The Trouble With Two Seasons

Chapter 35 : Making Up

"Ouch!" Grayer squirmed, watching Winter disinfect the wound above his left brow with a cotton swab.

"It's okay,just a final dab." Winter cooed , blowing cold air softly on his forehead. It was her attempt to cool down the burn from the disinfectant.

Grayer squeezed the features of his face into something like someone who'd tasted a sour orange and looked up at Winter.

As soon as Mr Hoff left the class, she dashed out to find Grayer.

He had stormed out of the school after meeting the Principal,then made his way to the car park,where Winter had him cornered.

He was furious to sit in class and could not stand to look at Summer in the eye. She probably hated him right now.

He was literally back to square one. Regardless,he was glad he'd got his message to Asher across. He'd stop at nothing to get his best friend back.

Winter gently tugged at his shirt sleeve, bringing him back to present.

It was with great difficulty that she had used to get him settle down on the tailgate of his truck,where she was disinfecting his wounds.

"So, how'd it go in there?"Winter enquired about Grayer's trip to the Principal's office.

She took Grayer's chin in her hands, to have a clear view of his face.She wanted to inspect the wounds she had cleaned.

"Principal Mullins was rumbling on about the school code of ethics and some other basic shit.He later on slapped us with an after school detention or something of that sort."Grayer dismissed.

"Oh,that man is always spewing some incorrigible rubbish from the school handbook. Boy,you're lucky he didn't slap on some bullshit penalty!" Winter said,relieved Grayer wasn't slapped with a heavy punishment.

"I know,it's probably because he knows my Mum would have blown his school down if he tried. Not like I was listening to what he was saying anyway." Grayer chuckled watching Winter work on.

It was although with difficulty, as Winter's nails and hand jewellery interfered with everything.

It was cute actually, her being there for him regardless.

"There,done."Winter smiled, packing the first aid kit away.

"Thanks." Grayer flashed her a polite smile.

"You're going back to class?" Winter asked, staring at him with worried eyes.

"I'd rather skip."Grayer shrugged.

Winter pouted in thought. "Where are you going?"

"Anywhere you wanna go."Grayer smirked up at her.

Winter squealed,"I'll drive."

Grayer reluctantly handed his car keys over, watching Winter make her way to the driver's side.

He sure needed a distraction...

                      
                          ***

There was unsaid tension on the dinner table.

Summer scooped some more mashed potatoes into her mouth, enjoying the taste of it against the par-boiled peas on her plate.

Her left arm rested in a sling and she stretched out a little to grab her glass of juice.

"Summer, dear, the boy's been at the door for ages. The rain is getting worse,he'll catch cold." Mrs.Wells said over the dinner table.

Summer looked up from her plate of food,"He can leave. I'm not asking him to stay here."

She went back to picking through her meal as the storm raged on.

Thunder cackled and lightning struck.

Taylor pushed his chair back. "That's it, Summer..."

"I'm letting him in!" He announced, striding towards the door.

Summer rolled her eyes."That won't push me to talk to him."

Taylor ignored his sister and pulled the door open.

Asher walked into the house,a wet mess.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry you had to stand in the rain.I'll go get you something to mop the water away." Mrs Wells fussed, scurrying upstairs for some warm towels.

"Taylor could you grab him a couple of your dry clothes?" She asked as Taylor nodded, stepping towards his room.

Summer remained at the table, her expression unreadable.

Deep down, the thought of Asher  standing through the harsh weather to get his apology across warmed her heart and she wasn't letting him see how that had actually made her all mushy.

Asher stared at her and she slowly stared back.

Why would he hit Grayer?

Why on earth would they suddenly not play nice with each other?

Why would they act like they were arch nemesis?

Summer's thoughts poured in.

Why were the two boys she loved most in the world  in a fight?

The previous week's events came flooding back and she winced, rising from the chair on which she was seated.

She was progressing upstairs when her Mum's words made her stop in her tracks.

"You're not going anywhere until you sort yourself out young lady!" Mrs Wells called out, handing over a couple of Taylor's clothes and a warm towel to Asher.

"Thank you,Mrs Wells." Asher said as Summer's Mum smiled up at him.

Summer groaned, settling back in her chair.Her Mum shot her a stern glare before progressing into the kitchen to tidy up after the meal.

With great difficulty, Summer tried to peel her eyes off Asher as he slipped off his wet shirt revealing his masculine chest and broad shoulders.

His magnificent frame was impressive and it made Summer's head whirl.

Soon,much to Summer's disappointment,he had changed into dry clothes. 
Then pulled out a chair and settled beside Summer.

"Can we talk?" He asked earnestly, searching her eyes.

"About?" She snapped, her voice coming out snarky than expected.

Asher shrugged, "About how sorry I am for hurting the best girl I've been with and for acting on whimsical interests.I'm so sorry I hurt you this way."

Summer gnawed at her lower lip in thought.

"Why did you fight him?" Summer asked quietly.

Asher tensed up, "I don't know, Summer."

"He just hasn't been treating you fairly." He cut it short. It almost seemed like he was avoiding Grayer's topic.

"You can tell me if something is bothering you,Ash." Summer coaxed.

Asher sighed, taking a deep breath.

"For some reason it hurts seeing you with him, okay? I can't stand losing you and it drives me nuts seeing you take him back after everything that he's put you through."

"Asher you don't need to feel that way." Summer assured taking his hand in hers.

"I really like you, you're my boyfriend and my friendship with Grayer will not change that.He's just my bestfriend for Godsake!" Summer announced.

Asher groaned, resisting the urge to matter a "Tell Grayer that!"

"I know how to not mix stuff up,and I'm sure Grayer will realize that too." Summer consoled.

"I hope soo too."Asher added, drawing close to wrap Summer in a hug.

"I missed you." He whispered into her neck.

"Me too." She confessed hugging him back tight.

July 25,2024(original draft written)