Siblings

Where Are You?

Ashley's pumps clicked across the concrete of the parking lot as she led the way to her car. Spencer strolled next to her, twisting his cane between his fingers.

"I'm sorry for ruining your night," she said, eyes locked on the ground in front of her.

"You didn't ruin it. In fact, you made it better. Those two kept leaving me behind," he assured gently, relating to the anxiety of feeling like a nuisance.

"I just... I still feel like they didn't like me at all. I'm not exactly used to that feeling." She stopped beside a baby blue Volkswagen and turned to face him. Spencer sighed.

"Look, Ash, I know it's hard to think that not everyone likes you, but you can't just pretend you don't know why or think that there aren't consequences to your actions. Just because you're not surrounded by your own friends doesn't mean everyone will automatically forget how you treated them while with your friends."

Her look of confusion was either genuine or very convincing. "What do you mean?"

"Like... when you call someone a wet dog after a mile run," he crossed his arms and leaned against her car.

"Wet... OH! Oh my God," Ashley pinched the bridge of her nose. "That wasn't a dis on anyone. It really did smell like a wet dog," she admitted softly. "Now I get why Jordan laughed at it."

"So, that wasn't a slight toward Em? Cus that's how she took it."

"No, that's not why I said it. Although it might as well be." A deep sadness surfaced in her eyes. "I'm not a good person, huh?"

"No, I don't think that. I just think you could use better friends. Friends that enhance all the good qualities you already have, and accept you for being you."

The sadness left and a pensive resolve took its place. "Yeah." She unlocked her car but before he left she said, "Spencer, one more thing. You think... you think Sean could be Nightwing? That'd be pretty cool."

Spencer considered it, "What, do you like him?" She gave him a shy smile.

"Perhaps." He raised an eyebrow.

"You? Like bad boys? Huh." She laughed.

"He's not bad, okay? He's misunderstood."

"Oh yeah, dark, brooding, antisocial-"

"He wears darker clothes and he's more reserved."

"Does he still wear eyeliner though?" She only glared in response. He laughed. "I'm kidding, of course he can be the Nightwing to your Batgirl." She perked up at that, standing a bit straighter. "You should ask him out."

She gasped, "As if." With a quick wink she opened the car door and got in. He moved over and knocked on the window. She rolled it down. "What?"

"I mean it. Do something for yourself. Wear all black. Eat cake instead of salad. Belch as loud as you can during lunch. Live it up."

"Uh huh," she smiled. "Can I go now?"

"Yeah, yeah, see you at school." With final waves goodbye, they went their separate ways.

When Spencer got home, he found JJ curled up on the couch and talking on the phone. She looked up and gave him a sweet smile.

"Well, I'm glad your date went well but Spence just got home so I'm gonna go." She rolled her eyes fondly, "Love you too, buh-bye." She hung up the phone and looked over to Spencer, who had sat on the couch next to her.

"Aaron?" She hummed an affirmative. "He had a date?" JJ's eyebrows drew together.

"Uh, yeah? Didn't your friend tell you?" He shook his head. "Oh. Well, I don't know if I should say then-"