Next Door

Opening Night

"Biggie!" Ashlyn ran over and hugged Big Red. It was Thursday, a few hours before opening night. School had gotten out a few minutes before.

"Hi." He hugged her back.

"I have about 30 minutes before I need to get ready." She told him. "Not enough time to go home, even if I'm grounded." She grinned. "Let's hang out."

He smiled. "I love you."

"Love you." She pulled away from the hug and held his hand. "Take a walk?"

"Sounds good." They started walking. "Good luck tonight."

"Thanks." She smiled shyly. "I'm a little nervous."

"Oh, you'll do great."

"I hope."

"You'll do your best." He smiled.

"Yeah." She nodded.

"Your best tends to be great."

"Alright, alright. Thanks again." She smiled.

"Of course."

"Let's go!" A friend of Ashlyn's pulled her inside after they finished their walk.

"Bye!" Ashlyn waved.

"Bye!" He waved back. "Good lu— and she's gone." He sighed quietly.

"Amazing. That was amazing." Big Red hugged Ashlyn after the show had ended.

"Thank you!" She hugged him back. "That was so fun."

"It looked great. You sounded amazing." He smiled. She smiled, then got lost in the crowd of friends and family congratulating her. He sat down and waited for her. About 15 minutes later, she sat by him.

"You're still here." She smiled and put her head on his shoulder. "Thanks."

"It's no problem." He said. "I figured you needed a ride anyways... since your parents couldn't make it."

"I was gonna get one from EJ. But that sounds good."

"Okay. Are you upset?"

"Not really." She sighed. "I don't think they would really care. They'd say I did good or whatever, but tomorrow would be back to them telling me it's unstable to be in the arts. As if I don't know that."

"I know." He frowned. "It's dumb. Do what you wanna do Ash." He hugged her.

"Yeah... I'll try." She nodded.

"Let's go. And not focus on that tonight."

"Both of those sound good." She smiled.