Falling For Asher

6

~*~

The mall is packed with cars when we arrive. Candice barely finding a spot that isn't at the other side of the building. I wasn't expecting less since it is Saturday, the busiest day of the week.

I wasn't planning on going out after Paige dropped me off this morning. Especially not anywhere this crowded where I could be recognized by people from school. I only agreed because she offered to buy me something to eat.

The first store we enter is a fail. We walk past the food court, my eyes landing on a familiar blonde. He sits with his friends from the soccer team.

Our relationship was short and sweet. The two of us being fifteen and innocent. I catch his gaze, smiling in a friendly manner before turning to Candice who tugs on my arm.

"April is here, you can go hang out with Riley if you want."

I raise a brow, looking to see Riley watching us curiously. "I'd rather not," I say with a laugh. "But I will go to the bookstore."

She nods, pulling out four twenty dollar bills from her wallet. "I'll let you know when I'm done." She hands me the money.

"Okay, thank you!" I say with a grin, waving at her friend who waddles with her hand over her very large bump.

The topic of kids tends to become sensitive real quick. I stopped bringing it up after Candice left the room crying, I was twelve and felt terrible afterward. Dad said it had nothing to do with me with a solemn expression.

I still wonder about it, since she's only thirty years old and she seems to adore children.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, Riley's name popping up when I slide it out.

You come here often?

His message causes me to roll my eyes although I laugh quietly to myself. Replying with a short response and heading to the second story if the mall.

The main hangout spot is where the entrance is. A lot of the smaller shops are upstairs, hidden and out of reach. Unless you know your way around.

I enter my absolute favorite place in this mall, the bookstore. It's a decent size and holds a lot of newer novels with a good amount of classics. The smell of new books satisfies me for some reason.

It's like an immediate reaction to want to sit inside on a rainy day with a book in your hands.

I have a bad habit of reading the first and last page of every book before deciding if it's worth the read or not. Most people hate spoilers but I can't help but turn to the end.

After a good twenty minutes, I decide on a series to start. There are five books but can be read separately from what I can tell. I only pay for the first one, not willing to drop fifty dollars without at least reading the first one.

I pause on my way to the escalators, seeing two familiar faces. They stand by an apple store, appearing to be discussing something.

I don't get the chance to turn the other way when my name is being called.

Asher and his sister, Emily, have their eyes trained on me. I haven't seen her in a while. Ever since she left for college out of state.