Family Troubles || Redlyn

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Ashlyn's POV

"You know I don't like her!" I protested. EJ was giving me a ride, and he had just told me Madeline was driving with us, as we walked to his car.

"It's only a few minutes."

"But she hates me!"

"Then she'll probably just ignore you, and you do the same."

"Ugh." I complained. "Fine." I contemplated apologizing for the night before, but we already arrived at his car, and Madeline was there.

"Hey." EJ smiled, opening the passenger door for her.

"Hi." She smiled and got in. "I didn't know your cousin would be here."

"He almost always gives me a ride. Unless your cousin does." I muttered, getting in the backseat.

"I just didn't know." She said. "No need to be rude."

"Me?" I said, my jaw dropping slightly. "Maybe I'm not being the nicest right now, but I'm not the one who—"

"Ash, stop being dramatic, she's nice." EJ interrupted me.

"You don't know her!"

"We're dating." Madeline smirked. "So yes, he does."

"Do you even like him?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's really good looking, and he's kinda sneaky, but pretty nice." She said.

"Aww, thanks. Ash, since we haven't started driving, do you want to just... walk? Clear your head?" EJ asked.

"Just because walks clear my head doesn't mean I want to walk. My thoughts are completely in line." I said.

"Yeah, but you're overwhelmed."

"Fine, I'll go!" I exclaimed. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." I got out of the car, making my way to Big Red's parking spot, hoping he was still there. He wasn't, so I walked. It did make me feel better, but I wouldn't admit that.

After an hour of doing homework, the doorbell rang. I was the only one home, so I went to see who it was: EJ.

Sighing, I opened the door. "What do you want? Come to say Madeline's better than me?"

"Woah... no. I just wanted to know why you hate her." He said.

"She's really rude to me." I said, sitting down.

"Like what?"

"She didn't care when I came back from Nevada."

"Because you guys aren't friends."

"But she wasn't happy for me, or for Big Red. And they're cousins." I stated.

"They don't seem that close, it makes sense."

"They aren't close because she's a jerk! She insults me all the time!"

"We won't get anywhere if you yell. You don't have more evidence than what you've already told me, so I don't really believe it."

"Atop siding with a girl you met months ago!" I shouted. "I've been helping you for years, and you repay me but not listening to me! I'm trying to help you!"

"I've been helping you too!" He protested.

"I've never asked for your help."

"But I've given you it."

"When?" I questioned.

"Theatre kids aren't popular, Ash."

"And?"

"You know they get bullied sometimes."

"And?" I asked again.

"You've never been bullied because everyone knows I'm your cousin." He said.

"That's... not true..." I mumbled.

"I look out for you." EJ said. "So... I can make my own choice." He left.

"Bye..." I trailed off, and went to my room. Was I so bad the only reason I didn't get bullied was EJ? It's not like any of my friends were bullied for it. But I could tell EJ meant it, as if someone had wanted to. No wonder I got made fun of the moment I moved schools.