Opposites Attract

Chapter 4: Divorced?

“So he is just ignoring you?” Melissa asks me on Monday morning as I angrily shove books into overstuffed locker.  

“Pretty much. He has only said a few words to me out of necessity for this stupid baby project.” I reply.  

“What happened after I left Friday night?”  

“Nothing really. We worked on homework after I told Seth off and then he left after a very awkward dinner.”  

“Do you think Seth could have said something to him?”  

“I have no idea, but it doesn’t matter. We’re not even friends. I just hate to think I hurt his feelings somehow.”  

“I don’t think you hurt his feelings, Janey.” The bell rings so I wave goodbye to Melissa and make my way down the hall to Calculus. As I pass the front doors, I see Asher sitting in his car in the parking lot with the windows down and a cigarette in his mouth. He is holding a newspaper and circling things on it with a pen. I stand in the hallway, looking back and forth from my calculus classroom and Asher’s car. When the bell rings, instead of running off to class, I walk out the front doors, towards his car.  

“You really shouldn’t smoke, you know.” I tell him. He jumps up in his seat startled and looks over to find me as the source of the interruption. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”  

“It’s fine. I just haven’t heard anyone but my mom say that.” He explains. I stare at the cigarette in his hand, not responding. After a little while he catches on and flicks it out the window.  

“Thank you,” I say, opening the passenger door and sliding in. “So why have you been ignoring me?” I immediately ask, taking both him and myself by surprise.  

“I haven’t been ignoring you.” He scoffs. I just raise my eyebrows and he sighs. “Why do you bother with me, Jane?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You know what I mean. Why do you bother with me? Why don’t you turn your nose up at me like your brother or that square, Harvey?”  

“Do you want me to leave you alone?” I ask, avoiding answering his question.  

“You can’t answer my question with a question.”  

“I can, and I did.” Asher chuckles.  

“You’re not what I expected, Janey.” I scowl at the nickname. 

“Don’t get all mushy on me now, Ash Tray.”  

“Ash Tray?” He laughs. 

“Yeah, you smoke and your name sounds like Ash Tray.” I justify.