The Country Mile

6. Bonfire

The sun-washed orange, tattered lawnchair did little to warm me as I held a grape soda in my hands as Clara spread out a too-thin blanket over the both of us, the bonfire in front of us only offering a dash of warmth. Soft country music played softly from someone's truck as people danced, chatted, and a few couples made out in their own selected spots among us; stars and the full moon lit the pasture from above.

"Where's Andy?" I asked, wishing I would've taken my moms advice to wear a hoodie over my long sleeved shirt. Clara picked through the hot cheetos she brought, trying to find the biggest pieces first.

"Scholar boy is at home studying," She rolled her eyes and looked up, her attention landing strictly on Xavier as he slowly danced with some girl who was on the cheerleading team; a beer bottle in his hand.

"On a friday night?"

"Girl," Clara chuckled as she looked over to me with an eye roll, jealousy clouded her dark eyes as the dim light from the flames lit the world around us only so far. "You would've been studying if I didn't invite you here," 

True...

Sipping the last of my soda, I looked up with heavy eyes as the cold breeze blew softly leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Who's that?" I tipped my head towards a boy who I recognized from our animal science class; his messy of black curls and set of crystal blue eyes sparkled as he talked to another guy.

"That's Hunter," Throwing the empty bag of hot cheetos into the fire, sparks flying, she raised a dark eyebrow towards me. "Why?"

I smiled. "He's been checking you out the way you look at Henry Cavill or Michael B. Jordan ever since we sat down,"

"Whatever," She tried to hide the blush by checking her phone. "I'm not interested in that dude, he's too smart for me..."

"What do you mean?" Turning my attention to Clara, she sighed and took my empty pop can and her own, throwing both in the fire.

"Hunter's a senior and I've heard he has plans to go to some smart college or something, I think somewhere on the east coast,"

"So? You always-"

"Clara?" A voice butted in our conversation, both me and Clara whipping our heads up to see Xavier. Tonight, like most of the football players, he wore his letterman jacket, grey joggers, and matching sneakers. "Wanna dance or something?"

"Yes," My bestie said without hesitation as she stood and tried to walk off; I quickly caught her wrist and yanked her back. "What?" She hissed, her copper eyes blinded by the chance to finally get close to her crush. Xavier hardly noticed as he kept walking.

"He was just dancing with some girl-"

"So? This is my chance! I'll call you later," Without waiting for a goodbye and ripping her wrist out of my grip, she raced over the grass to catch up to the football player, her brown ponytail swinging slightly with every movement.

"Oh my gosh," I mumbled and rolled my grey eyes, snuggling the blanket closer around my shoulders as I stood and made way over to the tailgate where loads of different snacks and drinks sat; I even hummed to the Jon Pardi song. My eyes trailed over cans of beer, soda, and other carbonated drinks when a deep voice startled me.

"Mismatched, what cha' doin' here?" I bit back a smile at his voice.

"Hoping to find something other than beer to drink," Picking up a strawberry soda and cracking open the tab as I turned around to face him. 

I mockingly held it up in a toast like manner before taking a sip; Ashton looked perfect. His camo cap was placed upon his tousled deep brown chocolate hair, his regular black hoodie hidden underneath his letterman jacket, and his jeans with boots tattered.

"You don't like beer?" Ashton took a brave step forward, holding up a white beer can with his towering height over my small one; my heart started to race, and his honey eyes glistened darkly underneath the moonlight.

"It tastes like piss," I responded, leaning against the open tailgate. The freezing cold metal bit through my thin shirt, goosebumps trailing my skin, and I watched Aston with a smile. 

He chuckled and nodded with a shrug, tossing the half full beer can to the ground before looking up at me, his dark eyelashes are thick. Ashton took another step forward, my breathing caught in my throat, his arms caging me in as my bottom waist hit the back tailgate.

"Do I make you nervous, Adella?" Sweet, sweet Jesus. My name sounded like sugar upon his pink lips as his minty breath fanned my face, leaned closer and my heart felt like it was about to leap out of my-

Ring ring.

Due to nervous sweat that caked my palms, and the fact that Ashton didn't move his strong arms, my phone almost slipped from my grip as pink tinted my cheeks; the caller ID showed it was my mom.

"H-hello?" Aston smirked as his face inched closer to mine. 

What the heck is happening?! 

"Hey hon, Amy and I are still at the movies so I'm not sure I can pick you up tonight..."

"Um," Ashton's eyes still twinkled as my breathing became uneven, his lips only inches away from mine. "I-I'll find a ride, mom. Don't worry," We said our goodbyes then hung up, only warm air danced between Ashton and I as the chatter of people and the country music seemed to be a million miles away.

Ashton suddenly pushed away from me, sliding his hand into mine, and pulling me after him.

"I'll take ya' home mismatched,"

*&*

Dang, Ashton gettin' a little close there.