The Unexplainable You.

Part Fourteen. Portland.

Finally, after what feels like forever (But in reality was only four days) I'm able to go back home.

*extreme squealing.*

"Okay," Mal says, tossing me my backpack full of books. The weight hits me like a brick to the chest. I manage not to fall, but I do stumble for a second. Maybe packing ten hardcover books into one bag was not the greatest idea. Who would have thought? Ten pounds to the chest kinda hurts.

Mal laughs at me as I let the bag drop to the floor, scooping it up quickly and hefting it over his muscular shoulder, along with the rest of my bags. He's such a showoff 

Andy stands silently beside him, a small smile on his face. He extends his hand to me for support, and I gladly take it. I'm already feeling a little light-headed.

Someone knocks at the door, driving both Mal and I's attention to the tall boy with ocean eyes peering through the window. 

I grin, standing up and opening the door for him.

"Hey Po-" he starts, not finishing his sentence before I attack him with my famously huge bear hugs.

"woah," He laughs once I pull away, "What was that for? Not like I'm complaining or anything just..." He trails off, his eyes finding his shoes and inspecting them like they hold the secret of the entire universe.

"I, uh, I just heard you were checking out today and wanted to come say goodbye, I guess." He stutters, "that's stupid, isn't it?"

"No!" I laugh, pulling him into another hug "It's super sweet."

A strange smacking noise comes from behind me and both Asher and I turn to face Mal making strange kissing noises. I raise my eyebrows, giving him the death glare as I hussle Asher out the door. I grin, giving my brother the finger before shutting the door behind us.

"Sorry about that." I say, leading Asher down the hall away from prying eyes of prying people. Gosh!

"nah, it's okay." He replies, running his hand through his hair "I wish my sister pestered me like that." 

I grimace. He's never mentioned his sister.

"We don't get along all that well." He tells me, like he can read my mind. "We haven't in a while I guess."

I bite my lip, keeping my eyes trained on my feet.

"But I didn't come over here to tell you that." He corrects himself, shifting his weight onto his crutches that I barely even noticed he had. "i was just wondering if you uh, if you get the chance ever, if you... if you would ever want to come visit me again? I know it's stupid but I kinda, I mean-"

"Of course Asher." I interrupt "I would love to come hang out with you."

He raises his eyebrows, looking doubtful. "Are you sure, I mean, you probably have a lot of other things to do, so I totally understand if you are just saying that."

"Asher!" I laugh, grabbing his hand. "I'm not joking Ash. I've loved hanging out with you."

He blushes, meeting my eyes. "Really?"

I laugh, in this moment I really, really want to kiss him. That's not weird, right?'

"Of course."

I pull the pen out of my pocket and grabbed his IV free wrist, copying my phone number onto the underside. 

"Call me later." I tell him.

I swear his grin could have lit up the whole hospital.