Frozen Stars

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞

𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐚
I already regret my decision on hanging out with Asher. Why did I settle myself for something I clearly don't have the time for? And certainly not the energy. Figure skating, school and my parents are everything I need in my life since it brings me enough stress and anxiety every single day.

Not to forget about my dear cookies that I couldn't live a day without. The only thing bringing me the same joy Nova gives me.

It's been a few days since Asher asked me to spend time with him for whatever reason. I have been trying to avoid him as much as possible, but the guy is persistent. He won't leave me alone and it's only been around three days.

Right now, I have a class with him, to be exact the only class I have with him. And I'm glad. I'd go crazy if I had to spend extra time with that idiot. I'm serious. He may seem mischievous and cocky and all, but he's always acting like the biggest idiot, pretending like he's the stupidest person on earth. Although I'm sure he's smart as well as he's hot.

I did not just think that.

Distract yourself, distract yourself, distract yourself.

A million topics come to my mind, but none of them are pleasant. Figure skating is connected to stress, anger and grief, and something I cannot quite describe or understand. My parents bring me the same none-existent joy, and if I dared to think about cookies, my stomach would grumble louder than the words of my professor sound, which would result in high-end embarrassment.

The last feeling I need in my life.

Asher is seated next to me, as always, and also seems to have found his fun in annoying me the whole damn lesson. He rather pokes me in my side, calls me princess or tries copying off my notes that are more organized than my room could ever be.

When it comes to writing down notes for any class, no matter the subject, my mind would go and be a goddamn super-brain, scribbling down every word and even less important information I could possibly get. Teachers have always admired my ability to be organized in taking notes back in high school, and they still do three years later, even if the faces of my professors have changed.

"You could teach me to decorate my paper like that with all those markers and stickers," a low voice whispers into my ear, making goosebumps appear all over my body. And that's not because of the voice being extremely soft despite it also being gruff, but because I hate when people whisper in my ear. It makes me feel all tingly and I despise the feeling.

"Absolutely not," I reply, not taking my eyes off my notes. Asher can tease me all he wants, but he will never be able to distract me from classes. I may appear as a smart-ass or some kind of nerd, but it's really just the fear of being a disappointment.

Asher shrugs and laughs it off, and the bell rips me out of my very racking thoughts. Sometimes I don't understand what my mind wants to tell me by switching the topics inside me to anything and nothing at all every second.

I quickly grab my stuff and head out, not wanting to be bothered by anyone—especially not Asher. Because I know all too well how easily he gets under my skin. It only takes a small fraction of a comment and I'm a micrometer away from falling to my knees and begging him to stop and leave me alone forever.

Thankfully, he stalks off to his friends and I can finally breathe again. I didn't know I held my breath, but it's nothing I didn't see coming considering how much Asher's presence alone affects me. I hate to admit it, but Asher is one of the most handsome people I've ever met.

His voice, so deep and yet beautiful. His hair, so shiny and dark I could think of it as a black or dark brown pillow. And his eyes so dark, as dark as the night, that I could lose myself in them by staring at them for a second too long.