Dorms (Krashlyn)

20.

Ashlyn's POV
Ali and I run inside, getting out of the pouring rain. After studying for what felt like hours, we decided to go play soccer. It started pouring after like five minutes though so we are now drenched.
We laugh as we climb up the stairs, heading to her dorm. "I can't believe you tripped over the ball." I laugh.
"I did not! I told you, it's slippery and i slid on the mud!"
"Haha whatever you say Ali."
We step inside her dorm and head towards her room. She hands me some clothes before grabbing some for herself. We begin to change, well she does. I am pretty insecure so I didn't want to change in front of her. When she notices, she raises an eyebrow. "Are you gonna change or do you wanna be covered in mud?"
"Um right." I hesitantly take off the soaking wet shirt and try to turn away from Ali a bit. She walks up from behind me and wraps her arms around me. "Don't hide, you look beautiful. Besides, it's just me anyways." She whispers.
I feel chills run through me but I try to stay calm. "Sorry" I say, not entirely sure myself exactly what I'm sorry for. I guess everything.
She turns me around so I am now facing her but I won't look at her. I can tell that she is looking me up and down though and I begin to tense up.
She notices and immediately stops, looking at my face.
"What are you sorry for? It's hurting you more than it's hurting me when you put yourself down. You are absolutely stunning Ashlyn." She leans up and pecks my lips, her fingers running over my abs. "Do you believe me?"
I look down at the ground again.
"It's alright, these things take time. But one day you will. I promise." She says patiently.
She grabs the shirt out of my hand and helps me slip it on. "Go ahead and change out of your shorts, I'll go out there for a minute."
"Thank you Ali."
"Yeah yeah. Now I'm going to get us food, okay?"
I take a deep breathe and smile at her. "Sounds good."
She smiles back and blows me a kiss. "I love you, I'll be right back."
-----
I sit on her bed, scrolling through instagram while I wait for Ali to return. I'm really tired and want to sleep but I know Ali really wants me to eat so I know I'll have to. After a few minutes Ali walks in carrying two bowls, her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth due to her concentration on not spilling the food.
I put my phone on her dresser and wait for her to sit down. She gets under the covers and then hands me a bowl. She grabs the remote, turning the tv on. "Do you like lucky charms? I'll get you something else if you wa-"
I smile at her. "It's fine, I haven't had these in years!"
She smiles at me and changes the channel to disney. We sit in silence for a while, both of us eating and watching the silly show.
She finishes her bowl of cereal and places it on the bedstand. I ate about half of my bowl, but I'm really full. I'm not used to eating this much anymore. She sees me playing with the spoon. "Are you done?"
I look at her skeptically, expecting her to force me to finish.
"You don't gotta finish, you're not used to eating lots of food so you'll just keep making progress. These things take time."
I shyly hand her the bowl. She places it next to hers and then scoots closer. "I'm so proud of you for eating. You're doing such a good job, thank you. I love you."
"Are you mad at me?"
"For what?"
"You keep telling me you love me but I won't say it back." I look down, upset with myself that I am unsure if I love her.
"Ashlyn, don't feel bad. It's fine, I just don't want you to ever forget that I love you, I'm not saying it over and over again to try and get you to say it back." She grabs my hand and rubs it.
I stay quiet, slowly drifting off to sleep. "I think I do." I mumble.
"What?" "I think I love you too?"
She smiles and kisses my temple. "Go to bed Ashlyn, you're tired."
I smile and scoot slightly closer to her, not wanting to invade her personal space. "Ash, I'm not afraid of you. Don't be scared to get too close. I know you're not like Whitney, you know it too."
I scoot a tiny bit closer. She rolls her eyes and moves towards me, closing the rest of the distance.