The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 22: Trouble Then A Double?

(So I drew -by popular demand by my editor friend who loves this story- post-practice Asher.)

Maksean

"So I was thinking," Dani started as we both walked out of the stalls in the girl's restroom towards the sinks. "What if we went out on a double date?"

I looked at my friend as I patted my hands dry with the cheap brown paper, seeing that mischievous look in her eyes. I could tell she had been thinking of something during first hour when she kept asking about our after school dates. I thought about the statement then without another thought agreed. "But no making fun of me. I waited a week before with you." I ordered, remembering how she wouldn't let me make fun or pick on her the first week her and Luka started dating.

With a happy nod and grin I was ushered out of the restroom and towards the lively cafeteria. "So I was thinking bowling? Or maybe roller skating?" Each thing made me grimace. While I was great at bowling, she was not. And I was too much of a klutz to roller skate meanwhile My bestie could do a million swirls around my corpse backwards.

"Maybe something we can both do. I don't feel up to either another emergency ride." I referred to the last time we roller skated and how I ended up with a concussion and out of the fall competition last year. It was not a pretty day for yours truly. "What about movie night? Everyone brings a movie and someone host with popcorn and-"

"Ice Cream!" Dani finished my sentence with a knowing look. She's in.

Once upon arriving at the big blue painted doors, we spot the two boys in some kind of conversation with someone else. As we got closer, I began to recognize the person as Nichole. Her blonde hair was all tied up in a messy bun and her make up was a neutral shade of light pink to match her sweater. Her designer purse hung at her side moving slightly every time she tried to get closer to Asher.

Asher's back was facing me and I could see how far he was leaning back. When Luka spotted us gave us a small nod and waved Dani over. I moved around and silently stood behind the blonde. I put a finger to my lips letting Asher know not to give me away.

Nichole didn't notice anything was up until the entire lunch room became silent. Everyone engrossed in what was about to go down. And while I don't like confrontation or unwanted attention, I also don't like other girls flirting with my boyfriend. So when I walked up to Nichole and politely tapped her shoulder to ask her to move from my spot, the look on her face was one of confusion and annoyance.

"I'm sorry, but I believe you're bothering my boyfriend and our friends. Would you be so kind as to walk away and leave him alone?" I asked, giving her a look that told her I wasn't really asking.

When she stood as tall as her 5'6" frame could make her, she was barely reaching my chin. Her glare was no match for mine, and when she laughed at me I knew this was going to end today.

"Boyfriend?" She snickered looking back at Asher who was standing up, ready to step in when needed. "Are you telling me the rumors were true? Why would Asher date you?" Her pink nails were pointed at me, "the little nerdy drummer girl who can't even dress properly?" While her tone of voice was meant to be taunting, I could tell she was having a hard time finding insults. I've never done anything wrong towards her besides dating Asher, nor have I done much to anyone. I simply went to school and if someone bothered me, I left them be and went another direction. As far as I knew I didn't have any enemies before now.

I stepped closer and looked down at her with a small smirk. "I don't know, but whatever you didn't have I guess," I finally brushed past her and made my way to Asher who watched my every move. I slid my arm around his torso, and he instinctively did the same. "I do." And with that I looked up at my boyfriend with a smile.