Ghost

Chapter Twenty Five

Spencers POV

   "Can I confess something?," Yelena asks me as we're sitting on our couch eating ice cream. I'm sat with my head on her lap, my legs dangling over the arm of the couch. We have Parks and Recreation on in the background.

   "Always." I deadpan, then continue, sitting up to face her, "I don't need to know who it was, just take me to the body, I have shovels." I keep my face serious. Cause I am.

   Until she cracks into a laugh, with me following suit. "Not what I meant but I'll keep that in mind. No, I actually hate our rug."

   "What? It's beautiful! Its all fluffy and green."

   "It goes with nothing in this house."

   "Ugh fine. We can get rid of it."

   "Thank you!" With that, she takes another scoop of ice cream, savoring the flavor.

   "But, you have to take it to the dump." I earn a glare for that. "Fine, I'll help."

   "Damn straight, you will"

   "I am not straight." Emphasis on the not.

   "Hm. I like that."

   "Yeah?"

   "Yeah. It suits you."

   "Thanks, I thought so too."

    She pauses, almost like she wants to tell me something but.. "you know you can literally tell me anything? Whatever you tell me is only going to add to your awesomeness. And yes, it's possible. You're just that good."

   She gives a quick smile, takes a deep breath, and tells me, "I'm asexual."

   I take a moment, not wanting to push her. She's opening up to me and I want to give her as much space as she may need to do so. When she doesn't say anything else, I know she's waiting for me to respond.

   "Yelena, I love you. You are amazing. You are perfect. You're an incredible friend. You are hilarious. You are insanely smart. You kick ass at everything. You're ace. And those are all important parts of the incredible person I know. They're important because they're you. And you're important."

   When she still doesn't respond, I keep rambling on. "You are my best friend. And I am so lucky to call you that. And I am so glad that you trust me. I am here for you, for whatever you need, at all times. I seriously hope you know that." I finish with a smile, giving her knee a squeeze.

   Her shoulders sag and she lets out a breath. "Thank you, Spencer. I really needed to hear that. And I know you are. You're a fan - fucking - tastic friend like that." I give her a smirk for that one. "But don't forget, I'm here for you too. Neither of us are alone. We've got each other."

   I know I have her, 100%. But sometimes it's still hard to think of myself as being anything but alone. I've never opened up to anyone about, well, pretty much anything. Always afraid of putting myself out there, giving someone too much leverage over me. Opening up doors to reveal some ugly truths, most of which I've forgotten I can even open. Or didn't want to remember they were there. Even Carol barely got to see much past the doors I have firmly sealed and locked.

   Yelena let me in. And I honestly know I can trust her as much as she trust me. I can let her in too. I've never admitted this out loud, and maybe I'm losing my damn mind, but I find myself blurting out, "I'm the Ghost."

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   There's silence for a moment, the air feels thick to me, but then, she laughs. Pretty hard, almost falling to the floor. I just sit there, empty ice cream bowl in my hand and face blank, waiting for her to calm down and realize I'm serious.