Ask to stay

"You can stay." Ethan blurts out, letting the intrusive thought win.

Ashley blinks a few times, surprised by the offer. "Oh... No, I was going to..." She looks at Alex, considering something to herself, before returning her gaze to Ethan. "I mean... I was just..."

"It's fine." Ethan smiles, turning to Alex. "I mean, we're all friends, right?"

Ashley and Alex look at each other, having a silent conversation with their eyes Ethan is not even remotely equipped to interpret.

After a moment, Alex speaks. "Don't leave on my account..."

Ashley exhales, shruging her shoulder. "I mean... I can stay a few more minutes..." She sets her shoes down slowly.

"Good. So," Ethan looks from one woman to the other, "Couch?"

Two minutes and twenty-six seconds later the three of them are sitting on Ethan's couch dead silent. Ethan is in the middle, Alex on the left, and Ashley the far right. If it was awkward at the door, this is something Ethan doesn't even have a word for. Glancing back and forth at the two of them, he tries to figure out their headspace.

Ashley looks confused. Alex looks pouty.

Thinking for a moment, Ethan tries to break the ice. "So, you both go running?"

"Seems so..." Alex answers.

Ashley shifts.

Ethan nods. "You two ever run together?"

"Nope." Alex pops the 'p' sound slightly.

Ashley smacks her lips. "We, uh, don't really hang out..."

"Yup." Alex makes the same popping sounds on the 'p'.

Nodding again, Ethan sighs slightly. "Why's that?"

"Just... The age difference I suppose..." Ashley shifts again.

Alex shrugs. "Seems right."

That doesn't give Ethan much to work with. "So do you two-"

"Ethan," Ashley clears her throat, "What are we doing here?"

"Uh..."

"That's what I want to know..." Alex huffs, "Are you even reading the room at all?"

"Uh..."

"Right?" Ashley motions past Ethan towards Alex, "This is just not working. No offense, Alex."

"Oh, none taken," she speaks past Ethan as well, "I mean, you're pretty cool, but I just don't think we click."

"Exactly. Lik-" the word catches in Ashley's mouth, "You think I'm cool?"

Alex shrugs slightly, "Yeah, of course."

"Oh..." Ashley blinks. "Hm. Well... I've never had the chance to say this before, but I think you're pretty cool."

Alex frowns. "You're just saying that."

"No, I mean it." Ashley nods, "I see you around town all the time, and I really like your style."

"Huh?" Alex shifts, "Like... My clothes?"

"Yeah," Ashley smiles, "You always have the cutest outfits. Like right now even. You kill it in everything you wear."

"O-Oh...." Alex seems to clear her throat. "Thank you..."

Ethan looks back and forth between the two women. They seem to have forgotten he's even there.

"I really like your high pony as well. It looks so much better than mine..."

"What? No! Yours looks great."

"Eh. Yours still looks better."

"Can you not be so hard on yourself? Seriously. It looks great."

"If you say so..."