Next Door

Birthday Plans

"Good morning!" Ashlyn jumped onto Big Red's back when she saw him walking through the yard. It was about a week later. "What's up?"

"Okay, more than a half second's warning next time." He said, managing to regain his balance. "Almost knocked me over." He nudged her into a more comfortable position, now smiling.

"Sorry. I'm literally so excited today."

"Plans?"

"Hardly any, but I generally love birthdays."

"I'm more than aware." He laughed, starting the walk to school with her on his back. "I've spent plenty of birthdays with you, I'd be surprised if you weren't jumping up and down."

"They're so fun."

"Gonna get your drivers license soon?"

"I hope so, so long as I don't fail." She nodded.

"So about the plans you have, what are they?"

"Why?" She asked in a sing-song voice.

"Hey, no plans leave my mind until they're supposed to."

"I always get it out of you eventually." She reminded him.

When they were younger, Ashlyn would either whine or tickle him (he was very ticklish) until she got something out of him, or sometimes she would simply talk about her birthday and he would end up spilling something.

Even though she, in theory, should've acted older as her age changed, each birthday was a day she was more immature. She didn't really care for masking her excitement.

"I know, but not this year." Big Red said. "Not a peep."

"We'll see. Put me down?" She smirked. He let her down and she held his hand. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"This is the first birthday we've been dating for." She pointed out. "So... does that change anything, or no?"

"Do you want it to?"

"Well, yes and no. We're dating, so... well, yeah. But, you know, not too different." She said. "If that makes any sense."

"Somehow does." He nodded.

"Love you." She kissed his cheek as they approached the school, then ran off to their friends. He ran after her.

"Wait!" He called after her. She was already in a group hug with Nini, Gina, and Kourtney.

"Yes?" She asked as she pulled back.

"No, I'll wait. Imma talk to Ricky." He kissed her forehead and walked away.

"Sooo how are you guys?" She asked the girls.

"Good." They all said in unison.

"You?" Gina asked.

"I'm good too." She said simply, trying to hold back her huge and cheeky smile.

"It's your birthday, you're basically the most excited person ever, aren't you?" Nini asked. She'd spent tons of birthdays with her.

"Maybe." She let out her grin. "That's just how I am! I'm gonna go talk to Big Red, see you guys at lunch." She waved and nearly skipped off to Big Red, who was in conversation with Ricky. "Hey!" She hugged him.

"Hey Ash." He smiled at her. "One second." He finished his conversation with Ricky. "Okay, yeah?"

"You were telling me to wait, what's up?"

"Oh, well I never really got to know what your plans are."

"Dinner from 5 to 7:30 with a bunch of family, friends coming at 6. And you, right?" She asked hopefully.

"Duh." He kissed her cheek. "We've gotta get to class. Love you."

"Love you too."