The locker was fighting with Spencer. She'd pull, and it was as if someone were on the other side holding it tight. She sighed, resting her forehead on the cool metal in defeat while her hand created a fist, reaching up to slam against the grates. It was harder than necessary, but she knew that.

She knew taking her frustration from life out on her poor locker would never make it open. It just felt satisfying though. She hissed in slight pain, making her bring her fist back into striking position. And when a hand closed over hers, she made her jump out of her own skin. Whirling around, arm still in the air, she saw Ashley looking at her curiously.

"You okay, Spence?" Spencer watched the brunette's dark eyebrow knit together in concern. Ashley's hand slowly coaxed her hand from its fist and just held it. She looked down, first at their hands then to anywhere but the girl in front of her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's sore, but I didn't really think the locker would be soft."

"No, I mean…You didn't call. You didn't answer the phone either." The tone in her voice made Spencer wish she could freeze her insides and not feel anything. No guilt. No tenderness. She just wanted to freeze.

Spencer slowly made her way down the stairs, followed by Glen and Clay. It felt as though it was walking that last mile, to the execution. She walked with a mixture of strength and childish shame, shoulders back and head bowed.

As all three Carlin children made their way into the kitchen, Spencer glanced up to see their parents sitting at the dining table. Her mother's eyes were red and puffy from the crying she must have done while arguing with Arthur. It suddenly struck her just how much she took after her. When both females cried, it was as if the ocean itself deepened and was spilling over. But her mother's eyes were also frozen where Spencer's were not. She was looking into cold icicles, and it stung.

While she may not have taken after her father physically, she had taken his generous personality. The only sign of distress on his face was for his wife's own current status. That's why when she saw the small supportive smile on his face, she could do nothing but let the tears come again.

"I-I know. I'm sorry, I just…" Spencer slipped her hand from Ashley's and re-adjusted the strap from her bag on her shoulder. She faced the locker once again, and attempted to open it in a far more civilized manner. "…There was alo—"

"It's fine, Spence." Ashley cut her off, but Spencer could feel her backing off vocally. The brunette reached in front of her and magically made the locker pop open. Spencer gave a brief sideways glance, mumbling her thanks. She busied herself with switching her books and binders.

"Look, Spence…I can pretty much guess what happened. And trust me when I say I've been the—" She extended a hand to Spencer's shoulder, and forced the blonde to turn and face her. "Look at me."

Spencer cracked her knuckles out of habit and took a moment before she looked up at Ashley. She took note that her vision was blurred with the beginnings of tears. Ashley smiled knowingly and took Spencer's hand, shutting the locker with her free arm. She was being led across the quad reluctantly, protests rising in her throat but never fully making their way out.

They were in a bathroom. And by the look of it, Spencer would guess that no one used it in ages, save for smoking. That's all she could smell in the air there, anyhow.

"You don't need to hide anything in here Spence. No one is here; no one is going to judge you. You don't need to avoid me, like I'm contagious. Just tell me what you want."

Spencer pressed her eyes with her finger and thumb. "I'm not supposed to see you anymore…" Her voice trembled, and her arm wrapped around her middle as a sort of self-comfort. Ashley's whisper was almost her undoing…

"I asked what you wanted, Spence…"

"She's my best friend! You can't just…take her away from me!" She looked around the table. Arthur was frowning, and reached across the table to hold his daughter's hands in his own. Her mother was unmoving, both in her convictions and facial features.

Glen just stared down at the placemat in front of him, fingering the edges. Clay was anxiously looking around at everyone. It couldn't be easy watching this, even now. He had seen enough drama within the foster homes as a young child. Spencer peeled her eyes from her brother and looked back at her father, the one futile hope she had.

"Dad…"

"I just want a chance. To be myself." She removed her fingers from her eyes and opened them. A small tear slid down her cheek. Ashley closed the distance between them, a hand rising slowly as if Spencer was a skittish animal. The pad of Ashley's thumb gently brushed the tear away.

"I know how this all feels. Believe me, I do."

Spencer just shook her head, appearing like she was trying to clear her mind forcefully, letting out a tiny sigh. Ashley's arms moved around her waist slowly, pulling her closer. It was a hug, and the one thing Spencer had needed since yesterday. She held on for dear life, like Ashley was her life raft.

Ashley was the first to break the closeness. She reached into her bag and pulled out a disc, looking at it fondly before handing it over to the broken girl in front of her. Spencer raised an eyebrow, in silent question, but she took the disc nonetheless.

"It's a mix. Lame, I know." Spencer couldn't help the giggle that bubbled from her throat. Ashley shot her a smirk before continuing. "It helped me a lot when things were…crap."

Spencer slowly turned the disc end over end in her fingers, watching it for a few moments before meeting Ashley's gaze. She blinked slowly. When she opened her eyes again, she saw herself leaning closer to the brunette. Their lips met in a series of soft brushes. Spencer felt a slight hum of energy flow through her body. Or was she actually humming against Ashley's mouth?

She breathed deeply through her nose and suddenly remembered they were in a rank bathroom at school. Pulling back, she watched Ashley in open admiration. The girl's eyes were still closed, lips parted, a whisper escaping. "You're welcome."

They parted, smiling at one another. Spencer grinning as she watched Ashley survey the bathroom in disgust. "We are going to figure all of this out." She gestured at the room as a whole, but Spencer knew what she meant, and nodded in return.

They made their way into the sunlight and into the mess of people outside. Ashley walked by her side the entire time, when Spencer knew she had a class all the way across the quad in the opposite direction. She glanced over and smiled softly, occasionally letting her hand bump into Ashley's as they walked.