Next Door

Midnight

There was a brief, comfortable silence, before Ashlyn pulled away. "Go home, they're at the end of the street."

"What?"

"My parents are almost here. Hurry."

"I—" Big Red sighed. "Goodnight." He started walking to his house in a hurry. He went to his room, then sat on his bed.

His mom walked in, closely followed by his dad. "Goodnight." She said.

"Yeah, night." He said grumpily. "See you in the morning."

"Something wrong?" Each of them took a place on each side of him.

"Yes." He nodded. "I... ugh." He groaned. "Ashlyn's parents just have such a strict hold on her. She's always grounded or we have to be careful about being with each other or whatever. Not to mention outside of our relationship they just... control her life." He ranted.

"It'll be alright. Maybe you should call it a night now, though."

"I can't." He crossed his arms stubbornly.

"Did something else happen?"

"I'm stupid." He mumbled. "Ashlyn told me she's in love with me. It was clearly a big thing for her to say. It wasn't telling me she loves me. I already know that. She was saying she really, really, really loves me and wants to be with me. I'm so stupid."

"What was your response?"

"I couldn't respond! Her parents started driving down the street and— oh. Right. Um... Ashlyn's grounded. Uh... sorry. Not the point right now." He paused awkwardly. "So she told me to leave. And I left. I panicked and left instead of saying it back."

"You'll tell her tomorrow."

"I know, and I will. But what if she thinks I couldn't say it?" He wondered. "But I have to wait until tomorrow. I can't tell her over the phone." He sighed.

"She said it, she meant it. Plus, she knows she rushed you away. There wasn't a chance for you to reply. Even if she does think that, she'll probably only think about it a little before falling asleep. Next thing you know, you two are walking to school."

"I guess." He laid under his covers. "Goodnight."

Ashlyn closed her window blinds and sat on her bed. She didn't lie down, not feeling remotely tired. A few minutes later, she heard some mumbling. Recognizing the voice, she shook her head while laughing. She opened her window. "You're doing it again? This time at, I don't know, midnight?"

"I'm doing it again." He nodded. "Will your parents be in your room anytime soon?"

"They said goodnight and my door's locked, so no problem." She hesitated. "Okay, you're not falling." She pulled him inside.

"I'll go in a minute." He said. "But I wanted a better goodnight than the one we had."

"Alright." She smiled. He sat by her and smiled. He gave her a hug, then pulled back about a minute later and stood up. He walked over to her window.

"Goodnight." He waved.

"Goodnight."

"I'm in love with you too." He smiled as he climbed out. He saw her smile, then closed her window.