Operation Boyfriend

Chapter 6

        "Ashlyn!" Ari shouted causing me to stop my sentence. Crap. If Ashlyn realizes who's here, it's going to be an upsetting disclosure. "Girl, what are you doing standing there? Get your ass down here!"

Slowly, I rotated my stance to set my gaze upon the back entrance of the house, where Kyler and Danielle came down just a few minutes ago. Ashlyn was breaking down. I knew she was crushed. When I was about to move toward her, she surprised me when she plastered a huge grin on her face and confidently strutted to our group.

After handing me my drink, she focused her attention on Danielle. Assertively, she offered a hand to her like I did before. "I'm Ashlyn."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Danielle." she responded then shook Ash's hand, giving her a large smile.

"Ashlyn! I was looking for you." Kyler told her as he went to stand beside his girlfriend, taking her hand in his.

Nervously, I gazed at my friend. Step two was simple but not simple. So far she's been doing great, staying cool and confident but could she stay calm? As I anticipated her reaction, I worriedly fiddled with my skirt, hoping that she wouldn't break down in front of everyone.

After a moment of hesitation, Ashlyn answered with poise, "I'm a hot commodity, Olsen. You weren't the only one looking for me."

Her reply caused me to grin widely. Who knew she could be so cunning? Everyone else looked taken back by her newfound attitude which almost caused me to burst out laughing. Tate was the most surprised as he just blankly gaped at her. Beckett, like usual, kept on a poker face but for a second I saw him glance at Ashlyn which led me to believe he was a little shaken. Ari was shocked at first but that quickly turned into a proud smirk, feeling as if he was responsible for her new sassiness.

Raising an eyebrow, Kyler took in Ashlyn's teasing response. He actually seemed to be quite intrigued. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Hey, Kyler," Danielle started as she escaped his grasp. "I'm going to the bathroom then getting a drink. Do you want anything?"

"No, babe, I'm fine." Kyler answered, giving her a sweet smile. Danielle attempted to give him a small smile back but it faltered a bit which caused Kyler to sigh once she retreated back into the house.

It was quiet again before Tate spoke, "Seems like things are rough."

"Lately, she's been distant and I don't know what to do about it." he replied truthfully, rubbing a hand over his face in distress.

Distant? Didn't Zander say that she was clingy? From what I've seen, it seemed as Kyler was the clingy one. Danielle was nice but something was bothering her. Kyler looked at her with such earnest eyes and would brighten up around her. It was such an innocent love. He was in love. Even I could see that he was serious about her. His smile was different if it was for her. It just lightened up his whole face.

Before I got even more confused, I asked, "Didn't you tell Zander that she was clingy?"

Everyone stared at me in the same confusion. Obviously, we knew she was distant from the way she was acting towards him but Zander did say the opposite. Kyler answered, "When I was telling him about Danielle, in his own eyes he probably thought she was clingy."

"Any strings attached are clingy for that boy." Ari stated making everyone nod in agreement and chuckle at the truth of it. 

After a few more snide comments about Zander, Liz called all of us to get in the water. From what we saw, she was having a blast with all those hot, shirtless boys. I don't blame her. If only I had brought a swimsuit, then I'd be enjoying myself there too. The group in the pool stopped playing water volleyball and started to play chicken, a game where a girl gets on a guy's shoulders and battles it out with another pair. First girl to fall into the water decides the winning and losing team.