Family Troubles || Redlyn

The Party Begins

Big Red's POV

I left to go to EJ's around 7:45. I got there just at 8, and everyone besides Ashlyn was already there. Everyone greeted each other, then sat down around a table to play a game. Ricky was on my left, and EJ was on my right. I scooted towards Ricky to make a spot for Ashlyn, hoping she'd be there soon. I was worried about why she was running so late.

After a few rounds of the game we were playing, at about 8:30, the front door opened. I jumped up, ready to ask Ashlyn why she had been late, but it wasn't her. It was Madeline.

I walked to the door. "Uh... Madeline, why are you here?" I asked her.

"I invited her." EJ was behind me.

"Yeah." She smiled. She and EJ sat down with everyone else. No one really knew Madeline, so I assumed they were introducing themselves, but I walked outside. I looked around before calling Ashlyn. She didn't pick up, so I called her again. I sat on the front steps as I waited for her to pick up.

"Biggie! Sorry!" Ashlyn said.

"Not a problem, Ash." I replied. "But where are you?"

"At home. I don't think I'm gonna make it tonight."

"Why? Is everything okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah, yeah. It's fine, um, I'm fine."

"You sure, Ash? You sound sorta startled."

I heard Ashlyn sigh. "It's just my parents."

"You could come here to get your mind off it?" I suggested.

"I know. But they're downstairs and I really don't want to be roped into an argument, or even hear it more than I can. And I'm just in a bad mood." Ashlyn explained.

"Do you want to stay at my house tonight? Or anyone's?" I offered.

"Thanks, but I'm fine—" Ashlyn stopped. The phone went silent. I waited, confused.

"Dude, what's up?" Ricky sat by me.

"Ashlyn." I said simply.

"What about her?"

"I'm just worried about her. She's just... uh, upset."

"Sounds like there's a lot more to the story." He pointed out.

"Well, it's her story. I can't tell it. It's her choice to tell your. And everyone else."

"Okay, well—"

"Wait." I interrupted him, hearing Ashlyn vaguely through the phone. "Ash? What?" I put the phone to my ear.

"U- Um, could you, uh, please pick me up, actually?" She stuttered. I think she was crying.

"I'll be there." I went to my car and started driving to her house. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not now."

"Okay. Well, I'll be there soon, so, um, bye?"

"C- Could we maybe keep talking, n- not about it, but it's j- just nice to talk with you?" I could hear Ashlyn crying more. I wished I could drive faster.

"Yeah, of course, Ashlyn." I said. We talked for a few minutes before I got to her house. I told her I was there then hung up.