Six Boys and One "Nerd"

Chapter 38 - Nerds and Park Benches

        Pure rage clouds my vision as I hobble aimlessly, down the street. The world never ceases to amaze me with the lack of loyalty in my generation. I earn a few odd looks from an elderly couple strolling past me before the woman gives me a soft smile as if to say "everything will be alright"

Eventually, my arms grow tired from the uncomfortable padding on my crutches

so I decided to take a break when I spot a nearby park. I carefully cross the street into the park and spot a gazebo off to the corner of the park. I plop onto the faded wood bench and set my crutches beside me. After propping my leg up on the bench I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a bit.

I never once suspected my best friend to cheat on Tucker, especially with Sebastian. Kassie and Tucker were the definitions of high school sweethearts. "What did I miss?" I question to no one in particular, wondering how she could cheat poor Tucker. "Well I don't know about you but I miss your smile."

My head shoots up and I find Asher staring down at me from a short distance away. I quickly turn the other way and shut my eyes. I don't even want to look at him. "How did you even find me?" I question and wait for an answer. "I was walking by and heard crying so I stopped to see what was going on." He says and I nod my head. I remain silent.

         He walks over to me and kneels down in front of me so that I can't look away. "What's a wrong sweetheart?" He whispers and touches my cheek. I wince and tears begin rolling down my cheeks again. "Don't call me that," I say and his hand freezes. He removes it from my cheek and brings it up to his hair. "I don't understand." He mutters and runs his hand through his hair.

         "I just can't do this anymore, at that party I realized that I don't know anything about you and I can't like a guy who also knows nothing about me. When you told me you had to go somewhere you left me confused and vulnerable and I hated every minute of it. I got drunk and said shit I shouldn't have said and I don't know, I guess I'm just trying to say that we need to back away from whatever this is." I say gesturing to our close proximity. His eyes darken a few shades and my heart clenches.

         "Um, okay I understand, I'll stay away." He mutters in a gruff voice and gets up. He dusts off his leather jacket and jeans and walks off towards the exit without even bidding a goodbye. I watch him leave the park and I turn back around to face the front. It was only then that I realized how lonely a park at night can be. I stared into the darkness and looked up into the stars. I realized that I almost felt at peace, like getting that large portion off my chest made me feel free. My eyes started to droop and soon enough I finally fall into a deep slumber.

~~~

Asher's POV

         I walked away into the night. I walked away from my mistake. I fucked up and forgot that not everyone's like me. They don't like to hide their feelings and hide where they go at night. They like to know things and have fun. And she likes to love people that no one else has.

         My heart is in a jumble. I don't know what to think so I don't. I just walk on into the darkness of the night and pay no attention to my surroundings. I let my thoughts wander to dangerous places. I willingly walk to the one place I can call home; The Ring.

         I drop down onto the softened wood of a worn bench and intake the smells of the place I hold closest to my heart. I inhale the sweat and dried blood. The foul smell of the rotting walls, almost ready to collapse. I feel my hard exterior soften as I see the picture on the wall, the only picture to earn a spot up there, and the only remaining picture of my father. I stand up and walk over to the picture and touch my fingers to the dirty glass. I run over the small engraved plaque stating his name and the reason he earned the right to be on this wall.

       "100 consecutive wins." I heard a gruff voice behind me declare and I smiled softly. "I know Max, you've only told me a thousand times." I voice across the room and turn around to find the only person I can easily trust with my life. "Your father would be proud of you Ash is proud of you." He says with shining eyes. I frown, "I won't believe it, not until I get my picture on the wall, then he will be truly proud of me."

         "Well even if he isn't quite yet proud, I know I am." He muttered. I smile softly and look into is worn, grey eyes. "Thanks, Max, for everything. For taking me in when he passed and for caring for me when I wanted nothing more than to be laid in a casket next to him. Thanks for taking me under your wing and making sure I wasn't put into foster care. I know I may not tell you these things all the time but I truly do appreciate it." I declared to him with a smile once I saw the pride in his eyes.

         He nodded his head and glanced at the ring, "You know, only 5 more wins to go and you'll earn your spot on the wall." He mentions, nodding towards the ring. I nodded and sighed heavily. "I know and if I don't win them, then this will all have been a waste," I mumble and run a hand through my jet black hair.