The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 19: Waffles and Ice Cream

Asher

I was saying goodbye to someone the freshman as I closed the door to my truck only then wondering if my truck smells like sweaty teen boys. I mean, I have some of my baseball things in the back, and I am only now noticing the duffle bag of dirty clothing under the back seat. I take a moment to ponder what to do with the smelly items not wanting to have a smelly truck when Maksean gets in, but I'm not given much time as I hear another car honk next to mine.

The black pick up truck that I have identified as Luka's only a few parking spots away from mine. The owner of said truck was making his way with the redhead in my thoughts at his right. She was no longer in her jeans she wore to school. She was now in a pair of athletic shorts that looked adorable with her large sweatshirt that had our school mascot and the words DHS Drumline written across it with her hair down in waves caused by her braids she had in earlier. She looked so effortlessly amazing and it was crazy how quickly that thought came to my mind when she appeared in my line of sight.

I watched her wave goodbye to her senior, who gave me a stern look before waving to me as well, as she made her way to my truck. If this were a week ago I would have been so confused and jealous, but he now knew that Luka was definitely not in my way to her heart. After getting a few pep talks from my mother,, a short talk with Kelly, and even a "Don't be a wuss!" from Carly got me thinking about trying to win Maksean Swift over if she'll let me.

"Hey, Asher," the sweet, tired voice of Maksean said as she opened the passenger door. Her hands were covered by the large sweatshirt making it difficult to set her bag down. I reached forward to grab the bag from her, realizing how heavy it was, to set it down in the back, opposite of my smelly sports bag. "Thanks," she said softly after finally getting in the truck.

Once she put her seatbelt on, I began the drive towards the waffle shop. I was excited that Maksie agreed to go out, and I really didn't want to mess up. Judging by what I heard her say at lunch, she felt the same way.

"How did practice go?" I asked taking a left at a red light. She combed her fingers through her hair as she fiddled with the air vent.

"It went good, we had to start memorizing the last movement before our next show. And we had to re run the rest of the show and tunes so we didn't forget them either." She did look tired and I wanted to ask her if we should just head home, but she beat me with her love for waffles and ice cream. "Where are we going for waffles and ice cream at this time?"

I looked over at her as I stopped at a stop sign smiling at the excitement in her green eyes. "There's a diner right next to the town line that has this old timey feel and they have breakfast all day along with ice cream. They have milkshakes and floats as well as your normal dinners, like burgers and steak plates. You've never been there?" I saw the ends of her bright hair fly about as she shook her head before realizing I was watching the road and replied with a no. "Well, allow me to introduce the best little diner our town has to offer." I pulled into the parking lot that was mostly gravel and only had a few cars outside. "Candy's Diner! I've been coming here since I was a little boy. Always had a home feel to it."

A giggle snapped my attention over to the girl to my right. She looked at me then to the bright yellow sign with small decorative candies with a big smile. "You act like an old man going back home." Her words made me laugh before I opened my door. Making my way over to Maksean's door, I reached my hand out as she hopped down. She stared at it for a moment before taking it. I try to control my smile so it wouldn't grow anymore, as I caught the tint of pink. "Let's go!" She brought her free arm up and started marching to the door that also had decorative candies on the glass.

The dinging of the door bell announced our arrival earning me a glance from the elder lady, Candy, who owned the joint. "Asher! How wonderful to see you. Would you like the usual?" she asked in a very happy voice that always cheered me up. Looking around there weren't a lot of people in the diner at this time. Only an older couple and a lonely trucker.

I shook my head as we walked up to the tall bar stools. "No ma'am, I'd like two waffles platers please." I asked, glancing towards Maksie. "And some ice cream."

Candy's smile grew larger when she saw our hand. She nodded her head before asking what flavors we enjoyed.

"Strawberry please ma'am." Maksie answered, earning herself a look of pure admiration from the woman.

"Oh, dear, that's my favorite too. What is your name dear?" Candy asked reaching forward to grasp Maksean's other hand.

"Maksean ma'am. Maksean Swift."

"Oh, you must be the young lady Asher here was telling about this morning over his breakfast. I'm glad he decided to bring you for dinner," her kind words caused my cheeks to heat up. I decided to visit Candy this morning and have some breakfast, something I haven't done since eating at home with mom. Candy reminded me of what I always heard about what grandmothers were like. She was always so kind to me and spoiled me when I would forget my wallet. She would help me with my essays for English when I visited after school, she was very wise, as well. She told me to go after Maksean if I truly liked her.

The elder lady left with her notepad she wrote our orders in and we could hear her repeat them to the chef in the back. I felt Maksie twist on her bar stool to face me. Looking over, I can feel myself being pulled in by her forest like eyes. Forcing my focus on her lips as they move, I can see the small stretch of a smirk form.

"You talk about me to your waitress at the diner you visit?" her head tilted a bit as she spoke causing her hair to fall off her shoulders. "What's all that about?"

I feel my cheeks begin to heat up and I find myself leaning forwards, but not fast enough to startle her. "I thought you were smart?" I whispered as our closeness became real to her. My voice was lower than normal, more sensual. The dark pupils widened as the light green flames danced within the forest of the dark greens as her eyes never left mine. "I meant what I said, and my actions from Friday and Saturday nights both should be evidence enough. Little scientist, you should have all that you need for a hypothesis at least if not the conclusion," I tease remembering all the times she won in the science fairs, or when she would sneak off in the mornings to get a head start on the Chem labs. She was a total nerd, but a very adorable one.

"B-but..." She trailed off as I leaned closer, her words only shrinking in volume. Dark eyes never leave me.

"But? Come on, Maksean, but what?" I leaned back enough to give her more space. "Do you like me?" My voice was almost normal, I didn't want her to be lured into a kiss, not this time. I just wanted to know if what she said was true. I wanted her to say she liked me with her own words directed at me.

She had a sudden realization that caused her to almost fall off her stool. I'm not sure how, but I leaned forward to catch her anyways. She looked up with pink tinted cheeks, sitting up once Candy came back with our drinks. My eyes never left her as she took a sip of the strawberry milkshake. Her eyes wandered around to every corner of the diner without making eye contact with me. Our hands were no longer connected after she fell. I didn't like the sudden emptiness my hand felt.

When I finally leaned down to take a sip of my coke float, I heard the words. The words from the beautiful voice that made me so happy.

"I do like you, Asher," a whisper almost like it was a secret, like no one else was allowed to hear it. Her right had made its way back to mine. Now intertwined, laying across her lap as she pulled them closer to her. My thumb slowly rubbing the back of his hand.

"Good, 'cause, I like you too. A lot, if Candy hadn't made that clear." I said with a chuckle as said lady placed a large plate with three waffles in front of the two of us.

"Oh goodie! I'm glad you both said it, now I don't have to worry about the one plate. Two waffles, mini waffles on the house. Eat up love birds." Her smile widened seeing the pink on our cheeks.

On the plate were two waffles that sat next to each other, but overlapping the two was a heart shaped waffle that was only half the size of a normal waffle. We both let out a chuckle as the elder left us to eat. Both had smiles littering our lips as she dug in.