Next Door

It's Tradition

"You're so stupid, you know that?" Ashlyn shouted out her window, down to her boyfriend. "Don't you dare try to climb up here again!"

"It's tradition." He joked, smiling. "You get grounded, I do this."

"My parents aren't home."

"Well I wouldn't do this if they where... anymore."

"Front door babe."

"I don't wanna get you in trouble, I kinda just wanted to talk for a minute—"

"Front door!" She shouted, closing her window and racing downstairs. She sat on her porch, waiting for him to join her. He put his arm around her. She leaned onto his shoulder.

"I'm just glad this isn't about us this time."

"Um, yeah..." she sniffled.

"What?"

"I mean, they still have their stupid morals about stupid things like needing super good jobs to be a not stupid person, it's all so stupid—"

"You sound like you just learned the word stupid."

"Well it's stupid!" She let out a sigh of frustration.

"I love you." He said softly.

"I know." She smiled slightly, holding his hand tightly. "I love you too."

"You'll get through it. We'll get through it." He promised.

"Thank you. You're such a rock for me."

"Trust me, you're one for me too." He hugged her tightly. "When will your parents be home?"

"About an hour. And, um—" she swallowed. "I don't want you to go."

"I won't go yet."

"I'm just... I'm scared I'll mess things up more. I can never be enough for them, and I just... I'm really scared that will affect us again."

"Baby, come here." He pulled her over, letting her adjust herself on his lap. She leaned onto him. "You're about to be a junior."

"Yeah."

"Which means you've got two years until your parents can't control your life."

"Yeah?"

"And it's annoying, it's harmful, it's awful." He ran his fingers through her hair, which calmed her, pausing for a few seconds. "But if they force us apart 100 more times, I'll be waiting each and every time. Two years feels long, and in circumstances... it is, but one day..." he thought. "One day when we're together and we're married it will all feel so long ago. They won't be in control of your life, that will just be you, and nothing will ever force us apart. Including your parents. I will wait, I will always wait, because no one is better than you and I would never be able to love anyone more than you. I don't want to date anyone but the love of my life." He kissed her lightly, raising her chin. She kissed back weakly, tears brushing onto his face from hers. The feelings let him allow the tears forming in his eyes to fall.

"I love you." Her voice broke. "I love you so much."

"I don't want you to feel bad, Ashlyn." He whispered. "I'll wait, but if this is too stressful with me as a factor—"

"You're... what?" She cried. "Are you break—"

"No!" He nearly shouted.

"Then—"

"I'm just saying I would understand if you need to right now. It's a lot, life's a lot—"

"That's... that's why I need you..." she trailed off. "Am I putting too much pressure on you?"

"No... not at all. I really don't mind helping you... I love to... I— I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's fine, I get it now... I just kinda freaked out." She mumbled. "Sometimes I get worried we want different things even though we love each other— but, you know, as long as the other person is willing to be there... it's fine."

"I'm willing to."

"Thank you." She kissed his cheek. "And if you ever have anything to talk about..."

"I know." He nodded.

"And I'm not breaking up with you."

"Good."

"But I'm still scared."

"That makes sense. I'm scared too."

"Why?" She looked at him.

"I want things to go well for you." He said, which caused a small smile.

"They will."

"Then why—"

"They will, because I know you're right. Years from now we'll be together. Married. Right now won't matter much."

"I'm proud of you."

"Thank you."