The Banner Siblings (DISCONTINUED-REWRITTEN VERSION OUT!)

Chapter Five: Puppy Dog Eyes

"Aiden, for the millionth time—we're not going." Ashlyn said.
Aiden frowned, leaning against the bus, putting his hand on Logan's head for support. Logan let out awkward laughter. Aiden leaned in close to Ashlyn—only a few inches away from her face.
"Why not?" He asked, that smile flashing across his face.
Ashlyn glared at him. "Because we don't want to."
Logan fiddled with his fingers. Aiden looked at him and grinned.
"are you sure both of you don't want to go?"
Logan tensed—did Aiden know? Ashlyn looked at Logan.
"I'm sure." Ashlyn said, looking at Logan. Logan shrank in on himself—he wanted to go, but he had no idea how to tell his sister.
"Well—" Logan started.
"Oh would you look at that, we're here already!" Aiden said, interrupting Logan.
Logan sighed. Goddamnit Aiden.
As Ashlyn and Logan got off the bus Ashlyn looked at Logan again.
"Are you okay?" Ashlyn asked.
Logan looked surprised. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine."
Ashlyn looks skeptical. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Logan smiles at Ashlyn. "Yeah. I know."

Logan paced around his room— nervous. He was going to do it— he was going to ask Ashlyn. No more stalling! He took a deep breath and knocked on Ashlyn's room door.
"Ashlyn? Can I come in?"
"Yeah,"
Logan walked in and cringed—his sister was bent in half, head in between her legs and feet touching the ground.
"Ash? Can I ask you something?"
"sure?" Ashlyn said, getting out of that position. She flopped on her bed. "whats up?"
Logan fidgeted with his fingers, a nervous habit of his. He took a deep breath. "Do you really not want to go on the field trip?"
Ashlyn looked at him curiously. "No, I don't want to go. Why do you ask?"
Logan looked down at his feet. "Well, I—um," He took another deep breath. "IsortawanttogobutIdontwanttogoalonebutIalsoknowyoudontwanttogobutIreallywanttogowithyousocanyoupleasegoonethetripwithme?" He asked, saying his words in one breath.
Ashlyn paused for a moment, trying to process what he just said. "You want to go on the field trip?"
Logan nodded.
"But you don't want to go without me?"
Logan nodded again, and Ashlyn sighed.
"Logan, go if you want to go. I've already made up my mind, I'm not going."
Logan frowned. "Please?"
"No. And besides, you'll be fine for one night Logan."
Logan frowned again. The thought of going anywhere without someone familiar with him, the thought of being alone with people he didn't know, all those eyes staring at him as he talked and no doubt judging him for every little things, terrified him.
Alright then, let's try a different tactic.
"Then I'm not going either," Logan said.
Ashlyn sighed. Her brother didn't ask for much, but when he did it was kind of annoying. Don't get her wrong, she loved her little brother, but he could be a little annoying sometimes. Plus, it was really obvious what he was trying to do—and Ashlyn wasn't going to let him guilt trip her into going on a trip she didn't want. Again.
She glared at him. "Yeah, nice try Logan, but it's really obvious what your trying to do. And I've made up my mind, I'm not going. So unless you want to talk about something else or let me copy off your homework again, then leave."
Logan frowned. Alright, time to break out the big guns. "Alright then, you leave me no choice."
Ashlyn perked up. He wasn't going to do what she thought he was, right?
Logan looked at her, putting on his best puppy dog eyes. "Pleaseeeeee ash? I don't want to be alone on the trip!"
Ashlyn looked away, gripping her braids tightly.
"Don't give in. Do not give in. Don't let him win!" She repeated to herself in her head.
Logan felt a little smug as he saw his sister struggle against his puppy dog eyes. He didn't use them often, but when he did he was good. Too good. Ashlyn and her parents usually ended up cracking and caving in whenever he used them, a fact he knew all to well.
Ashlyn groaned and glanced back at her brother, his puppy dog eyes still up. She caved.
"Ok! Fine! I'll go on this stupid trip with you!"
Logan smiled and cheered in victory. Ashlyn groaned, flopping backwards onto her bed. She really needed to learn how to resist Logan's puppy dog eyes.
Logan hugged her, and then ran downstairs to let their parents know that Ashlyn was going too. Ashlyn rolled over on her bed. Was it really worth it? It had made Logan happy, so maybe it was. Her phone binged with a text from Aiden, asking for the five millionth time if she was going to go.
Never mind, it wasn't worth it.