It Started with the List

The Walk

I punched the bag; left, right, left, right. It swung back a bit and my phone chimed. I wiped my head then looked at the text I got.

Mommy: Can you pick up Car and Ty? I'm working til five today. Thanks! Love you!

I checked the time to see it was already 3:50. I quickly texted Carly to go to the bike rack and went to go take a quick 2 minute shower.

I walked on the sidewalk, whistling a random tune from a song I heard awhile ago.

"Dude, I never knew being single could be so much fun." A girl sighed, a few yards ahead of me.

"Yeah, totally. Why do you think I don't have a boyfriend?" Another voice said with a laugh.

"That's totally the only reason..." The first voice drifted off.

"Whatever. Just be happy you're living the single life now. You're free to do anything you want, unless you're going to get wasted again. You can't do that." The second voice said.

"It was a one time thing!" The first one said.

"You've only been in Texas for 2 days and you go get drunk at a party." The second one says.

"You still love me!" The first one yells.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." The second one mutters.

"Wow, this is what girls talk about? I finally understand why Liz hangs out with us more than any of her girl friends." I say to myself, pulling my phone out and playing Crossy Road. I keep going till I get hit by a train and I bump into someone.

"Hey! Watch it!" A girl hisses at me, turning around abruptly.

"Sorry, sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." I apologized to the blonde standing in front of me.

She just glares at me, not saying anything, for a good 10 seconds. "Shaylie! Stop it! You're creeping him out! Sorry, Ashton. She's just really weird." I look over to see Aileen shaking her head to Shaylie.

"Hi Aileen." I say, giving her a slight wave.

"Wait, wait, wait a freaking minute. You freaking know this guy?!" Shaylie exclaimed, shaking Aileen.

"Yeah... Shaylie, this is Ashton, my neighbor. Ashton, this is my cousin, Shaylie." Aileen introduced.

I gasp, "So, I'm not your friend? Okay, you jerk." I cross my arms over my chest and look away from her.

"I'm not friends with losers." She teased.

"Why are you so mean?" I pout.

"I'm not mean at all. You're just a sensitive baby." She stuck her tongue out at me.

"You didn't tell me you know somebody so hot." Shaylie commented, looking me up and down. Aileen blushed feverishly.

I grinned at the two girls. "So, you guys going to pick up Steven?" They nodded and with that, we continued walking. I was just a little ways ahead of them.

I can hear whispering but can't make out what is being said. "What the heck is wrong with you?" Aileen exclaims.

"It was just a simple question!" Shaylie defends.

"No, he isn't that kind of guy. You could have phrased it better." Aileen answers.

"Who are you girls talking about?" I wonder, turning around to face them.

"No one, go away." Aileen says quickly, looking at the ground.

"Okay..." Girls are so weird.

The middle school comes into view and we walk the rest of the way quietly. "Ash!" I hear someone yell. I turn my head and see someone charging towards me.

"Hen! What are you doing here?" I ask ones he comes over to us.

"Just murdering some frogs, birds, dogs, teachers, snakes. You know, the usual." He listed.

"Went out for a run, sounds like fun." I said with a grin. He laughs and he walks with us to the bike rack.

"Henry! Ashton!" Carly yells, running up to us and giving us a hug.

"Oh, I just love how you call Henry's name before mine." I say sarcastically.

"I'm more important than you, so yeah." Henry said, grabbing Carly in his arms and putting her on his back. I roll my eyes and he smacks my head. "Don't you dare roll your eyes at me, mister." He even snaps and pokes my chest.

"Okay, Miss Vendetta." I say, rolling my eyes again. I block the hand before it hits me again.

"I wonder how you two are even friends." Steven says as he walks up to us with Tyler next to him. "You are almost always fighting."

"How dare you!"Henry yells, smacking Steven's head.

"Hen! Don't hit him!" Carly exclaimed, hitting Henry's head.

"Did you hear this guy, Ash?" Henry asks me. "He said 'friends'. Who does he think I am? Reece? Haha, very funny." He says sarcastically.

"Steven, don't get it wrong. They're not 'friends', they're bros. Completely different concept." Tyler explains to Steven.

"Brothers fight." Henry tells him.

"And brothers stick together even if they fight." I say.

&&&&&&

#LIFELESSONS jk, jk. Anyway, haven't posted in forever, sorrys. Hope this Aileen+Henry+Fam+NewCharacter= Happy Reader I don't even know anymore...........

Chloe Moretz to the top who plays Shaylie Bryan.