Relocating

Dinner

"Ash" I rubbed his arm and he groaned.

"What?"

"Aria is here. For dinner."

"Oh. Alright." He says and sits up.

"You're alright with this?"

"Yeah. I am. I want to see them."

"Good." I say and go to the door. She gives me a weak smile and walks in.

"Hey guys." Jacob announces for the both of them and Ashton looks up and smiles slightly.

"Hi Ashton." Aria says.

"Hi Aria." He says and stands up.

"Are you ready to talk?"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't scare me like that ever again."

"I won't" he says and hugs her.

"Now. Lets eat something. You can't starve yourself. I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry." Jacob buts in and Ashton chuckles.

"Yeah she is. Lets go." Ashton says and grabs his apartment keys.

"Alright. Are we ready?" Jacob asks.

"Yeah." We chorus and I feel a warm familiar hand snake into mine. I tighten the grip. I know how he feels. At least I understand it. I had no idea how close he was to his sister, but I knew I was close to my parents, so I could share the pain.

We headed to a pizza place that Jacob liked. He seemed to be leading our group that night. He swore it was good and Aria seemed to be as quiet as Ashton.

We ate dinner in silence and Jacob probably felt out of place the most. He sat there staring at his food. Aria looked around the restaurant. I looked anywhere and everywhere. Ashton also found his pizza really interesting. No one dared to talk first.

When everyone's plate was taken and we all split the bill, we went to the car. I was kind of looking forward to going home. That was if Ashton didn't ask me to stay again.

We got back to his apartment to drop him off and he took my hand to guide me out of the car. I guess that was my answer. I thanked Jacob and Aria. Then I went inside with Ashton. He had already sat down on the couch.

"I have to go get some clothes. So I guess I'll take the car." I state.

"You can wear some of my boxers and a shirt and wash your clothes." He says and I feel strangely comfortable with it.

"Sure. Where?" I ask and he starts upstairs. I follow.

He throws me a pair of boxers and a T-shirt from one of his drawers. I dismiss him from the room so I can change.

I open the door and head down the stairs. He's passed out on the couch. I wake him up.

"Hey. Ash?"

"Yeah?"

"You wanna sleep upstairs?"

"Sure." He says and sits up.

"Are you feeling any-" he interrupts me with a kiss.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being here. I feel better when you're around."

"It's alright."

"I know you've been looking for an apartment and I think I found one. The other day I found one."

"Really where?"

"You're sitting in it." He says, but doesn't look at me.

"Really? Are you asking me-"

"Yeah I am." He says and I stay silent.

"Rachel?" He asks.

"Yeah?"

"Will you?"

"Yeah."