Christine: “What?!”

Ashley: “Yeah.” She stands up.

Ashley “Where are you going?” She walks to the kitchen and stands near the doorway.

Christine: “I have to tell Mark-”

???: “Tell Mark what?” We look over and See Arthur coming through the sliding doors that lead to the back porch. He walks over and stands in front of my mom.

Christine: “I have to tell him about what-” My eyes stretch and I shake my head no quickly and wave my hands, trying to get her attention. She looks over Arthur’s shoulder at me with furrowed eyebrows. Arthur looks back at me and I stop, look around the room and pretend I wasn’t doing anything. He looks back at my mom and my mom smiles nervously.

Arthur: “What were you saying?”

Christine: “I have to tell mark about Spencer and-” I wave my hand at my neck, telling her to stop.

Arthur: “And?”

Christine: “And Ashley, I want them to come with us to go get ice-cream tomorrow.”

Arthur: “Oh, well, I’m sure they’d like to go.” he looks back at me and smiles. My mom nods and walks into the kitchen. Arthur walks past me and heads upstairs, but stops after putting one foot on the first step.

What are you doing? Keep going!

I look to the kitchen, and pretend I didn’t see him stop. I see my mom in the kitchen walking to Mark, while Jake stands watching with this pathetic look on his face. Please let Arthur keep going up the steps.

Arthur: “Ashley?”

Ashley: “Yes?” Please don’t ask, please don’t ask, please don’t-

Arthur: “Why did you get so mad and take off like that?”

Ashley: “Um…I…” I gulp.

What if Spencer doesn’t want me to tell him? What if she wants to talk to her parents about it herself?

Ashley: “Well-”

Spencer: “Dad?” Spencer says coming down the steps. He looks up at her.

Arthur: “Yeah Spence?”

Spencer: “Mom wants to talk to you, she’s in her room.”

Arthur: “Alright.” he kisses her on the forehead then looks back at me. “We’ll finish this later Ashley.” I smile and nod nervously and he walks up the steps as Spencer walks towards me.

Spencer: “Talk about what later?”

Ashley: “Oh, ya know…why I went crazy and left, while dragging you with me.” I say with a smirk.

Spencer: “You didn’t tell him did you?” She asks nervously.

Ashley: “No.” I say while shaking my head.

Spencer: “He would freak…”

Ashley: “But Spen, you have to talk to him about it.”

Spencer: “I know, I know…just, not yet.”

Ashley: “Did you tell your mom?” she shakes her head no. “Well…I told mine. She’s in the kitchen talking to Mark right now.”

Spencer: “Are you done talking to her?”

Ashley: “No, I have something else to tell her.”

Spencer: “Do you want me to go?”

Ashley: “I’d like to be alone with her, but you can wait for me by the steps.”

Spencer: “Alright.” she smiles and kisses my cheek, then walks away.

TBC.