Ashley

Ronnie's POV

As I sat on my front porch, I couldn't help but think about her. Ashley. Her name rang through my mind like a bell.

I also couldn't help but think I was an idiot for forgetting my house key. At least it was nice out. She was so pretty; long dark hair and stunning green eyes. Her brother was just as good looking, except I didn't really notice it as much as Ashley.

Ashley. There I go again.

I sighed and stood up. I starting walking down the street. Dad probably wouldn't get back for a while. He never does.

Another night on my own. I know, this might seem weird. But I'm left alone a lot. Ever since my mom left when I was a baby, Dad left me and Michael on our own a lot. Which didn't really surprise me when I walked right into Michael.

"Ronnie?" "Mike?" we asked at the same time. We smiled and walked home together.

"I was looking for you. I know where you like to go," he explained.

I nodded as he opened the front door.

I collapsed on the couch in the living room. "There's a new girl, and her brother, at school," I shouted to Michael, who was in the kitchen.

"Really? Is she cute?" he shouted back.

I laughed. "Yeah. Her name's Ashley. Brother's Max. She's a sophomore."

"Sweet," he replied, coming into the living room with a bowl of popcorn in his hand.

"Mike, that means she's two years younger than you," I reached for a handful of popcorn.

He shrugged. "So?"

I rolled my eyes and threw a couple pieces of popcorn at him.

He caught them in his mouth, and the phone rang.

I lept up to get it, but so did Michael. We knocked over the bowl of popcorn in the process, and I dashed to the phone.

He grunted; I'd left him to clean up the popcorn. "Hello?" I answered.

"Ron? You home? Good. I'll be home in half an hour," said Dad, then he hung up.

He was just that kind of person. Liked to do things quickly. "Dad'll be home in half an hour," I shouted.

Mike shouted back, "OK!"

I told him all about Ashley when I went back in the living room -how I'd shoved Craig into her at school.

"Way to make a first impression," he smirked.

"Shut up," I punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"You're fighting with Craig again?" he asked.

I shrugged and nodded. "He's an asshole," I muttered.

Michael nodded once.

Then I continued on about Ashley. Before I knew it, half an hour had passed. And just like that, right on the dot, Dad walked through the front door.