Forever & Always || Redlyn

Graduation

Not long after finals was Big Red's graduation. Unfortunately, Ashlyn was too busy to come to the ceremony, and she had to break the news to him.

"Biggie?" Ashlyn asked, Big Red picking up the phone.

"Yeah?"

"I can't come to your graduation." She mumbled.

"Oh."

"I'm really sorry. I just have work." She apologized, feeling slightly guilty.

"It's fine Ash." He said. "My family will still be there. I'll see you after?"

"Hopefully."

"I've gotta go, bye."

Ashlyn knocked on Big Red's dorm door, hours before his graduation. He opened it to a hug from her. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks." He mumbled into her shoulder. She noticed a tear fall on her.

"What's wrong?"

"Um... none of my family can make it."

"Oh." She hugged him tighter. "So no one is coming for you?"

"I mean, Lizzie's graduating too, but no one else."

"I'm so sorry..."

"It's not your fault honey."

As Big Red grabbed his diploma, he heard Ashlyn cheer among some polite clapping. Confused but happy, when he stood still again he saw her. She gave him a thumbs up, smiling.

When the ceremony ended, a crying Big Red hugged Ashlyn. "I thought you weren't gonna make it."

"Hey, you can't be alone on one of the biggest days of your life." Ashlyn hugged him back.

"Thanks honey." He smiled. She wiped a tear of his face and smiled back.

"You graduated!"

"Yeah, finally." He said, though the tears on his face made it clear it was bittersweet. He did a small victory dance.

"Dork." She laughed.

"You love it."

"I really, really do." She said as he stopped dancing.

"Why thank you." Big Red laughed. He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Hello?"

"Hey." Lizzie hugged him.

"I can't believe we graduated." He said as he hugged her back.

"Me neither." She grinned, before her girlfriend came along and they walked away.

"Dinner?" Ashlyn asked.

"That sounds great. I'm starving." He grabbed her hand, and put his graduation cap on her head, making her laugh before they walked to the parking lot.

Most of the nearby restaurants were packed, so they decided to get takeout and go to a nearby park. They sat by the edge of a lake, Ashlyn dipping her feet in and moving them around.

"Gonna eat?" Big Red asked, her food still untouched after 10 minutes.

"Hm... maybe. Just enjoying the weather." Ashlyn smiled at him.

"Okay." He nodded, grabbing her hand and smiling.

"Love you."

"Love you." He smiled. Finished with his food, he put his head on her shoulder and looked at the lake. She kissed the top of his head before looking out at the lake too.

"Hi?" A voice came from behind them, making Big Red's head pop off Ashlyn's shoulder.

"Hello—" He cut himself off as he saw who was behind them. "Oh."

"Big Red?"

"Yep." He nodded. At Ashlyn's confused face, he continued. "This is Skylar." He paused, hesitant. "She was my girlfriend before we started dating."

"Oh. Okay." Ashlyn mumbled.

"Anyways, what's up?" Big Red asked Skylar awkwardly.

"Not much. Just finished the school year." She said, sitting down by them, making Ashlyn feel even more uncomfortable than Big Red.

"Oh, same."

"I can tell." She said, looking at Big Red's graduation cap, which was still unsteadily sitting on Ashlyn's head. Ashlyn took it off and set it down.

"I'm gonna use the bathroom."

"It's like 5 minutes away." Big Red said. "Want me to come?"

"You guys can catch up." She kissed his cheek.

"...Okay." He nodded. She started walking to the bathroom.

"So she's your girlfriend?"

"Fiancée. Technically." He fidgeted with his ring finger, despite the fact it was yet to have a ring on it.

"Oh. Good for you two." Skylar nodded.

"Mhm. Do you have a boyfriend or anything? If you wanna talk about it."

"Nope, I'm having trouble with that." She admitted.

"That sucks, sorry."

"Eh." She shrugged. There was a moment of silence. "Why'd you break up with me?"

"Why?"

"Just figuring out how to keep a relationship going."

"Okay... um, it just wasn't working. I didn't feel much of a connection. You're great and all though." He explained.

"Alright." A moment later, Ashlyn came back. She sat by Big Red, who pulled her into his arms. She smiled. "Well, I'll see you around. Bye Big Red. And, uh..."

"Ashlyn."

"Got it." She left.

Ashlyn turned to Big Red. "How long did you guys date?"

"Just, like, a month. Doesn't really matter though."

"Yeah." She nodded. He could tell something was bothering her.

"What is it?" He tilted his head.

"Just the thought of losing you." She whispered.

"But you won't." He hugged her.

"No, no, I know. It's really the thought of it." Ashlyn continued. "It's not like I think it's gonna happen. It just came to my mind."

"Why?"

"You talking about your girlfriend before me. It's not like it bothered me, she seems nice. I just can't imagine my life without you, so the thought of you leaving someone... I don't know." Ashlyn explained, mumbling from time to time. "It's not even a big deal."

"Oh... okay... got it." He nodded. Pulling her into the hug a bit more, a few tears rolled down his face.

"Biggie? What's wrong?"

"Don't think about that. Please. I don't like when you're upset." He whispered. "I can't imagine my life without you either, and I don't want to."

"Don't." Ashlyn nodded. "And I'll try not to. But if you do, remember it's a thought and far from a fact."

"Got it." He sat up straight and wiped his tears away. "You ready to leave?"

"Sounds good." Ashlyn smiled at him, who returned the smile.