Wolfswood (Currently being re-worked)

Part 8

My legs were heavy as I dragged myself along the footpath in the direction of my house. Running ten laps of the school oval was a killer and not helped by the fact that Asher accompanied me the whole time, watching me struggle the whole time, not even breaking a sweat as he ran literal circles around me yelling encouraging words in my direction. I still did not know what Asher Beckett's true intentions were and why it seemed his life mission was to be as close to me as possible. After a few questions directed at Ari and Payton I found out that he had quite the reputation with girls, having hooked up with most of Wolfswood High in some way or another. Surely that was his intention, trying to woo and bed me like he had all other girls around him. At least that is what I tried to tell myself, really having no explanation as to why Asher took up most of the capacity of my brain. His face seeming to be burned into my memory.

A Facebook message lit up my phone and temporarily interrupted the song that was currently playing.

Asher: So, about this afternoon...

Isabella: What about it?

Asher: Are you free?

I thought about my reply. Even though I knew his reputation and I wanted to distance myself from him something was stopping me. My head and my heart were in conflict with each other.

Isabella: I guess I could pencil you in, I'm a very busy person.

Asher: Yeah, you look super busy. Just hanging out with your friend the sidewalk?

I turned around and spotted the car I had seen Asher in the day earlier, a small smile making itself onto my face before I could stop it. I walked over to the car and swung the door open, sitting down in the passenger side closing the door with a thud.

"Stalker." I said playfully, pulling on my seatbelt as Asher turned back onto the main road.

#

We continued along a road I had not been on yet. The road was lined with tall trees and greenery, almost making a canopy over the road. Wolfswood had its charm. Just by looking at the town and forest surrounding it you could tell there was history here. History that probably spanned back to early settlement, everything from the buildings to the leaves on the trees had a story that it could tell. We passed the town square and made it to the end of the long stretch of road, pulling into a small carpark of an ice cream parlour. Asher got out of the car as I bent down in search of my wallet, which was no doubt buried under literally every other item in my bag.

"You won't need that." Asher said opening my door, gesturing to the wallet in my hand.

"Without this you will be the only one getting ice-cream."

"It's on me. I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I invited you here and then made you pay." Asher said extending his hand out to me. Without arguing I put my hand out and interlaced my fingers with his.

The floor was covered in black and white tiles and the wall were bubble-gum blue, various comic book characters taking up space on the walls. Opposite the door was a glass case that held various ice cream flavours, some I had never even heard of and wasn't sure I was brave enough to try. Asher's large hand was on the small of my back guiding me over to the case. His hand caused the same sparks as his leg did this morning, but he didn't look bothered, so I tried not to be either.

"Well, pick your poison Bella." Asher said, leaning over me looking into the case himself. His nose scrunching slightly as he scanned the flavours trying to decide.

Asher decided on a triple scoop of triple choc and I chose one scoop of cookies and cream. Asher paid and we made our way to a booth in the back. I had never seen such a mountain of ice cream; it was almost over-flowing down the sides.

"That's a lot of ice cream. You don't really look like the type to eat sweets." I said, gesturing to Asher's body.

"Have you been checking me out?" He asked with a flirty smile, placing the scoop of ice cream in his mouth and licking it off. I looked away from him, my cheeks heating up. Without denying it I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my insulin pump and programmed in the correct amount of insulin needed. I felt Asher's eyes on me the whole time, following my every move.

"You can ask if you want. Everyone usually does." I said, sliding my pump back into my pocket and having my first spoonful of ice cream. It was amazing and creamy. The flavours overtaking my taste buds.

"I wouldn't want to be rude."

"It's not something I'm ashamed of so ask whatever you want." My eyes leaving the ice-cream and looking up at the smile that was spread across his face.

"What is it? What is it for?"

"It's an insulin pump. I have type one diabetes which means my pancreas doesn't work properly anymore and this tiny machine basically does the job of a pancreas. Before I had this I had to take injections in my stomach and legs."

I saw him flinch a little bit at my words making me let out a little laugh.

"It's fine, I think I'm numb to all the tiny needles now anyway."

"I just don't like imagining you hurt." Asher said sternly, his eyes still looking into mine. His words made my stomach flutter and a smirk to appear on my face.

"I'm sorry I'm a bit ignorant about this stuff too, there isn't any diabetics in my family. Or in this town."

"Really? Lucky you." I said sincerely, eating another spoonful of ice-cream.

"Good genes I guess."