I'll look after you

04

'S P E N C E R'

He had my notebook the entire time. That thought made me feel both relieved and scared at the same time.

Asher may have promised he didn't read it, but I don't trust people that easily. Especially when I just have met them. What if he glanced at a page out of curiosity? What if he knows what's inside, my thoughts, my emotions the things I've never shared with anyone. That idea sent a shiver to my spine.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He seemed genuine enough calm and focused on the lesson. But still I've learned the hard way that people aren't always what they seem.

The rest of the class passed in a blur. My thoughts kept circling back to my notebook. The way he'd held onto it without telling me right away. Maybe he didn't mean any harm, but a part of me couldn't shake the unease.

When the bell rang, Asher turned to me with a small smile. "Here I told you, I'd give it back." He said as he pulled the notebook out of his backpack. As he handed it over to me, my fingers brushed again his fingers, and for a second. I almost believed him, almost.

"Thanks." I mumbled, as I immediately put it in my backpack quickly, as if it would protect from something or someone.

We both got up and left the classroom in silence. The air between us felt heavy, and I wasn't so sure what to say. I kept my eyes forward, clutching my backpack tighter.

But that silence didn't last long once Asher opened his mouth.

"You're joining us for lunch, right?" He asked, his voice causal but also genuinely curious.

I blinked in surprise, turning to look at him. "Are you sure?". The question felt foreign on my tongue, I couldn't remember the last time someone asked me to join them for lunch. At Valley High, I sat alone, content with my own company. Or at least I just got used to it.

Asher frowned slightly, as if my question didn't make sense to him. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

I hesitated, searching his face for any hint of obligation or he did this just to embarrass me. But I found none. He seemed sincere and that only made it harder to believe.

"I mean, I just met you guys yesterday." I answered, my voice quieter than I intended.

Asher shrugged, his smile still easygoing. "So what? Doesn't mean we can't hang out. Besides you're right we just met so we can know each other more."

His laid back attitude caught me off guard. It felt so simple to him, like there were no hidden motives or games. I wasn't used to that. My instinct was to keep my guard up.

I also didn't want to intrude their group, they seemed so close to each other.

"You're not intruding." Asher said firmly. "How did you?"

"Your face, it's an open book." He answered, still giving me a look that made it seem like the idea was absurd.

"You're part of the group, period. Trust me Skylar and Roman wouldn't mind. Also Theo wouldn't. In fact, they'll be probably confused if you don't show up."

But despite his reassurance, my instinct still got the best of me. I hesitated, the familiar what if doubts creeping back in. What if this was all just a joke? What if he was just asking out of politeness and I'd show up to just be the odd one out. Sitting awkwardly while they laughed and joked like I wasn't there.