Asher Jane

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Aurora
I watch him, watching me and as I close my eyes I let my breathing fall in step with his. 

I wait until I'm alone to look in the mirror. Bruises cover my skin but I'm Ok,  I know I'm OK. "tough school, huh?" I turn to see the doctor watching me, eyeing me up and down.  
"guess so. " I mumble.  "you went to one of the toughest schools in the state,  ...how you doing?"  " like I always say,  I don't need sympathy from anyone, thanks though. "
"miss... Jane,  you can be discharged now. "the nurse says as she walks in "thank you." I nod.

Asher walks back in with A back pack and I tell him not to bother unpacking. "I'm going home. "
"is that good?"  "I don't know"
"why don't we go on an adventure?, or at least A walk? "
" Asher... I say yes."   "yes? "   "take me somewhere new,  somewhere hopeful. I need hope. "    "So do I."

I smile at him,  hoping to catch A glance of his uncertainty but it isn't there... Not even for A second.

Asher
A walk is what I need to clear out the bad and breathe in the good. I know it is. She... Is so perfect that I'm scared of her when she falters. I never thought she would falter but I guess that's what our school does to you. It chews you up and spits you out.  Her bruises A purple and black and awful, they cover her skin in A way I've never seen before. Like the camo on A soldier's uniform hiding every bit of strength she has.  I want to cry for her but she won't allow it, so instead we walk in silence until I can't take it anymore.

I stop her in her tracks by grabbing her arm and holding her so close I see her breath in the cold.  "You can tell me stuff you know." I whisper. "like what? "  she looks intently at me.
"Like the fact that you're scared and nervous for tomorrow." "shut.. Shu.. Shut up Griffith I'm fine."
"people who are fine don't shake and they aren't covered in bruises." I look into her eyes and I can almost see her falter before she laughs and looks away.

Aurora
I laugh but I turn away to cover the tear that escaped, but they won't stop no matter how many I wipe away more fall.  He turns me around to talk but stops when he sees my face covered in tears and puffy.  " I told you, fine people don't shake... and they aren't often seen crying either."
He says this quietly and just before he holds me so the whole world can't get to me.