Varsity Boy and The Prep

14

"Why the hell is Emerson friends with you?"

"The same reason she isn't friends with you; she isn't a loser."

"You're like a bug, go the hell away!"

"Why don't you shut it!"

I knew I had to get up. The two would be at the eachother if I didn't. "Gabrielle, I'll meet you outside, okay?" I groaned.

Jessa whipped open the door. "Nope, it's fine. I'm leaving. Have a nice day, Emerson."

I pulled myself out of bed once Jessa had left, to find Gabrielle in a sunflower colored dress, carrying some kind of purse. "Gab," I said, "we have uniforms."

She smiled, handing me a white Towerpointe Track shirt. "Today's the day I'm getting my SAT scores, so if you would just get dressed and come with me, that w-"

"Actually...." I paused, trying to figure out what to say. I'd never told Gabrielle the news of Asher and I, just assumed it had come her way as most news did. "Well, I actually have plans with," I felt my cheeks getting warm, "Asher?"

Gabrielle was quiet for a minute, before piecing everything together. "Oh my gosh," she said, running her hands through her thick, black hair, "Emerson, why didn't you tell me?! This is crazy, I can't believe this, I can't believe you!"

I wanted to tell her everything, but much like with Theo, I couldn't muster up the courage to explain what had happened in full. It was still a surprise to me. "What do you want to know?" I opted for, knowing her answer the minute I asked.

"Everything," said Gabrielle, "starting from when the two of you finally made up! I didn't even know that! Someone hasn't been keeping me posted and I hope for your sake that it's Carson."

"Oh please Gab, you know that I don't keep anything from you. This was just a special case."

"Why?"

I grabbed a pair of tan Sperrys and slid them onto my feet. "This has been really personal, Gabrielle, and I appreciate you sticking by me for the whole year. All I need now is the courage to see him for the first time as my boyfriend."

Gabrielle paused and then headed out of my room. "Have fun with that one!" she called, skipping down the halls and as far away from me as she could get.

===================

It was true that seeing Asher that day had become a chore, because of all the possible outcomes. I thought of them while walking across central campus, smelling the fresh breakfast served on Saturdays, and seeing the lowers eat at such an early hour. I made it to Mitchell House in no time though, and climbed the stairs in anticipation. My mental game was strong, or as strong as I could make it. The door to Asher and Theo's dorm was open.

"Hey," said Ash, who was sitting on the bed. "Come in."

I followed his instructions into his surprisingly neat room and closed the door behind us. Theo had Saturday classes, which explained his absence. Asher though. He sat on his bed which was clothed in red linens, and continued to string an electric guitar that I hadn't ever known he'd been able to play. "What now?" I asked, standing awkwardly on an oriental rug, obviously placed there by one of the boy's moms.

Asher's eyes left the guitar and realizing that I really was in the room, he reached for a shirt that was on his pillow. I hadn't recognized his topless-ness either, probably because I'd seen him once or twice like this. He let out a breath he'd seemed to be holding. "I don't know," he said, "You could help me out with this guitar, get it finished in time for Tim. He has a final and needs it tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you seriously asking me to help you with some little black market project you found yourself that could earn you a few bucks?"

"That's the idea." Asher said. "And while you're working on it, I can figure out how to act around you, because according to Theodore Montgomery, we don't seem like a couple. As if that's either of our worries." He exhaled. "Emerson, we're not, I don't know what to say. Well, I don't know should I hold your hand or..."

I smiled. " You have no need to worry, Asher. Just string your guitar and I'll stop in later. How does that sound?"

"That sounds good." he said.

I began to leave but was stopped just as I reached the doorframe.

"What was I thinking? said Asher's voice, directly behind me.

I turned around and was closer than we'd ever been. He smelled of the beach, the small beach town in which he'd lived, and breathing in was like reading a story, or living there. My hands reached for the door behind me and pushed it closed.

"You know, I can't stop thinking about those movies where the people just decide to dance even though there's no music, and it's weird, yet oddly charming." he said.

I took a step back against the door. "That's because they edit the music in."

"We're not doing doing that." Asher stated, stepping closer to me. "I'll do anything except dance with no music. And yes, I was hoping to drop a big hint there."

I smiled, letting all of the boxed up joy from the past year flood out of me. Asher seemed happy too, probably gloating on the fact that I'd gotten his hint. I placed my hands on Asher's large, muscly back, pulling him in closer. When he didn't do anything, I sighed. "Are you really gonna make me beg?"

Asher peeled my hands off him with ease and stepped back. With a red face, he said, "We have track tryouts soon. Better head down to the field and warm up. Plus, Theo's gonna be here any minute to join. The epic romantic moment can wait until later."

I stared at Ash in disbelief. What had just happened may have seemed weird to any person. Knowing Asher though, it was clear how nervous he was. When placed on his back, my hands had felt Asher breathing a little faster than normal, and his eyes didn't stay in one place. He was scared. Of what, though? We were finally together and happy. If there was something going on, he surely would have told me.

This isn't my best work, but school just started for me this week and I was disconnected from the story for awhile. I'm back though and am working on another chap tonight, hopefully will finish a lot this weekend.