Patton let go of Ashton and hopped off the motorcycle onto the street in front of his house. "Thanks for the ride."

"No problem." The boy shrugged. "Anytime, really."

Patton smiled at him. "Okay well..." he trailed off his grip on his bag strap tightening slightly. The realization that he was now going to have to spend the whole afternoon alone again suddenly hit him. He desperately tried to keep on his happy facade. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Ashton noticed something off in the atmosphere and felt the need to not leave just yet. He looked around a bit. "There aren't many cars around. Is anyone home?"

Patton was surprised by the question, and looked back at him with his eyes slightly wide. "Um... no my parents work late, so I'm alone most of the time."

"No siblings?" Ashton asked.

"A brother, but he's older and off at college now." Patton replied a bittersweet feeling washing over him as he remembered how his brother used to always spend time with him after school.

"Well that's sucky." Ashton frowned before thinking for a moment. "Hey, I don't have any plans, besides going home and hating my life, you want me to keep you company for a bit?"

"Really?" Patton asked peeking up slightly. "You don't have to get home?"

"Nah." Ashton replied. "After all we are friends now."

"Okay!" Patton replied. "Come on in."

"Cool." Ashton replied kicking up the kickstand and gently letting the bike down before getting off and following Patton inside.

-&-

Patton laughed loudly as he sat on the armchair across from Ashton who was seated on the couch. "You really did that?"

Ashton who was smiling, also in amusement, nodded. "I did. They didn't even know what to do with me really so I just got a few lunch detentions."

"You're ridiculous." Patton chuckled.

Ashton's stomach then growled.

Patton noticed this. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving!" He replied semi-dramatically.

"Do you want some dinner?" Patton offered.

"Sure can you cook?" Ashton asked.

"No. At least not yet. I'm getting lessons. How about you?" Patton asked.

"I couldn't cook to save my life." Ashton replied. "Pizza?"

"Pizza." Patton nodded before standing to get the phone.

-&-

"You're sure you can stay for dinner?" Patton asked as they were waiting for their pizza to arrive.

"Yeah I don't usually eat with my dad anyway." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"What about your mom?" Patton asked.

"Um..." Ashton trailed off suddenly getting quieter as he rubbed his palms across his knees a few times. "She... died."

Patton widened his eyes feeling guilt spark in him. "Oh... I'm sorry..."

"It's Fine." Ashton assured him shaking his head. "It was... a long time ago."

Patton nodded not really knowing what to say. He thought his parental situation was bad, but he could never even imagine life if his mother died...

"Where's your bathroom?" Ashton asked after the short silence.

"Oh um, down the front hall last door to your right." He replied pointing in the general direction.

Ashton smiled. "Thanks man, be back in a sec." he then stood from the couch.

Just as he left the room Patton's phone rang. He looked at it and felt he's heart swell when he saw Logan's name across the screen. He answered. "Hello!"

"Hello Patton." Logan's uniform voice came from the other end.

"Hey Logan." Patton felt his smile expand. "Why'd you call me, you almost never do that."

"I wanted to assure you arrived home safely." He replied simply.

Patton felt his heart beat speed up and fought back a squeal. "I did. Why would you worry so much?"

"Well statistically motorbikes are proven to be quite dangerous." Logan said talking quickly.

"Awe." Patton chuckled. "Well I'm fine, but thank you for asking. How about your doctors appointment? Did it go well?"

"Yes It was just an ordinary checkup. I'm as healthy as ever." He assured him.

"Good I'm glad." Patton relied.

Just then Ashton walked back into the room. "Yo Peppy, pizza's here."

"Was that Ashton?" Logan asked his tone changing ever so slightly.

"Um yeah he's staying for dinner." Patton answered. "Look Logan I have to go. Thanks for calling, and I'll see you tomorrow Kay?!"

Logan didn't answer for a moment before replying with a hard to decipher. "Very well then, goodbye." Before hanging up.

Patton looked at his phone in confusion. Did I say something wrong?

-&-

Once the pizza arrived the short lived tension between Patton and Ashton went away and they were back to joking and laughing with each other. Ashton told about all the crazy stuff he'd get himself into at his other schools, and Patton explained why his parents weren't around, and a few fun stories he had with Roman, but mostly listened to his new found friend speak.

He noticed how after a short while Ashton relaxed a lot. He laid back a bit, and smiled more, not seeming as resistant to laugh. And Patton couldn't help but feel good about that. To Patton Ashton was one of those people who you could just take an automatic liking to. You could just tell that even though he seemed rough and closed off on the outside, he was a genuinely good person. He was just simply afraid of caring too much. He found himself realizing just how much Ashton had closed himself off to most people. After all, throughout all his stories Ashton never mentioned his family or any long time friends. When one name popped up it was almost never repeated. He was glad he could make the new student open up a bit.

"It's getting late I should probably get home." Ashton said his cheerful state deflating a bit.

"Okay." Patton replied hopping off his stool. "I'll walk you out."

Ashton followed him to the front door, and they stopped on the steps in front of the house.

"Thanks for keeping me company. It was fun." Patton smiled at him.

"Anytime Peppy." Ashton smiled back. "I'll catch you tomorrow."

"Mhm. Bye bye." Patton chirped with a little wave.

Ashton chuckled before walking to his motorcycle, getting on, and riding off with one last wave.

Patton watched him leave before going back inside. He stopped in the hall leaning back against the wall and taking out his phone. He looked at the lock screen for a few moments before sighing and typing in his code. He went to his contacts and hit the call button next to Logan's name.

It rang a few times before he answered. "Hello?"

"Hey Logan..." Patton trailed off feeling an odd sense of nervousness emerge upon hearing the other's calm voice. "I... um... wanted to apologize for cutting our call short earlier."

Logan was quiet for a second before he sighed quietly. "It is alright, you were obviously busy entertaining a guest. I'm sorry if my farewell sounded a bit cold, I did not intend for it to."

"Oh no that's okay!" Patton said quickly. "I mean I did notice and was worried I offended you, but I know you didn't have any cruel intent."

"Patton..." Logan's voice softened slightly. "I would never want to do anything that would even be considered cruel against you... My intentions are far from harming you."

Patton felt a warm feeling spread throughout his body as his heartbeat sped up, and he had to pause a second because he was smiling so much. "I know..."

Logan then cleared his throat. "Anyway, our project is nearly complete, and I should be able to continue driving you home regularly now. You don't need to find any alternative modes of transportation."

Patton chuckled. "Does it bother you so much that I rode a motorcycle today?"

"Yes the motor cycle is what bothers me..." Logan muttered.

"What?" Patton asked not hearing him.

"Nothing." Logan answered quickly. "I'm simply saying it doesn't hinder me a in anyway to drive you home, so don't ever think you can't confide in me."

"Alright!" Patton chirped.

Logan paused again. "Hey Patton..."

"Yes?" He asked curiously.

"Never mind... I'll see you tomorrow." He stated.

"Oh, okay." Patton replied. He was still curious but he didn't want to push it. "Goodbye."

"Goodnight Patton, get proper sleep." Logan told him his voice soft again.

"Thanks Logan." Patton felt his heart skip a beat again. "Sweet dreams."

Then he hung up.

Hey guys, sorry if this is bad... idk it just seems like it'd be boring, but idk. So, Ashton's character was developed a bit more. And return of Jealous Logan™️ XD. I'm trying to just developer the characters and relationships a bit before I just throw them into it so please be patient with me. Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋