The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 33: Help

Asher

"Are these old friends of yours going to become a problem for Maksean?" Mr. Swift asked as he began to prepare the Enchiladas. "Asher, look, you're a good kid, but I don't my daughter having to worry about others messing with her and bringing up the accident just because your old friends are jealous."

I tensed up at the thought of where he might be going with this conversation. "Sir, I assure you, they won't mess with Maksean anymore. I'll talk to them and work it out." I could tell my eyes had some desperation in them due to the surprised look in his eyes.

"Asher, I'm not going to suggest you two break up." He sat the current tortilla that was being dripped in sauce down as he gave me a stern gaze. "You don't realize just how much she's opened up since we moved here and she's been with you. After the fire, she had to get emergency surgery to help her burns heal, and after she got back from the hospital and we held the funeral, she hasn't been the same. She's been neglecting her own health at times, forgetting to take care of her burns, and not eating as much, but now you take her out to eat after school, and she smiles more. Asher you mean a lot to her, and I don't think even she has noticed it. Just please make sure she stays safe. She's been through enough in such little time."

His words shocked me as all the information came flooding in. The first thing that really clicked was the idea of her having to have surgery. It reminded me of a conversation Luka and I had the day he asked for birthday party ideas.

"What about swimming? Does Dani like to swim?" I asked as Maks walked away from our table to take our orders to the chef.

"She does, but she wouldn't want to without Maksie, and she doesn't like to swim much anymore." I sighed as if a sad memory came to mind.

I was going to ask what he meant, but then our drinks were placed down in front of us.

I didn't question it much since a lot of time passed, but when we were kids, she always loved to swim. Maybe now after that she has burn marks, she doesn't want them to be seen so she avoids activities like swimming.

The memory of the other night also floated in my brain. She really does have scars and all from the fire.

"What do you mean she forgets to take care of herself?" I asked softly. I was beginning to get worried.

"She wouldn't let me help her. You might need to when you can get away from the kitchen." Mrs. Swift spoke as she walked in the kitchen not, either not aware of my presence or didn't mind.

Her husband sighed as he whipped his hands clean. "I can't really stop or else we won't have dinner for another hour. And she doesn't want the younger two to help her." He muttered. The two held each other's eyes as they seemed to have some kind of conversation through stares.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, earning matching looks from the pair. "What is it?"

***********

The white door seemed to taunt me as I just stared at it. I heard the shower stop ten minutes ago, but I couldn't bring myself to knock and to tell her I wanted to help her.

"You're going to need to make it very clear that you want to help her. If she feels like you're just doing it because you feel the need to do so, then she'll take that as pity and won't allow it." Adrian stated before sending me up the stairs.

A hand grabs my wrist almost causing me to jump. "Shh. Dude, just chill out. She needs help, just knock." Emma brought my hand to the door hitting it against the solid frame. As soon as the sound was heard, the blonde preteen was gone.