not too safe roaming around L.A. this late." I laughed.
"Yeah I’m not really roaming or anything. The sky was looking clear for a little bit so I headed to the beach but now it’s probably gonna storm again." I looked out of the window. It started to look overcast again.
"Wow, this weather is starting to suck." The minute those words left my lips I heard thunder overhead and the sound of rain followed. "Wow I take that back." I added. "This weather does suck." She laughed.
"Look, Spence, I know things turned out a little weird tonight but if you need anything, anyone, I’m here."
"I know, Ash. Thank you, that really does mean a lot. I um, I wanted to let you know that I didn’t mean what I said earlier, about it just being a kiss. Because it wasn’t. I just wasn’t sure how to handle things and I was thinking so many different things.."
"You don’t have to explain. I totally get it." The rain began to fall harder, I could hear it on the other end too.
"Well, I need to let you go so you can drive. The weather’s getting pretty rough. Call me when you get home. Just so I know you’re safe?"
"Alright. Thanks for tonight Ash. It, uhh, it helped kind of clear some things up."
"No problem. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
I hung up and threw the phone beside me onto the couch. I laid back and turned on the television, scanning through the channels. I kept it on the weather to see what would happen. I turned up the volume and hopped up, heading towards the kitchen. I rummaged through the cupboard until I found my stash of junk food. I grabbed a brownie and unwrapped it as I sat back down. I took a bite as I picked up my phone and re-dialed Aiden’s number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Spence is on her way home."
"Awesome. You talked to her?"
"Yeah just for a little, she went out for some fresh air but.." I was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on the door.
"Hey I gotta run, someone’s here." I hung up and took another bite of my brownie. I set the phone back down as I hopped up and walked over to the door. I flung it open and coughed as I almost choked on the little bit of brownie that was still in my mouth. I forced a swallow. Before I could say anything the soaking wet female that stood on my doorstep took me into her arms and kissed me. I lingered for a second before I realized what was happening. I pulled away but kept my eyes shut, to avoid looking into hers. I tasted her, that familiar sensation was back on my lips again, the knots had formed again in my stomach. I had no idea what to say.
"Why are you here, like this, what.."I trailed off shaking my head, trying to comprehend what had just happened. She didn’t say anything. Waiting for a response, I opened my eyes and stared back into hers. "Why, why are you here, Lauren??"