Next Door

Alone

Ashlyn's parents were out of town the next day, and she took the opportunity to do nothing. If she had spent all day in bed when they were there, she would've been told to do something more productive or at least to stop being lazy.

"Hello." Ashlyn smiled as she picked up her phone to answer the FaceTime Big Red had started.

"Hey Ash." He smiled back. "How're you?"

"I'm fine. Pretty tired and from time to time think of last night... but fine."

He sighed. "Feel better love. Last night was nothing, it was fine."

"It felt weird."

"I know." He nodded, trying to change the subject, but she seemed stuck on it.

"It was like... I wasn't expecting it."

"It was just a kiss on the cheek, chill!"

"I— well... I mean, yeah, I know... I was just talking." Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, along with a frown forming.

"Sorry, I just, um..." He hesitated, then reminded himself he had to communicate with her. "I'm sorry, it was kinda... more aimed at myself?"

"What?"

"You, um... don't really expect me to, uh, not be a little jealous?" He stuttered, embarrassed. "And I know it's dumb because he's dating someone and we love each other and all that but... I'm sorry."

"Hey, no, don't worry about that... I mean, I really really love you, you know that. I... yeah, I mean, you've mentioned everything, I know you can't really help your feelings, but I'm with you honey."

"It's hard sometimes, all the secret dating. I just want to scream how much I love you. To everyone. Literally everyone."

"Me too, and I really thought we were getting into a normal relationship recently." She said. "But one day. And... well, it really has brought us closer, even if that's a little cheesy."

"I know, and I wouldn't trade dating you for the world."

"Me neither." She smiled slightly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Remember that."

"You too." He smiled.

"Come on over?"

"Sure, I'll be there soon." He hung up. She went downstairs and sat down on the couch, wrapping Big Red's jacket around her tightly, cold after leaving her bed. A few minutes later he knocked. "Come on in!" He walked in and sat by her.

"Hey." He hugged her.

"Hey." She smiled and hugged him back with a kiss. "Wanna watch a movie?"

"Sure." He nodded. She grabbed the remote, put on a random movie, then leaned against him with a smile.

"You've always been the best to watch movies with."

"For me, that would be you." He replied, pulling her a little closer.