The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 21: A little Different

(Kinda drew Luka after my friend saw Dani and liked it. I think I captured what I idealized to be the goofy senior.)

Asher

The bright sun woke me up greeting me with its beauty. I was in such a good mood after last night that when my mother came up to make sure I was up, I swung the door open and embraced her. She was shocked but didn't ask any questions as she quickly wrapped her arms around me.

When I finally pulled away from her, my smile beaming she looked at me as if I had grown another head. "Good morning Asher, how was your night?" She had her dark hair up in a top knot with her "old lady glasses" as Kelly calls them on. Her eyes seemed tired but happy as I smiled down at her. It was now when I realized how different my mother appears to me compared to when I was younger. Her hair has grown darker with sprinkles of white. Her eyes seemed to old years of wisdom. She was only turning forty this year, but she didn't seem as young as I thought. I thought she was still beautiful despite hearing my father cursing her behind her back and stating how terrible she is.

I smiled down at her and loosened my embrace when I heard Kelly coming down the hall. "Good morning, it was great. Sorry I was too full for dinner, but could I take some leftovers for lunch?"

My mother's smile grew even larger with my apology. I realized I was too full from the waffles at Candy's to eat what she cooked, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Kelly came around the corner and greeted me with a groggy "good morning," and a quick peck to my mother's cheek before making her way to the kitchen for her daily coffee and newspaper.

"Well, that's alright dear, how was Candy's with Maksean? I saw you two outside and figured that's where you were after school." I knew she adored the teen girl and was happy I found someone like her to make me this happy.

With my smile growing larger and my cheeks heating up, I answered. "It was nice. I asked her to be my girlfriend, and we ate waffles." I rushed out before making my way towards the kitchen. I knew she would ask further questions, but I was also taking Maksean to school today and didn't want to be late.

"What? Asher! What did she say? Tell me!" My mother shouted as she tried her best to sprint after me. Kelly gave us an amused look from behind her paper as she watched with loving eyes. Her daughter was confused but continued buttering her toast. Both intrigued by the rare scene my mother and I were performing, yet neither wished to intervene.

"Mom, if it didn't go well, would I be here like this?" I turned my head at her with a smile that rivaled the sun. She was wearing her own smile that made my heart warm up. It's been a long time since she was like that. Completely happy. I was glad, but I quickly made my lunch and went around to where my loving mother had sat herself by her partner. I leaded down to peck her cheek and even surprised everyone by giving Kelly one as well. I dashed to the other side of the woman to even press another peck on the crown of my step-sister's head. That might have earned me a smack on the head, but I didn't care as I shouted goodbyes.

I blocked the sun from my eyes as I saw Trey and Emma wave to me as they left their house. The two younger siblings were followed by the beautiful girl that I now get to call mine. Maksean had her thick curly hair in one large Dutch braid with some hair out to frame her face. Her glasses were perched on her nose and she had on a pair of light blue jeans with a sweatshirt that had a baseball on it. I smiled when I caught a glimpse of my number on the back of the sweater as she closed the door.

When my girlfriend- I just love saying that- finally noticed me, she smiled brightly and said her goodbyes to the brother and sister. I met her half way where our driveways meet and grabbed her hand waving goodbye to the two with my free one.