Ignition

Chapter 5

Recommended songs: Thinkin about you by Frank Ocean, How many Drinks by Miguel, Shameless by Camilia Cabello

*Azaria's perspective*

The rest of the school day was in a haze. I couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation I had with Ash. The way he had gotten so close to me and his words. I still can’t believe he saw that I had liked his insta post.

‘Maybe it’s time I post another pic, yeah? So you can get an updated version of what my body looks like now.’ He had said to me, just thinking about it makes me shiver.

He wants to get me alone so badly but I don’t want to be involved in his games. I’m not trying to be one of his bets to see if he can get in my pants. Like Nadia had mentioned earlier, he hasn’t been in a committed relationship since his last ex Aubrey.

I vaguely remember her since she went to a different school at the end of sophomore year, I believe. I just remember they had been a couple since middle school. I heard it was pretty intense for a highschool relationship. They were that “couple”.

If they continued to date after highschool, they definitely would have been highschool sweethearts. I guess their relationship ended because she didn’t want to do long distance because I believe she went to another fancy private school in England.

I don’t really remember what Mia told me at the time because I was never that interested in his love life before. I don’t remember all the details but I know since then he’s been with several girls in the past year or so.

None of them make it past like two weeks and most I heard are one night stands and flings. I don’t want to be added to the list of girls he’s fucked and dipped. I want to focus on myself and my goals but he’s making it hard.

I wouldn’t say I’ve caught feelings for him especially not this quickly but I feel something. It’s not like how I usually have crushes that are fun and light-hearted. Usually just to feel a little romance in my life.

It’s something different and it’s a dangerous feeling. I wouldn’t be able to just admire from afar with someone as persistent as Ash. He is the type that will not back down until he gets what he wants. It would be treading on dangerous waters if I let myself fall for him and I could get hurt.

I need to stuff this “feeling” somewhere deep in the back of my mind so I can focus on what’s important. But my mind kept going back to him anyway and my brain was on autopilot. Ash texted me during lunch about where we should hang out but I left all of his messages on read. Damn this boy is so persistent it’s annoying.

The end of the school day is finally here and I meet with the girls before I leave and tell them goodbye. I walk to my car and someone taps me on my shoulder.

It’s Ash of course. His blonde hair is in disarray from the summer breeze. His hazel eyes are glowing in the sunlight as he stares down at me.

“What do you want, Ash?” I say, standing with my arms crossed. If he still thinks I’m going to be hanging out with him anytime soon, he is sadly mistaken.

“Hear me out, I’m not trying to convince you to hang out with me anymore, okay. But I do need a favor.” He says, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

“What is it? I don’t have all day.” I say impatiently. I don’t have to pick up my sisters today but I did want to take a nap and it’s so hot outside right now. I will get heat exhaustion if I stand here any longer. 

“So my friend, Dominick, was supposed to be my ride but he ditched me at the last minute. I just need a ride home.” He says.

I feel like he’s lying to me but I don’t think he would want to get in my car of his own free will. My little black toyota pales in comparison to the ferraris these rich kids own.