The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 6: Party Time

Maksean

Dad called for dinner not long after Asher left my room. I haven't left due to not wanting to see him. Though it didn't seem like dad liked that I stayed in my own bubble. But he leaves me be, if it were a year ago, he would've yelled at me for not being social enough. Not now. Not after what happened a month ago...

I got up after Trey was sent to collect me from my little bubble. I then quickly head to the bathroom to wash my hands along with Emma who did the same. Walking into the kitchen, I find Adrian and Dad already sitting down at one end with Trey to their right. Emma sat down to their left, leaving two extra seats at the other end.

"Here you go" I turn to see Asher holding a glass of sweet tea out to me. I take it as to not make a scene in front of my family. I'll just punch him later. We both sit down to enjoy my dad's meal. Oh, I can smell it from here! While eating we talk of different things. Trey asks Asher if he plays any sports and this causes Dad to actually listen in for once instead of fake caring.

"Uh, Yeah, I play Baseball." The teen male next to me replied nervously realizing that everyone was listening, not just the young boy.

"Really?" Trey's eyes looked like saucers. "What position?"

Asher looks at me but not for longer than a second before looking at his Alfredo. I decided it's time I butt in.

"He's the pitcher. I've seen him play before. He throws 'em at around 70 miles." I say with an enthusiastic tone. I might not like the guy but he's a great player.

"Really? That's so cool. I wanna become a pitcher!" Trey exclaimed.

This made Asher smile. It actually looked real.

"I'm actually just the back up pitcher. Coach prefers his seniors to pitch over the juniors."

I watched as Dad tensed up like he does at things like this.

"Hey, wait Maksie, you said you've seen him. Does that mean you guys know each other from school?" Emma suddenly asks.

"Well-"

"What, you never talked about me? Now I'm hurt." Asher put his hand on his chest to show his 'pain'. He then turns to face the blonde girl.

"The answer is yes. We've known each other since third grade." He started. "I remember when she used to walk in with comic books in her backpack and would spend all lunch and recess reading them. I remember asking her to read one and she got cautious and made me pinky swear not to let anything happen to it." He turned back to face me.

"At the time, my reading skills weren't that good so I didn't quite understand the story. When I gave it back, I asked her about it. She then spent the rest of the day explaining it." I look at him with a baffled expression. I didn't think he would remember something like that.

"What comic did you read?" Dad questioned curiously knowing how I never liked sharing my things.

"Young justice."

At this my dad became a little awestruck.

"Really? Wow. Back when she was younger that was her favorite comic set. She never let anyone else take it from her." He chuckled while getting up to put his plate along with Ardian's away.

"Oh, well would you look at the time! I think it's time you should be heading back. We have school tomorrow." I say standing up while gesturing for Asher to do the same.

He smiled and followed my lead as he stood up. He took my plate to the sunk along with his. He then headed to the door. Before opening it, he turned with a smirk.

"Guess I'll see you at the party Friday Maksie."

Then he was gone.

"What party?" Adrian asked.

"Well, me and the girls were invited to this party a friend is having." I said casually. I'm sure Dad wouldn't let me go.

"Well, what are you planning on wearing?" She smiled.

***********

I look around the room for my shoes. It's finally Friday, and I'm getting ready for the party.

Adrian helped me convince Dad into letting me go. I was a bit surprised when he said yes, but I didn't dwell on it since Adrian was already dragging me to my room to find clothes.

Honestly I don't care about what I wear, but she said since it's my first party I needed to at least make a little effort to look nice. So she bought me a new pair of converse. They're that white high top kind all the white snobby girls wear, but I'm not complaining. I love high tops.

I look in the mirror at my outfit. I had on my favorite light blue Jean shorts with my old volleyball cut off shirt that had my number on it. Over it I had just a plain beige thing that Adrian gave me to keep warm. And to top it off the gold necklace my grandmother gave me for my birthday. Just holding it made me feel jumpy.

I had my hair in its natural state. Really curly. But for some reason, it obeyed my wishes as it stayed out of the way and looked nice.

I look towards the window to see Asher getting ready. I still don't understand why he doesn't cover his window. I don't have any blinds so I have no choice, but he does.

Asher has also come over a couple times during the week when he's not busy to finish helping. Luckily and weirdly he hasn't tried anything since the first day. But I'm still putting my guard up. He also somehow managed to get my dad to like him, which has never happened before. He typically hates guys who go to school with me. He just hates people in general, but mostly teenage boys. He even convinced him that it would be a good idea for him to drive me to the party! Again how?

I just hope he ignores me when we get there 'cause that's what I'm going to do. I just plan on hanging out with Daniela the whole time.

"Maksean! Asher's here!" I hear Emma yell. I can also hear Trey talking to him.

I sigh making my way to the front room to find the three idiots there. Emma watched TV while the boys talked.

I take a moment to look at Asher's outfit. He's wearing plain blue Jeans along with a dark blue shirt covered by a denim jacket. His hair styled in it's usual swoosh. So basically, he's normal.

"Ready?" I look up to find said male already staring in my direction.

I nod leaving after shouting out my goodbyes. Last thing I need is Adrian trying to get pictures. He leads me out to his truck. It's nice, but honestly I prefer older style trucks over the modern ones.

After a while I received a text from my friend saying that she won't be able to make it. Great. I sigh leaning back against the cool leather seats.

"Let me guess, this is your first party." Asher voiced.

It's odd seeing him drive. All I can think of is the little boy who couldn't understand a simple storyline. The same boy who sat with me and spoke when most just left me alone. I couldn't get over how much has changed in such little time. Then again it might just be me. I've changed.

"Yeah, and now I'll be spending the night alone. Daniela had something come up. And the others aren't allowed." I sighed again for the thousandth time tonight. He looked at me for a few moments every now and then his eyes shifting to the road.

"Really?" He let out a chuckle.

I just turned to face the window.

"Well, if, for some reason, something happens and you wanna go, just find me and I'll take you home."

I turned to see if he was serious, and to my surprise, he was. Before I could reply, the truck stopped.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nod, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this!"