When they entered the house, Luca rushed off into his own room, leaving Betsy and Ashton to linger alone near the entrance.

"Do you want something to eat?" Betsy asked, breaking the silence.

"Sure," Ashton smiled, and followed her down the hallway and into the kitchen.

She opened the fridge, her vision flicking over the array of food inside until she closed it shut and hurried over to the pantry cupboard instead.

Ashton took a seat on a stool and allowed himself to look around the room a little. Family pictures were scattered here and there, and he let his mind wander as he gazed at one in particular that was stuck on the fridge with a magnet. It consisted of four people and a dog, and it was easy to assume it was taken years ago.

He stood from his seat and stalked over towards it, peering at the photo more intently. He felt bad for prying as Betsy was grabbing snacks from the pantry but he couldn't help it—he was curious.

He immediately guessed who was who as it wasn't very difficult. A mother, a father and two small twins—Betsy and Luca, who seemed to be around the age of nine—standing in front with a large dog in their arms. They were happy with bright smiles plastered across their faces and it made a little bubble inside of him, happy too.

Betsy turned around to see him looking at it, and she instantly went over to it and ripped the photo off of the fridge, snatching the family away from his eyesight.

"Sorry—" Ashton started in shock, "—I was just looking, I didn't mean to pry."

Betsy went to send him cold glare but felt herself being unfair—he was just looking and she knew she was making it into a bigger deal then it should be.

"No, I'm sorry.. it's just that photo is sensitive to me. I don't want you seeing it and then asking questions," She explained with a heavy sigh.

Ashton nodded with a small smile, "I won't. I get it, it's private and personal."

She returned the smile, finding her stomach curling up in an odd, strange feeling which she instantly brushed off and didn't think on it any further.

"Thank you," she said quietly, before turning and grabbing the chips and lollies she had gotten from the pantry.

Ashton followed her through the one-story house, to which she led him to a door. When she swung it open, he was met with bright red painted walls that almost burned his eyes with our much of the colour was used.

"You uh..really like red huh?" he asked as they both entered inside.

"Yeah," she grumbled, seeming more distant then before as she threw herself on the double bed and swung off her school bag.

Ashton did the same, sitting carefully and cautiously on her bed as he watched at her grab out some textbooks from her bag.

"Okay let's begin shall we?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Ashton.

He nodded and took out his own books, unlike on Thursday, he decided it would be best to stray away a little from the questions.

So he focused on the work and allowed Betsy to help him.

———♡———

"Ashton are you sure you need tutoring?"

He looked up with a deep frown, "What do you mean?"

"You already know all of this.." she explained, her eyes scanning over the answers he had given her to which he got them all correct.

He didn't seem like he was in need of her help, not at all.

"I mean that's because you're a great tutor!" Ashton said, eyes widening as he realised he should of at least attempted to make it seem like he was somewhat dumb.

He wasn't the best in his English class, but he deserved to be there.

"..Okay then," she muttered, "Ash are you sure?"

Betsy slapped a hand over her mouth as she heard the nickname escape her lips and sit in the air lightly.

Ashton's lips pulled up into a tight smirk and he grew the tiniest bit cocky as he became overwhelmed with delight.

He was also glad for the distraction because she was one second away from figuring out he was lying about the whole 'I need tutoring'.

"Ash..huh? I like that.." he said with eyebrows raised.

"I'm sorry I—I didn't mean to.." she mumbled, hiding her face in her hands.

He drew out a hand and grazed his fingers gently on her shoulder and leaned in slightly.

"It's okay honey, " he whispered, "It's cute."

She peeked up at him through her fingers and began laughing, "You're cheesy dude."

He leant back and let out a loud chuckle, embracing their shared laughter.

A smile turned into a grin because Ashton realised he genuinely liked the girl in front of him and he was going to do everything he could, to make her his.