Brand New Eyes

16. Crash And Burn

16. CRASH AND BURN

ASHER'S POV

“She looked like she’d seen a ghost. I-I didn’t know what to make of it.”, I said as I turned the ignition on and revved the engine.

“Did she not say anything when you dropped her off home?” Slater asked, his forehead scrunching up. Scarlett’s recent behaviour alerted both of us.

“Not a word. She looked upset though,” I noted, still wondering why she looked so upset last night, so hurt. “Like she did on her father’s funeral”.

I remembered the day like yesterday. The first time I’d set eyes on her was at the ceremony, standing behind the bystanders paying respect as they lowered the casket down into the ground. Her heart broke as she crumbled at the scene and she tried to hide away her tears last night just like she had tried to fight away the tears that day. It was a mirror image.

And I hated it.

I knew I really shouldn’t be involved with Scarlett, knew I shouldn’t let my feelings intertwine or connect with hers. But it was out of my ability to deny this…this connection with her. I simply couldn’t help but pay close attention to her, especially when she looked so broken and sad.

Slater shook his head as he sat up.

“I don’t get it. It’s taking her too long; it didn’t take us this long. How much longer do we have to wait for it? For it to happen?” he asked and I just shrugged. Who knew?

There was a reason they sent Slater and I and not just any one of the others. They could’ve had anyone. Why us? Why were they so adamant that we carried this out? You’d think we were her guardian angels or something the way we had to watch her like a hawk.

Of course, I felt guilty about it. She hardly knew me, knew us, and here we are scrutinizing her every move. If only the circumstances were different…

“Think she’ll turn up today?” Slater asked.

“I don’t know.” I answered. I hoped she came in today, just so I wouldn’t have the added stress of having to go look for her and see if she was okay; she had that suspicious look on her last night and the last thing I needed was for her to put her guard up around me – if she wasn’t already.

“Think you’ll get any answers if she does?” and I shrugged in answer, matting my lips together.

“I doubt it. I still don’t think she trusts us” I said unnervingly.

Slater narrowed his eyes as I glanced at him.

“Have you forgotton Violet’s little stunt last night? Scarlett was fine with us until she came into town and then last night, that confrontation didn’t help much. She’s poisoned her mind.” I said bitterly, remembering how Scarlett had taken Violets words so promisingly.

“I heard the conversation; I’m glad you didn’t lose your control or you could’ve blown the top off all of this.” Slater noted.

“Yeah” I muttered under my breath, “I just hope she doesn’t get in our way. And I hope we can earn Scarlett’s trust”.

“Hmm” Slater cocked his head to the side with a grin, “I’m sure you’ll woe the pants off her in no time” he said cheekily, “what with your romantic gestures and ever-so gentleman-like behaviour.” he mocked, lightening the mood. I scowled.

“It’s not like that and you know it.” I replied darkly, trying to keep my cool.

“Oh, I don’t know.” he replied, that cheeky smirk on his lips.