The Country Mile

7. Bet

*(For future reference, a ewe is a female sheep!)*

"I saw you leave with my Ashton at the bonfire," Grace -the fake redhead- blocked my path to my desk as she stood, her fluorescent pink lips covered in gloss, her dyed red hair pulled into two small buns atop her head, and her outfit seemed to only consist of scraps of clothing.

~Flashback~

The black Dodge flatbed roared to life as Ashton started the pick up, soft lyrics from 'Summer Depression' by girl in red, fluttered through the semi-clean black interior, the green lighted numbers buzzed 12:31.

"Don't look at me like that,"

"Like what?" I asked amused, my seatbelt clicking into place as Ashton pulled out of the pasture and onto the dirt road, no one else in sight. In the far distance, lights from Green Pine shined as if it was a beckon to passing by travellers who needed a rest.

"Like I listen to this crap," Before he could change the station, I slapped his hand away.

"This is art," What happened to my strawberry soda? "And don't worry, if this is your guilty pleasure, I won't tell any of your big bad football friends," With a chuckle, I looked over to Ashton. 

One hand on the steering wheel while his other rested atop the seat, his hand dangerously close to my head, his knees slightly spread as he pressed the gas; small brown tuffs stuck out from underneath his camo cap.

"What?" Ashton's honey eyes met mine, his lips tugged upwards as red tinted my cheeks from getting caught checking him out, then went back to the road.

"Oh nothing, just wondering why you decided to take me home..."

"You needed a ride and I know where you live, plus it's on my way home." I hummed in response, my eyes squinting for a moment in thought. "And maybe I want to get to know the new girl,"

I laughed. "What makes you think I'll just be open to talk?"

"Because that's all you're doin'?" His country twang littered with humor as he slowed, taking a turn onto a pavement road that in just a few miles would have a gravel road turn off that led past my grandparents home. My home.

"Well," I countered back, crossing my arms as I faced forward now. My eyes landed on the passing scenery that was cloaked in moonlight and shadows. "I'm not a very 'open' person,"

"We'll see," He laughed. "We'll see,"

~End of Flashback~

"Didn't know he was yours," Bored, I sighed. Mr.Rob hardly glanced our way as he munched on oatmeal and scrolled through some website on his computer; the math class of stale bread. "Can you move please?" Two of her 'friends' stood behind Grace with crossed arms.

"Listen new girl, I don't like you-"

"Grace, back off." 

Red kissed my cheeks as I heard him. Grace's big hazel eyes widened as she looked behind my shoulder before pushing me behind her, her 'friends' chuckling as I almost tripped on my shoe at the sudden push but Ashton caught my elbow.

"Settle down," Mr.Rob broke off Ashton's and Grace's stare off, one of them looked with anger while the other love - is this girl that blind?

 With a huff, I tore my elbow out of Ashton's grip and found my seat, pulling out the homework that kept me up till two am; I didn't even wait until the last minute this time! Grace and her friends started chattering away with girly giggles so I assumed the rift between her and Ashton were over; my assumption was right as he plopped down beside me.

"That's Clara's seat,"

"She's showing her ewe today," Surprised he even heard me, I looked up towards him. Today he wore a red hoodie instead of black, a small hole showed in the left arm.

"Okay? That's still her seat,"

"Damn sassy," He chuckled before taking a sip out of his green YETI cup, my own mouth wanting to taste the coffee I could smell from it. "What's up your ass?"

"Math,"

"You gotta be kiddin' me, mismatched. You can't do math?"

"Apparently not farm boy," As I was just about to snap, the school bell rang -or should I say screeched- loudly, Ashton snatched my paper and looked over it.

"Here," He gripped my pencil and started to scribble down the numbers; my stubbornness disappeared as I watched him figure the problem out, his voice small and quiet as not to disrupt a teaching Mr.Rob.

Class dragged on ever so slowly, Mr.Rob reminding us every ten minutes that our test would be on Thursday, but Ashton kept me busy by helping me figure out the math problems, walking me through each one slowly and making sure I understood it. Every now and then he would add in problems off the side or advice; he didn't make me feel stupid or slow, always blaming the teacher that I was confused.

Five minutes until the class ended, my week's homework was caught up and done. My shoulders could finally relax.

"You literally have no idea what this means to me," I smiled brightly, taking in my now finished math homework and put my pencil down; Aston chuckled and leaned back into his seat.

"I could figure it out," He smirked. 

Rolling my eyes playfully, I ignored my blushing and stuffed the work into my folder where it will lay until Friday when I turn it in.

"So," Ashton started as he started packing his binder into his backpack. "I think I still have a bet to settle,"

"Bet?"

"Yeah," He nodded, swinging his strap on his shoulder, our peers beginning to chatter as the clock ticked down. "Remember? Someone here doesn't think she will ever open up to me?"

Thinking back to the bonfire, I raised a brow. "I didn't know we placed a bet..."

"We didn't. That's what we're gonna do now." Swinging my own backpack strap over my shoulder, I inclined my head towards him and crossed my arms.

"Fine,"

"I bet that I can get you to open up to me by thanksgiving break," Three weeks.

"I bet I won't," The bell rang but we stayed planted where we were, Mr.Rob grumbling for us to leave, but we just stared at each other down. "And if I win," I tapped my chin in thought. "You have to stop whoring around," I laughed at his fallen expression before he smirked, his honey eyes going dark.

"And if I win, you have to date me,"

Wait, what?

*&*

Woah dudes, woah.