“So the two of you broke up?” My mother asked in a very disappointed tone, and then looked at me, almost as if she knew.

“Um, not exactly…We’re taking a sort of break. We decided to work on getting our priorities straight.” She lied. I have to admit, hearing her refer to Aiden and herself as ‘we’ made me feel a tinge of jealousy.

My dad swallowed his bite of potatoes. “Well I hope everything turns out for the best.” In case anyone was wondering, that is why I love my dad so much.

We all made small chat through the remainder of dinner. My mother stood up and began to collect the dishes, but immediately Ashley stopped her. “Miss Carlin, in light of your hospitality I insist you let me do the dishes.” Ashley said.

“No, it’s alright Ashley. I can do them.” My mom said in a tone that I couldn’t place.

“I insist…” My mother gave up and let Ashley take the dishes. Ashley wasn’t being herself, but I couldn’t help but wonder why.

My parents went into the living room and I helped Ashley with the dishes. “So Martha Stewart,” I began, placing bubbles on the end of her nose and laughing. “When did you become oh so polite?”

Ashley used her upper arm to remove the bubbles. “Well,” she was apprehensive about telling me. I could tell by the way she stumbled through her words. “I just want your parents to like me.”

“You’ve wanted my parents to like you for three years, but you’ve never once tried being this Miss Cleaver.”

“I want your parents to like me in case…” She placed her soapy plates in my dishwater. “In case we become more than friends” I smiled widely. The thought made my heart twitch clockwise until it fell to my stomach. Then the most amazing thing happened. I felt fireworks spilling over in my stomach mixed with cold rain. I’d never felt that before.

“Well I think that is a good idea.” I said back to her with a soft smile. The dishes were done before we knew it. We went into the living room with my parents and sat on the couch. “Anyone else want to watch a movie?” I asked. When everyone agreed, I pulled out Juno from the DVD rack. I placed it in the played and let it run.