Family Troubles || Redlyn

Far Away

Ashlyn's POV

"Okay, you look... extremely unsettled." I told Big Red, who, after 5 minutes where everyone else was there, had sat down at the lunch table.

"I'm, um... yeah."

"Where were you this morning?" I asked. Normally I would at least talk to him for a few minutes, but this was the first time I had seen him today."

"I was running late."

"Alright..."

"It's a family thing." He kissed my cheek. "Don't worry."

"I guess." I smiled slightly.

"Mhm." He put his arm around me, between my waist and shoulders, pulling me close to him. I leaned against him.

"Baby, you're heart's beating fast... and you look a bit off... do you wanna talk?" I asked, concerned.

"Maybe later sweetie." He let go of me and I sat up. He held my hand instead.

"Look, we don't have to talk about it. I get that you might not be ready to. I'm here when you are ready. But... I'm worried. If I can tell you're upset, or whatever, there's a reason. It's because you're upset enough to be freaking out."

"You probably just know me too well."

"So? If I do, I'm understanding better than others. But I think anyone can tell you're acting strange."

"I'll tell you after school, I promise."

"Okay, just... make sure you're alright until then." I kissed his cheek. "You can always drop by my locker in between periods.

"Thanks."

I closed my locker, and the second I did I saw Big Red, startling me. "Um, hey. What's up?"

"You were right."

"About what?"

"I'm freaking out."

"I thought being right would be a good thing." I pulled him into a hug. "It's alright Biggie."

"No it's not..."

"What happened?"

"Don't freak out, because it probably won't happen. But so far the only good jobs my dad can find are... far away. Moving distance away." He said. "It's probably not gonna happen, but they talk about it sometimes and it's... too much."

I hugged him tighter. "Let's, um.... not worry about it, r- right? 'Cause it might not happen."

"I know, but... after y- you moved I missed you so much, even though all my friends are here, and we weren't even this close." He said. "I can't imagine it for you, literally leaving e- everyone."

"It sucked, yeah." I sighed. "Look, you can always come to me. If you ever feel bad, please do." I paused, thinking. "But I think we should try not to think about this. If you can't, then we can talk more, alright?"

"Thank you Ash." He hugged me.

"Of course honey." I smiled slightly.