Family Troubles || Redlyn

Hang Out?

Big Red's POV

I opened my eyes, tilting my head to look at Ashlyn. She took the chance to wipe stray tears off. I shifted where I was sitting to kiss her cheek. "Thank you Ashlyn."

"Of course." She bit her lip. "Ready to go to class?"

"Oh, sure..." I instantly felt guilty.

"If you aren't feeling well—"

"I'm fine. I'll see you after class. Hurry, I don't want you to be even later."

"You wanna hang out?" I asked Ashlyn while I drove her home.

"No, I'm busy, sorry." She said. She was mostly silent for the rest of the ride, so when I drove into her driveway I talked again.

"What are you up to?"

"Um..." She put her face in her hands. "I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I'm not busy."

"Uh... okay? You could've just said no..." I trailed off, confused.

"But I do want to, I just— never mind. I'll text you later." She grabbed her backpack, starting to get out. I grabbed her hand.

"You can tell me."

"I know that! I—" She hugged me. After she pulled away, she shook her head. "I love you. I'll see you tomorrow."

"No, Ash, don't go. Please explain. I can try and help."

"No, no you can't! All you do is help me!" She shouted, before bringing her voice back to its normal volume. "I helped you today and I had no idea what I was doing. I wanted to cry with you. If... if you feel like that then I can't keep dumping my problems on you."

"I do feel like that sometimes."

"That's what I thought."

"I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when you cry, because I'm not a genius. I haven't been through the things you've been through." I explained. "And sometimes I want to cry too, because you're crying, and I hate it. But it's worse if I just leave you sobbing."

"Yeah... yeah. I know what you mean. Got it." She nodded. "Uh... still open to hanging out?"

"Yep."