teenage dirtbag

❝ It’s me, indeed.❞

He joked, pulling the girl in for a small hug before pulling away again. Eyes perking up at her question.

❝ I’ve been good. Busy with finishing up college and work and all that crap I don’t really wanna talk about.❞ A low chuckle fell from his lips as he peered down at her. ❝ How about you? I see you’ve chopped all your hair off. ❞ The male commented, fingers reaching up to brush through a strand of her air.

His fingers lingered— as did his eyes. His joking persona seemed to dissappear and for a moment he was really looking at her. Snapping himself out of it, he snatched his away from her face, eyes averting elsewhere. Anywhere but her face. He set them on his coat, pulling the article of clothing from his body; resting it on the nearest chair.

❝ Last I heard you were doin’ good in college. Man, that’s so weird. Feels like just yesterday I was starting college and now you’re already half way through.❞

Glancing over the living room, he sighed a bit. ❝ Also weird that you guys moved. I mean, same town and all but I was used to your old house. ❞ The same chuckle from before sounded and he glanced over at the staircase.

"Yeah, I feel that," Ashley agreed with a chuckle. "But that's good, I'm glad you're good." The brunette opened her mouth to reply, only to pause as she felt his fingers run through her dark hair. Any reply she had planned was gone, her eyes fixated on his until he quickly retracted his hand. Looking down at the maple flooring beneath her feet, Ashley soundlessly cleared her throat. "I am eighteen now, it's about time I looked like it," she said with a short laugh. "Crazy, isn't it? How time flies like that. Halfway through my freshman year and in a new house, while you're nearly finished."

Biting her lower lip, Ashley looked around the room, glad that her mom had gone to the kitchen and her dad and brother were currently glued to some sporting event on the tv. "I think that can be done," the girl smiled, placing her half empty mug on the mantle and heading towards the stairs. She could feel her heartbeat increase as she glanced over her shoulder, making sure Miles was following behind her. 

Taking the steps one at a time, she made her way over to the first door on the left. "So this is Cooper's room," she pushed the slighty ajar door open to reveal a messy, typical boy's room. Continuing on, Ashley pointed out the bathroom and her parent's room, before finally coming to a stop in front of hers.

Miles felt so good. Good to be home. Good to be with his friends and family. Usually he’d be spending Christmas Eve over at his house but his parents were fighting. Again. So his best friend Cooper invited him over and really, how could Miles say no? Cooper’s family was like his own. They treated him as if he was their second son and he had absolutely no problem with it. Even enjoyed it. Suppose when you come from a broken home likes his, anything family related is nice.

Miles had been best friends with Cooper since second grade when the two pulled endless pranks on each other until they set their sights on the other classmates. Working together tends to build friendships. Then there was Cooper’s little sister who he too, along the years, built a pretty solid friendship with. If Christmas day was going to suck cause of his parents, at least he’d get to have a nice Christmas Eve with Coop and his family.

The male followed behind Cooper into the house, his parents yelling out in excitement when they saw him standing there. They pulled the two boys into hugs and Miles gladly returned them. He couldn’t help but wonder why his family couldn’t be this happy all the time. After giving his mom a hug, his eyes peered across the room. A girl stood leaned against the fire place. It took him a moment but his mind finally caught up with him. It was Cooper’s little sister. A year at college and you’d think she was a completely different person.

Making his way over to where she stood, a smile crept on his lips. He could tell much better that it was her now that he was closer. But she still looked— different. Older, maybe?

After spending the past three months out of state, Ashley was glad to be back home with her family. She had missed them far more than she originally anticipated, and she couldn't wait to have Christmas Eve dinner and open gifts the following morning, as usual. But when she found out her older brother's friend, Miles, would be joining them, she couldn't help the excited butterflies that formed in her stomach. 

Like any other girl with a crush, of course she ran up the stairs to make the necessary last minute changes to her appearance. It was imperative that she looked good tonight; after all, she hadn't seen Miles since the summer after she graduated from high school. Even though her brother's best friend had been completely oblivious to the crush she had had on him for the past five years, Ashley had only recently changed quite a bit. Her once long hair had been cut off, now leaving a more mature bob, and thanks to Youtube she discovered the wonders of make up. 

The sound of the doorbell ringing caused the eighteen year old to jump from her seat in front of the mirror, quickly straightening out her black skater dress and racing down the stairs. With her luck, she had managed to make it into the living room in time to grab a cup of hot chocolate and lean against the fireplace before Miles entered the room and was embraced by her parents. And boy, did he look good.