Because of You

Four

"You know, if you're going to force me to listen to this, I'm just gonna leave right now," Asher said.

"Fine, go." Maddie didn't really care how he felt.

"I just-"

"Asher, either plug your ears or suck it up. This is a good song and that's just the facts." Maddie turned up the volume in the car, blasting her music.

Asher just rolled his eyes and gave it up. It's not like he was in any position to complain. The car ride was short and he enjoyed getting to see more of the city during the day time. Chicago really was so beautiful. Asher had always liked the city.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Maddie unbuckled her seat belt and opened her car door, leaving Asher sitting alone.

As soon as Maddie was out, Asher quickly switched the station. He didn't know what the song was called but he did know that he was not a fan. He usually liked Maddie's taste in music but something went wrong when she decided to like whatever song that one was.

While Maddie was in the bank depositing a check, he just watched as people filtered in and out of the building. Some looked professional and other seemed like regular humans who worked a normal day job.

He wondered, if in an alternate universe, would he maybe be the one going to the bank? Would he be the 'normal' guy?

Asher had only deposited birthday checks and Christmas money. He never worked a real job. He did mow lawns every once in awhile when he was younger or do some occasional extra chores for his mom to get paid but other than that, his experience was limited.

It didn't take long for Maddie to come back outside and make her way to the car. When she got in, she handed Asher a small sucker. He took it and shook his head with an amused smile.

"Why would you get this?" Asher asked, unwrapping the candy and sticking it in his mouth.

Maddie shrugged. "I don't know. For fun I guess. Just say thank you and move on."

"Thank you and move on."

"Fuck you."

It wasn't hard for them to fall back into their normal conversations and banter. Maddie really did have this quality to her where she made it so easy to feel comfortable. Asher always admire that about her.

Maddie acted like nothing had ever happened between them and she treated Asher the same as she used to. She didn't walk on egg shells or distance herself she just...was her. Asher appreciated that.

"I'm so hungry. Do you want food?" Maddie asked.

The only reason Asher came was because Maddie instead that he did to keep her company. Asher didn't mind though. It was much better than sitting alone on Maddie's couch doing nothing.

"Sure." Asher wasn't really that hungry, but he didn't want to make it weird so he just agreed.

"From where?"

"It really doesn't matter," Asher said.

"Okay um, there's this cafe place a few blocks away that's really good?" Maddie suggested.

Of course Maddie wanted to go to a cafe. She was very much the type to enjoy cafes. Asher didn't care either way. Food was food and he didn't even have an appetite in the first place.

"Sure, what's it called?" Asher asked

"Um, Ava's. It's owned by this one girl who's like twenty five or something, she's super sweet."

"Oh cool. You go there a lot then?"

Maddie nodded. "Yeah. It's their coffee that really hits. It's so good."