The Whisper Of Tonight

Chapter 7 - The Casualty

"I like you too, Asher," Naomi gave a soft smile before leaning into a kiss. Her lips approached as I closed my eyes and-

"Ring, ring, ring!"

Damn it, the same dream too?

I turned my alarm off and began to stretch my body as it had been aching for a bit. Getting up, I made my bed and headed straight into the bathroom to prepare myself for school. After showering, I threw on the same outfit I wore last time, which was a red varsity jacket, casual blue jeans, and the brown boots. A quick glance in the mirror assured me I was looking decent. Time to head to school.

On the way, I approached Naomi's house to walk with her to school. However, when I asked her dad, he mentioned that she already left with someone else. Huh, a friend, I suppose? I'll meet them at the school, then.

~~~~~~

As I walked onto the school grounds, I saw Naomi standing near the entrance, laughing with someone: a tall guy with dark hair. "Who's that?" I wondered, feeling a pang of something sharp in my chest. She noticed me and waved enthusiastically, but it did little to ease the unease building up inside me.

"Good morning, Ash! This is Caleb, he saw us at the talent show and wanted to congrats us for winning the show," she merrily replied, ignoring my increasingly red face.

"Hey Asher! I just wanted to say kudos on winning the talent show. You two were quite the duo while singing!" he gave me a big smile, offering a handshake.

I'll be shaking your head off, buddy.

I (reluctantly) accepted the handshake with a forceful smile, hoping the two wouldn't notice my internal rage. With the smile still there, I suggested (with gritted teeth) that we head into class, and we did.

They walked together into their first class, and I had the honor to (painfully) not be in the same class as them, leaving my feelings mixed.

I really tried to focus in class, not thinking about the moves Caleb may perform on Naomi. I mean, she wouldn't reciprocate, would she?

~~~~~~

Lunch time came, and I waited outside of Naomi's class again, hoping that she'd be there alone and expecting me to come.

Nope. She was with Caleb. Talking.

My anger only increased, but I tried my best to keep cool, as the crowded school would take notice of my indescribable rage. I followed them to the cafeteria, wishing that maybe Caleb wouldn't be there, and that I'd be able to be peaceful with Naomi.

Bruh.

Caleb had joined our table, sitting a bit too close to Naomi for my liking. "So, Naomi, are you still up for the study session after school?" he asked, smiling. "Actually, we had plans," I blurted out, earning puzzled looks from both Naomi and Caleb. "Really, Asher? You never mentioned that," Naomi said, confusion in her eyes. "Can we talk, Caleb?" I said through gritted teeth, standing up abruptly.

Confused, Caleb agreed and followed me outside the cafeteria. Oh man, this guy would've gotten the beating of his life. I kept my composure still, however, not hoping to start a fight.

Outside, I turned to Caleb. "Listen, man, Naomi and I are close. Really close. And I can't help but feel like you're trying to..." "To what? Steal her?" Caleb interrupted, his expression unreadable. "She's not a prize to be won, Asher." Naomi walked out, her eyes wide with shock. "What's going on here?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Nah, nothing," I said quickly, glancing away from her. Naomi looked confused. "Nothing? It sure didn't sound like nothing."

"Just drop it, okay?" I snapped, feeling a pang of guilt as I saw hurt flash across her face. Caleb sighed and shook his head, stepping back. "Whatever, man. This isn't how you solve things."

Naomi's confusion turned to frustration. "Asher, talk to me. What's going on?" but I couldn't bring myself to explain. Instead, I turned and walked away, ignoring her calls for me to stop.

~~~~~~

Throughout the rest of the day, I avoided Naomi. I didn't walk with her to our shared classes, I didn't sit with her like I normally did, and barely acknowledged her presence. Every time she tried to talk to me, I brushed her off with curt, one-word answers.

Once school finished, I simply walked away from class, hoping to not see the two together. Suddenly, a hand pulled me out of my motion, and I turned back to see Naomi grabbing my wrist tightly, looking slightly upset.

"Asher, wait," she said, her voice urgent. I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened. "Naomi, I need to go," I muttered, my voice thick with emotion.

"No, you don't," she insisted, stepping closer to me. "We need to talk."

I shook my head, feeling the weight of the day bearing down on me. "There's nothing to talk about," I said bitterly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Naomi's expression softened, and she reached out to touch my arm. "Asher, please. Whatever's bothering you, we can work through it together. Just talk to me."

I hesitated, feeling the walls I had built around my heart starting to crumble. "I don't know if I can," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Naomi's hand tightened on mine, her eyes filled with concern. "You don't have to do this alone," she said softly. "I'm here for you, Asher. Always."

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. "Okay," I finally whispered, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Let's talk."

~~~~~~

As we reached the park, the tension between us was palpable. Naomi led me to a secluded bench nestled under the shade of a towering oak tree, and we sat down, facing each other.

"Alright, Asher," Naomi said softly, her eyes searching mine. "What's been bothering you? You've been acting strange all day."

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "It's Caleb," I confessed, feeling the weight of my words hang heavy in the air. "I can't help but feel jealous when I see you two together all the time."

Naomi's brow furrowed in confusion. "Caleb? He's just a friend, Asher. Nothing more."

"I know," I said quickly, feeling a pang of guilt for even bringing it up. "I trust you, Naomi. It's just... I don't know where I stand anymore."

Naomi reached out and took my hand, her touch sending shivers down my spine. "Asher, you mean everything to me," she said earnestly. "I understand what you're feeling, but you have to trust me when I say there's nothing between Caleb and me."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I want to believe you," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Without another word, Naomi leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, leaving me speechless. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the warmth of her lips lingered on my skin.

When she pulled back, there was a softness in her eyes that I had never seen before. "I hope that proves how I feel," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

I could only nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to find the right words to say.

~~~~~~

The sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden glow over the park as we sat in silence, lost in our thoughts. As night fell and the stars began to twinkle overhead, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me.

"I have a question. Do...do you want to go out to prom with me?" I asked with uncertainty, not sure of her reaction after the complications earlier. Instead, she gave a goofy grin. "I was waiting for you to ask me that, and yes, of course I would."

With Naomi by my side, I knew that everything would be okay. We had weathered the storm together, and now, as we watched the stars dance in the sky, I felt a renewed sense of hope for the future.

Does that mean that she likes me, then?