Saying Something Stupid Like "I Love You"

Chapter 1: Offering A Drive

(Btw 'italics in between apostrophes' are thoughts)

Ashlyn complained during lunch about her parents. They were busy after school so she didn't have a ride to her dance studio after school and her friends understood her passion for dance.

Sure, Ashlyn wasn't truly upset, or as upset as she made it seem. For one, her parents were meeting up with Logan's grandparents, which meant her mom had to socialize. If anything, she couldn't wait for them to come home but she was also looking forward to dance today out of all days. Her dance teacher announced the day prior they were learning a new dance, a dance Ashlyn's been wanting to learn so it upset her she had to miss it.

"It just had to be today," She huffed. Ashlyn was aware Logan was going to feel some sort of guilt so she kept it short and simple. "It's fine, though, it's whatever..." She clears her throat before inserting her spoon of food into her mouth.

It was silent for a while. Taylor was about to say something but Tyler beat her to it. "I could drive you," He says, his eyes trailing from his food to her eyes. Ashlyn furrowed her brows and looked at him. "Really?" Ashlyn questioned as if it was unusual for Tyler to offer such a thing.

It was.

Through Ashlyn's experiences of being around the twins, she's seen them squabble about driving. Tyler doesn't seem to enjoy driving Taylor and her friends around if it wasn't the group so for him to casually offer to drive Ashlyn was out of character. Ashlyn wasn't expecting it either, to be exact, this was the last thing she expected today, a drive from Tyler.

Tyler knew this but nodded nonetheless. "Yeah," He started "I'm free after school, I don't mind driving you." She nods, "Thank you, I'll text you the address." Ashlyn looks away, pulling out her phone.

Aiden, who was sitting beside Tyler, leans to the brunette. He whispers, "Finally asking her out–" Tyler elbowed Aiden in the chest, "Shut it!"

—

After school, Tyler biked home with Taylor before driving to Ashlyn's house. He's biked there once or twice so he knew the address, Taylor would say he knew it by heart. He parked the car on the side of the ride in front of Ashlyn's house.

He turned off the car to save the gas and brought his phone out to text Ashlyn he'd be waiting.

Putting his phone away, his hands found themselves on the steering wheel, fingers tapping against it. The thought of Ashlyn and him being alone made him feel uneasy. This isn't the first he's driven Ashlyn, he's just never driven her alone. To be exact, he's driven Ashlyn before but it was always with Taylor or the rest of the group. Tyler and Taylor were the only ones to have a car and driver's license. Ben and Aiden never got one or never had the time, Ashlyn failed her first test (surprisingly), and Logan's grandparents find it dangerous.

A knock on his window, he turns and sees Ashlyn. He quickly unlocks the doors and she enters the passenger seat. As she puts her seatbelt on, she asserts to Tyler, "Quit staring." He doesn't even realize he's been staring, he looks ahead of him and starts the car. "Sorry," He clears his throat, "You look nice by the way." He added, applying pressure on the gas pedal.

This was his first time seeing Ashlyn dressed for dance, and also his first time seeing her in a different hairstyle. "You think so?" She questions, pulling down the vanity mirror (or the mirror you can pull down in a car). "My mom usually does my hair for dance," She starts, looking at herself in the mirror, "But I had to do it myself today, couldn't do much." She finishes, closing the mirror and pushing it away.

"Yeah," Tyler nodded. "Also, feel free to open the window or turn on the radio," He assures, "I don't mind." Ashlyn hums, "Noted..."

The car ride was awkward, neither opened a window nor turned on the radio, Tyler thought he could try some small talk.

Tyler tapped the wheel before stopping. "How long have you gone to dance for?" Tyler questions at a stop light. "For a while now," Ashlyn says. Like Tyler, her eyes were focused on the road ahead of them. "I've danced since I was small, 5 or 6 maybe?" She fiddled with her hands, "I can't remember." Tyler tried to imagine a mini-Ashlyn dancing but ended up with a tiny, annoyed version of Ashlyn.

"What about you?" She asked back, "How long have you done baseball for?" The light turned green, and Tyler released weight from the brake pedal. "Uhm, awhile," He licked his lips, "But to be honest, it's just, uh, a way to get into college." The car fell silent, neither said a thing after. Ashlyn cringed slightly in her seat, 'It's so awkward now...' She sighed, rubbing a hand on her face.

Tyler glanced at her, "Something wrong?" He asks. "Hm?" Ashlyn lowers the hand, "Oh, no, nothing... Just sort of awkward."

Ashlyn knows it wasn't the best to address it but she did it anyway.

Tyler didn't respond. He didn't know what he expected out of this, he and Ashlyn weren't close at all. He knew the ride there was going to feel way longer than wanted, so he thought he should play some music, maybe it would make the ride shorter.

...

They arrived at the studio. "Do I need to pick you up too or...?" His voice trailed off, eyes fixated on Ashlyn as she got out of the car. "No," She shook her head, "My parents are picking me up." She explains. "Thank you," She brushes a strand behind her ear, glancing at Tyler. Tyler huffs, leaning his right arm on the armrest. "Anytime," He started, "Feel free to ask me whenever, I'll always make time for you." She nodded and said her goodbyes as she closed the door, Tyler waved bye in response.

Tyler stared in disbelief once she walked away, 'Did she really just nod to that?'