Ashley Researches Kenny

A few more hours passed in the library, but Kenny's assistance from Ashley was much more...lax than with Gavin. The blonde girl certainly was pleasant to be around, she was being sweet, helping him find some passages, and filling in some blanks from her family's history, but the one thing Kenny wasn't expecting was the questions. Ashley Woodsen seemed to want to know everything there was to know about him and his town, his family, and friends, just about everything there was to know about Kenny Clark. It was nearing four in the afternoon when Ashley decided to ditch the simple questions and start to get a little bit deeper with the teen, "So, back home in Greenwall, you must have a girlfriend waiting for you, right?" Kenny looked up from his notes, staring back at Ashley for a moment before letting out a half laugh,

"No," He lightly shook his head and softly laughed again, "No, I definitely don't have a girlfriend back home."

Ashley frowned in disappointment, "Why is that such a laugh? You seem like a sweet, nice kind of guy; you being with someone back home wasn't anywhere out of the realm of possibility." Ashley shot back, and Kenny found a small smirk forming on his face, "So no girlfriend...currently? Did you recently break up? Doing something casual?"

Kenny set down his pen and fully sat back up in his seat, "Certainly not," He answered, "To be completely transparent and quell other relationship questions, never been in one of any kind, alright?" He explained with full honesty, uncertain of what to expect out of Ashley now.

Yet, without skipping a beat, Ashley kept right on going, "That's a shame, I think everyone should have at least been in something by our age. These are important years in our lives," Kenny awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, giving an agreeing nod as he started to return to his paper, "What's your type then?"

Kenny quickly looked back to the blonde, "My what?"

"Your type." Ashley replied with a grin, "You know some people like quiet girls, some like brash ones. Some even like mean ones for some reason. What's your poison?"

Kenny certainly hadn't expected to be grilled on his personal life to this level, "Uhhhh, I...I don't think I have a type?" He replied with a shrug, thinking about all the different kinds of girls he'd crushed on in the past.

"Everyone has to have a preference Kenny," Ashley smoothly denied, "Even if its something minor. Do you prefer blondes? Brunette's...Redheads?" She finished, leaning in ever so slightly,

"Oh, um," Kenny blew out a long breath, thinking for a few seconds. He considered the girls in his past once more. He briefly had a thing for a beautiful, sweet blonde named Anna, as well as a long term crush on his older sisters friend, Rachel. But those were when he was much younger, now he often found his eye on his friend Nicole, a brunette in truth but had been dyeing her hair a fiery red for years now. Not to mention his cousin's best friend, Quinn, a natural redhead. And then of course, there was this new girl...Chloe. "I suppose...if you're putting me to the flame, I guess redheads?"

Ashley took in a second long, sharp inhale, seemingly fighting off a cheer at Kenny's answer, though in the next second, she very casually returned to her book, "That's cool, that's cool...wow, lots of history to read about, huh?"

"Hmm? Oh! Yeah, there is definitely a lot of history in your town," Kenny felt a sense of relief overcome him as it seemed Ashley's inquisition was finally past, "It's amazing how many families go back to the earliest days,"

"Yeah, it's pretty crazy," Ashley agreed, flipping her book closed, "So, are you into sports?" The blonde smiled, resting her chin on her palm,

Kenny shut his eyes and let out a very soft exhale, "Sports?" He repeated, giving into the blonde Woodsen and closing his book as well, "I guess so? I watch my friend JJ's hockey games?"

"I basically go to all the football games around here -- er, I did, before I left my ex. He was a big star on the team," Ashley said with indifference, "But that's whatever. What about other ones besides hockey? Do you watch football? Or are you maybe more of a soccer person? Because you really strike me as a soccer person!"

"Uhhh, I think I've watched a few games here or there? Not something I really follow, to be honest," Kenny truthfully answered, "As I said, most of my hobbies are indoors. You know, video games or personal research on old criminal cases. I'm...not that interesting," He admitted with a weak breathy laugh,

"Do you always do that? Undercut yourself, I mean?" Ashley merely asked back, and Kenny silently shrugged back, "Well, I'd tell you to stop it. You seem like a perfectly enjoyable person to be around. I know plenty of guys and girls alike who prefer to spend their free time inside." Ashley pointed out before her eyes widened, and she let out a small clap, "You know what?! I just remembered! Zack's neighbor, Chloe, she's really big into games too. She plays with Zack all the time, Gavin too! You should totally ask her about it; I'm sure with Zack went in your place, she'd appreciate a new rival to play against,"

"O-Oh, uh, s-sure...Yeah, I'll ask her about that," Kenny scooted out of his chair, "You know, Ashley, it's been really great talking to you, but I think I'm pretty beat for the day. I might just head back to the Bishop's house, finish settling in and take an early night. I have that tour tomorrow after all,"

"Oh, okay, Kenny, no problem!" Ashley sweetly replied, "You go ahead; I can put the books back!"

"You sure? Gavin and I took out a lot of them, I can --" Ashley shook her head, moving to Kenny's side and ushering him off with a gentle push on his lower back,

"Don't be silly! You head back, I got this! You go relax, talk to the family, talk more with Gavin and Chloe, whatever you want!" Kenny gave a small nod,

"Alright? I guess I'll see you later?" Ashley gave a final beaming smile and waved him off, "Bye."

As Kenny crossed through the Library and left through the front door, Ashley let out a tipping cheer, "He's perfect! Finally, after so long, I got someone for McRose!"

Chloe sat in a nice wicker lounge chair on the front porch; a book rested on the small end-table next to her, and she lazily swiped through her phone, which at this point was starting to run low on battery. "You're still out here?" Chloe looked up from her phone finding her younger sister Holly stepping out the front door, "Chloe it's been like...all day?"

"So? It's nice out," Chloe shrugged nonchalantly, "It's not a crime to spend the day outside, Holly. You might even benefit from it. It could...give you perspective for your painting," She added with a confident firmness in her voice,

"You're waiting for that new guy, aren't you?" Chloe's eyes widened and Holly grinned, "I knew it,"

"What are you talking -- Don't be ridiculous! I'm just enjoying the day!"

Holly let out a half scoff, "Chloe...you brought a book out," She grabbed it off the table and gave it a small shake in front of her face, "You finished the book!"

"And? Not my fault you don't like to read as much as I do!" Chloe fired back, her cheeks starting to turn flush,

Holly laughed tossing the book down, "Oh my God, you're too funny. Are you really crushing on the new guy already? He got here, what, less then five hours ago?"

"I am not crushing on him! Geez, Holly, I met him, we talked for a minute, I gave him some advice on what to do for his paper, and sent him off with Gavin. That's not crushing on him. I'm just doing as Zack asked and being helpful," Chloe defended, scooting her chair to the side, trying to ignore the younger redhead,

Holly moved over to the balustrade, climbing up it and sitting on the edge in front of her sister once more, "Oh yeah, I'm sure you'd really like to help him out, wouldn't you?"

"Oh my God, shut up!" Chloe's face was burning red,

"Look at you, you're getting so worked up!" Holly snickered, unable to help herself from teasing her big sister, "You must really be into this new love connection, huh?"

"I swear to God, Holly, I am going to --" Chloe hissed, "Go back inside! I am not crushing on him! I am not looking at him! I am sitting here, that's all!"

"Oh come on, Chloe, I was only messing around. Who cares if you like him or not? I'm pretty sure we've all looked at a guy before and thought...Damn, if I could get five minutes alone with him in a closet," Holly said, taking a few thoughtful moments to think about Zack Bishop, "Anyway, if you like him, why not take a shot? He's only going to be here a week. And it's totally time that you get to knock the dust off it, and finally start using what God gave you,"

Chloe let out a loud scoff, lowering her head, and cupping her hands over her ears, "I hate you. I really do. I hate you sooooooo much, Holly." The older McRose muttered while Holly let out another laugh.

As her laugh ended, Holly let out a sigh and looked around. Her brow raised and she quickly hopped down back onto the porch, "Show time," Holly patted Chloe on the shoulder, making her glance up and immediately spot Kenny walking up the sidewalk. Chloe quickly stood up but before she even took the first step, she locked up, "Oh lord, get a move on girl!" Holly hissed giving her older sister a needed push that caused her to head down the porch just in time to catch Kenny at the end of the Bishop driveway.

"H-Hey," Chloe's voice cracked, though she quickly **** a cough to play it off, "Excuse me, sorry."

"No problem," Kenny lightly laughed back, "And hey back,"

The two stood in an awkward silence for a few moments, "I'm...Chloe, you know, from earlier?" The redhead meekly reminded the teen who let out a very warm, buttery laugh that instead of embarrass her, only made her feel all the more comfortable.

"Yeah, Chloe, I remember you. I'm Kenny," He ever so gently teased making her let out a tension releasing laugh of her own,

"S-Sorry, I, um, I haven't met someone new around her in a while, I'm a little...awkward," Chloe tucked some of her amber locks behind her ear, "H-How was your time at the library with Gavin?"

"Oh! Uh...interesting?" Kenny slowly nodded, thinking over the days events, "Definitely interesting."

"How so?" Chloe inched a little closer,

"Well for starters, Gavin really helped me out. He showed me all the books they had and even offered to help me take some notes! The first few hours there flew by, but I have a lot of great stuff to use for my report already!" Kenny gave his notebook a few joyous taps,

Chloe smiled wide, "That's great! I'm really glad Gavin didn't just run off and ditch you,"

"Oh he did," Kenny corrected and Chloe immediately sighed, "Though, I gathered why. Right when we were closing to the last hour down there, a....Heather? And Ashley showed up. He took off running the second he saw them coming over to us,"

"Ashley Woodsen?" Chloe asked back and Kenny nodded, "R-Right, that makes sense, she stopped here earlier to meet you and I sent them your way,"

"Which, hey, thanks! Ashley was also some help after Gavin left, though...she's kinda into personal questions," Kenny noted and Chloe felt just a tinge of jealousy that Ashley had been been apparently spending a bunch of time with Kenny talking to him. Especially considering she was now single thanks to her leaving Brandon last month, "And then, Heather..." Kenny lifted his wrist looking at the writing on his wrist that made Chloe's eyes ever so slightly flare, "Yep, Heather Ravers offered to give me a town tour tomorrow! So that's awesome!"

Chloe swallowed down her immediate resentment and smiled, "That's great, really. It's so...great that Heather is willing to do that for you," Chloe **** out in a chipper tone,

"Yeah, honestly, you guys are all some of the nicest people I've ever met," Kenny agreed, oblivious to any of Chloe's strained or hesitant words, "I think I might be able to even get this report done by the start of the week at this rate!" Chloe let out a sweet hum and nodded back, the two once again drifting off into a lingering, awkward, silence.

"Chloe could show you around to a few spots too!" Holly suddenly called out causing Kenny to look over to the porch and Chloe to whirl around, flashing her younger sister a **** glare. "Hi! I'm Holly, her younger sister!" Holly sweetly continued,

"Oh, uh, hey there! I'm Kenny," Kenny waved back,

"Nice to meet you!" Holly returned the wave, "But yeah, Chloe could show you around town too! Heather's probably going to show you landmarks, but Chloe knows all the fun spots!"

"Oh yeah?" Kenny smirked looking over to the older redhead who looked as pale as a ghost now,

"Y-Yeah -- Yes! I do. I totally know a lot of cool places," Chloe nervously **** out, "A-After you're done with the report -- I-If you even want to I mean -- I could...show you around town. Like...places that aren't touristy, just...you know...whatever. Cool places?" Chloe sheepishly rubbed her arm and inched back from Kenny,

"That'd be awesome! I'd be so down to explore the whole town, not just the historic places!" Kenny agreed with no hesitation,

"Seriously?" Chloe softly asked back, seemingly in disbelief,

"Oh yeah, honestly, Greenwall never has much to do. Well...it does, but it's all up in the mountains! It'd be cool to see what a town set on the great lakes has to offer. Plus...I'm a bit of a nerd, so I was going to stop in at the police station and see if I could look into some of the famous cases that have happened around here at some point,"

"I have a friend whose dad works for the police! I could ask her about it!" Chloe swiftly offered, "A-And I could...bring you out on a boat tour if you'd like?"

"That'd be a lot of fun! Thanks!" Kenny widely smiled back before giving his notepad a few pats, "Okay, um, I'm gonna head inside and look through these notes. I'm hoping to compile the useful ones for my report so it's easier to get it all typed up later,"

"Sure, yeah, um...Good luck with it!" Chloe nodded taking a few swinging steps back with an adorably cute smile over her face, "I'll...talk to you later or something?"

"Totally, thanks...uh...hmm...Chloe, right?" Kenny teased one final time making the redhead blush and quickly turn away as they separated.

As Kenny headed inside, Chloe returned to the porch where Holly stood waiting with a raised brow, sly smile, and hands on her hips. "Don't you even dare say a word." Chloe sharply warned as she grabbed her book and phone,

"Kenny and Chloe sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Holly loudly sang as she followed her older sister back into their house.