Shy Eyes

5

I woke up to Asher's beautiful artwork once again. He slept soundlessly on the other side of his bed. He kept respectful distance between us which was really thoughtful of him. He slept like a baby. I turned and faced him. His face looked like it was sculpted to perfection. I traced my fingers around his jaw line. He didnt open his eyes, but he put his forehead against mine.
"Good morning." He whispered
"You're awake?" I asked.
"Yeah.... Your fingers are soft." He said opening his sea blue eyes and looking at me.
"You are really pretty." He said smiling.
" You must be seeing things." I said frowning.
"Then everyone including yourself must be blind.." He said.
"I have to go." I said in panic.
"What.... Paisley.." He said
" Asher I went on a date with you. That's it. I didn't even know it was a date. Just please... Give me space." I said firmly.
"You're right I'm sorry. I don't want to pressure you. I won't do that again I promise." He said.
"Okay. Well I'm going to check on Jonny. You can come with if you want." I said with forgiveness.
He smiled and got up to join me.
*********
We made it into Jonny's hospital room. He just laid there like usual. Asleep. Except he had more tubes connected to him. I smiled at my brother feeling like he could see the hurt look on my face.
"Jonny. How ya feeling today?" I asked.
"Good. Well I brought someone with me here today. It might come as a surprise." I said.
"Do you remember Asher Waters? The boy who saved me in the hallway at school? Well I brought him." I spoke happily." We went on a date. Just thought you should know. Maybe I'm actually starting to make friends."
Asher smiled. Then tried to kiss me.
"No Asher!"I slapped his arm. "No PDA that's my brother laying right there. Hello?!"
Asher laughed. I didn't. Jonny looked so.... Dead.
I sat down by Jonny and held his hand.
"I just wish I could talk to you once more." I said quietly.
"You will Paisley." Asher said.
"If you can hear me, your sister needs you man." Asher said to Jonny in a whisper, as if I he thought I couldn't hear it. That was the first time he said anything to Jonny ever since he was in the accident.
The nurse came into the room with pipes that were most likely used for bathroom purposes.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave." She said.
I just nodded and left the room.
We wandered out to his motocycle.
"Paisley when are you coming back to school." He said.
"I don't know. I'm just scared. I can't do this without him there to protect me." I said.
"I will protect you. I'll change my schedule to match yours. Ill sit by you. I'll even move my locker next to yours." He said.
" Really? You'd do that?" I asked.
"Of course." He said
"Okay...." I smiled.
"So.... Paisley. I would say that our date went fairly well.... I suppose... You wouldn't wanna maybe... Go on another would you?" He asked.
"Yes I would like that a lot actually. Sorry I turned you down before." I laughed lightly.
We pulled up in front of my house.
"Can we go somewhere else?" I asked.
"Sure." He said.
"Actually. I mean... We could go on our second date now?" I suggested.
"Really..." He smirked "Do you have a specific place you want to go?"
" Ya but you might think its boring.... Its actually kinda private for me." I said.
"Then I would love to go to this mysterious place. Guide me." He smiled.
We took a few turns... Drove around. We pulled up in an empty parking lot. There were no buildings or parks or anything. Just grassy hills.
"What-" Asher began to speak.
"I'll show you." I said getting out of his truck. I took his hand and guided him up a hill. When we reached the top you could see the shore of a beach.
" Whoa..." He said.
There was a plane of flowers going down one side of the hill. The grass grew thick and green, the sun was still rising. You could just barely see the tint of orange and dark blue which made up the sky. The blue water below washed up on the shore as the wind brushed through our hair and whistled lightly in our ears.
" This is beautiful ." He said. " How did I not know about this?"
"Follow me." I said taking his hand.
I led him down the hill as we walked carefully through the flowers. He stopped me for a second. There was a white rose standing in front of him. Whoever planted these was greatly appreciated. He picked it carefully. He cautiously stepped in front of me. He brushed my hair behind my ear with his fingers and placed it in my hair.
" Thank you." I whispered placing my hand over his.
We continued walking until we reached the sand.
" I like to sit in the sand and watch the sun set." I said." I know its kinda stupid but-"
"It isn't stupid. This is amazing." He said.
I smiled and watched the waves.
I hid in fear for so many years, for so many reasons. People hated me, my parents hated me, society hated me, I hated me. I felt as if I didn't have a place in this world. I hid from so many opportunities. It was like I was filled with holes from bits of the last that I never experienced because I didn't let myself be happy, cause I didn't think I was allowed. I didnt want to be happy. In fact, I didn't even understand what happy really was. However, now, I see a new opprotunity, to be happy. Asher gave me that opportunity. Sure there were still obstacles to face. My parents, Jonny, kids at school, and a bunch more. However, Asher presented me something that could get me through it. To make me realize that I can still win even if there is several things that could take me down. He presented me with love. Something I didn't receive from many.
I turned my head to look at him, the wind blowing my hair into my face. His fingers tenderly brushed it away. I leaned in and firmly pressed my lips against his cheek, wrapping my arms around the back of his neck. I let him pull me closer until I was practically on his lap hugging him.
"Thank you." Was what I said.
He understood what it meant.