When Dusk Meets Dawn

Chapter 7

Asher

"I'm so confused dude," I was lying on my bed with my best friend Aaron at my desk, dying at a video game for what felt like the thousandth time. "Does she love me? Does she hate me? Does she just like me as a friend? Do I like her? Do I love her?" Aaron just chuckled. "You need to stop overthinking it. Just go with the flow- Aw dammit, stupid game!" Aaron cursed at the screen. I rolled my eyes at him. "I can't just 'go with the flow'! I can't even remember what 'flow' means when I'm with her!" Aaron finally swiveled around the chair to face me. "Then tell her how you feel," "I can't do that. She wouldn't like me back," Aaron tilted his head ever so slightly. "How do you know that?" I sighed heavily. "Not with that British kid around. How could she ever want me - she has like four classes with him and only one with me!" I chuckled darkly at myself. "He probably even asked her out by now..." Aaron turned back to the video game and then swore loudly again. "I think something's wrong with your computer man," I laughed. "Or you," Aaron threw me a look. But his bitter expression soon melted as his face lit up. "I've got an idea," "If this is about how bad you suck at video games..." He waved his hand dismissively. "It's about you and Kendall,"

I looked at him with fatigue. "There's nothing I can do, bro," Aaron grinned. "You can write her a note about how you feel," I sat up. "No way! That's just as bad!" Aaron rolled his eyes. "Will you let me finish?" I glared at him but stayed silent. "You can write her a note...But don't sign it," I looked at him confused. "Then what's the point?" "If she really likes you, she'll probably suspect that it was you who wrote it, therefore she might indirectly try to ask you whether you did. If she seems interested, tell her the truth. If she doesn't, then you can say you didn't," I considered this. It would be a big risk, but it would be worth it. But it would never be as easy as that. "What if she thinks Zach wrote it? Then what?" Aaron stared off into space for a couple of seconds, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, then you're a lost cause," I threw my pillow at Aaron earning a laugh from him. "Okay, okay, doesn't Zach probably write differently than you? She would know if she has so many classes with him so I don't think she would think it's him," I sighed and fell back into the sheets. "But there's still a pretty big chance that she wouldn't notice," Aaron sighed too. "There isn't really anything else you could do. Kendall's a smart girl, she'll probably overthink it and then realize it was you," I looked at him. "How do you know all this about her?" "I'm Chloe's ex, remember? She talked about Kendall like ninety percent of the time," I nodded as my mind once again wandered off to thoughts about Kendall. She was so beautiful. Probably the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. "Dude, stop zoning out," Aarons face came back into my sight. I sighed. "I want her," I whined like a child. Aaron chuckled. "Just follow my master plan," I rolled my eyes at him. "Master plan? Right...It's not going to work," "Hey! At least I'm trying to do something about it! All you ever do is stare at that picture of her- Oh look, you're doing it again," I had pulled out my phone and stared at her picture desperately. This time, Aaron rolled his eyes. "Sometimes, I don't understand how half the school's in love with you," He muttered. I reluctantly shut off my phone and sat up.

"Half the school isn't in love with me," I looked away. "They hate me," "Only the nerds...The boys worship you because you're like the best basketball player,"
"They also hate me for getting all of the attention from girls," I cut in. "Yeah, maybe, but it's not like they would say anything in front of you," I sighed again. "See, that's the point. Everyone is afraid of me," Aaron kicked my bed with his feet to annoy me. "What about the girls? They love you," "I don't love them," Aaron pretended to choke. "Not even your dear Kendall?" I shot him a look while he doubled up with laughter. "Sorry," He said solemnly after about two minutes. My phone buzzed. My nose wrinkled in disgust. "Candace again?" Aaron guessed. I nodded. "Let's go! I told you I can read facial expressions now!" I threw Aaron a sharp glance as I lifted myself off the bed and to my bedroom door. "Where are you going?" "Just outside, she wants to call," Aaron rolled his eyes. "Fine, but don't take too long," "Do you really think I have any incentive to speak to her?" Aaron chuckled lightly as I closed the door behind me and answered the call. "Is that you Ashy?" Candace's familiar but sickening voice spoke on the other end. I breathed out in annoyance. "No, It's the president," Candace gasped. "Mr. President! What are you doing with my boyfriend's phone?!" She gasped. "Hang on, don't tell me you both were-" "I was joking! It's me, Asher," I said through gritted teeth. "Oh. I was literally joking, though. I was like, testing you," Canace bluffed. "And you're really dumb for joking like that, actually, you're really dumb no matter what you do!" She started to cackle. "Yeah, I'm also really dumb for dating someone like you," Candace stopped laughing. "Are you this impulsive, Ashy? You literally got hit after I told on you, aren't you afraid?" This time, I laughed. "Of you? More traumatized than scared! I looked at you once at the new years party and I've had nightmares ever since- ""This is your last warning Asher!" Candace shrieked. "Or what?" I asked mockingly. "Or-Or-Or I'll make up the most horrible lies about you and tell your father!" I laughed even harder. "Right. You do that." I heard Candace growl in frustration. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'YOU DO THAT'!?" She screamed. I winced and moved the phone away from my ear. "I meant what I said!" I responded scornfully. "I don't care anymore! He can do whatever the hell he wants!" Candace shouted in fury. "I'll-I'll hurt Kendall! I'll break into her house and slit her throat and-" "Shut your mouth, Candace!" I hissed. She stopped talking. "Take it back," I demanded. "No!" "Now!" She hung up. I threw my phone as hard as I could on the ground and the screen shattered. Aaron rushed out of my bedroom in panic. "Dude, what the hell!?" He looked between my broken cell phone and me in utter confusion. I was fuming. Candace's last words were replaying in my head over and over again. Her evil cackle. My pure hatred and resentment for Candace Lysiak couldn't even be put into words.