Falling For Asher

24

~*~

My head feels like it might explode at how much information I'm given. I'm considering taking a year off from school even more now than I was before. Just to avoid having to deal with the stress that comes with applying to colleges.

Paige sits beside me with a matching expression. It scares me that she was so sure about what she wanted to do, and had an idea of what schools she wanted to get in to. Yet, here she is, as confused as I am.

"Why did we think that it would be easy?" She groans, pressing her forehead against the table.

I laugh, although it's more of a forced one. Because I am also on the brink of a breakdown.

One of the school counselors, Ms. Crawford, stands in front of us, with a friendly smile. I watch as Paige, who lifts her head up.

"Hey girls, need any help?"

I nod, "Please."

Paige answers differently. "We're good."

We glare at each other, hearing a laugh while she sits across from us. She places a stack of papers on the table before looking up at us.

"I thought you were set on Criminology, Paige?" She hands me a sheet of paper with a list of colleges in the state.

We've had meetings for the past two days, being called to the library in groups while we apply to colleges. I didn't want to force myself to pick a major just because it sounds easy.

I feel a kick to my leg, bringing me back to reality. "Sorry, was what that?" I ask sheepishly.

Paige hides her laugh behind a cough. She faces the computer in front of her, pressing random keys.

"I was wondering about you," Ms. Crawford smiles. "Any idea on what path you want to take?"

My chin rests on my palm as I contemplate my answer. She helps me fill out my FAFSA application, and go over some options I have.

When I walk out of the library, Riley is waiting for me at the entrance. "What's up?" I ask warily.

He shrugs, "I just wanted to say hey to my favorite person." He shoots me a grin as we walk to the cafeteria.

"Mhm," I eye him suspiciously.

Riley sighs, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Okay, before you say no, hear me out.."

I stop to face him curiously, crossing my arms over my chest. Riley isn't straightforward and he tends to overthink on what others reactions might be before anything even happens. I don't blame him, the fear of people saying no and feeling embarrassed is real.

"Mandy wants to write an article on you and Asher, she wanted me to ask you to meet her for an interview."

Rolling my eyes, I ask. "What's the topic?"

"Relationship struggles." He winces.

"Asher and I are fine, you can tell Mandy–"

The scent of bubble gum consumes my space, her familiar laugh, causing me to tense. I ignore the pit of annoyance arising.

Mandy grins as she watches me. "You two managed to be the most talked-about pair in the span of four months." She says, "The least you could do is talk about the obstacles you have crossed to be with each other."

"Pass."

She shrugs, reapplying her lipstick with her compact mirror. "You can't answer Asher, it's up to him."