Next Door

Prom?

Ashlyn ran to the sidewalk from her house. She waited for Big Red, who soon came out and took a spot beside her. She wrapped him in a hug. "Good morning."

"Good morning." He smiled and hugged her back. "How are you?"

"I'm feeling really great." She smiled.

"Me too." He held her hand and started walking. They kept chatting until they got lose to school, where Ashlyn slowed down.

"Hey, um... last night. It was..."

"Hm?"

"Good."

"Which part?"

"All of it."

"I agree." He nodded. "I should get to class."

"Bye." She kissed his cheek. "See you later."

"Has he asked you?" Gina asked during lunch.

"Asked me what?" Ashlyn asked her.

"Prom's in a few weeks."

"Oh, right. No, he hasn't." She shook her head. "Has anyone asked you?"

"Nope. I'll probably just go alone."

"I'll be there."

"On a date."

"Yeah. I mean, he hasn't actually asked me, but I'm sure he will." Ashlyn said.

"Do I just ask?" Big Red asked Ricky. "Do I just suggest it and see what she thinks?"

"You know she'll say yes."

"Mhm, she will." He nodded. "But I should still put thought into it."

"I don't know how to, I'm preoccupied."

"With what?"

"Asking Nini. Which basically means admitting my feelings for her." He said.

"Good luck."

"Same to you."

Ashlyn laughed at the boy in front of her. "That was a bit funnier than it should be."

"Yeah... um, can I ask you something?"

"Uh... yeah."

He kissed her. "Would you go to prom with me?"

She froze. "I— I..."

"Yes or no, we'll be late for class."

"Yeah, you probably will be." Big Red came over and grabbed Ashlyn's hand. "Wanna go to class?"

"You don't have class with her, I do."

"You're not going to prom with her, I am. I think. Was that too controlling?" He looked at Ashlyn.

"Of course not, I'd really love to be dragged away from this conversation."

"But who do you want to go with?" The boy asked.

"Shut up." They said together. Ashlyn nudged Big Red, gesturing for him to walk foreword. They walked down the hall.

"I'm so sorry!" She hugged him. "He just kissed me. No warning, I thought we were friends."

"Shh." He rubbed her back. "I was watching, I know."

"Really? Because it felt so wrong."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I didn't kiss him— obviously— but it still felt like I was cheating or something." She mumbled.

"It's fine. I'm not mad."

"Great!"

"At you, at least. I'm mad at him, though."

"Yeah..."

"What's his name?" He asked.

"Hudson."

"Got it..."

"I love you." She put her face against his shoulder.

"I love you too. Don't blame yourself honey."

"I know... I'm gonna head to class."

"Oh, okay. But... yeah, will you go to prom with me?" He asked, smiling.

"Of course, yeah!" She smiled. "Bye."

"Bye."