Rose Petals

Chapter 5

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -Dr. Seuss

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He seemed more quiet than usual that morning. He hid behind his long black hair every time I would take a glance at him.

I knew it wasn't fine. I mean, what even happened yesterday? We were... so close. His scent was intoxicatingly alluring. It made me lean in more and he did the same then... my phone rang. Did he... did he want me to lean forward more? What if we actually...

"Nate! Pay attention!" My teachers squawking snapped me out of my wandering thoughts with an angry scowl over his face.

"I'm sorry." I looked around the class to see everyone giggling. Ash wasn't though. He was looking out the window. Probably avoiding my gaze. The teacher went back to his lesson and I pretended to pay attention.

Sneaking a few glances towards Ash.

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The bell rang and everyone shuffled out the doors. I was packing my stuff when the teacher came up to me.

"Nate, why aren't you paying attention in my class? It's happened more than once and I'm worried. Your grades are slipping." He crossed his arms and leaned against a desk in front of mine. I sighed and looked up at my least favorite teacher.

"I just don't have any interest in the topic. I have a lot of personal issues right now and It's putting a lot of stress on me. Can I go now?" He didn't seem satisfied with my answer. Right as he was going to say something more there was a scream coming from the hallway.

Ash.

I ran out of the classroom with the teacher following. Down the hallway there were a group of boys kicking someone on the ground. I recognized one of them. Dave. That son of a bitch!

"What the fuck is happening!" I screamed. I ran towards the group and with all the force I could give I punched Dave right in the face. He stumbled against the wall and held his jaw. Blood oozed from between his lips and he spat out a tooth.

"Some fucking nerve you have to come over here and interfere with something that has nothing to do with you." He growled and stumbled slowly to his feet. His eyes held a menacing glare, silently battling my own.

"And some nerve you have for touching something that's mine." I deadpanned. He smirked, eyes flickering towards the almost unconscious Ash laying on the ground.

"Yours, huh?" He chuckled humorlessly and met my glare again. "The last time I checked, this queer had nobody." He burst out into laughter and heaved over his knees.

"Not even his sorry excuse for a father!" I clenched my teeth and the next thing I knew I was over Daves bloody face, punching it repeatedly.

"That's enough son!" Someone pulled me off of the semi conscious quarterback. I struggled but they had a firm grip on me. I looked over my shoulder to see it was security.

"Ash!" I screamed and glanced over at his unmoving body. Bloody and bruised. It felt like all the adrenaline that was rushing through my body a few seconds ago just flat out died. I felt weak now, tired even. My knees gave out and I fell on the ground. The guy let go of me and I crawled over to Ash.

"Ash wake up. Ash?" I shook his body gently and he mumbled something. His face contorted from what I'm guessing his body aching.

"We need to get to the nurse." I picked Ash up slowly and stumbled away from the scene.

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"I'm sorry." I mumbled quietly at the edge of the bed. Ash was still asleep and I didn't want to leave his side. I refused to. I laid my head in my arms and dozed off.

The next thing I knew, I felt fingers sliding through my hair. I mumbled under my breath, "Don't touch my toast, monkey."

Ash chuckled. "Monkey, huh?" His hand never stopped moving through my hair. "Thank you for saving me. I was unconscious but, I heard everything. I was starting to think that... maybe no one cared anymore. But... It's stupid, I know. Thank you so much though. I'm so... happy." He chuckled and then it was silent again. My eyes were still closed and I pretended I was still asleep.

"I think I'm falling in love with you." His voice cracked. I heard the door open and then he quickly composed himself.

"Oh Ashton sweetheart!" A female voice came from whoever walked in. I felt the hand on my head be removed and a new presence was by the bed.

"Hi, mom."