“Wakey wakey Spence,” I chimed shaking her shoulders.

“What, where are we?” Spencer asked rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“We’re in Minnesota sweety,” I replied carefully watching her expression. “I’m going to fill up quick, and we’re about three hours away. You should get out and stretch.” Getting out of the car, I untwisted the cap, and began to watch the numbers climb to a ridiculously high number. Leaning up against the car, I couldn’t help but sigh.

When I went inside to pay, Spencer was coming out of the bathroom looking tired and more afraid then I may have ever seen her. She walked out of the store and headed back to the car.

By the time I got back to the car, Spencer had returned to her window once again. Starting up the engine, I took her free hand and tried to reassuringly rub circles on the back of her hand. It must have worked at least slightly, because I watched her shoulders fall a little as the tensions cleared.

These little gestures were some of the only things that Spencer would allow me to comfort her with. But I consider myself lucky, because she wouldn’t let anyone else even do that. So I made sure to take advantage of it when I could. I didn’t let go of her hand. Instead I just continued to rub comforting circles as I pulled back onto the highway. Driving one handed isn’t that hard.

I guess Spencer decided she couldn’t afford to keep meeting at places that took money, because she invited me over to hang at her house.

Pulling up at her house, I felt nervous for some reason. I’ve never been real good with parents. Not that I have a problem with them, I’m just kind of shy. They try to make conversation, but I’m too nervous to ever come up with a smart sounding reply. Instead I nod my head or fake a laugh.

Walking up Spencer’s driveway, I knocked on her door. Waiting for a reply, I rocked back and forth on my heels, taking this time to observe the new surrounding.

“Hey Ash,” Spencer opened the door and greeted me.

“Hey Spence,” I replied feeling somewhat relieved that it wasn’t one of her family members that opened the door.

“You wanna come in?” she smirked with those beautiful blue eyes. Taking the cue, I followed her inside the house. “Ashley,” Spencer stated bringing me back to attention. “This is my brother Glen,” she pointed to the blond haired jock lying on the couch. “And the one over there deep into his game boy is Clay.”

“Nice to meet you,” I greeted them timidly.

“Hey,” Clay responded, his attention never leaving the screen.

“Spencer,” Glen sat up and looked at me. “You didn’t tell me that your friend was so hot.”

“Don’t even try it Glen,” Spencer rolled her eyes before grabbing my hand and pulling me into their kitchen.

“Mom this is Ashley. Ashley meet mom,” Spencer pointed to the woman sitting at the counter buried in paper work. I could tell Spencer was already bored of this meet and greet game. At least they don’t have a big family.

“Hi Ashley,” the woman greeted me with a semi fake smile, but I didn‘t mind, cause I was returning it with the same one. “I’m Paula.”