Chapter 31
2403words
The rest of my day had been pretty hepatic. Having to catch up on major coursework I had missed during my Suspension. I ended up working through my breaks, lunch, and an extra hour after school to get it all done. I was praying Asher has gotten bored of waiting and had driven off, but of course, he hadn't. Instead, I found Asher sat atop the bonnet of my car, headphones on and book in hand. He didn't notice me at first, too engulfed in whatever it was he was reading. I groaned inwardly before making my way over and pulled his headphones out of his ears to get his attention.
“Couldn't you sit on your own dam car?” I muse, placing my hands on my hips. Asher grins.
“I considered it, but it's harder for you to sneak away from me if I sat on your car,” He teased, jumping down. I raise a brow at him.
“Firstly your car is parked next to mine, and secondly my car isn't exactly fast. Mummy and daddy didn't buy it for me like yours,” I declare, letting a little of my bitch side seep out.
“Ooh, your feisty today! I like it,” Asher observes, sucking his bottom lip as he looks me over. God give me strength!
“Do you always have to be in such a great mood? I've had a really crap day,” I sulk, walking past him to the passenger door of his land rover.
“I'm sure I can help with that,” Asher considers, making his way to the driver’s side. We hop into the car and buckle up. I instantly turn the radio on loud. I knew I was being an arsehole when all Asher was trying to do was be nice. But I was not as upbeat about life as he was; I'd like to think I was a bit of a realist. It didn't help that I was feeling so goddam guilty about kissing Loki and wanting much more for another guy. It wasn't as if I was Asher's girlfriend now or anything, but not telling him felt as bad as lying. He deserved to know the kind of person he wanted to get involved with. I needed to come clean and tell him how I was feeling before whatever this was went too far. I couldn't hurt him, but I knew I already had. That only made my bad mood worse. I swear if he did anything nice for me, I was going to turn into a dragon and spitfire in his face. I was a fantastic fucking person.
Asher kept peering over at me as he drove. Even though I was mostly turned away from him, my attention focused solo out the window, and my chin rested on my fist. After about ten minutes, Asher slowly lowered the volume on the radio via the steering wheel controls. One bar at a time as if attempting to be subtle about it and not irritate me further. I didn't comment. Finally, he broke the dead air between us.
“So I was thinking. Once we finish with homework, I could order us some takeout, your choice. We could maybe have a couple of drinks, watch Netflix or something?” He suggested. That did sound amazing right now, and I didn't accurately have any school work left to do, considering I had stayed late.
“I finished my work,” I admit, giving him a lazy smile.
“Perfect so that we can get started right away. What would you like to eat, drink?” He proposed, the pressure on his shoulders lifting slightly.
“KFC and cider or rose wine are my favourites,” I smile, already feeling my stomach perk up at the idea.
“And dessert?” He asks, turning the car around to drive back into town.
“Cookie dough ice cream,” I blurt a little too eagerly. Asher nods, giving me a wink of approval, only making me grin from ear to ear. I felt like a kid on their birthday right now. Was he seriously going to get me all of my favourites?
Thirty minutes later, we were driving back to his house, the bag with Ice cream, wine and cider at my feet—the KFC bucket between my legs. I was already tucking into the hot wings, far too eagerly, moaning with each bite. Asher glanced at me and laughed.
“You going to share that gorgeous?” He taunted, eyeing the box.
“Hmm, maybe,” I consider. I suck the last bit of meat of the bone I had been devouring. Licking my lips, then my fingers one by one. Asher was watching me out the corner of his eyes. I sigh happily. Before fish out a chicken breast and holding it out for him to take a bite. Leaving one hand on the staring wheel, his other wrapping around my palm, he takes a bite. Groaning with pleasure. I giggle.
“Good, right?” I ask, “I don't usually share food, but I'll make an exception. You know, seeing as you paid and you did get me all of my favourites,” I reveal, grinning at him. Asher laughs, taking another huge bite. It felt strangely intimate, feeding him this way. When he could of easy just taken the chicken from me. I pull my hand away and steal the last bite. He looks at me with pure betrayal. I finish my mouthful and sticking out my tongue at him. He shakes his head at me.
“So mean,” Asher mumbles.
We pull into his drive and jump out of the car. Asher carrying my school bag and the shopping. While I hog the KFC bucket.
Saying Asher's house was huge would have been the understatement of a century. There were large wide-open entertainment spaces and long, endless corridors leading to other areas of the house. The design was modern and modestly with glass walls, white furnishings, high ceilings and an infinity pool with a view of the forest below. It was strange seeing Ashers House without the presents of a hundred drunk students crowding the place.
“This way”, Asher directed me up a glass railed staircase. I followed behind shyly, feeling completely out of my element. I became very aware of how alone we were right now, in a house I barely knew with a guy who had massive feeling for me. So I felt a little bit hesitant.
Asher led us through a maze of hallways and finally opened the door to a bedroom. I hesitated in the doorway; why had he taken here? Wasn't there a living room or guest room or something we could go in? Sure, I had been in guy’s room loads of times, but usually, only one thing ever happened when you entered. No matter how many times you tell yourself it won’t. One thing always leads to another, and suddenly you’re naked, and he's pounding into you from behind and your laying there wondering how you got yourself into this mess. I blush.
“Hey?” Asher considers me kindly, noting my unease. His hand gently touching my arm, he looks down into my eyes. His gaze was gentle, worried. “If you would feel more comfortable we can go into my games room or the upstairs living room?” he suggests, a reassuring smile on his lips. I felt so foolish being uncomfortable, and this was Asher! He wasn't like other guys; he was my brother friend and my friend. He would never touch me like that unless I wanted him to. I shake my head and slowly take a step into the room. Then another and another. I look around. The room was very Asher. There was a huge bookshelf filled with comics, music folders, school books, DVDs and board games. Sporting equipment propped on one side, a couple of guitar cases, a massive TV with a console hooked up. On the far wall were a kingsize bed and two doors leading off to what I assumed was his bathroom and closest.
“You okay?” He whispered, taking a seat on the edge of his bed. I nod, turning back to him, the bucket of chicken still clutched in my hands.
“You have a lot of stuff,” I remark. Making Asher laughs.
“I suppose I do,” He agrees, pulling out a can of cider from the bag, opening it, then holding it out to me. I take it thankfully and take a large gulp. “You can sit down, you know?” he teases. I blush, taking a seat on the other side of the long bed. Placing the bucket of chicken on the floor.
“Netflix,” I suggest awkwardly.
“Sure, you can look through. I'm going to roll a smoke before we start if that's okay?” he asks, referring to a joint, not tabaco. I nod. He gives me a small smile before turning to the TV. “TV on,” he speaks loud and clear. The TV comes to life, and I almost squeal out loud. He picks up a tablet and hands it to me. “You can control everything on here. If you flick up, it will project onto the screen,” he explains, grinning at my bewildered look.
“Thanks,” I mutter, then start tapping away.
“Your welcome,” He replies, already walking away to his desk. I flick through the options and settle on something highly unromantic or scary. So it wouldn't feel like a date. Just two friends eating junk food, drinking and watching Netflix. '6 underground' perfect.
Asher reappears a joint between his fingers. “You want to join me?” he asks. “You don't have to,” he quickly adds.
“Yeah, downstairs?” I ask, getting to my feet.
“No, we can use the balcony,” He shrugs. Leading me back out into the hall then into the room opposite his own. This must have been his games room. There was a pool table, ping pong table, dartboard, table that looked like it was used for games and drinking, a bar! As well as another TV, sofa and every console on earth. He strode across the room as if this wasn't every kid's dream. Then opened the glass sliding doors.
“Why didn't you want to sit in here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice casual. He shrugged.
“It's kind of a guy’s room. It's not really personal to me; I kind of wanted to share my personal space with you...I guess,” He brushes off as if it wasn't a big deal. It felt like a seriously big deal to me. Like nobody ever saw his room and him sharing it with me was a very definitive moment in our friendship. I follow him out the balcony. Asher lighting up the join and taking a deep inhale.
“Asher, you don't consider me your girlfriend do you?” I enquire. He chokes out a laugh, smoke filling the air around us.
“Well, I haven't asked you to be, so no,” He considers, an amused gleam in his eye. I open my mouth to speak, but he quickly cuts me off. “You don't need to give me the lecture Scarlett. I get it; we are just friends. I'm okay with that. I like hanging out with you. Kissing me or whatever doesn't have to mean anything if you don't want it to,” he shrugs, taking another toke.
“How are you so relaxed about this?” I question a little bit in disbelieve.
“I don’t know. It’s who I am, I guess.” he holds out the join to me, and I take it gratefully, taking a deep toke that made my head feel a little lighter. “Don't get me wrong; I would love to have you all to myself. But I know you are sorting through some stuff right now... So you do what you got to do. Just know I'll be here for you regardless,” Asher clarifies. I Smile at him, thankful.
I didn't understand what I had done in my life to deserve someone like this, who cared about me in the way that he did. He was so selfless, understanding and caring; it honestly baffled me as to why he didn't already have a girlfriend. He was the perfect guy, yet for some reason, he liked me. He was like a noble and wise Angel. I felt blessed to have him in my life.
We spent the rest of our evening watching Netflix, laughing and nibbling. It had been a really good night, despite the fact I had fallen asleep 2/3 of the way through the movie. to be fair, I was majorly tired with all the stress from school. I awake curled up comfortably ageist Asher's chest, his arm wrapped around my shoulders. Surprisingly it didn't feel awkward. I rubbed at my eyes, Black smudges appearing on my hand. Great.
“Hello, sleepy Panda,” Asher teased. I groaned, pressing my head back ageist his chest. He chuckled, making my head bob up and down with the movement. Then, after a long moment, Asher withdrew his fingers from my hair. “You want me to call you a car?” He asked gently.
“No,” I mumble, still half asleep.
“I don't think Adam would like it if you stay the night in my bed,” Asher teased. “Not that I would mind.”
“Adam doesn't like a lot of things,” I remark, feeling a pleasurable haze thanks to the booze.
“You want me to call him?” He offers. I shake my head, looking up at his beautiful amber eyes. Maybe it was the alcohol, or perhaps it was because he had been the perfect gentleman. It didn't matter, at that moment I wanted to kiss him.
I rose up onto my hands, leaning over him. “What are you doing?” Asher breathed, his eyes trailing down to my lips.
“Stop talking,” I instruct, my voice low. Slowly I lower my lips to his, his hands instinctively stroking across my cheek. I close my eyes and press my lips to his. Asher groaned into my kiss, his lips following my lead. I open my mouth to him, letting my tongue brush ageist his, In silent demand. Asher smiles into my kiss, his tongue playfully dancing with mine. The kiss was slow and sweet. Asher letting me set the place, his hands never drifting bellow my neck. After a few moments, I broke the kiss, resting back down on his chest. Asher's hands slowly stroking my hair. My eyes felt heavy again, and I curled closer into his warmth.
