Family Troubles || Redlyn

Why's She Crying?

Ashlyn's POV

"They're getting divorced." I doubted Big Red could hear me. I was mumbling in his shoulder while crying, and I didn't even want to say it.

"I... I'm so sorry." Big Red sounded like he didn't know what to say. That was fair. But he hugged me, and that was comforting enough from him. "Do you want to talk?"

"N- No... thanks." I declined. A good while later, I calmed down. I was still crying, but it wasn't audible. "Biggie." I tightened my hold on him. "I- I didn't mean what I said." I felt horrible for implying we should break up. I never wanted to.

"I know."

"Forgive me?"

"For being worried? That's not a mistake."

"No, for what I said. I basically broke up with you." I looked up at him.

"You simultaneously told me you love me and feel safe with me." He pointed out.

"Well, yeah, I guess..."

"Ashlyn. We're all good." He insisted. I nodded and put my face back in his shoulder. "Would you like to go anywhere?"

"Maybe in a minute." I kept hugging him. Why didn't I talk to him sooner? He always makes me feel better. Of course, I didn't want to break up with him, so that made me terrified to talk to him. But I don't know why I thought he would just let me break up with him without asking me why. Thankfully. "I'm sorry again."

"It's fine. Again." Big Red smiled at me. I smiled slightly.

"You know, your smile really could light up a room."

Big Red and I went back to his house after about 20 minutes. We cuddled as we watched a show, my mind finally drifting away from my parents. After about an hour, I left the room and answered a call from my dad, telling me to come home so we could discuss their divorce more. I walked back to Big Red as I sighed and hugged him, telling him what my dad said. It was my way of saying goodbye, until I started crying again and sat back down.

"It'll be okay Ash..." Big Red whispered in my ear.

"But what if it isn't? What if I have to move?"

"If you have to move, then you'll make it work. How far would you even need to move anyways?"

"I think my dad's always wanted to move to Nevada for some reason, and now he kinda has the opportunity..."

"You're not gonna move." He hugged me tighter. "And if you do... you'll make great friends and we'll all be a call away."

"I... I don't know." I kept crying.

I heard the front door open and close. "Hi— why's she crying?" Madeline asked Big Red. It would've annoyed me if I was paying more attention.

"Shut up." He responded.

"It was just a question, geez."

"But I know it wasn't asked with concern." I was confused as to why he immediately assumed that. She wasn't the nicest, and her voice didn't sound the most concerned, but it was a bold assumption.

"Can I just have an answer?" She sounded impatient.

"Ash?" He asked me, sighing. "Yes or no?"

"Um... I don't care." I shrugged, trying to stop crying.

"Her parents are divorcing." He looked at Madeline. "Don't say a word about it that isn't helpful."

"I don't have anything helpful to say, because my parents got divorced when I was 6, and I didn't cry."

"Well I'm sorry Ashlyn has a heart then." Big Red retorted.

"I told you she's soft. It's annoying."

"Madeline, shut up! She's not deaf, she's sitting right here!" Big Red hugged me tighter. "Go away already."

"Fine." She walked away.

"Ash, I'm sorry about her, she doesn't know when to stop." Big Red apologized.

"It's fine." I nodded. No one ever wants to hear that someone doesn't like them, but I currently had bigger problems. "I should get going. Parents." I grabbed my bag and left, after a kiss from Big Red as he apologized for Madeline again.