Usufruct (a.i)

T w o

I twisted my headphone cord around my finger as The Fray's 'Hold My Hand' blasted into my ears. I loved this band with my heart and I couldn't get enough of their newest album, Helios. I rested my head against the cold glass, watching as my breathe fogged the glass up into a little circle. Slowly, I traced letters into the limited writing space.

It was winter in England, and it was fucking freezing. Snow covered the ground and everyone was bundled up in fur coats, including myself.

Jolting forward, due to the tube stopping abruptly and it skidding slightly on the cold tracks, I almost slammed my head into the seat in front of me.

“Fuck.” I moaned, rubbing my forehead and ripping out my headphones. I already felt an incoming headache and decided loud music would make it worse.

“I haven't even done anything yet and you're already moaning swears in my presence. I knew I was good looking, but not that good looking.” I heard a thick accent from beside me. I turned my head in time to see a boy standing in the aisle next to my seat, grinning.

“Kidding, but seriously, can I sit next to you?” He asked before sitting down anyway.

“Didn't give me much of a choice,” I mumbled obviously not in the mood to deal with anyone today.

“Did you get my note?” He asked, leaning the side of his head against the seat in front of him so he could still face me and gauge my reaction.

“That was from you?” My ears perked up and I actually paid attention to him.

Yesterday, I got a very sweet but minorly creepy note slipped into my purse while I was working. How and when it got in there, I don't know. But I was planning on finding out later today at work when I watched the security cameras.

“Uh, yeah, I'm Ashton. But like sorry if it was too direct, I mean I just wanted to tell you because I'm a very straightforward person and I like being honest to people, so, I decided to be honest to you.” He shyly mumbled, causing a large smile to spread across my face. I mean, at least the person who wrote the note was a boy my age, who also happened to be very, very attractive.

“No, it's fine. I really liked the note, thanks.” With my words, his cheeks slowly turned a slight rosy red, making me smiler wider. Finally when Ashton looked up, he grinned back at me.

“There it is, the smile I love so much. God, it's beautiful.” Now it was my turn to blush. I mean, I get compliments and I know I'm mildly attractive, but I have no filter when it comes to blushing.

During the rest of the ride, Ashton and I chatted away. As Ashton walked off the tube behind me, he continued to talk as he followed me up the escalator and into the cold London air. We kept walking until we reached the gates of my college. Unlike most of the student population, I chose to live in the city, rather than live on the edge of London where my college was located. Right as I was about to walk through the gates and continue our conversation. I realized I had never seen Ashton at school before. There were not that many students that chose morning classes instead of afternoon, so if he went here, I was bound to see him at least once in the morning.

“Ashton, not to be mean, but do you even go to this university? I mean, I've never seen you anywhere and you don't have any books or anything, so I'm just assuming you don't.” I asked him, trying to sound as nice as possible. He chuckled, causing dimples to indent into his cheeks.

“No, I don't.” He scratched the back of his neck while looking down.

“Then why are you here?” I asked, completely confused as to why he took the time out of walking me to school.

“Uh, I saw you go into the underground, and I wasn't sure when I'll be able to see you again, so I followed you in. I don't go here, but I was heading this direction anyway, so my stop is the next block over. I'll just walk there, it's pretty close.” He mumbled, obviously embarrassed that he had been caught.

“Well, I have to get to my class before I'm late, so I'll see you later, yeah?” I asked, really hoping I would see him later. He might have some stalker qualities, but I find his quirks really cute.

“Yeah, absolutely.” He smiled, slowly backing away. I stood there watching him until he turned and continued walking. Then I remembered, he still didn't know my name.

“Wait, Ashton!” I yelled, causing him to abruptly turn around and inch towards me again.

“My name is Alaska, like the state!” He ginned.

“Alaska like the state, I like it.”

hey,

so as I told you, the chapters will be mildly short, but as I get into it more, there will be longer chapters.

personally I dont like how this turned out, but I rewrote it three times and in the end I liked this one the most.

im just going to say now, Im really bad at writing beginnings because I literally dont know where to start, but as I get more into the story, I promise my it will get better

i have big ideas for this story :)

thank you for reading, I love you guys