Taylor's POV:
The weekend was here, and I was more than ready for some fun at the arcade. As I walked to meet the gang, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was up with Ashlyn and Aiden. They were trying to keep it low-key, but I knew my friends too well. Something had definitely changed.
We all gathered at the usual spot, and everyone seemed in good spirits. Aiden and Ashlyn arrived together, and I saw the quick glance they exchanged before joining us. I made a mental note to keep an eye on them today.
Tyler: "Ready to lose all your tokens, Taylor?" he teased, waving a handful of arcade tokens.
I rolled my eyes. "Not a chance. I'm going to win big today."
Aiden's POV:
As we entered the arcade, the flashing lights and sounds of games surrounded us. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Keeping our secret was harder than I thought, especially when Taylor seemed to be watching us so closely.
Ashlyn and I split up from the group to play some games together. I noticed Taylor nudging Logan and pointing in our direction. Great, they were definitely suspicious.
Ashlyn: "You think they know?" she asked, glancing over at our friends.
I shrugged. "Maybe. But let's just have fun and not worry about it."
We spent the next hour playing various games, from skee-ball to racing simulators. It was a blast, and for a while, I forgot about our little secret.
Logan's POV:
Watching Aiden and Ashlyn from a distance, it was clear they were enjoying themselves. But there was something different in the way they interacted. They seemed... closer.
Logan: "So, Tyler, you think there's something going on between those two?" I asked, nodding toward Aiden and Ashlyn.
Tyler: "Definitely. They're not as good at hiding it as they think," he said with a grin.
Taylor joined us, looking smug. "I told you. They're totally into each other."
Ashlyn's POV:
After we finished playing, we all gathered at a table to tally up our tickets. I couldn't help but notice the knowing looks from Taylor, Logan, and Tyler.
Taylor: "So, Ashlyn, anything new with you?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
I felt my cheeks heat up. "Nope, just the usual."
Aiden jumped in. "Yeah, we've all been pretty busy with school and stuff."
Taylor: "Uh-huh. Sure," she said, smirking.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. It was a text from my mom.
Emma: How's it going, sweetie? Are you having fun?
Ashlyn: Yeah, it's great. We'll be home soon.
Emma: Good. Your dad and I have a surprise for you when you get back.
A surprise? I wondered what it could be.
Aiden's POV:
As we walked back to Ashlyn's house, I could tell she was curious about the surprise her parents mentioned. When we arrived, her mom and dad were waiting in the living room with a big smile.
Mike: "Welcome back, kids! How was the arcade?"
Ashlyn: "It was fun! What's the surprise?"
Emma: "Well, we thought it would be nice to have a little celebration. We know how hard you've all been working at school, so we planned a movie night with your favorite snacks."
The room erupted in cheers. This was perfect.
Taylor's POV:
As we settled in for the movie night, I couldn't help but watch Ashlyn and Aiden. They sat next to each other, and while they tried to act normal, the little glances and smiles they shared were telling.
Tyler: "Pass the popcorn, Taylor," he said, breaking my concentration.
I handed him the bowl and leaned over to whisper, "I'm telling you, something's up with those two."
Tyler just nodded, munching on his popcorn.
Ashlyn's POV:
The movie night was a hit. We laughed, we ate, and for a few hours, everything felt perfectly normal. But as the night went on, I couldn't shake the feeling that our friends were onto us.
As the credits rolled, Aiden leaned over and whispered, "I think they're getting suspicious."
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Yeah, but as long as we stick together, we'll be fine."
Aiden smiled and gave my hand a quick squeeze. "Agreed."
(That's it for this episode I hope you enjoyed!!)
