UD: Bitter Understanding

Sam hadn't turned to look even when Ash had addressed her, content with keeping herself looking towards the wall while awaiting Jess's response. She crossed her fingers that her associate would make the right decision, because it was clear which opinion Emily would value more, even if it was coming from her rival.

Though she didn't show any auditory or physical response, Sam mentally sighed heavily in release to hear Jess do the right thing. Finally turning back around herself, Sam muttered "it's fine." Intending to leave it at that. But seeing Ashley's reddened face, streaks marked down her face in splotched eye-liner, obviously suffering from intense pain and worse humiliation, Sam shook her head and stepped forward, pulling the smaller girl into a hug.

Ashley hadn't been expecting it, but she was too out of breath to make any move regardless. Not wasting a minute, she tucked her head into Sam's shoulder and brought her arms up behind her, returning the embrace. "You're not the one who needs to say sorry." Sam whispered bitterly, quiet enough to stay in Ash's ear-shot only. The tired teen simply sniffled and dug her head into Sam's collar bone further, letting the last few loose sobs run their course.

Emily rubbed her stinging hands as she stood up with a giant smile on her face. Who knew that her terrible day would take a complete turn just because of one spanking? Em sure didn't! She ignored Sam's glare as footsteps were heard upstairs; the guys must be back with Josh.

Ash should be considered lucky as not only was the spanking over but she was just starting to control her sobs before the others saw her. Em was used to the angry glare Jessica gave her but the one Sam had was surprisingly new. Whether the blonde hated her didn't matter to the teen too much though as they were going to have to work together if they wanted to get out of this crazy place in one piece...as the girls see Mike walking back down the room, they all knew things were about to get serious.