Falling For Asher

10

~*~

The past week has been going pleasantly well. We all seem to be getting along and things are back to normal.

My dad and Candice have discussed it and have decided to try the IVF procedure. I'm excited and hoping that everything works out in the end. They went in yesterday for their first appointment.

Things with Melissa are also better, she even greeted Asher the other day. Although it was awkward for both, it was a step forward and I'm proud of her.

Scarlett and Janes are officially going on their first date. And Paige is still annoyed with everything that comes out Brody's mouth.

We invited them to our table for lunch, Brody, and Asher that is. Our table slowly filling up.

Paige looks at him in disgust. "Why would one girl better yet two sisters get anywhere near you?"

"Are you jealous Paige?" He asks, leaning forward with a glimmer in his eyes.

She scoffs, glaring at him. "As if, I would never even let you touch me."

His laugh booms in the air making Paige even madder. Asher nudges his side while the rest of us quietly watch.

Melissa thankfully breaks their banter before Paige explodes. He enjoys winding her up and she lets him get to her.

"Is everyone here going to the Halloween party?"

Right, it's in two days.

There are collective yes's and one no. I turn to Asher who is sitting to my right.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?" I ask.

There are always Halloween parties here and everyone goes all out. The costumes are my favorite part, next to drinking and having fun. Oh, and the hangover the next day.

Even though it's on a Wednesday, it's not stopping anyone.

He gives us a shrug, taking a swig of his water. "I don't have plans of going out." His explanation isn't good enough.

Brody rolls his eyes with a laugh. "You're going. No doubts." He looks at me, "He'll be there." He whispers.

"I'm right here?" Asher chuckles, shaking his head.

My smile fades when I notice Melissa's longing gaze at him. She twirls her hair while smiling softly. I unknowingly tense, gripping my water bottle tightly. I remind myself that I don't have any reason to be upset.

Asher doesn't notice which is relieving and I scold myself once again.

"I'm dressing up as a prisoner, wanna be the hot cop, Paige?" Brody smirks, waiting to get a reaction from her.

Her lips are pressed in a tight line as she blankly looks at him. I've never seen her so done with someone in all my years of knowing her.

I look at Melissa who mentions my name, "So, Zoey and James are you two matching again?" Her head tilts innocently.

Scarlett seems confused and announces it. "Why would he?" She asks, "James and I are pretty much dating now."

Melissa's smile falters as she hides her grimace. "Oh, true." Her laugh is forced and I hide my discomfort.

I'm not sure who she was expecting to achieve in doing that. Everyone knows that James and I are best friends, just like she and Paige are with him. If anything she's the one who kissed him over the summer.

Plus, we didn't actually plan it. We both had the same idea from a movie and it just fell together perfectly.

Luckily the conversation ends when lunch does. I walk with Asher, having to go to the library since my teacher is absent today. It's Monday and I have the day off which I'm thankful for.

I did, however, agree to go look for a costume for Halloween after school. We're all last minute but I have an idea of what I want.

"Were you really not planning on going?" I press, mainly because he used to enjoy them so much.

He gives me a side glance. "Yeah." He admits, "But you're going?"

I nod, stopping at the doors. "It's our last high school Halloween party," I say with a small laugh.

"Not you too." He groans, "Em keeps telling me to enjoy the cheap beer with my friends and to take any chance I have."

That sounds like Emily
. "You should listen to her."

His smile causes my stomach to stir, and I have to force myself to focus on his eyes and not how his bottom lip is tugged between his teeth.

"I might." He nods, swallowing visibly with his eyes still on me.

Leave it to Brody to interrupt with a mischievous grin. They walk away, leaving me with my knees feeling weak.

Well shit...

Paige and I wait for Melissa after school is over. She had to grab something from the office first.

"Am I blind or are you and Asher becoming really close?" Her voice is suggestive and I have to keep a blank face.

"You're seeing things."

Unfortunately, she has known me the longest and I'm the worst liar. She attempts to hide her smirk but fails.

I sigh, crossing my arms. "Are you done staring at me?" I mumble.

"Mhm."

I roll my eyes but cover how flustered I am as Melissa comes near us. She wears a blush pink skirt and a white sweater, knee-high boots to tie it together. Sometimes she makes my jeans and random sweatshirts feel unworthy.

The jeep unlocks with the press of a button. "Where are the lovebirds?" Mel questions, reapplying her red lipstick.

I sit in the backseat, Paige taking the passenger side.

"He and Scarlett will meet us there." Paige answers.

The mall is practically empty apart from a few cars that are in the lot. We have a seasonal store at the mall for Halloween specifically. That's where we head straight for.

After buying lemonades of course.

"Is the hot cop idea taken?" Melissa teases.

I walk behind them, laughing at Paige's response. Her middle finger aimed towards us. James and Scarlett wave us over to where they are. I see the costumes in their hands, nodding in approval.

Melissa and I find ours fairly easily. I'm eager to wear it on Wednesday night.

Paige has always been indecisive even with the amount of help we try to provide. She finally gives in and takes the cop uniform, the sexier one. We leave before she can change her mind, although I want to ask why she chose it.

You'd think that would be the last costume to be picked after what Brody said.

We decide to grab some food before we go home. My phone vibrates while I stand in line, pulling me away from the conversation about which fries are superior.

I open the message from Asher, smiling to myself.

It reads,

Have you chosen your costume yet?

Yes. I press send, seeing the dots appear immediately.

Sneak peek? My smile widens as I respond.

You just have to wait and see...