More Than a First Kiss

6

Gina's POV

"Hey, I'll see you later. I'm gonna head out with Ashlyn back to her house," I tell EJ, who's standing in front of me. "That's early? Everything ok?" He asks, just slightly concerned.

"Yeah. Her parents, Ashlyn and I are sky-ping my mom to figure out the details of this summer and the next two years of high school," I explain. EJ continues to look concerned. "I thought you'd already figured that out?"

"Mostly," I notice his constant unease so I take his hands, "I'm not going anywhere, I promise,"
I assure him. "You better not," he teases, softly pulling my head towards him and kissing my forehead. I give him a smile before running over to Ashlyn.

"So... how's that going?" she nudges my shoulder, looking back at EJ. "Really good, I never thought I'd get to date, anyone. I haven't exactly had the greatest luck in that department, let alone luck with someone as amazing as EJ, you know?" I glance at Ashlyn.

"I know," she looks over at Big Red with the widest smile, "not to make this about me," she pauses. I assure her to continue. "I think I'm in love with him," she whispers.

"Oh my god! Really! Do you think you're gonna tell him?" I immediately ask. Looking over at Big Red, I can't help but smile. The two of them are perfect for each other. "Maybe, I don't know, what if he doesn't feel the same?"

"Don't worry Ash, he's crazy about you," I say, linking arms with her as we walk over to her car.

When we get back to Ashlyn's house it looks like her parents are already talking to my mom. "Hey everyone!" Ashlyn announces as we walk up to our families. "Gina, Ashlyn, let's sit down," Ashlyns Mom, Angela, calls us over to the living room.

"Is everything ok?" I ask nervously, telling someone to sit down is never a sign of good news.

"Everything's ok honey, we just have some more details to discuss," I hear my mom explain from the computer. When we sit down Ashlyn immediately asks the thing we've all been wondering, "Is Gina staying?"

"Yes, she is," Angela begins, "But there are conditions from her mom that I also agree with." Conditions? Like rules? "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Nothing strict," my mom assures me, "First of all, I won't be able to see you this summer. I'm being relocated just for the summer and it will take up the majority of my time." I can't help but be a little sad. Even with everything I have keeping me here I can't help but miss my mom a lot. "During the school year, I will do my best to come to see you there at least once a month. And you will come to see me at least once a month as well. Then I'll have you back with me one week of winter break, the other week you can stay in Salt Lake if you'd like. Spring Break will be difficult but I will try my best," I let out a sigh of relief, my mom has a tendency to begin conversations with such intensity I always think something bad is coming next.

These 'conditions' are nothing I can't handle. They just make things more definitive. "That sounds doable," I announce.

"And Gina," I look over at Angela, "We want you to feel as comfortable as possible here, so Mark and I are going to help you redecorate your room however you'd like. We've been saving a bit this year." I can't believe this is my life. I've got two families, two real families. For the first time in my life, I'm not alone. "Thank you so much," I exclaimed, giving all three Caswell's a huge hug, "And thank you so much mom, I love you."

"I love you too honey, I'm just glad you're finally able to relax," she smiles before saying goodbye and getting off the call. "I will be right back, I've just got to go call EJ," I whisper to Ashlyn before quickly running upstairs.

"Hey G, how'd everything go?" he kindly asks. How do I explain to him that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world? "Everything went amazing," I smile, "My mom is letting me stay here for the rest of my high school years. Only with a few conditions, but nothing ridiculous. Also, Angela and Mark are letting me decorate the guest room however I want, they want me to personalize it so I can feel more at home. Isn't that amazing!"

"That sounds like them," he smiles, "so... you busy right now?"