Eleven

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I'm embarrassing myself at this point. Why am I always caught in a stare down with that man? I was only able to slip away when his soon called out to him. I'm glad no classes are today. But I will have to deal with it tomorrow.

No panic attacks this go round Jasmine. Keep calm, you're fine. I met up with Julia in the library shortly and was given my usual daily tasks of setting books back on the shelves and organizing them.

I couldn't help but think of him. Mr.Mayor of Belower Town. Those eyes, that hair of his. Hmp, bout orange as the sunset ain't it? He seems so scared all the time though.

Cautious but assertive.

I'm not sure why but...I don't ever feel uncomfortable when he's around. I'm just shy all the time. Should I be feeling this way?

"Oh? What are you smiling at?"

I got startled and nearly dropped the books from my hand. I held them tightly, dropping the smile I was not aware of.

"Just...my favorite book." Nice save Jasmine. Julia walked over and took the top book. She arched a brow and showed me the cover.

"The encyclopedia? Really?"

Embarrassed I took the book back leisurely. "Hm," a grin. "You know what I think it is?" I set the books in their respectable spaces and pressed my dress.

"Yes?"

"Allen. I saw the way you two looked at each other the day before." She teases with a wink.

"Allen. H-his son?"

She crossed her arms. "Don't get smart with me young woman. You were all red in the face like you are now. And the way he looked at you was like he'd been admiring the first sentence to a good book."

I didn't understand. "He was hooked." Julia sent me a wink and waved for me to follow her as she walked off. I barely got time to render what she was saying. Maybe it was all bogus too. Something to poke fun at me with.

He barely paid attention to me in that interview and even ended it in a rush. He doesn't want anything to do with a washed up runaway that's afraid of someone breaking in as she's sleeping.

"Ah crap. Here, if it doesn't bother you much, I have a box in the back trunk of my car, and I would love if you'd get it as I find the second part for that box." Her smile was telling.

It gave me too much creepy vibes. "It's a an old red car by teacher's parking. We need it for tomorrow's session."

"Okay." I took the key and Julia instantly began muttering to herself.

"Now, where did I put you?"

I just left in silence. I pranced the halls, the heels of my shoes being the only thing I could hear. My eyes drift into some open classrooms, catching glances from the students and teachers.

"Good job class!" I looked to the right and caught eyes with a female. She's tall, very tall, dark skinned and her hair is in a finger wave style. Upon spotting me she smiled.

I waved awkwardly and she returned it. But before I could continue on, my eyes landed on someone familiar. That thick red hair, the white slit in his hair, those eyes.

He had been staring at me. And then, he waved. "Oh? Allen, do you know her?"

No. I've been spotted. No no no. He just nodded.

"Really? From where?"

"L-library."

"Oh. Hello," she walked closer to the door, standing in the frame. She held out her hand for a shake and I took it, not wanting to be rude. "My name is Polly Greene."

"Jasmine Young."

"Nice to meet you. Are you a new teacher?"

"Um, no, I help in the library."

"Oh, okay, well, I wouldn't want to keep you."

I nod, shooting another glance at Allen. I looked away and walked off. I wonder what class was that. I should've asked maybe. I made it outside and felt warm.

It's so quite around here. Like there's life but you can't see it. "Asher breathe!" I looked across the parking lot and spotted Axel Pone on his knees shaking a distressed Asher Allen.

I was curious as to what was going on, but I didn't want to interfere. Then again, Pone sounded worried. I watched him frantically shake Mr.Allen. Pone cussed.

He stood to his feet and paced as he tried to figure out what to do. Then he met my gaze. I'm sure I jerked back when he caught me looking.

"Hey. Hey! I need help!" Help? "Please!" Fight or flight, I began moving. I skipped across the parking lot and reached them. I looked down at Asher and noticed how red in the face he is, gasping for breath, dry heaves.

I knew the signs of it all well. A panic attack.

"I flinched him and he just started breaking down." All of what Axel had been saying was in one ear and out of the other. I know what it feels like to go through this.

Social awareness goes down, you try to focus but you can't. Nobody is there to help you. You suffocate yourself without choice. It's scary.

Asher's eyes drift to me, his brows knotting together. I dropped to my knees, setting a shaken hand onto his chest. So fast.

"It's okay. Focus on what's in front of you." I touched his cheek. "My fingers, the wind, the ground. Anything around you. Focus on being grounded." I touched his hand, his fingers. They're sweaty.

I set his right hand onto his chest. "You could feel it. You can hear it. If you can feel it...then what is there to worry about?"

Asher stared at me and finally, a jaggered breath. Then another. And another. It was all so sudden, just allowing my mouth to move to what I tell myself all the time.

If I can feel it, if I can hear it, then I know I'm not dying. I'm here. I'm grounded.

His left fingers wrapped around my hand gently as he continued to gather himself. I was just lost in it all. The gentle breeze, the silence. His hair.

It looks soft. It is soft. Like silk. I couldnt help myself, I just did it, I just touched his hair. I invaded his space—but he allowed me to.

I brushed his left brow as if to see if that too was the bombarding orange. His eyes are so bright, but I knew I couldn't just drag my fingers across it. And his freckles. I want to count them all.

"T-thank you." He finally says, sitting up. I snapped out of it and pulled my hands back.

"You're welcome. I'm sorry I didn't mean to-

"It's fine." And there it was again, the staring. This stupid stare of fixation. What is it about him? Should I even trust this feeling of mine? But...but I don't hate it. I don't hate that I feel...safe.

I'm sure he leaned forward. His eyes drift to my lips, staying there. What is happening? What is happening?! No, don't trigger anything Jasmine.

It's fine. Well not entirely since he's about to kiss me. Is he?! He is! He's so close now, so much so I could smell him. He smells like dead leaves.

"You're so... beautiful." He whispers. It was so quiet I almost missed it. "So..." Before that kiss landed I moved back. I stood to my feet, checking to see if I had the keys.

"Sorry." I brushed my knees and rushed off to the other side of the parking lot. The entire time I screamed at myself to not look back.

But his words lingered in my ear.

He called me beautiful. So beautiful.

___

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