Scattering Lilac Ashes

Chapter Fourteen

The rest of the week flew by in a flash of whirling colour, assignments, homework and stress. By the time Lila returned to school the next week, she couldn't recall whether she'd heard many rumours about herself. Had they died down? Or was she too busy to pay attention to them?

Hurrying to English after her Design class ran overtime on Monday morning, she took her usual spot next to Asher. His eyes briefly glanced at her as she came through, but it otherwise seemed as though she didn't exist. With each English class that passed by Lila, she kept trying to remind herself that Asher didn't hate her. Though, admittedly, she was beginning to doubt herself. He hadn't yet acknowledged her script and the distance between them felt like it grew with each day.

This class progressed much the same as the previous ones, however today they were to be assigned a slot for their presentation.

"... and finally, Asher and Lila," Ms Shard called, reading down a printed list. Several students began to whisper among themselves, however, Ms Shard carried on regardless. "You two will present on the 9th of March."

Lila didn't say anything as she diligently noted this down in her notebook. They had just over two weeks to perfect their presentation...

A thought struck Lila so suddenly that she dropped her pen. It hadn't occurred to her before now that, once the 9th of March came and went, she wouldn't have any legitimate, school-related reason to continue seeing Asher. Not that they were seeing each other at the moment anyway, but if they didn't resolve the rumours, it wasn't likely that they'd ever see each other again outside of school.

Lila balled her hands into fists tightly. 'Then I won't be able to help Asher find his Mum...' she thought solemnly. 'And if he still hasn't told anyone, he'll be all on his own again...'

The image of Asher crumpling before her due to the weight of his fear and loss when he had confessed that he was terrified appeared in her mind's eye. Her heart ached as tears began to well in her eyes. How desperately she still wanted to take that terror away...

Ms Shard launched into an explanation of the criteria sheet for the presentation, like she had when the task had first been assigned, as a reminder of what was required of them. Lila only half-listened as she stared at the date of their presentation in her notebook.

Without warning, the buzzing of her phone inside her pocket broke her out of her musings. Pulling it out curiously, with furtive looks in Ms Shard's direction, she looked at her notifications under the desk. A text message from Asher had arrived.

I tried to get a room at the library, it read.

A second text came through as she was reading the first.

But it was already full, this one read.

Okay, replied Lila, the beating of her heart overtaking any other sensation within her body. What's the solution then?

Asher's reply took some time to go through, though Lila didn't dare to look at him. Eventually, her phone buzzed again.

If you're fine with it, I think you should come over again. I've almost finished with the script, so if you want to finish the PowerPoint early, we can meet this weekend. Saturday maybe?

Lila stared at the words on her screen. Another weekend visit meant a visit where there was no Gabriel and Marlene was likely to be hovering around them.

We can meet on Monday if you'd prefer, but this way it's less likely that anyone from our grade will see you, Asher sent swiftly.

Saturday it is then, Lila replied with a sigh, locking her phone screen and putting it back into her pocket. While she was glad that they were meeting up again, she didn't want to risk upsetting the rumour mill even further. With Asher seemingly slipping further and further away from Lila, one misstep would surely have him avoid her for the rest of their schooling lives.