Ashlyn and Big Red

**Redlyn** is the friendship/romantic pairing between Big **Red** and Ash**lyn** Caswell. Their relationship began after they kiss for a second time during New Year's Eve.

## History

They most likely crossed paths before the pilot episode, The Auditions, as they attended the same school but Big Red only knows her as "EJ's cousin". They were first seen interacting in What Team? when they danced together. Their friendship began in Thanksgiving when they planned and attended Ashlyn's house party. Their friendship continued to develop until it officially became romantic in Act Two when they kissed. Their relationship wasn't confirmed until they kissed again in New Year's Eve when they made it official.

## Moments

### Season 1

#### Homecoming

* At Homecoming Big Red sits next to Ashlyn at Table 10.

#### What Team?

* During the performance of *Truth, Justice, and Songs in our Key,* they are both shown sharing looks with each other throughout the song. Big Red spins Ashlyn around in the line "*Now it makes us want to dance."*

#### Thanksgiving

* Their friendship began when Big Red offered to help Ashlyn set up her house party, where he paid her a compliment after they joked about rivalry between Ricky and E.J.
* Later on, whilst playing Carlos' game, *High School Musical: The Choosical,* Ashlyn and Bid Red made sure they joined the same team, the *West High Knights*, hinting they were developing feelings for each other.
* When the *West High Knights* were challenged to sing the lyrics of *What I've Been Looking For* to the rhythm of *Get Your Head In The Game,* Big Red and Ashlyn both rapped the lyrics together while laughing.
* After the party had ended, Big Red stayed behind to help Ashlyn clean up. He compared the ballad "Wondering" she wrote for Ms. Darbus' to a "Sara Bareilles song". She was extremely flattered by this and said that was "all I ever wanted to hear in my entire life." They shared another brief moment before he left.

#### The Tech Rehearsal

* They were shown sitting together and talking before being interrupted by Miss Jenn wanting to organize the tech rehearsal. They also stood together afterword's and shared a few looks symbolizing that they had become closer.
* Shortly after whilst Big Red was trying to figure out the light system, Ashlyn asked him if he was okay and offered her help. She then complimented him and reassured him by saying, "you've got this". Big Red was then shown smiling as she left.

#### Opening Night

* Before the show began, Ashlyn walked up to Big Red and asked about how she looked. She asked for "any pearls of encouragement," where Big Red simply told her, "Just be you, Ashlyn. You're enough."
* Ashlyn seemed to lean in for a hug but Big Red got nervous and gave her a high five instead.
* Ashlyn later described them as being "friends" but it was implied that she was lying about her feelings.

#### Act Two

* During Ms. Darbus' ballad's "*Wondering"* Big Red shone the spotlight on Ashlyn, staring and admiring in awe.
* After the production, Carlos finally found a card in the very large basket of flowers which was delivered earlier before the performance began. The card read, "To Ashlyn: Because you get me." and Big Red revealed he was the one who sent the flowers.
* Throughout the post-credits scene, Big Red is shown tap dancing in the empty gym when Ashlyn enters holding the basket of flowers he gave her. They then kiss and are shown smiling and laughing afterword's.

### Season 2

#### New Year's Eve

* They are shown singing together and exchanging looks during *Something in the Air*. Big Red grabs Ashlyn's hand and leads her to the rest of the group.
* Later while Big Red and Ricky are talking he says he is "psyching" himself up to kiss her at the New Years Eve party at midnight. He says he is afraid that the kiss they had in Act Two could have been a "fluke" as it was opening night.
* Big Red gets caught up at his work and texts Ashlyn "PLS order pizza so I have an excuse to come over..." indicating he is very eager to see her. Ashlyn smiles when she receives the text and orders pizza so they can see each other.
* When Kourtney is reading out everyone's new Years Resolutions, Ashlyn's says, "All I want is for our generation to save the planet and I would also like absolute clarity about my love life" which leads to Ashlyn admitting her worry that Big Red hasn't arrived yet.
* When Big Red arrives, E.J comments about how much cologne he is wearing which makes him self conscious. This results in him running away when Ashlyn attempts to make conversation with him. He is then shown trying to wipe it off over a sink before seeing her again.
* When Ashlyn begins to sing her solo part in *High School Musical 2 Medley* he is shown looking at her and smiling.
* As the group begins to countdown to midnight they make eye contact. They slowly make there way over to each other and kiss. They are shown smiling at each other and standing very close after.

#### Typecasting

* They are sitting together at lunch, and Ashlyn announces that Big Red is going to be auditioning this year as well while holding his hand.
* Big red talks to Ricky about how scared he is to disappoint Ashlyn. Ricky then asks him if he likes her, to which he replies, "understatement of the year".
* When Kourtney, Gina and Ashlyn finish their number in the auditions, Big Red is the first to stand up and cheer.
* When it's Big Red's turn to audition, Ashlyn clapped and whistled for him.
* When Ashlyn gets the part of Belle, she goes to tell Big Red, he then hugs her and kisses her on the cheek.

#### Valentine's Day

* Big Red compliments Ashlyn on her dancing with Ricky in rehearsals. He then reveals to her that he has a "really special romantic surprise" for her.
* It is sabotaged when he gets stuck in her locker and scares her, so he tells her to meet him that night at salt lake slices.
* When she arrives he's about to perform his song, but she tells him that she'd like to talk. It's awkward at first but when she opening up to him about her insecurities playing Belle, he proceeds to tell her that she's "perfect" and that she should "play the princess in everything".
* Big Red starts to talk about not feeling "cool enough to date her" and they say that they are glad they're "afraid together."
* They hold hands and wish each other a happy valentine's day.
* They slow-dance to Kourtney singing Beauty and the Beast.
* They sing the duet Red Means Love in the end credits.
* This is the song Big Red was going to sing to Ashlyn as a surprise.

#### The Storm

* They are seen speaking before rehearsals and sit together during.
* They are thrilled to learn that they might be stuck at the school overnight, and are seen holding hands and running to get flashlights and water.
* When Ricky says he's so hungry he might eat Big Red, Ashlyn puts her hand on him as protection.

#### **The Quinceañero**

* Ashlyn holds Big Red's hand when is scared by not seeing sheep, yet hearing them.
* When Ricky talks about Seb's barn being romantic, the two exchange looks.
* They make rainbow pizzas together for Carlos party.
* They sit next to each other during Seb's performance and exchange a look.
* Ashlyn holds Big Red's hand by the end of the performance.
* They dance together.

#### **The Field Trip**

* They constantly turn towards each other when their customers are revealed.
* When they're at north high, and Ashlyn explains the background to her character, Big Red flirts with her, asking if how would she like dating a guy from east high, to which she replied 'Oh, a forbidden romance'
* During Antoine's attempted flirtations with Ashlyn, Big Red can be seen in the background, jealous.
* After Antoine catches Ashlyn right as she falls off the stage, Big Red speaks in the confessionals, mad that he wasn't the one to save her.
* When walking out, the two speak, Big Red still bitter, and he storms off after Ashlyn says the wrong thing.

#### Most Likely To

* Right before the rehearsals for Gaston, Ashlyn cheers Big Red on, stating she is 'loyally rooting for him'
* this is her attempt at showing him that she is loyal to him after the Antoine incident.
* In the confessional, Ashlyn speaks about how the two are working through their issues.
* When Big Red receives his aptitude test results, Ashlyn attempts to cheer him up and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
* she misunderstood the results, as Big Red was satisfied with them.
* Ashlyn makes a mood board for him, in an attempt to show him that he could be everything he dreams to be.
* Big Red tells her that his dream is to work at the pizza place with his friends and family, and that the only other thing that makes him happy is her.
* Ashlyn buys the Salt Lake Slices uniform in order to show Big Red his support and the two hug it out.
* During Howie's rendition of If I Can’t Love Her, the two are seeing cuddling in Big Red's basement, watching a movie.

## Quotes

### Thanksgiving

Ashlyn: Thanks again for helping me set this all up.

Big Red: No problem. My parents are taking a nap, then after that, they usually take another nap.

Ashlyn: Plus, I figured you're a crew guy, so you're good at carrying heavy stuff.

Big Red: Yeah, I just fell into the whole crew thing. Not much of a carrier.

Ashlyn: Yeah, how did that happen anyway? You don't exactly strike me as a theater dork.

Big Red: I kind of got sucked into it by Ricky. I think he just wanted some moral support because Nini was dating...

Ashlyn: ...EJ.

Big Red: Yeah.. sorry. Forgot you guys were.. related.

Ashlyn: Well hey, I promise not to steal your phone if you promise not to throw a basketball at my face.

Big Red: Hah, no. The only thing I'd ever throw at your face is a brighter spotlight, 'cuz, I like the way you sing.

Big Red: Whatever. Hey is this where you wrote that thing?

Ashlyn: What thing?

Big Red: The Sara Bareilles song for Miss Darbus about regrets.

Ashlyn: Ok, did someone ask you to say that? Cause that's all I've ever wanted to hear my whole life.

Big Red: Well her songs come up on shuffle a lot. I just thought it sounded similar. You know the notes.

### The Tech Rehearsal

Ashlyn: Hey you good?

Big Red: I just don't know how to make things light up.
Ashlyn: You walk into a room.
Big Red: Oh.
Ashlyn: Seriously I have been through a few tech rehearsals. Holler if you need anything.
Big Red: Thanks Ash.
Ashlyn: You've got this.

### Opening Night

Ashlyn: Hey!
Big Red: Oh hey!
Ashlyn: How do I look?
Big Red: Solid Miss Darbus! I did a doubletake.
Ashlyn: Any words of encouragement?
Big Red: Just be you, Ashlyn. You're enough.

### Act Two

Carlos: Everybody hold... we've got a card, people! "To Ashlyn: Because you get me."
Ashlyn: Aww, EJ! Really?
EJ: Pfft, I didn't write that.
Big Red: I did.

## Official Trademarks

### Color

#### **Red**

* Both of their hair is red
* Big Red's nick name and last name includes the word "red"
* Big Red sings Red Means Love to Ashlyn in the end credits of Valentine’s Day

### Song

#### Red Means Love

* Big Red sings it to Ashlyn in the end credits of Valentine’s Day

## Trivia

* At first Big Red thought Ashlyn Caswell's full name was "Ashlyn Tisdale" from *High School Musical*. Carlos Rodriguez tells Big Red that it's "Ashley."
* They are both Queer.