The story I want

Girl Next Door (Asher)

Again. We were fighting again. I don't even remember what it was that she had a problem with, only that she was pissed at me for it. "You're just a stupid ass man. How fucking dare you? I know why you have an attitude, it's because you're cheating on me aren't you?! What is wrong with you?! Get the fuck out of my house!" Alexis screamed at the top of her lungs while she opened the door and shoved me out the front. I sighed and told her, "I didn't have an attitude love, and I'm not cheating on you."I went to grab her hand to calm her down, but she swatted me away continuing to scream gibberish about me having an attitude because I was cheating on her. I sighed with exasperation,  grabbed my helmet from the front porch and walked to my motorcycle. I was no longer going to have screaming matches with her over something I didn't do. I was over it, it was done. I put my helmet on with the visor up then I buckled it. Just before I flipped down my visor I looked behind me to see the new neighbor glancing back at us. I flipped my visor down and drove away. But despite that, I couldn't stop thinking of how strange she looked. Majestic almost. I got back home and started getting ready for work. During the week I was a teacher's assistant, but on the weekends I helped out at my best friends piercing shop. I took a shower, quickly brushed out my curls and slicked my hair back, I put on a fancy button down with some jeans and brown loafers. Tossed on some rings, a simple silver chain, grabbed my wallet, phone, keys, and a quick shot of whiskey. For the most part my night was pretty slow, with the usual gossipy girls, and nervous guys. But as I was doing a vertical labret on an older lady, my mind couldn't help but wander back to that new neighbor. She had a vertical labret as well. Many ear piercings as well. She must have come from far away because she had on Gray sweatpants, chunky black sneakers, and a Tennessee hoodie. She had straight brown hair about shoulder length, bangs and glasses. Despite the way she was dressed she had an oddly elegant air about her. I had just finished the labret and was cleaning up, when my friend told me that I was good to go for the night. I said my goodbyes and grabbed my stuff along with a beer, and headed home. I got home did some light cleaning and pushed the thought of that new neighbor out of my mind. A week went by, and I hadn't thought of that new girl. Alexis and I made up, but I couldn't help an even bigger sense of dread than normal when we go to hang out. It's August 26 and the first day of my new job. Alexis wanted to get coffee with me the morning of, but she's been short tempered the whole time. I had just gotten out drinks and was bringing them back to our table when I bumped into someone. I quickly put my arms out so the hot drinks didn't spill on her. "Shit, sorry love. Didn't see you there"I said, but as I looked up, Alexis was pissed again. I immediately walked off without another word. "I'm sorry t-" I had cut her off. As I sit down it hits me, new girl. God she looked so good today. She looked amazing a week ago but today, she was very elegant and gorgeous. Alexis snaps her fingers at me, it takes me a second but hand her a coffee. She sips it quietly and says, "So is it that girl you were cheating on me with?" I sip my drink silently contemplating. "Seriously Alexis? We're doing this again? Okay fine." I set my cup down and stand up. "I didn't cheat on you. Because unlike you I have self respect and respect others too. I also never had an attitude, hell I never have an attitude because I don't care about useless bullshit. But maybe that's the problem." I snapped and was about to walk off when she says, "that's the problem! You don't care, you never pay attention to me, don't spend time with me or anything! I hate you!" I paused, anger flowing through me, I was over it. I can't believe I thought she'd change, she was selfish and bossy, a conniving bitch really. I knew she cheated on me but it was fine. She apologized and said that it was because she was drunk. Do I gave her the benefit of the doubt, even though I knew it was a lie. I'm surprised I lasted that long. She hated everything about me, she didn't care about my likes and dislikes, and is she got something wrong she blamed me. I guess I was just afraid to be alone. But this? It being able to go out, only wearing what she made me, dieting for her, changing my whole life for her? "No more. We're done. I don't want to see you again." I placed the promise ring she gave me years ago on the table and left. Somehow it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be, instead it felt like a large weight was being lifted off my shoulders. I grabbed my helmet and put it on. Time  for work. I was running behind so after parking in the administration parking lot, I went to the English and language wing of the campus. Truly beautiful. I knocked on the door and after a few minutes decided to lean against the wall and relax a bit while I put my helmet on the floor beside me. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous. Whoever I was paired with was supposed to be an amazing author, smart and pretty. "I hope she isn't condescending." I mumbled when a lady stopped a few feet away from me. Oh God I hope she didn't here me. I hear her clear her throat and walk forward. "Good morning, I'm assuming you are my assistant teacher, Mr. Killian?" I stand up straight, wave. And give her a friendly smile. It's that girl from this morning, the new one. She's who I work with now? "Well hello again. Fancy meeting you again" I smile again. "My name is Killian, Asher Killian. It's a pleasure to properly meet you." I winked at her, I don't know why. Probably to gauge her personality, that's it. That's why I did it. She lets out a breath and I try not to chuckle. "Ah, lovely to meet you as well. My name is Scarlet James." She reaches out and shakes my hand. I'm about to pull it back when she hands me keys and a book. "Well then, let's get this party started Mr. Killian." As she speaks I unlock and open the door for her. She nods at me, still smiling, and walks in. I grab my helmet and walk in after her when she asks, "Can you prop the door open Mr. Killian?" I look up and see her placing her stuff on her desk, already organizing and prepping for the day. She reached up and brushed some hair behind her ear revealed an ear full of simple gold studs and I small chain connection two top piercings. Stunning. I prop it open and turn back around. "There's no need to be so formal love, it's college not grade school." I chuckle at how proper she sounds. She spins around on her heels and puts a hand on her hip, "maybe so, but id rather call someone I just met their formal names then a nickname." She retorts as she tilts her head to the left and smiles sarcastically before turning back around to complete her tasks. Damn, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Suddenly Alexis popped into my head and I subconsciously flinch while I walk to my desk. I glance up while I put my stuff down to see if she saw me, but she just shook her head while  sipping her coffee and looking over papers. I sigh and put my book on the desk, clip my keys to the chain on my wallet, and put my helmet in the corner away from the students. I lean against the desk for a bit when the bell rings. I hadn't noticed all of the students that had gathered already. I was looking over the class and counting people when Scarlet begins "Hello class, My name is Ms. James and I'll be your English Literature teacher for the semester. To start class off, Mr. Killian will be passing around an itinerary of what to expect for this semester, as well as a work page so I can get a grasp of your strong suits and weaknesses. While you look over the itinerary, and complete the paper, feel free to ask questions." She handed me two stacks of papers and I just smile at her as I take them and hand them out. Scarlet began to call role and I sit behind my desk with my at!s crossed when a young lady calls her name with a raised hand. "Yes Ms..." " Louise, please call me Louise." She says and she quickly continues, "is it true that your the author of the romance series, 'with bated breath'?" She asks hurriedly. Scarlet chuckles, "Yes I am, but if my parents ask, I write historical fiction." I laugh at her response. Some of the girls start laughing and three more ladies raise their hands. Scarlet points to a girl in the back, Olivia. "Do you draw inspiration for your books from your real life?" She giggles and a girl beside her elbows her. Scarlet pauses, "Sometimes, but sometimes I just read too many romance books myself. It's a blend of what had happened and what might." Olivia squealed. The girl up front puts her hand down, and I decide it's my turn to question dear Ms. James. "How many books have you wrote, and are you working on a new one?"I simply smile at her and she laughs sarcastically, "13 books so far and" some of the kids start whooping and hollering, some ask if she.  was lying, she laughs "I'm in the process of writing a new romance." I hear a loud "hell yeah!" From the back of the room, a guy holds up a book, "You're the reason I took this class! I adore your books, I've learned so much even though they're romances, and they've helped me through some tough times." Scarlet smiles oh-so-sweetly, "my books have helped me a lot too hun. I'm also glad you learned stuff because that was one reason why I wrote them the way I did. I wanted an escape for myself and others. Plus some romance and spice." She laughs. Just like that the bell rang, and it was time for break. The students file out and she turns to me smiling. "We're supposed to be meeting up with Ms. Lane for lunch right?" She asks me as she walks towards me. "That's right love." She pauses and stops smiling, "I have no idea where were supposed to go" she looks down when she says that but quickly looks back up and smiles. "Mind showing me where we go Mr. Killian?" She clasps her hand together and closes her eyes when she smiles. I run the back of my neck and laugh. "Of course Ms. James." She crinkles her nose and grabs her purse, I get up and walk towards the door opening it for her. She hurries out the door. "What's got you all excited?" I laugh as I lock the door behind us and start walking with her. "Today was amazing, I also can't wait to tell Ms. Lane about it. Today has been so fun." She says smiling brightly. I watch her for a second. She's so happy, how can someone be so happy at work? She's incredible. She's beautiful. My eyes are drawn to her lip piercing. I think I was staring a little too long because now she's glaring at me. I laugh nervously and walk her up to the teachers lounge by the front office. "Morning Ms. Lane" I smile from behind Scarlet as we walk in. She looks up from her spot at a round table in the center of the room. " Good morning dearies. Come now, sit with me. I wanna hear all about yalls first day." I pull a chair out for Scarlet and she thanks me as she sits down. I pick a chair equidistant between them both. I listen to the ladies chatter joyfully, my eyes hooked on the beautiful one to my left, Scarlet. Suddenly I feel guilty. I know I shouldn't move on from Alexis. But truthfully, I think I moved on a long time ago. She wasn't the best but she wasn't the worst. I just wonder if I made the right decision, leaving like that. Just then I'm pulled from my thoughts by Ms. Lane.