Scattering Lilac Ashes

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Nine

By the time Lila arrived at English on Monday morning, Asher was already outside, pacing. She cast her eyes around, but it didn't seem as though anyone else from their class was outside. He didn't look too happy, until he caught sight of Lila. She caught sight of how pallid his face was, though it seemed to brighten as he strode towards her.

"Good morning," he smiled, pulling her close to him. "How're you?"

"Better than you, I think," Lila replied, wrapping her arms around his torso and relaxing in the comfort it brought her. She felt his breathing halt for a moment. Then, he sighed.

"I've been thinking all night. About a lot of things."

Lila stepped back, swinging his left arm slightly as she thought about her response. "I'd be more surprised if you hadn't been," she finally settled on saying.

"Were you?"

"Nah. I pretty much fell asleep straight away. I think all the stress exhausted me."

Asher looked concerned before she flashed him a light-hearted grin.

"I feel great now, though," she clarified. "For me, at least, not going into everything too soon helped, I think. If we have some time today, I reckon we should talk about yesterday."

He paused, before apparent relief washed over his face, bringing with it colour back into his cheeks.

"I was kinda thinking you wouldn't want to talk. That's why I didn't push it when we got back," he muttered.

"Really?" Lila blinked in confusion. "But we talk about everything."

"Call it... overthinking," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "After seeing how you and your friends were yesterday, I realised both how close you are, and how it's been affecting you. Not just the whole Grace thing, for obvious reasons."

"Oh," Lila uttered softly. He noticed that?

"I've known that I've got a lot going on, but... well, you're going through the wringer, too. Just by some of your comments, it peeks through. Like with Grace, when we were waiting for our lunch to be ready. I also saw how concerned you are with making sure Elise is happy – and, by extension, Isaac too. Plus... it's going to be a big week. Your English draft is due-" Lila made a sound of distaste, but he powered on, a flicker of a smile turning the corners of his mouth, "-And we have a few things to resolve this week."

He held her gaze, the meaning behind his stare crystal clear. Lila made to respond when Ms Shard appeared, looking rather harried for a Monday morning.

"Morning, morning," Ms Shard said quickly, readjusting the bundle of documents in her arms. She stepped forwards to enter the classroom before pausing and turning to face Asher and Lila.

"Asher," Ms Shard stated simply, peering over the rim of her glasses at him. He straightened up, glancing at Lila briefly (which prompted her to step away from him) before looking at Ms Shard.

"Yes, ma'am?" he queried, fidgeting with his hands for just a moment. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he waited for Ms Shard to elaborate.

"I'm glad that it turned out well," Ms Shard replied mysteriously.

"Uh-"

"Your plea," she added. "After getting support from the teachers."

Lila furrowed her brow before understanding smoothed them out again. Ms Shard was talking about his efforts with the Banker situation.

"Ah. Yeah. I'm glad it turned out well, too," he said, relaxing his tense shoulders.

"Who knows what I would've done without Indian," Ms Shard chuckled. "Anyway, enough chatting out here. It's freezing. Go on."