Next Door

Coffee

"It'll be a week tomorrow." Big Red said while they walked home from school on Friday. "Where and when?"

"For?"

"You forgot?"

"Right! Uh... 7? Coffee?"

"That sounds great." He smiled. "I'll pick you up."

"This won't change our friendship too much, right?"

"Only for the better, I hope. Plus... it's just one date right now." He responded. "Don't worry about it. We've been friends since... kindergarten for you, 1st grade for me."

"Yeah." Ashlyn smiled. "You're right." Her smile faltered. "My parents can't know."

"Why?" He asked. "Sorry, got it." He nodded. "Stupid rules."

"I know." She sighed. "But I really want to go out."

"So do I." He nodded. "We are."

"Oh, yes, I know. It'll be great. While we're there." She hugged him. "See you tomorrow." She mumbled.

"Goodbye." He smiled. "Um... real quick, where do we stand in our relationship right now?"

"Um... that awkward space between friends and dating. Where there isn't a real answer to that question. We'll find out." She pulled back from the hug. "Bye."

Big Red drove up to Ashlyn's house on Saturday. She got in the passengers seat, smiling. They were both dressed more formal than usual, but not too fancy.

"You look... great." Big Red awkwardly complimented.

"You... also do." She nodded. He started driving. "Uh... so how are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Also good." There was an awkward silence. "This is dumb."

"What? The date? We could drop it, that's fine—"

"Nope. It's too awkward. It's just us, you know?" Ashlyn said. "Let's just... hang out."

"Then how do we know if we're a good couple or friends?"

"I don't know... we like each other. It... feels right."

"Oh. Good. So no pressure?"

"Yeah." She smiled. "Just dating."

"Yeah. Yeah, good." He smiled. He pulled into the parking lot. They both got out of the car, walking inside. They ordered, then sat across from each other.

"That was good." Ashlyn smiled, getting back in the car an hour later. "Really good."

"Agreed." He smiled too, turning to look at her. "How long have you liked me?"

"How long have you?" She asked.

"Um... when did we start flirting?" He turned away and started driving.

"About a month ago." She said.

"Uh... probably two months."

"Yeah, same." She nodded. "Probably should've asked you out sooner."

"This worked out." He grinned. "Besides the first few minutes."

"Okay, that doesn't count. We were being so awkward."

He laughed. "I know."

She laughed too. "Oh, by the way, that did feel right. Very right."

"Good." He parked in his driveway. "I'm glad." He looked at her. She smiled slightly. After a moment of silence looking at each other, he kept talking. "I'll see you soon."

"You too." She opened her door and got out. He reached for her hand, missing.

"Wait!"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing." He shook his head. "Never mind."

"Come on, I know you better than that." She sat back down. "What's on your mind?"

He smiled. "Yeah, you know me better than practically everyone." He hugged her. "Just wanted a hug, I guess. Like... a proper goodbye?"

"Not sure that was it, but alright." She hugged him back. He gently kissed her cheek. "Was that it?"

"Yeah. It was nice."

"Mhm." She smiled. "Well... bye."

"Bye Ash."