Family Troubles || Redlyn

On Edge

Big Red's POV

I had really changed since I last saw Madeline. She definitely had too. We used to have some things in common, but there was hardly anything similar about us now. I also had the weird feeling she didn't like Ashlyn, but I probably wasn't thinking straight, because why wouldn't she? I mean, they were really different, but it was still Ashlyn...

That night after Ashlyn left my family caught up with each other. After, my aunt left to go to Colorado. Madeline and her both lived there, but her mom was moving out of the country soon for work, so she was living with us.

The next day, I was going to introduce Madeline to all my friends, but she didn't want me to. She told me the "theatre geeks" and "dramatic weirdos" weren't her usual friends.

Okay, so she really was different than I remembered.

Lunch mostly consisted of everyone talking about Madeline and Ashlyn's soon-to-exist sibling. Ashlyn also asked me if I had made up my mind about joining the robotics club (resulting in a yes from me), so the two of us discussed that some. Right after, I actually signed up for the club, then went to class.

On the way home from school, as I drove Madeline home, I forced some awkward small talk. "So did you have any classes with Ashlyn?"

"2. We had to partner up in 1 of them." She told me.

"That sounds like fun." I felt like a parent trying to talk to an 'edgy' teenager.

"Eh, it was fine. She's really outgoing."

"Yeah. She's super kind." I smiled. Madeline wasn't necessarily mean, but I realized her and Ashlyn were almost polar opposites. I pulled into my driveway. "Want to do our homework together?" I asked her, getting out of my car.

"No." She immediately declined. I nodded.

This was so awkward. I thought having Madeline here would be like having a friend over, but I guess she wasn't my ideal friend. This thought only got stronger as this week went on. I hardly saw Madeline, since she had already made some friends. The fact I couldn't meet them made me suspicious they weren't the best friends, but I guess it wasn't my fault if she chooses the wrong people. The week went on, mostly normally, minus Madeline.

When Friday came, everything was normal, until lunch. Ashlyn came over and sat by me, which was normal, besides the fact I hadn't seen her before then.

"Where were you?" I asked her.

"W- What?" Ashlyn turned to me immediately. "I, um, overslept."

"Okay." I smiled.

For the rest of lunch, Ashlyn seemed on edge. Every time she talked or turned to me, she seemed to do it as quickly as she could. I didn't ask her about it yet, but I was concerned.

We didn't have any classes together, so I didn't see her again until school ended. I was standing outside talking to Ricky (I hardly even leave without hanging out with someone for awhile), and Ashlyn came up and hugged me.

"Ash, do you wanna talk?" I whispered to her as I hugged her back. I waved Ricky away silently.

"I- I don't know..."

"Are you walking home or is EJ taking you?"

"Walking." She told me.

"Can I give you a ride, then?" I kissed her cheek. Ashlyn nodded. I took her hand and we walked to my car. I got in the drivers seat, and Ashlyn got in the passengers seat.

"Biggie?" I turned to look at her, and nodded. "Can we hang out, uh, before I go home?"

"Sure." I started driving home, still very concerned and confused about Ashlyn. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I— not the best."

"Oh." I pulled over to the side of the street. "Talk about it?"