Chapter Text
The next day, everything comes to head.
Ashlyn spent the entire week analyzing EJ, and although he seemed to grow more cheerful each day, there was no sign of any sort of secret meet ups. Ashlyn had no evidence of any odd interactions, so she'd come to the conclusion that either she has been wrong this entire time, and her cousin is just in a genuine good mood, or EJ is one sneaky bitch.
Honestly, Ashlyn has no idea which is correct, but she feels like she's spent enough of her time dwelling on EJ, and it's time to throw in the towel.
Defeat truly is bitter, but she's decided that what EJ chooses to do with his time is none of her business, and he'll tell her when he's comfortable. Ashlyn is going to leave this whole mess alone.
Or so she thought.
It's during fourth block, and Ashlyn is walking to her creative writing class, coming back from a trip to the bathroom. She's walking down the hall, brainstorming ideas for her essay's thesis, when the janitor's closet ten feet away pops open.
Ashlyn stops in her tracks and watches as a boy, tall and dark-haired, steps out of the closet. She stares as he attempts to close the door quietly, and as soon his body turns all the way out from behind the door, recognition sparks her brain.
"EJ?" She calls out tentatively. The boy startles, snapping his head up.
"Ashlyn!" EJ says slowly with an awkward laugh, his hand still frozen on the doorknob. "Uh, hey..."
Instantly, Ashlyn notices his bright red cheeks, rumpled shirt, and swollen lips. She calculates EJ's wide, bashful eyes and how he looks like a small child getting caught stealing sweets.
Ashlyn narrows her eyes. "Whatcha doing in the janitor's closet, EJ?"
"O-Oh!" EJ rakes a hand through his hair, tossing his cousin a full grin. "Just, you know...looking for...hand sanitizer..."
Ashlyn stares directly into EJ's lying eyes, enjoying the way he squirms. Even when they were little, EJ was a god awful lier. Apparently, he never outgrew it.
She crosses her arms and takes a step forward. "Really?"
EJ nods like a Muppet. "Yeah."
"Yeah?" Ashlyn's voice is cool, firm, and doused with just the right amount of skepticism. "'Cause, it kinda looks like someone was in there with you."
"What?" EJ laughs again, loud and unnatural. "Why would you, why would you think that? W-Why would it take two people to get hand sanitizer?"
Ashlyn doesn't miss a beat. She takes another step forward, closing in on him like prey. "Why are you lying, EJ?"
Another laugh breaks from his mouth, this time high and breathy. "What? Um, I'm not."
She wonders if EJ knows how fake he sounds. "Who was in there with you?"
"I was just - getting hand sanitizer, Ash. No big deal-"
"Come on, EJ, no one goes into that closet unless they're-"
"Why do you care so much?" Suddenly, EJ's avoiding her eyes and stuffing his hands in his pockets.
Ashlyn picks up on his discomfort and instantly backtracks. "I don't, I just..."
"It doesn't...matter, who I was with," he cuts in, voice soft and quiet.
Ashlyn ignores the fact that just admitted to being in the closet with someone. Instead of shouting her victory, she shuts down her accusing interrogation act and approaches him with a softer, gentler tone.
"I know, EJ. I'm not - you know I won't care who she is-"
EJ finally meets her eyes before whispering, "Can you just...leave it alone, please?"
Ashlyn doesn't even care that he interrupted her. She doesn't remember that last time EJ allowed himself to be this vulnerable around her, and, to say the least, it concerns her.
Ashlyn tilts her head and shoots him her most open and friendly look, but even that doesn't hide the worry shinning in her eyes. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm great," EJ responds with a wide grin. Ashlyn should have know he'd do this, and now she's angry at herself for thinking that EJ was opening up. Without fail, almost every time she's seen the boy even a little bit less than happy, EJ shoves himself into a corner and plasters on a fake smile. But Ashlyn can look at him and see how it never reaches his eyes, and she'll be damned if she lets him get away with it again.
As much as she'd love to get into a deep conversation about EJ's emotional health, it's the middle of fourth block, and they're standing in a public high school hallway; it's not the place for a heart-to-heart.
"I'm gonna go," EJ says after a second of quietness.
Ashlyn puts on her own fake smile. "You might wanna fix your collar. And your hair, god," she laughs, causing EJ to bring his hands up self consciously.
"Thanks," he whispers, and Ashlyn gets the vibe that he's not just talking about the fashion tip. "I'll see you at home, Ash."
Ashlyn's eyes follow him as he pushes past her.
She doesn't stop thinking about their conversation all afternoon.
•••
Ashlyn respects EJ's wish of her minding her own business, but that doesn't stop her from conspiring about it. It's late in the night, and Ashlyn's bundled under a few of her aunt's quilts, the subject still floating through her mind.
The more she's thought about it, the more it puzzles Ashlyn. There has to be a reason for EJ's secretive behavior. She's 100% sure now (EJ kind of confirmed it himself earlier today) that her cousin is in a relationship someone.
EJ has never hidden any of his girlfriends before. Ashlyn wouldn't say he's a super affectionate guy, but he's publicly hugged and kissed his previous partners. It's not like he's never been down this road with anyone before. There hasn't even been any incidents where the gang disliked EJ's dates, so his secretivness isn't stemming from past trauma.
Maybe Ashlyn is just over sensitive, but she can't help but feel like the reason EJ is holding out on them is because he's worried they won't accept his decisiom to date whoever this girl is. Whether Ry is an outcast, stoner, geek, or maybe something about her appearance or interests, something about her is causing EJ to hide her identity.
The anxious parts of her brain are putting in their two cents by providing a variety of unique, unlikely but possible theories. Like, what if EJ is in an unhealthy relationship? What if he's embarrassed by their friends, so he's deliberately keeping Ry away? What if this turns out to be another Nini situation, and EJ gets his heart broken again?
The last one seems to be her most prominent thought. EJ is so guarded, all the time, even from the people he loves. She doesn't know the extent of his emotional distress, but she really doesn't think he can handle another break up. Especially if Ry makes EJ so much happier.
Ashlyn absolutely adores Nini, and she knows she's not to blame for their break up, but that didn't make it any easier to witness.
Then again, they're teenagers, and heart break with angst is their speciality. Besides, EJ bounced back in the end. He's got himself a girlfriend now, and possibly the closest friendship she's ever seen him have. He's strong and durable, and not completely healed, but he's been making steady progress.
She'll be damned if she has to watch him fall apart all over again.