Help Me

Chapter 12: Paul Macintosh

Riley's POV

I walked through the aisles looking for the ingredients for tonight's dinner. As I turned to the next aisle, I banged into someone. I immediately apologized and looked up to see a woman smiling at me.

"It's quite alright dear. It's my fault for not seeing you." She gave me a warm smile before looking past me. I turned around and saw Ashton and a little girl walk towards the woman.

"Hey, mom-" He stopped talking abruptly, before inhaling deeply. Then his eyes connected to mine. "Riley?"

The two females' eyes widened. "Riley." Ashton's mom said looking at me, frowning. Then she burst into a big grin and started giggling crazily.

The little girl, who I assume was Ashton's sister stepped forward and stuck out her hand, "Nice to meet you Riley. My name is Jessica. But you can call me Jessica." She looked at Ashton before smirking. Then she turned to me and said, "My brother has been talking all about you ever since the first day of school. I can tell he already has a-"

"Jess!"

Ashton glared at his little sister but she shrugged it off before continuing, "As I was saying before I was so rudely cut off, Ashton has a crush on you and so far I approve of you. So you may date my brother." I blushed at that and Ashton's mom let out an 'aww'.

Ashton scowled and pulled me away from them, "I have to talk to Riley and when I come back, you two better be calmed down."

But before Ashton and I turned the corner, Jessica shouted, "I'm sure we will become good friends one day, Riley. See you soon!"

And I think I heard Mrs. Slade say, "I think I hear can hear my grand kids coming!" Then she started giggling again.

Ashton dragged me far away from his family, muttering things under his breath. He stopped, turned to face me and he was blushing. I stared at him, waiting for him to make the first move.

After rubbing his face with his hands a couple of times, he opened his eyes. When he saw me with my eyebrows raised, he groaned, "I know. My family's weird, and yes I do like you." I blushed brightly.

Ashton chuckled, "You're so cute when you blush." That comment, of course made me blush brighter. I looked away, cleared my throat and coughed awkwardly.

I wanted to say that I liked him too, but if he asks me out on the spot, I'd be in trouble.

He sighed and said, "See you on Monday." Then he walked off. I followed him back to get my cart of food. Of course, I wasn't too near him, I still have to keep my distance.

When I was about to go into the lane Ashton went into, I heard bits of his and his mom's conversation.

"Did... out.... come home.... mate..... brave!" Mrs. Slade whispered.

"Of course not.... I don't... time... goddess.... mate.... perfect." Ashton whispered back.

I decided not to eavesdrop anymore and walked around the corner to get my cart. Jessica jumped up and ran to me, hugging my torso, "I missed you."

I gave her a light laugh, "It was only 2 minutes."

She looked at me dead in the eyes and said, "Wrong! It was 3 minutes and 43 seconds."

I gave her a weird look and Ashton let out a nervous laugh, "Okay, Jessica, Riley needs to go home. You have to say bye now."

"Bye", Jessica chirped.

I smiled at them, "Bye Ashton, Jessica, and Mrs. Slade." Ashton gave me a small wave, while Jessica and Mrs. Slade were waving their hands like there was a bee on it.