Family Troubles || Redlyn

In Town

Ashlyn's POV

"Hey!" I smiled and hugged Big Red as I opened the front door. "There you are, I miss you."

"It was only a few days."

"So? Besides, you were working a lot before your trip anyways."

"I missed you too." He smiled, kissing my cheek.

"Then you can't make fun of me."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. How are you?"

"Um..."

"Oh, not good?" He sat me down on the porch next to him.

"My dad's coming in town tomorrow."

"Don't you miss him?"

"Of course I miss him. But I'm sure him and my mom will have to talk, he's staying a day or two." I leaned on his shoulder with a sigh.

"It'll just be polite conversation, surely. If they have to talk, it'll be brief."

"Maybe."

"I'm here." He pulled me closer.

"How are you?" Big Red asked as I sat next to him at lunch the next day.

"Wonderful," a hint of sarcasm I was trying to hide came through my voice.

"You sure?"

"Why does no one ever think I might be okay?" I asked coldly.

"Ash, I was just making sure, I was concerned... I am concerned..."

"Whatever." I shook my head, blinking back tears before he could see them. I held up a strong face.

"Fine, I care, but I'll just ask? What happens if you aren't fine, then?"

"I'll tell you."

"Ashy, you know that's hard sometimes, I was really just asking..." he said with a frown. "I've gotta use the restroom." He got up and left. I watched him leave, my hands trembling.

"R- Ricky?" I blurted.

"Yeah?" Ricky replied.

"Can you go get Big Red? He, um, went to the bathroom, I think I upset him, I r- really wanna apologize." I said quickly.

"Sure." He got up. A few minutes later, they were both back.

"I'm sorry I don't know w- what was going through my head, I'm in an awful mood. I know that's a stupid, stupid excuse, b- but I... I... I don't know, I just... I'm really s- sorry." I rambled.

"Hey, hey, it's forgiven... calm down... are you okay?" He sat down with a concerned look on his face.

"Fine, I'm fine."

"You really don't look fine."

"Can we g- get out of here? It's l- loud and just a l- lot."

"Yeah, yeah, of course." He pulled me up and we walked to the hallway.