Asher
Her, now red, hair spins around and around as she propels herself in circles, over and over again in her little dance.
"Asher, dance with me!" She pleads, taking my hands in her own
I start to control the spinning now, I spin her around a few times, but ultimately spin her back to my arms, tight and protected by my own embrace. It's warm, and she is safe. She is safe, and that is all that matters.
When I wake up, I am happy, for once. I think telling Ali about my past has relieved some of the sadness and guilt from my shoulders. The way she took it like it was something normal helped too. Her story did strike me oddly, I didn't realize how intense her situation was. Most of the things she has done, make sense now.
I shake out of bed and wipe the sleep from my eyes. I notice the clock says that I've over slept about ten minutes, but I don't care because for the first time in forever, I am fully rested. My eyes don't hurt and my mind isn't sluggish due to lack of sleep.
I pull on my clothes for the day and decide to take advantage of the nice day, so I walk to school. It doesn't take me too long, I end up making it just in time, but it is all good because I am able to see Alice when I walk into first period.
I take my seet diagonally in front of her and quickly flash her a friendly smile, well, I hope it passes as friendly to her because it sure isn't to me. Two lectures and one group project later we are all sitting around the lunch table, lounging and talking about the Soccer game tonight.
"We could beat Ryleigh high blindfolded and with two left feet!" Brady Gloats
"Of course!" Max yells, warranting some glares from nearby teachers
Chandler, in the heat of the moment, stands up and pounds his fists on the table yelling "WOOOOOO!"
"Chandler, you spilled milk all over the table!" Ali shrieks with laughter.
With that Chandler sits down and I take the moment of silence to look over at Ali. She has a smile on her face but she looks disgusted at the same time. She looks beautiful. Looking back to Chandler I see tendrils of red embarrassment covering his face.
"Since when do you take orders? Especially from a girl?" Adam yells with laughter in his tone
"Okay, come on, we all know Alice is no typical girl." Chandler says causing us all to look at Ali who has her combat boots leaning on the table top so she is propped back in her chair. "Besides, Sensei Chan takes no orders. Sensei Chan gives the orders"
We all watch as Chandler jumps up from his chair once again, this time he forms a karate chop and he slams his hand onto the table, causing it to rumble.
"Back to the game," Brady redirects us
"Yes! Okay, am I the only one who thinks we should bring Alice?" Max says
"She can cheer us all on!" Brady interjects
"We all know she will only be cheering for me." Adam says wiggling his eyebrows at her
"Easy," I reprimand feeling a touch of heat on my cheeks.
"So, Al Pal, you up for it?" Adam jumps in
"I'm not sure," She responds, taking her feet off of the table and scooting in closer, just so happens she shifts towards me
"We could come get you. Usually we all ride down together, and I'm pretty sure Adam's car seats six. It will probably end about eight at the latest." I explain a little
"Sure, sounds fun. I will have to run it by my Momma first." She says with the innocent tint of pink flaring at her cheeks
"It's okay, darling girl." I whisper under my breath so only she can hear. I wish we could be a couple but if that isn't wat she wants then so be it.
"Do you have any blue and black?" Max asks flipping his hair
"Of course! Is this like, jeans and sneakers or boots or.. what do I even wear?" She asks getting a little flustered
"You are fine in a t-shirt, jeans, and some sneakers." Max explains "Just wear blue or black, and not yellow."
"Is yellow the opposing team? Ryleigh?" She asks
"Yup and yup." Chandler responds and I see he is on the ground
"Get off the floor Sensei Chan." I demand
"Don't tell me what me to do little one." Chan smiles at me
I grumble a response as the lunch bell rings, telling us to go to our fifth period. We all go our seperate ways but I walk with Alice so she isn't alone.
"You know I can walk on my own. I survived without you for a long time, I can continue now." Ali says
"Yeah, but that's the thing, you have me now, so you can do more than survive. I will help you enjoy life, girlie." I say looking at her "You didnt deserve that, and you never will, at least by my eyes. People may hurt you or put you down but you will never be less beautiful than you are, again, in my eyes."
"Thanks, but I really don't need you to walk me to a classroom, especially when yours is all the way on the other side of school, you'll be late Ash." She says and I shiver at the nickname.
"I know, but I like spending time with you. I won't see you right after school so you are gonna have to walk to your car on your own but the guys and I will pick you up for the game about five so we can drive there and warm up and all that fun stuff."
"Oh no! Walking on my own? How dare you! I thought you were a gentleman!" She bites out with a bit of sarcasm
"I thought you didn't mind walking on your own, sassy. I'm going to class, see ya' later munchkin." I bid her goodbye and before I leave I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her on the head.
I don't look back to see how she reacts but I am not sure I want to know. It takes a while to finish school but when I do I am giddy with building excitement over the possibilities of tonight.
