The Misfits

Ch.6 Ash Hawkens

The Pakistani teen glanced uncaringly between the two teens. Mai gaped at the giant before her. The eighteen year old stood surely over six foot three, but rather than being intimidating with his towering stature, he resembled closer to a harmless twig. If he noticed the blood staining Jake's towel, he showed no sign of acknowledgment on his emotionless face. Well, at least what could be seen under his jacket hood and shaggy coal black hair. Other than his height, another feature caught Mai's attention. Under his charming yet lifeless caramel eyes were puffy and noticeably dark bags. 

"Ha, it's just you Ash." Jake rubbed the back of his neck while closing his eyes. "You ditched again?"

"Yeah." Ash replied rather bluntly. Silence hung heavy in the air. "So..." Ash's deep and husky voice drawled out. Jake opened his eyes, noticing Ash's eyes land on Mia.

"Ah, I don't know who she is." Jake shrugged. Mia's mouth hung open.

"Y-you two really don't who I am?" Mia asked breathlessly, standing up from her spot on the dry grass. She gripped the towel on her arm with more pressure while Jake and Ash exchanged glances.

"Should we?" Jake asked, both males drawing a blank.

"T-that's great!" Mia beamed, laughing lightly to herself. "Finally. Someone who doesn't know me!"

"I'm not following." Eyebrows scrunched together in bewilderment at Mia's behavior, Jake took a few steps in retreat toward Ash.

"Mia. My name's Mia! The Queen Bee, Cecille, ordered the whole school to ignore me." Mai clutched the towel harder, eyes blazing at the ground. "The ultimate bitch." Mia muttered audibly.

"Who?" Both teens interjected. These boys really are something. Mia thought incredulously. 

"How can you guys not know-nevermind, that's beside the point!"

"Then what is your point?" Mia glared at Jake's rude tone while he smirked snarkily. 

"Nevermind. It was stupid." Mia mumbled with a self-reprimanding tone, "And I'll buy a new towel for you." Jake shook his head. 

"It's fine. You don't have to. I think I can find a towel somewhere. It'll be hard though, not like there are any stores selling it." Jake teased good-naturedly with an eye roll. Mia's guard lowered slightly as her eyes softened. Jake turned to Ash, "Want anything from McDonalds?"

"Nah, I'm going to watch a movie." Without another word, Ash started to stalk off with hands in his navy jackets pockets. No words were needed between the two loners.

Jake took out his cigarette box and shook it one side, and soon a stick slides out smoothly. He places the cigarette between his lips and lights it. "You know, smoking is bad for you." Jake snorts at her comment. 

"Cutting your skin is also fucking bad for you." Mia crosses her arms defiantly, which Jake rolls his eyes to. He gives a casual wave as he says over his shoulder,

"See you next time cutter."

"My name's Mia! M-I-A!" She shouted after him. Mia knew it was futile since he kept going on his way without hesitation. Wait. Did he say next time?

—-

Ash exited the theater, having watched the recently released Captain America 3 Civil War movie again for the second time. It was interesting and he had time to kill. He checked his phone and disgruntledy confirmed he still had a while until the concert started, so he decided his next stop should be at the comic store. Maybe he'll find a rare treasure this time.

After a ten minute walk through the bustling streets of New York City, Ash came face to face with a small, homely comic store. As soon as he opened the door, he nodded his head in greeting to the kind, warm owner who appeared in his early thirties.