Family Troubles || Redlyn

Next Week

Ashlyn's POV

Dinner was extremely quiet. My parents would try to talk to me from time to time, but I briefly responded to end each conversation they started.

I went to bed much earlier than usual. I replayed my conversation with Big Red over and over that night as I fell asleep, trying to hold myself together.

Lunch the next day was quieter than usual. EJ was sick and Madeline wasn't sitting with us. I didn't talk much, besides answering Big Red whenever he made sure I was okay.

I had chemistry after lunch, with Madeline. I was definitely not looking forward to it after the day before. As long as we weren't partnered up, I could probably avoid talking. Except we were. As I stood by her, I decided to start our conversation. No use being awkward, the project would just take longer.

"Hey, about yesterday..." I started, trailing off. What was I trying to say? She had insulted me, not the other way around.

"What about it?" Madeline asked, immediately informing me I should just be quiet. As much as I could.

"Never mind." We kept working. Unlike most groups, we finished quickly, since we never got off topic. We couldn't be on our phones, so we both sat there in awkward silence. "Um... how are you?"

"Fine."

"Nice..." I trailed off.

After school ended, Big Red was giving me a ride home, because I needed to be home sooner than usual and EJ was sick. Madeline was with a friend, so it was just Big Red and I.

"Hey." We said in unison as I got in. I laughed.

"How are you?" He asked me, starting to drive.

"I'm pretty good. How 'bout you?" I asked.

"Pretty good, too." He smiled.

"Good." I smiled in return. "Thanks for the ride."

"Of course." We talked for awhile longer, until I made it home.

"Thanks again!" I leaned over and kissed his cheek, then got out and ran inside as I waved. I flopped onto the couch, getting worried. My dad was coming home early. I didn't know why, but I doubted it would be good. Nothing from my parents had been recently.

My dad arrived a few minutes later, then sat next to me. "Dad? What is it this time?"

"Your mother and I were talking, about me moving. I'm moving next week, and we both decided that it would be good for you to—"

"Stay. It's good for me to stay." I interrupted.

"That's... not exactly what we agreed on."

"I— um, r- right. Next week?"

"Next Wednesday." He confirmed.

"I- I'm gonna call Big R- Red." I stuttered. I waited a moment, to no reply, so I ran up to my room. I couldn't actually tell Big Red yet. But I did FaceTime him, wiping a single tear off my face.

"Hey Biggie!" I said, overly enthusiastic.

"Hi." He smiled. I loved his smile. And his voice. How was I supposed to move?

"What's up?" I asked.

"Not much. Just doing some homework."

"Oh, fun!"

"Not really."

"Right." I sighed. "But it's not the worst thing that could happen."

"Yeah, it's pretty normal..."

"Yeah." I couldn't keep talking to him right now. "I should actually do some homework myself. Talk to you... later?"

"Sure. Bye Ash."

"Bye." I hung up. I set my phone down and laid back. In a week I had to say goodbye to Salt Lake City, East High, all my friends, and Big Red.