As soon as she knocked on the door, a woman opened the door immediately as if she was waiting for her. Which she probably was. The woman gave her a kind smile.
"Are you Star Miller?" She asked. Star nodded rapidly.
"Y-Yes!" She said, and winced at how nervous she sounded. Be more confident! the voice chided. Star clutched her sweaty hands onto her dress. The woman beamed.
"Excellent! Cheryl! Ash! Come meet Star!" Jessica shouted. Star could hear feet running. She saw a little girl with pigtails come in. She assumed the girl must be Cheryl. Cheryl glared at her.
"So this is Ash's new wife?" Cheryl said scornfully. "Bet she won't last." Star was taken aback. Had she done anything wrong? Did her breath smell? Was her hair a mess? Star covertly checked herself while Jessica gave Cheryl a smack.
"Ow!" Cheryl said while rubbing her head. "What did you do that for, Mom!?"
"That's for being rude!" Jessica said. While the two bickered, a boy came into the room. Star's vision narrowed. The boy had blonde hair covered by a red cap and blue-green eyes. He wore a white shirt supported by overalls. As he came nearer, Star realized she was slightly taller than him. Ash looked at Star. She had brown hair and brown eyes. Her skin was pale and flushed, probably because of the journey, he guessed. He saw her outfit and knew instantly that Rutger had given it to her. The old man thought that the town should have a uniform, which was a really dumb idea. Rutger probably gave it to her as a last-ditch attempt to inspire the others to wear it.
It was love at first sight for Star.
Not so much for Ash.
Ignoring Star completely, Ash shot a look at his mother.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He asked Jessica.
"Positive!" Jessica said while smacking a fist to her chest.
"But how are we going to live together? This house is too small for the four of us." Ash smirked.
But to his surprise, his mother smirked back.
"Not to worry! I have a house for the two of you to live together!" Jessica smiled confidently. Ash looked confused.
"But where are you going to find-oh," He realized. "You want us to live at Arachna Farm!? Are you crazy!? That place is haunted!" Ash shouted at his mother. Jessica looked at him disapprovingly.
"Don't raise your voice at me, Ashton!" She scolded him. Ash flushed at the use of his full name, which he despised. "And those stories about the farm being haunted are completely untrue! Now you two head to the farm while I go get ready." Jessica then kicked them out of the house. Star looked nervously at Ash, who was muttering darkly as he kicked a stone. Ash suddenly glanced at her, causing her to flush. Strangely, he looked embarrassed as well. He played with his cap.
"Listen," He said, " I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about my full name." Star looked at him in amazement. He was embarrassed about his name!?
"A-Alright." She said. Ash looked immensely relieved.
"Great!" He said. "So let me show you the way to the farm." Ash strided forward with Star behind him, wondering what the hell had she gotten herself into.