Ashlynn's PoV

“We’ll be over first thing tomorrow.” Zacky promised as we all exited Brian’s car. Brian was already at the door by the time everyone had piled out.

“Okay. Sounds good.” I replied. Zacky walked over to me and, before Brian could stop him, placed a warm, sweet goodbye kiss on my lips that lingered for a few seconds. I smiled after he pulled away, feeling the butterflies rising in my stomach again. He returned the smile and looked directly in my eyes, saying with his beautiful green eyes what he couldn’t verbalize out loud. I love you. Brian cleared his throat, cutting off our moment.

“Goodnight, Ashlynn.” He mumbled and shuffled over to his parked car with his hands in his pockets. I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. He looked back at me wistfully one last time before he and Matt got into the car and drove off. The only one left was Johnny.

“Dude, can I crash here tonight? I can’t even see straight.” Johnny asked, placing his hand on his forehead.

“Sure.” Brian said as he unlocked the door and walked inside without another word. A wave of guilt washed over me. He’s probably mad that Zacky kissed me... I thought.

“Ashlynn, be a dear and help drunk old Johnny into the house, please?” Johnny said, reaching out his hand. I smiled and took his hand, leading him inside. As I closed the door, Johnny stumbled up the stairs and into the guest bedroom, leaving Brian and me alone. He was sitting on the couch with his leg crossed over the other and his hand over his mouth, looking away from me.

“Are you mad at me?” I squeaked, sitting next to him.

“No.” He said, still not looking at me. “I’m mad at Zack.”

My shoulders sank. “I can’t stop him from liking me.”

“No, but you can stop him from kissing you like that.” He growled, finally turning to look at me.

“I didn’t know he was going to do that.” I said softly. “You have to believe me, Brian.”

Brian’s face softened. He lifted my chin with his finger and looked in my eyes. He took a deep breath and finally spoke. “Ashlynn, I like you. A lot. That’s why I’m acting like this. I want you to like me back.”

“Brian...” I hesitated for a moment, trying to think of the right words to say.

He smiled and took my hands in his. “What is it? You can say it. I won’t get mad, I promise.”

“I really like you too, Brian.” I whispered, tears glistening in my eyes.

“Why are you crying?” He asked, startled.

“Because... I don’t want to come between you and Zack. You two are best friends...” I trailed off.

“Ashlynn, you won’t come between us. Zack and I have been friends since high school. We have disagreements sometimes, but it always heals itself. You don’t have anything to worry about.” He crooned, leaning forward to kiss me. I felt his soft lips press against mine. I returned the kiss and closed my eyes. Slowly, I parted my lips, allowing Brian access in my mouth with his tongue.

Finally, after about three minutes, Brian returned his tongue to his own mouth and ended the kiss.

“Damn, Ash.” He said through heavy breaths. I laughed and kissed him one last time. Brian pulled me into an embrace. My head rested on his chest and I could feel his heartbeat slowly return to normal and soothe me.

“Brian?” I asked after a few minutes.

“Yeah?” I could feel the vibrations in his chest from his voice next to my ear.

“Who is Sammy?”

Brian looked at me with a sudden sadness. “Sammy is my son. Michelle took full custody of him when we divorced.” He explained, slowly caressing my cheek. “I haven't seen him in over a year.”

“Oh, Brian. I’m so sorry.” I whispered as I reached up and laid my hand on the side of his face. He closed his eyes and placed his hand over mine, letting a single tear fall onto my shoulder.

“Thank you. I... I love you.”

“I love you too.” I smiled. “Don’t cry, Brian. Everything will be okay.”

Suddenly, I felt sleep overtake me and I drifted off in Brian’s arms.

***

“Rise and shine, Ashlynn!” I heard someone yell.

“Nnngh... go away.” I mumbled, swatting at the air.

“No one’s there, smart one.” The same voice taunted. Suddenly, my eyelids were forced open and I saw a familiar face very close to mine.

“Gaah!” I yelled, falling off the couch. “Fuck you, Johnny.” I said, my voice muffled from the carpet.

Johnny burst into peals of laughter. I slowly sat up and glared at him with daggers shooting out my eyes. “I didn’t know how else to wake you.” He said, trying to stop laughing but failing miserably.

“Breakfast’s ready!” I heard Brian yell from the kitchen. I immediately shot up and ran towards the amazing scent of bacon and pancakes.

“Where’s the bacon?” I said excitedly. Brian chuckled, took a small piece out of the pan, and offered it to me . I grabbed it with my teeth and ate it happily. “I haven’t had bacon in years.”

“Well, that sucks.” Johnny said, walking into the kitchen. “I eat bacon every day.”

“Obviously.” I retorted.

He looked down at his stomach. “Hey! I’m not that fat! Am I?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “No, Johnny.”

He grinned. “Good.”

“How did you sleep?” Brian asked, looking back at me from his post at the stove.

“Like a rock.” Johnny interjected.

“Not you, Christ.” Brian said, laughing.

“I slept pretty well. I kept feeling this hard thing against my back though.” I said, rubbing my lower back. Brian’s face turned red and he turned back to the stove. Once again, Johnny exploded into a fit of laughter. “What? What did I say?” I asked, puzzled.

“Brian got embarrassed!” Johnny sang through laughs.

“Shut up, Johnny.” Brian mumbled, still looking away.

“What did I say?” I repeated, looking around for answers.

“Just never mind.” Brian replied, turning back around with the pan containing bacon in one hand and a spatula in the other. “Get your plates.”

I grabbed a plate that was on the table and held it out for the bacon. “Sorry I embarrassed you, Brian.” I smiled.

He smiled back at me and placed two strips of bacon on my plate. “It’s okay.”

Right as Brian was about to give Johnny his portion, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” I said.

“Good morning, A.” Zacky said, smiling in the doorway.

“‘Morning, Zacky.” I said cheerfully, pulling him into a hug.

“Hey there, Ashlynn.” Matt smiled, his adorable dimples showing.

“Dimples!!” I yelled, poking them playfully. Matt laughed and picked me up, bridal-style, which caused me to yelp and latch onto his neck.

“I take it you don’t like to be picked up?” Matt asked, grinning. I shook my head wildly, my eyes enlarged. Instead of putting me down, he kept walking around the living room. I started to squirm, but his grip tightened.

“Brian! Tell him to put me down!” I yelled in Matt’s ear. All of the guys walked into the living room and immediately started laughing. “Stop laughing and help me, dammit!” This only made them laugh more. I glared at Matt. “I hate you...”

“That hurts, Lynn.” He said, pretending to be sad.

“I don’t care! Put me down!” I said, struggling intensely. By now, the other three guys were on the floor, rolling in laughter. “You aren’t helping!” I yelled at them.

“I... I’m sorry, Ashlynn. You two just look so funny.” Brian said in between laughs.

“I’m cryin’!” Johnny yelled, wiping at his eyes and laughing even more.

“Look what you’ve done.” I said to Matt. “You’ve killed them.” Matt grinned and, to my surprise, planted a kiss on my lips. “Why did you do that?” I whispered, making sure that Brian hadn’t seen what had just happened.

Matt shrugged, moving me up and down along with his shoulders. “I don’t know. Am I not allowed to kiss you?”

“I didn’t mean that. It just took me by surprise is all.” I replied.

“Do you like surprises?” He asked, leaning in for another kiss.

“Sort of.” I smiled and allowed him to kiss me again, this time the kiss lasting for three seconds.

After the kiss had ended, Matt put me down and the other guys eventually stopped laughing.

“My abs hurt, man.” Johnny said, clutching his stomach and tittering every so often.

“So what happened to breakfast?” I asked Brian.

“Oh, right. We should go do that before it’s too late.” Brian replied.

“Did you make enough for Zacky and Matt?” I asked, looking at them.

“Yeah.” I heard the muffled answer from the kitchen. I nodded and took my seat at the table, with Brian at my right and Matt at my left.

We all ate in silence for a few minutes. Out of nowhere, I felt a hand squeeze my left knee. I jumped out of surprise and knocked into the table, causing the plates to rattle.

“What the hell was that, A?” Zacky asked, grabbing his glass of orange juice before it fell off the table.

“I should ask Matt the same thing!” I said, whipping my head towards him. Matt was covering his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

“I- I couldn’t help it.” He said, trying to calm himself.

“I hate you.” I said again, glaring at him.

“I’m sorry, Ashlynn.” He smiled, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“Don’t do it again.” I mumbled, returning to my breakfast.

“She’s so cute when she’s pissed.” Johnny said, grinning.

“Shut up, Johnny.” I snapped, stabbing a piece of bacon and shoving it in my mouth.

“See?” Johnny pointed at me. Brian chuckled.

“Don’t you start too, mister.” I said, tapping him with my fork.

“Well, damn, Ash. I’m not allowed to laugh now?” He asked, poking me playfully.

“Eat your breakfast. All of you. I’ve got plans for today.” I said, making my voice sound cheerful.

“Plans? Like what?” Matt asked, perking up.

“You’ll see.” I said, smiling. I took my last bite, cleared my plate, put it in the dishwasher, and sat back down at the table.

“Well, no point in wasting time.” Johnny said, stuffing a large bite in his face.

“I can’t help but think these plans have something to do with girl stuff.” Zacky said, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

“I’m not telling.” I sang, winking at him.

“Shit. It is girl stuff.” Zacky mumbled, finishing his plate. I laughed and shrugged.

“Depends on your definition of ‘girl stuff.’” I replied, making air quotes.

“Shopping, the mall, perfume, manicures, gossiping.” Matt said, listing them off on his fingers.

“Um, no. That shit is for girly girls.” I said, shaking my head.

“You’re not a girly girl?” Johnny asked.

“Do I look like one?” I answered, gesticulating to my clothes. “I’m wearing Brian’s clothes for God’s sakes.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot you were wearing my stuff.” Brian said, grinning.

“Yeah, and I was planning on buying me some new clothes. If that’s alright with you guys.” I said, looking around the table.

“I don’t see why not.” Matt replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“Sweet. After you slowpokes finish your food, we can go to the shopping center.” I said to Brian and Matt.

“Alright, alright, I’m eating.” Brian said, waving his hand. I laughed and kissed him on the cheek. This earned a chorus of Aww’s from the guys. I stuck out my tongue at them and jumped onto the couch from behind, landing into a semi-awkward position of my head hanging off the front of the couch and my feet dangling off the back end. All of the guys started laughing. I strained my neck to look behind me and saw all of them standing right next to my feet.

“Are you gonna help me or what?” I said to Brian. He smiled and, grabbing me by the ankles, pushed me gently until I landed on the floor with a loud “oof.” I jumped to my feet eagerly and straightened my hair.

“So where are we going, Ms. Gray?” Zacky asked with a smile.

“Probably just to a few local 'Mom and Pop' shops downtown.” I said simply.

“Fine with me.” Brian nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Umm, I need a few minutes to get ready.” I said, walking over to the stairs.

“Oh. That’s fine. Take all the time you need.” Matt replied. “We’ll be in the car.” I nodded and took the stairs two at a time, reaching the top in no time.

“Just lock the door when you’re done.” Brian called after me as the four of them exited the house.

I walked into Brian’s room and headed straight for the bathroom. I grabbed Brian’s brush and smoothed out my hair, taking out any tangles that I found. I instinctively reached for my mascara and eyeliner, thinking this was my house again. Instead, I only grabbed the empty counter. “No makeup...” I groaned. “Wait. Brian wears eyeliner sometimes though, right?” I snooped around his cabinet until I found an old eyeliner stick. I applied a thin layer to my top and bottom eyelids and wiped off any stray eyeliner. Satisfactory, I put the eyeliner and brush in their rightful places and walked back down the stairs. I opened the door and locked the door behind me.

“Took ya long enough.” Johnny yelled through the window. Zacky elbowed him hard in the ribs and he let out a loud “oomph!”

“Serves you right.” I heard Matt say faintly. I laughed and got in the car on the passenger side.

“Is that my eyeliner?” Brian asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Maybe...” I said, trying to sound guilty. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all.” He smiled, starting the car and backing up out of the driveway. “You locked the door, right?” I nodded.

“Why does Ashlynn get front seat all the time?” Johnny complained.

“It’s my car.” Brian said, looking at him in the mirror.

“No fair.” He whined, crossing his arms like a six-year-old who didn’t get his way.

“Ha-ha.” I said mockingly.

“You’re lucky, A. You don’t have to sit in the back with this bastard yelling in your ear or whining all the freaking time.” Zacky said, elbowing Johnny in the side again.

“Quit it!” Johnny protested. Zacky responded with his middle finger. I laughed and reached over for Brian’s hand, causing him to smile and look over at me.

“Keep your eyes on the road.” I warned.

“Alright, alright.” He said, slowing down for a red light. “Now can I look at you?”

“Yes.” I grinned. Brian shifted his attention back on me.

“How far is it from here?” Matt asked curiously.

“Only a few more minutes.” I replied. “If memory serves well, then it should be straight up this street and to the right.”

“That’s correct.” Brian nodded and smiled at me. The light changed and he was forced to look back at the road again. For a few minutes, we rode in silence. That is, until Johnny got bored.

“So, Ashy-” Johnny started. I groaned. “Hey, lemme finish.”

I laughed. “Okay...”

“How long have you lived in Huntington Beach?”

“I’ve lived here my whole life. I was born in the hospital here too.” I answered.

“Sweet.” Matt said.

“So you’ve never lived anywhere else?” Johnny asked.

I shook my head. “Nope. This is the only city I’ve known as home.”

“So where did you live before?” Zacky questioned. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind. Lincoln Avenue.” I said.

“Hate to cut off your riveting conversation, but we’re here.” Brian said, pulling into the parking lot of one of my favorite stores.

“Everything Under the Skye?” Matt asked, reading the glass window of the store.

“Yeah. I used to go here all the time. They have all kinds of badass stuff.” I replied, smiling.

“Like Metallica stuff?” He continued.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve seen a few shirts here and there. It’s basically like Hot Topic, but with more... metal stuff.”

“My kinda store!” Matt grinned and jumped out of the Mustang.

“Matt, we’re here because Ashlynn needs clothes.” Brian reminded him.

“I can still buy shit as long as I pay for it.” Matt defended.

“You guys can buy whatever you want, too. This isn’t just for me.” I said, smiling. My smile disappeared. “I don’t have any money, though.”

Brian snaked his arm around my waist. “We’ll pay for it, Ash. Don’t worry about it.”

I smiled at him and started leading everyone towards the door. Ding! The bell on the door rang, alerting the shop owner of our presence.

Notes

Once again, I am soo sorry for not updating :( I got really sick for three days, but I had a lot of time to write as a result. So here is the next chapter. Hopefully you guys like it. I tried to make it longer so it will make up for not updating sooner. Love you guys and I will shut up now :P