The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 17: Jealousy and Teasing

Asher

As I looked at the hand stretched out in front of me, I mentally scold myself for being so stupid. Luka- the six foot five guy who always drove her home in his nice pick up truck and his slight brown eyes and almost blonde brown hair cut short- stood there in his uniform and a smile. When I kept hearing about him and how close they were from Carly and then I see him there to pick Maksie up this morning after our date, I couldn't help the burning feeling that wanted nothing more than to march down there, yank her away from him and kiss her til everyone was convinced that she was mine. But now, he stands here as not only her drum captain, but as her best friend's boyfriend? So I got jealous for nothing!

After shaking the senior's hand, I feel another slide into my own. The hand was slightly cold and rough from long hours of practicing on the snare drum, but it was enough to send my poor heart racing. I looked up at the owner of the hand only to watch as she turned her face to the loud stadium. She exclaimed something about seeing how bad others sound compared to their performance.

As Daniela and Maksie proceed to link arms, I am drawn to listen to the stadium bursting with loud cheers and music. It was much louder than any football game and more exciting than a baseball game.

I felt a sudden tingling sensation from my left side. Turning, I'm met with the most beautiful arrangements of greens and yellow with hints of blues and hazel. Reaching my hand up towards her face, I try to control the urge to pull her up for a kiss. My hand settled for pulling bright hair out from under the collar of my leather jacket- which I was so happy to see her holding. Her red hair floating in the light breeze like a magnificent flame dancing. Though I knew not to say that.

We made our way towards the loudness, passing many other bands. It was amazing to think about how much time was spent preparing for maybe only an eight minute show.

***********

"And she just believed you?" Maksean exclaimed not caring about how random outburst disturbed others as we made our way to a wall to rest against as we waited for Dani and Luka to leave the field after accepting the awards. I was telling the red head about how I managed to charm my way into the "bands only" section of the large campus.

Once we were settled down from my story involving a desperate teenage girl, we stood with our backs against the cool brick wall of the dark side of the stadium. For a few moments we stood in a comfortable silence. Our hands still intertwined as Maksie hummed different parts from their show while I continued staring at the dark sky thinking back to last night's date under the stars when I felt Maksie's hand gently tug at my own to grab my attention.

"Hey Asher?" Her voice soft and slightly sore from all the yelling and cheering she did upon hearing their scores. The tips of her nose and ears were red due to the temperature. She looked so adorable all bundled up in my jacket.

"Yeah?" Looking into her eyes, I could see the dim lighting from the many bus headlights reflecting.

"What are you thinking of?" She asked tilting her head, the shiny red hair whipping around from its confinements after being pulled into a ponytail.

"You" I answered bluntly, adoring how her cheeks grew pink to match her chilly red nose and ears. "More specifically about how you neglected to tell me that Luka was dating Daniela." Despite knowing that it was childish, I couldn't help being a bit jealous that he gets to drive her home most days. I also felt like teasing her. Her eyes widened before she let out a chuckle.

"Why does it matter?" She watched me carefully before stepping closer with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Don't tell me you were jealous? Of Luka?" She tried to keep a straight face, but it didn't take long for her to burst into laughter.

As much as I love her laugh, I wanted to let my true feelings known. "Yes," I use my grip on her hand to pull her closer. "I was. In fact, I still am. All those times I offered to take you home, and you  simply waved me off saying he was used to taking you home and now he you are laughing at the thought of him while talking with me." I walk forward along with her as her feet tread backwards until she hits the brick wall causing a gasp to emerge from her lips at the cold shivers it sent. Stretching my free arms upwards to connect with the hard surface only inches from her head.

I have her trapped, and she looked magnificent. Her pony tail slightly whipping in the wind, the smaller strands that fell from the loose hold, now sticking to her face. The blush slowly creeping on only added to the chilly night's red on her cheeks and nose. Her eyes shone with the reflection of the moon and lights mixing into the seas of green. I wanted nothing more than to connect my lips with her parted ones. I know they must be rough from biting on them (a habit of hers I've picked up on), but soft and tasty from her lip balm. I must repeat, she looked beautiful, and I couldn't help but lean forward in pursuit of a kiss.

"Asher?" Her shaky voice lured me in as her free hand tugged at the end of my shirt.

"Yeah?" I asked, my own voice barely above a whisper, but I know she could hear me from her spot only centimeters away.

Maksean's eyes were hooded as she tilted her head a bit. "Kiss me," desperation was the only tone in her words, but I didn't have time to tease her since I too am desperate for a kiss. And it showed as I whispered an "okay" before leaning down. Closing my eyes only after hers shut. Our lips just touching. A feather touch was all that was felt before a loud shout rang startling the red head enough for her head to jerk back. Our lips were no longer as close as I needed.

"Woohoo! We did it Maksie! We-" Daniela's cheerful voice was silenced by the scene she and Luka saw when they rounded the corner and spotted us. "Oh shit!" She exclaimed, hitting Luka's arm out of excitement. "I'm so sorry! Please continue! We were never here!"

The dark skinned girl was quick to pull her boyfriend, who was giving me an odd look, away by the same arm she used as a punching bag.

Once they were gone, I glanced down at Maksean to find her covering her face with both hands since I finally let her go and she released her desperate hold on my shirt.

"I cannot believe that just happened!" she groaned loudly into her hands causing a few fits of laughter to slip from my lips.

"What? That we got caught by your best friend and captain, or that you were begging me to kiss you?" I teased, tugging at her waist in order to move her away front the cold wall and into my warm embrace.