Opposites Attract

Chapter 11: I Hope You're Wearing You're Good Underwear

“What do you mean you are going off campus for lunch?” Melissa shrieks during fifth period.

“Exactly that.”

“But you’ve never done that before, what if you don’t make it back in time?”

“Asher has done it plenty of times, I’m sure it will be fine. We have a full forty minutes.” I assure her.

“So, is this like your first official date?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my gosh this is so exciting. How is your breath? Do you need some gum or a mint? Are you wearing your good underwear? Are you-?”

“Melissa calm down! First of all, my breath is fine, and second he isn’t going to be seeing my underwear!” I whisper scream.

“That’s what you think.” She mumbles. I just roll my eyes and pack my stuff up in preparation to leave.

“I can’t believe you are ditching me. Harvey is horribly boring to talk to and all of those other snobs just talk about shopping or politics. No one has a personality.”

“You are preaching to the choir my friend.” The bell rings and I wish Melissa luck and make my way to the parking lot to meet Asher at his car. Or motorcycle. But hopefully his car.

Once I reach the parking lot, I am relieved to see Asher standing by his car.

“Troy banged up my motorcycle so I’ve got to save up to get it fixed.” He explains.

“I can-”

“Don’t even finish the sentence.” He warns me and I close my mouth. I should have known he was too proud to accept my help. “So where do you want to go?” He asks me as well pull out of the parking lot.

“I’ve never really been off campus for lunch before. What’s good?” I ask.

“There’s pizzeria about five minutes away. The pizza is good and the service is quick so we can get back in time.” Asher suggests and I agree.

Walking in, I am engulfed by the scent of tomatoes and oregano. The pizzeria is small, and only one other table is occupied. Our pizza comes out quickly, and I soon realize why Asher suggested this place. It may be the best pizza I have ever tasted.

“This is better than the pizza in Italy,” I gush and Asher chuckles. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, tell me.” I urge.

“That just sounded so…” He trails off.

“Snobby?” I fill in for him. He nods. I scoff. We are both silent for the rest of the lunch. Asher rejects my offer to pay for my pizza, and we drive back to the school in silence. As I go to leave the car, Asher grabs my arm, stopping me.

“Look, Jane, I didn’t mean you were a snob, I just meant it sounded-” I interrupt him.

“It doesn’t matter.” I try to pull my arm away but he tightens his grip.

“It does matter, okay, because I promised not to be a jerk and I fucked up. I know you hate people assuming-” I interrupt him again.

“Do you know? Because I thought you understood, with your Dad and all but now I’m starting to think you are just like everyone else. Did you know I had a job? I used to work at the bakery in the center of town. I would get up before the sun rose every morning and go down there and bake and work the cash register and then I would come home and use the money to buy groceries for Clare, or records for myself, I even started saving to buy my own car.

Then my parents found out about my job and my mother went down to the bakery and cursed out the owner for working me too hard. She threatened a law suit for child labor. It was completely ridiculous. For the first time in my life, I thought I was actually useful, not just a toy for my parents to bring to ‘show and tell’. For once in my life I felt like more than a waste of space.” Asher’s grip on my arm has loosened enough for me to wiggle free.

“Jane, I didn’t realize-”

“I know.” I sigh. “I’m sorry, I know you didn’t mean to call me a snob.” I leave his car and make my way to seventh period, just wanting today to be over.

Trouble in Paradise?? I hope you guys enjoy the double update! I've been feeling really motivated to write recently, hence all the new chapters.