My Turn

Chapter one

I awake to the birds chirping outside my window. Their little early morning song is always a great way to start the day. So different from Carolina where I would be woken to moms streaks or Gerad kicking the ball against the side of our house. I open my window to hear the song more clearly and breath in that fresh morning Angles air. So crisp and clear, like I was resetting myself for today. I head downstairs where mom is up making waffles.

"Good morning honey," she greets me.

"Morning mom," I say.

"Oh no!" She says slapping her hands down on her sides.

"What is it?" I ask. Moms brain has become more cluttered as she has gotten older. The wrinkles on her face have become more pronounced and greater in quality. Her few gray streaks have multiplied drowning out her red hair. I really wish dad was still around. He was always able to calm her down. He was such a great guy. Mom interrupts my thoughts before I go too far down that emotional rabbit hole.

"I'm out of batter and I've only made two waffles," she sighs wiping her hands on her apron.

"Don't worry mom I can go get more ingredients at the store," I tell her.

"Really?" She asks hopefully.

"Sure," I respond. "Just let me get ready."

"Oh May," she says. "What would I do without you?"

"Clearly not make waffles for the house," I say as she laughs.

I head upstairs to get ready and put on a cute day dress. I offered to go to the store to help mom, of course, but also maybe a little because Asher, the cute store employee, happens to be working today. Asher's been in my class since I moved here in forth grade. We are now both in high school but he is just so shy and I don't even know if he's notices me. Ok well, maybe he has noticed me, but only because I'm Queen America's little sister, not for me. Anyways I head out as mom eyes my dress. I shrug her off trying to act as inconspicuous as possible.

The store is only three blocks away and it's very lovely out so I decide to walk. I enter the store and I am hit by a whiff of smells ranging from fresh produce to chocolate, my favorite. I quickly grab the supplies I need and head to Asher's line, easily the longest in the store. No doubt every girl in Angles had a crush on him. How could they not, he was just too cute!

"Hello May," he greets me. Okay, he knows my name, I guess I'm off to a good start.

"Hey Asher," I respond. "How's work?"

"Busy as usual," he responds. Then he lowers his voice and leans in. "Perhaps you could let me in on something I can't seem to figure out."

"What?" I ask honored he chose to ask me.

"Why does everyone go to my line when there are others much shorter?" He asked clearly confused. I giggled a little.

"Asher," I tell him. "If you don't know the reason for that now, I doubt you ever will." He gives me a little pouty face as he hands me my bag.

"Thanks," I tell him. "And good luck!"

"I would have had much better luck if you could have just told me!" He shouts after me.

"Never!" I respond.

Ugh! He is so cute. And what makes him even more cute is that he has no idea that he's cute. Like hello! why do you think all the girls in the province are waiting in your line.

Asher is gorgeous. He has sandy blond hair and light blue eyes that border on being green. His jawline could slice butter. He's on the basketball team so he has a great body but he's not cocky and arrogant like most of the jocks are. He's super quiet but I know he has a heart of gold. One time I saw a little girl at our school crying because a bully took her lunch and as he and his jock friends passed by, he silently gave her all of his lunch. That's just the kind of person Asher is, always selfless.

As I walked home I daydreamed about what dating Asher would be like. I've never dated anyone, which I think I have my sister to thank. All of the guys are aware of just how much of a private life I have: zero. And if they were to date me and break my heart, well the whole country would turn against them most likely.

I can only hope that one day a guy will be brave enough to ask me out.

And I can only hope that guy is none other than Asher Jennings.