If the Story Aligns

Chapter 6-Uncomfortable Situations

Rhea Griffin

When Asher asked me earlier to come over to his house I tried to think of any excuse to get out of it, but I realized I kind of have to do this project, and I didn't really think of an excuse.

Now I have about 10 minutes before having to leave and I'm seriously regretting agreeing to this. I looked in the mirror as I tried to completely cover the bruise from last night with some makeup, once I was satisfied with the job I pulled up Asher's address he sent me earlier and went to leave.

Driving to his house I realized he's closer to the underground fighting building then I expected him to be. Looking down at my phone it showed me I had arrived, the house made me even more anxious about this. It was a huge Victorian style house that looked extremely pristine.

I knocked on the door then realized maybe ringing the doorbell may be better since it is such a big house and Asher could be anywhere inside. As I was about to press the doorbell, there was a childish squeal and some giggles, the door swung open and I was met with a little girl.

She was staring up at me with big beautiful brown eyes, she was adorable.

"Hi? Who are you?" she asked.

"I'm Rhea, what's your name? I'm here to work on a project with Asher, is he here?" I replied as nicely as possible.

"I'm Nia! I'll go get him, come in," she said as a huge grin broke out on her face and she turned to run away. "ASHHHERRRR!" she screamed.

A few moments later Nia came back holding Asher's hand, looking like she dragged him all the way here.

"Oh Rhea, hey, I was wondering why Nia dragged me all over," he grinned "Ni, will you go play with mom Rhea and I have homework to do." he then looked back to me and said "Come with me, we can work on the project in my room."

"Ok" I mumbled, trying not to seem nervous.

He led me down huge hallways littered with beautiful artwork and the occasional happy family pictures. Once we got to his room my jaw dropped, not at all what I expected. It wasn't like any regular teenage boys room would look like, it was extremely clean and decorated divinely.

"Your room is so pretty." I accidently slipped out.

He looked amused by this and with a laugh said "Thank you so much Rhea, anyways, I was thinking we could do our report on Sir Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams Khama, they were an interracial couple, Seretse a black man was the first President of Bostwana with Ruth, a white women, as his first lady."

"That's a great idea, let's get started." Asher and I continued to work on the project for an hour or so until he slammed his text book closed.

With a loud groan he looks over to me and says "I feel like we've done enough for today."

"Ok, I'll see you later." I say and start to stand up.

"Waittt, Rhea, I said we're good for homework for today, you should still stay over." He replies

"Uhh, I'll probably just go home."

"Are you sure? My moms making dinner and she said she'd love to have you stay for it, Nia was talking about how much she likes you and now my mom wants to meet you." he grins.

"I guess I can stay for dinner." I responded hesitantly.

"Perfect, food is already ready." He offers his hand for me to stand up and we make our way to the dining room.

Only four places are set so I wonder if I wasn't actually supposed to come, as I was about to say something, his mom walked, an extremely pretty mixed woman, and based on the family picture I would assume his dad is mixed too.

"Oh my goodness, you must be Rhea, Nia told me all about you, you're so pretty." She told me "I'm Nora, Asher's mom, I heard you too are working on a history project together." She gestured to me to sit down and we talked for a bit about the project, there was no sign of Asher's dad, I wondered what that was about.

"So, Rhea, what do your parents do?" Nora asked, I softly sighed this is the reason I try to avoid these types of things.

"Well, they died when I was younger so they don't do much." I dryly said. Fuck my sense of humors way too dark for this. Nia gasped, and Asher and Nora looked at me pitifully.

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry I didn't know, who do you live with then?" Nora further questioned.

"I currently live alone."

This time Asher chose to speak up. "Why?"

"It's a long story, I would prefer not to share." Asher didn't like this answer though and looked like he was set on finding out, which scared me.

"Oh that's okay honey, well if you ever need anything come over here, with Izaak, my husband, gone for work we are appreciative of people coming over." She replied nicely.

"Thank you ma'am, I really appreciate it." I said and grabbed my dishes to help clean up.

"First of all, you don't need to call me ma'am Rhea, and second of all we'll do the dishes, you're the guest." Nora responded.

"No no no, I insist." I said as I grabbed my dishes and headed to the kitchen. A few moments later Asher followed me into the kitchen.

"Rhea..." Asher mumbles "I-I'm sorry. I-"

"It's not a big deal, I'm fine." He comes up next to me and starts helping with the dishes.

"Thank you for coming tonight, my sister and mom really like you, Nia wants you to come over again." He says.

"I mean I'll have to, we have the rest of the project to do." I add.

Finishing up the dishes I thought about how happy their family is and how good of a person Asher is, and even though I told myself not to get close to anyone I couldn't help but wanting to get close to him.

. . .