Pure As Vodka

Scene 5

Even the best summer has an end at some point.

Today the holidays end and school starts again. In contrast to most teenagers I'm excited to see all my friends again and learn something new. My bag is already packed, my hair brushed and my glasses in place on the bridge of my nose. I give my mother a quick peck on the cheek before rushing out the door, not wanting to be late for the first day of school.

Abbie and Grace wait for me in front of the school and I give them each a quick hug. Grace tells us about her holiday with her parents and Abbie adds stories from her grandparents' farm, where she's been the last two weeks, while we walk into school.

As usual no one really notices us while walking through the hallways. But we are used to it.

The day ticks by quickly and before I know it it's time for lunch. Like usually Grace and Abbie are already there since my German classroom is ages away.

I'm about to sit down with my food when a group of people passes by. For a moment my eyes lock with a pair of green ones. A smile forms on my lips and I wave at him. Instead of greeting me Ashton just turns to a friend of him and starts talking, ignoring me completely.

I'm frozen in place for a second, watching his back in disbelieve. He clearly saw me and decided to ignore me.

"Who were you waving at?"

I jump a little, finally sitting down and turning to my friends.

"No one. I just thought I saw someone from a summer course I went to but it was somebody else."

"To which summer course did you go?"

I tell them about the science course I attended at the University of Sidney at the beginning of summer. They forget about the waving incident within seconds while I can't stop myself from looking in Ashton's direction every other minute.

After lunch the time seemed to slow down. Seconds were ticking by like minutes while I could no longer concentrate on my teachers since my mind was occupied with someone else. Why would Ashton just ignore me?

Now I'm finally home. The first thing I do is taking of my glasses and falling down on my bed, letting out a sigh as I rub the bridge of my nose. While I stare up at the ceiling I remember the times Ashton's been in here. I thought we were friends or even more. My eyes suddenly feel wet.

"Hey there, sweetie."

I jump a little, quickly rubbing my eyes to hide any evidence of tears that might have escaped. I search for my glasses to look at my intruder, even when I can already tell who it is by his voice.

"What do you want?"

For the first time since I know Ashton I am not shy around him. He looks surprised that my voice for once sounds strong and doesn't waver.

"I wanted to hang out with you. Nothing more, nothing less."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Oh, come on sweetie." He comes closer and sits down next to me on my bed, putting his warm big hand on my thigh. "What's up?"

I only let out a huff as a response and turn away from him.

"Is this about lunch today?" His voice changed, it's softer now, more careful.

I look down on his hand, which is now rubbing my thigh, slowly soothing my anger.

"Maybe." With my anger, my hard voice leaves too and I'm sounding weak again.

"I am sorry, but I thought this would be our little secret." He slings his arm around me, pulling me closer, murmuring right into my ear. His hot breath is hitting my skin and I shiver under his touch.

Next thing I know are his lips on mine, his hands around my waste and mine in his hair.

As we separate I look into his green eyes questioning his words from before. "Our secret?"

"Exciting, isn't it?" Ashton's typical smirk is back on his lips as I look up at him.

I slowly nod and a hopeful smile forms on lips.