Bad Intentions

/1:4/

/1:4/

"Does your fist hurt?" I asked sitting with Asher in the principals office. He glanced over at me smiling.

"Are you genuinely worried or are you just asking?" He asks.

"Tell me you dork or I won't care." I said crossing my legs.

"My fist is fine, Heath's face? Not so much."

"When I told you I was angry that didn't mean to hurt him." I explained. He chuckled.

"I've been meaning to punch Williams for a while." Asher shrugs.

"You only punch people when you need to."

"Who do you need me to punch?" He asks.

"No one, I need you to stop trying to save me."

"Shall we remember only 12 hours ago you almost attempted suicide?" He asks in a whisper. Asher and I were sitting rather close together. Close enough to almost be touching.

"I don't want to think about that. Any of it." I said interlacing our fingers.

"You don't have too. I won't force you. You know that." Asher says moving to untangle our fingers and moving me closer.

"Mr. Greene? Ms. Andrews? Principal Smith will see you now." A friendly secretary smiles. We walk in and sit in the two chairs he has set up.

"Mr. Greene, you did quite a number on Mr. Williams." The principal says.

"I take full responsibility, Peyton Elizabeth simply broke it up. And at an amazing time." Asher says.

"Ms. Andrews, you can head back to class." I nodded and walked out nodding towards the door. Asher nodded confirming he'd meet me out there after.

I waited in the office watching kids come in and out and listened to the office ladies gossip about which teachers are sleeping with each other and which teacher is having an affair.

"Peyton Elizabeth? How long have you been waiting here?" Mr. Greene says. I stand up immediately both of us seeing a very bored Asher walking out.

"Asher, you're here a few months and you're already getting into fights?" Mr. Greene asks. Asher rolls his eyes and walks out of the school. I follow behind him like a lost puppy.

"Asher!" I shout. He ignores me and continues to walk away.

"Asher! Goddamit! Asher you need to listen to me!" I say standing in the middle of the street. He sighs heavily and seconds later he runs over pulling me into his chest as a student driver races down the street.

"Godddamn! Peyton can't you go 2 seconds without putting yourself in danger?" He asks angrily. I'd seen many emotions on Asher. Smug, happy, curious, sad even. Anger was never one. Even when he was fucking up Heath's face he seemed controlled. His anger was always controlled. Except now. Except with me.

I cocked an eyebrow. If he thought I was going to apologize for caring about him and accidentally almost getting hit by a car he had another thing coming. Asher's hand tightened around my waist and he closed his eyes.

"I'm just tired, I'm just tired." He said wiping his eyes with his free, injured, hand.

"Come to my house, I'll fix your hand. And you can sleep in my bed." I said caressing his face.

"Did I mention how incredibly hard this 'just friends' thing is?" He asked kissing the palm of my hand. A shiver went through my body and I could tell Asher noticed.

"You may have brought it up once or twice." I teased. We both got in his car and rode it to my house. I was still immensely concerned about his hand. But in his defense he did have a pretty threatening talk with Heath before he punched him in his face. I was actually surprised he didn't just punch him in the face. Allan's car was in the driveway when we got home. I mentally sighed. I hadn't told Asher about that part of my night but I pretty much hated to see him. Or my mom. Or balding men. Or drug dealers. I don't know, I was in general scared.