𝐈𝐓 𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐑 ; daniel seavey

S E V E N

Ashley was at her locker when someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned to find Daniel, looking sheepishly at her through his lashes.

"Dani!" she exclaimed. "You're back!"

He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I um, went on a trip with Logan for the week... Listen Ashley, I'm sorry about what happened at your house-"

"Hey," she put her hand on his forearm, "it's alright. You don't need to apologize, we're cool."

The tips of his ears turned pink. "So, is it okay if I sit with you at lunch today?"

"Of course! You don't even need to ask. To be honest, I was getting pretty bored talking to myself for the past week."

Daniel's mouth slightly tilted up in a closed lipped smile.

And Ashley nearly died.

Daniel was smiling at her. Honest to God, smiling. She didn't know what she should do first. Hug him or throw a party? She decided that those reactions may freak him out so instead, she smiled back at him.

She didn't know how long they stood there, just smiling at each other, but eventually Daniel broke the silence by laughing nervously. Another thing he's never done before. At least not in her presence.

She felt her heart beat more forcefully in her chest and her hands started to feel clamy. She wasn't sure why.

"So," he began, not really meeting her eyes, "I wanted to, um, a-ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Well, I was wondering- hoping really, if you'd like to maybe-"

"Hey. You're Ashley right?"

Ashley turned to the voice to find a handsome looking boy standing in front of her. He was tall, probably over six feet, with short brown hair and light hazel eyes. His shoulders were broad and his figure was stocky which immediately gave her the impression that this guy was a jock.

"Yeah, that's me."

He grinned, his teeth sparkling white. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Jonah Marais, captain of the baseball team and student body president. I was supposed to give you a tour of the school your first day here, but I was sick. Sorry about that, by the way."

"Oh, that's okay. I found my way around the school just fine."

"That's good to hear. And listen, if you need someone to sit with during lunch, I'd be more than happy to volunteer."

He looked so hopeful and nervous it flustered her. "Thanks for the offer, but I already have someone to accompany me." Jonah's entire posture deflated, so she quickly added, "But you can sit with us, if you'd like."

"Really? I don't want to impose or anything."

"No, it's not a problem." She turned to Daniel. "Is it okay if he sits with us?"

Daniel's eyes were downcast as he shrugged and nodded. She frowned. Just a second ago he was smiling and now his whole demeanour changed back to the sad boy she met last week.

"Alright, I'll see you both at lunch," Jonah said. "It was nice to meet you Ashley."

"See you, Jonah," she called after him. She then turned to Daniel and asked, "So, what were you going to tell me before?"

That seemed to snap him out of whatever trance he was in. His cheeks suddenly held a dark crimson tone. "Oh, uh. I was just going to ask if, um, if..."

"If?" she prompted, wondering what he was about to say.

"If you, would maybe like to, um..." He sighed and looked down at his shoes. "Work on the art assignment after school this week?"

For some reason, she knew that wasn't what he was originally going to say, but she decided not to force it out of him and replied, "Sure."

The bell rang, indicating the start of classes. She gave Daniel a smile as they walked to their homeroom together, but the best part was that he would smile, albeit shyly, back.

Just seeing that made her entire day.