But It's Harder to Walk on Your Own

Ashlyn’s POV

I was in my United States history class when I saw him. Jason was waiting for me.

“Hey, I got out of class early and decided to meet you,” he smiled.

“That was nice, I’m supposed to meet up with Celia and Sen, want to come?” I asked.

“Sure.” We walked to the Performing Arts building, talking about everything and nothing. When we arrived Sen ran up.

“I thought I was going to be late,” she breathed. “Celia’s not even here and this is her building! I shouldn’t have worried. Jason! Hi.”

“Hello,” he laughed. My phone rang, I had received a text message.

Waited for you after class? Just friends? Yeah, right. It was from Sen. I glared at her.

“Sorry I’m late,” Celia said, walking over. As we walked to our usual lunch spot Sen and Celia whispered, about me I presumed.

“What don’t they want us to hear?” Jason whispered in my ear. It sent shivers down my spine.

“They’re talking about us,” I hesitated. “They think we’re more than… friends.” I didn’t know why I was so reluctant to say it aloud. He stared at me for a long while.

“Not yet,” he touched my cheek. “We are just friends.” I was glad Sen and Celia hadn’t seen that, they wouldn’t have let it go. Jason was right, neither of us was ready for a relationship. Jason stayed and ate lunch with us.

“Hey, Jason, why don’t you come over for movie night? We’ll even let you pick the movie,” Celia offered. He looked at me, I just shrugged. I knew they were planning on interrogating him, but I had my own weapons.

“Sure, my class starts early after lunch. See you tonight,” he waved.

“I’m going to grab a coffee before my next class, I need the caffeine,” I got up. I headed to the shop Celia worked at, where Ethan worked. Luckily, he had the lunch shift. “Ethan, we’re having a movie night, tonight. You’re invited.”

“Your place?” He asked.

“Yeah, around eight,” I said. He nodded. I sent a text to Jason telling him eight. After school I asked to borrow Sen’s phone, acting like mine had died. I found Tamesis’ phone number. She agreed to come tonight. I guess I wouldn’t be the only one with an awkward night. Jason was the first to arrive.

“Hey,” I couldn’t help but smile. He was in on the plan as well. He just shook his head and made his way to the couch to pick out the movie. The doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” I called. It was Tamesis. “Hey, come on in. Jason’s just picking out the movie. I think Sen’s in the kitchen making popcorn.”

“Thanks,” she said. I shut the door, but the bell rang again.

“Hey, glad you could make it,” I told Ethan.

“What’s going on here?” Celia was in the middle of asking. “Oh, no you didn’t,” she glared at me.

“Yes, yes, I did.” I sat down on the couch next to Jason, “let’s watch a movie!” Celia sat on the floor and Ethan sat next to her. Sen and Tamesis were on the couch next to me. Throughout the movie, I watched everyone else. Sen actually looked happy, they were giggling over the comedy, Celia, not so much. Ethan tried the yawn move on her, and she threw his hand away. Well, not away, it hit her head on the way back to his side. I started to crack up and ended up having to hide my head in Jason’s shoulder.

“I’m glad this amuses you,” he whispered shaking his head. “I now know never to get on your bad side.”

“You just figured that out? I thought you knew,” I grinned. At the end of the movie Tamesis and Ethan left.

“Bye, we’ll hang out again soon. That was a lot of fun,” Sen told Tamesis.

“Don’t come back,” Celia told Ethan. I winked at him.

“I was going to be really mad at you, but I see what you were hinting at,” Sen said. “Tamesis is really cool, I want to be friends with her, I think she’d fit into our group. I’m going to bed, g’night.” I found Celia talking to Jason, her revenge.

“No, you are not coming over here,” she said.

“I’m just grabbing the dishes, I’ll wash them while you talk,” I picked them up. “That’s all the time you get.” I went into the kitchen. I didn’t try to eavesdrop, I knew where my relationship was with Jason, and we were friends. That’s all. “Done,” I called.

“Well, thank you for a lovely night,” Jason said as I walked him to the door. “We’ll have to do it again? Maybe, just us?”

“Sure, we’re friends,” I knew Celia was listening.

“Goodnight,” he chuckled.

“Night,” I shut the door. “I’m going to bed, Celia.” I shut the door to my room.

“My revenge will work,” she muttered as she passed by. I just laughed, we’ll see.