Family Troubles || Redlyn

Friends of Friends

Big Red's POV

I was relieved Ashlyn had somewhat given me another chance. I knew she loved me, but it was starting to feel odd. I had to remind myself she did, and I believed (and believe) it, but whenever I thought about her it felt like we really, really broken up.

I did know she loved me and I trusted it. I just hated thinking about us being broken up. It felt so wrong.

She did not go out of her way to talk to me, so I did not either. We just did not go out of our way to avoid each other either. It felt better, as much as I thought seeing her would make me upset we weren't dating. Sometimes it did, but either way, I loved having her in my life.

Plus, I now had some hope we could get back together soon.

I kept waiting and waiting to hear anything from Ashlyn. All I wanted was for her to call or text me, even come over, and tell me we could date. I knew we could not, but my impatience was overwhelming.

"Hey." Ashlyn gave me a little wave, our group forming as more of us got in the same space. Our friends were all going out for a movie. Ashlyn and I were not really supposed to be friends either, but... well, we were 'friends of friends.'

"Hi." I breathed out, waving back.

Then I remembered that all our friends have people they tend to subconsciously group up with, dating or not.

This ended up leaving Ashlyn and I in the backseat of the car, which Ricky was driving with Nini next to him. They were having their own conversation, unable to hear us. There was absolutely nothing to hear yet but awkward silence, but there would be, and they were talking too loud considering we were half whispering.

"So..." I started awkwardly.

"I've been trying." She whispered, not moving her eyes from looking at the window. "I promise."

"I know." I nodded.

"I don't know what to do." She said quietly.

"Things will work out." I tried to assure her.

"But I can't get over you, what am I supposed to do if the next... about 2 years I'm just caught up missing you."

"I think you'll get over me eventually, or we'll be back together."

"If I get over you it wasn't meant to be. It feels really, really meant to be." She turned to me with tears in her eyes. We made eye contact for a few seconds before she looked down, wiped her eyes, and looked back out the window. "Anyways, friends. Or... friends of friends."

Yes, I was quoting Ashlyn earlier. She has said it a lot.

"Ash..." I wanted to tell her I was right there, I wanted to hug her, I wanted to do anything I could to stop her from crying, but I caught myself. "Yeah... friends... of friends."