Asher's POV

I lay on Hana's couch, pajamas already on and a bowl of popcorn by my side as I watch Futurama. Hana's upstairs getting ready for the twos 'hangout' even though I now know it's a date. I scowl the TV as questions begin to form in my head. Is he doing it to jab at me? To maybe, for some unknown reason, get jealous? I roll my shoulders as I decide I won't worry myself with it, but just warn her. I won't tell her I used to date him. No, that's just a mistake is rather not think about let alone tell someone about. The clack of heels echo from the Ataris at seconds later Hana comes down to the bottom step. Her brown hair is loosely curled, framing her face and making her seem more mature. It travels over her shoulders onto the light pink dress she wears with tall tan wedges." How do I look?"
"Beautiful." I say as I look back up at her and see the winged eyeliner and smooth foundation." I don't think he's worth it."
She frowns and looks at me unamused." Asher. Don't even go there. Tonight is going to be good and I'm not going to let you spoil my mood. Just let me live a little, you get to. Let me have a life.So don't say anything else because I'm not going to listen. Now hand over that popcorn."
I sit frozen and smirk at her." He had you tell me those words didn't he?" I raise up and get the popcorn bowl before tipping it over letting all the popcorn hit the carpet and throw the bowl to the ground. I say nothing before going up the stairs. My bare feet make hardly any noise on the floor but somehow her brother seems to hear and comes to his door." Don't even start." I grumble out and stomp to her room and slam the door behind me, before going to my bag and stripping down to get j to the clothes. I get the pair of jean shorts and thin grey sweater and put it all on before throwing my pajamas into the bag. I zip up the bag and throw it on the bed and go to the bathroom. I grab my brush and makeup I let her borrow and put it in the bag along with my other stuff I brought.
"You alright?"
I glance up to see Gabriel standing at the door and grain under my breath." What do yo want? To tell me the dirty joke of the week? Tell me I'm a loser? A nerd? Just get it over with because I'm leaving."
He shakes his head in one motion and blinks." Okay. Okay. Who said I was going to say something mean?"
"Me. Because you've been doing it to Hana and I for three years now. Ring a bell?"
He frowns and places his arms over his chest after running his hands through his sandy blonde hair." Yeah.... I don't mean that stuff, you two know that right?"
"You might not mean it but you say it. Those lines have to one from somewhere right? And it's just as bad if your doing it just to get popular and fuck a cheerleader that's already slept with everything that has two legs in the hallways. So please leave a message, at shut the fuck up and never call again ass."
"Woah. Where is all this coming from?" He says gesturing to me with his hands." This sassiness level? It's to high for me right now."
"No one cares. Have fun with your STD's." I throw my bag over my shoulder and walk towards the door which he stands in. I raise an eyebrow when he doesn't move a muscle and put my hand on my hip." Move or I'll make you."
He looks at me with the eyes him and Hana share, them seeming to see through me as he slowly begins to squint." What happened to you? You used to be shy, and quiet. Now... Coles being seen with you, you're storming out everywhere you go, you're basically a different person. Have we meet before? Because I don't remember you being so sassy and sexy. I feel like we need to reintroduce ourselves."
I roll my eyes at him." Stop flirting. I've had enough of it with Cole. And if you must know....My name's Asher, the schools nerd. Meaning you probably shouldn't hang out with me if you don't want to get on the mother truckers list."
"Mother trucker?" He lifts an eyebrow." Honey you just cussed up a storm. I don't think you need to use safe words anymore."
"Whatever. Are you going to let me go or what? I'm tired of talking to you."
He shakes his head down at me, looking sort of awkward." Just after I tell you why I tried to stop you in the hallway. I bought Central Intelligence off YouTube, want to watch it? As a friend thing, no more. I don't want to piss Cole off- especially when it's about a girl he's after. Like stealing the devil's pitch forks."
I roll my eyes and squint at him," Sure. But the door stays cracked open along with a lamp. I'm not going to get raped anytime soon."
"I won't and you can change back into your pajamas by the way. And don't worry. I won't make any inappropriate comments about them, though you do look good in them."
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"So Asher. How's life going for you right now?"
I look up from my plate that holds the pizza Hana's dad had ordered and look up at him." Pretty good. I got art this year and have chose classes so I only have to take two next year."
He smiles at me, his tie loose around his neck and the jacket of his suit missing. He runs a hand through his greying hair, making it stick up wild and just finish the effect of coming home tired after work." Great. Hana probably doesn't like that though does she? How you two- the inseparable- will be separated?"
I bite my lip and run my hands down my bare legs." Um... Actually sir, Hana and I have been having some difficulties for the past week. I was going to take classes she was so I would give her company but... Now."
He frowns and looks at me concerned, his brown eyes dimming slightly." What? What's been going on?"
"Someone she hangs with. She doesn't see past the person, but I know the real them, and that person and I don't get along. Like at all. She'll take up for them, and expect me to just take their criticism and not drown them in their own blood... I really just hate that person- and I have a good reason to. I even tried to warn her today before leaving with them but she told me to shut up. Which is why sir, I'm not going to warn her about this person and why I'm not going to help her out when she sees or is shown the truth. She's your responsibility when that happens."
He frowns at me, and glances at Gabriel." Do you know who she's talking about?"
He shrugs his shoulders as he chews his pizza." Some dude that came and took Hana somewhere today. She was pretty dressed up for the guy."
Hana's dad lets out a grunt and looks back at me." She said she was going to a study group today. Who's the guy Asher?"
"Daniel. I'm sure he's been here before. Game shirts. Checkered vans?"
"What? She told me he's gay."
"He could be." He scowls at me and I pick up my pizza, and shrug my shoulders." What? He could be bisexual."
Gabriel finishes his fourth piece and frowns at the empty box and I roll my eyes before giving him my piece." Asher, be just ate four slices and you've had none. Don't give the boy your pizza."
"Well he's on the football team right? Meaning he needs the food for all the practices they have to go through. Plus, I'm on a diet."
"What? Asher you're skinny enough." Gabriel says and begins to give the pizza back to me, a scowl pointed towards me as he does so.
"How do you think I'm this skinny then? And plus, pizza makes me feel sluggish and lazy." I slide the pizza back to him and when he grunts I roll my eyes." Fine. I'll eat two of you're granola bars. Deal?" He mumbles a "deal" and begins to eat that slice as well. I get up and go to the counter and picking up the box of granola bars and grabbing two inside and going back to the table.
"Asher I believe Gabriel's right. You have lost weight. I don't see why. You were just as beautiful as before. Gabriel and his friends have nothing to do with it do they?"
I pause at the table and think of an answer. In a way it was. I wanted to be in control of things, even if I was the only one who knew just how much in control I was. I wanted the reassurance that I could defend myself if one of them was to change from verbal bullying to physical. So I began to work out, to train to fight. Daniel was also a reason. It had been almost close to a year after our mistake and I was still confused about it all. So many emotions were built up inside of me until I was at an overload and didn't feel anything at all. So I fought because of that. Just to get my Ming off things. To become a better me so I know I wouldn't have any doubt when it came to him. To take out all my anger out on that punching bag and be able to function afterwards. No one knew but me with that reason. I also to did it to get to know my father and what exactly he did. I had a relationship with him and had him when I was small, but when my body and I were changing he had gone on a 'business trip'. When he came back he didn't know how to app each me because I wasn't that giddy child covered in fat rolls, or wearing a spongebob T-shirt. I was the fathers nightmare. A tall young adult, with more curves and more mature. I did it to get that bond back- which we did." In a way. But it was all mostly from shedding the baby fat. I also wanted to be more healthier so I began to diet and exercise. And don't worry. Gabriel and his friends didn't affect me that much. I knew I'd be ten times more successful then any of his friends, considering like what? Most of them have a a very low GPA and most are pregnant- and if not pregnant then they're only way of persuasion is sleeping with someone. Why would I care about the opinions of those people? Especially when one day, I'll more than likely be their boss and get to make every single day at work a living hell."
He smirks as Gabriel looks at me wide mouthed. Things play behind his eyes as he looks at me, and pales slightly. Yep. It's kicked in." Well.." He sits the crush of his pizza onto his plate and sits back in his chair, as his dad frowns at him.
"It's true Gabriel. You have the football scholarships going for you but those teams are harder on people. They'll kick you off the team if you don't keep up your grades. Why do you think I preach to you every night to study, do your homework, finish a project?"
He frowns down at his hand and pity goes through me. I imagine spending my entire high school career trying to fit in, not caring about the actual purpose of school- to learn. Then the last year realizing that you've screwed up by doing that.
"I'll tutor you, if it'll make you feel more prepared for college. Help you do your class assignments and projects."
He widens his at me, his eyes filling up with sadness making me feel uncomfortable." No. Asher I was to mean to you for you to help me in the end. I don't deserve it. You don't deserve it."
I bite my lip but smirk at him." Well, then I'll slowly pay you back for the name calling during tutoring. Throw paper wads and spit wads at you- it'll actually help you with concentration to. I'll kick your seat from underneath you and throw your pencil across the room when you're writing."
Gabriel looks over at his father, begging for an answer and he shakes his head." It's up to you boy at what you're going to do with you're life. Take it or leave it. But either way I will expect your grades to improve or at least for you to understand you're not going to live in this house for the rest of your life. You're a young adult. You make your own decisions."
Gabriel glances everywhere but the two of us, growing frustrated." At least give me somehow to pay you back, for the taunting and tutoring."
"Every day at school, you have to bring me a pack of animal crackers and a chocolate milk. Not Nesquik- that stuff sucks. But before we get into the lunchroom. I don't want people seeing us speaking or knowing each other."
He nods, looking slightly offended but says nothing about my rules." And when will you tutor me?"
"Monday's and Friday's, in the library during lunch. I'll be there, you'll choose if you want to come that day or not. And anytime you feel like you need to study during the weekend- but you have to ask first. I actually have a busy life."
He nods and smiles slightly up at me." Thanks Asher. And don't tell anyone okay? Not even Hana. Let's just keep it between you and me." He pauses and asks," So tomorrow at the library?"
"Yes and funny thing about tomorrow. I'm going to be there all day because I'm helping the librarian with decorating it, so anytime that day is alright. Just make sure you have the book of the contents you want to go over, pencil, and paper."
He nods and Hana's dad smiles at me." Thank you Asher. You're very kind. So are you wanting to go home or stay...."
"Um, I had called my dad while Gabriel and I were watching the movie. He should be here any minute."
He nods,"I could've drive you so your dad didn't have to. I know he's a busy man."
"Yeah well so are you and my dad only had to go to the gym today. He's fine."
Gabriel clears his throat and stands up," I'll wait outside with you if you want. Though you can stay in- it's what you're wanting to do."
"I'll wait outside." I finish the second bar and scoot my chair under the table before running up stairs to Hana's run and getting my bag. I throw it over my shoulder and go back down to the kitchen, without even looking at Hana's stuff or room.
"Thanks again." Gabriel whispers to me as we walk down the entrance hallway and go outside to the front porch." You really don't have to do this-"
"I know. I just don't like letting people fail when it comes to school or their life. I don't want anyone to have to settle for less than they can get, especially when it's about their future. We're teens, we make stupid mistakes. And I'd help anyone to fix that mistake if it puts their future career and lifestyle in jeopardy."
"You're something else Asher."
I nod and look at him seriously." I now. You're a boy, and I'm a girl. I'm something different. "
He rolls his eyes and gestures to the swing that hangs from the porch and sits down on it and pats the spot beside him. I take it and he slides down it, so he's leaning into it and has his butt on the edge of the swing." So tell me. Why is this Daniel boy so bad?"
"Not going to tell." I tell him honestly." I would say maybe when I can trust you, but it takes a lot for us Night's to trust people. Like a lot."
He nods to himself and mummbles,"Understandable." He crosses his legs and folds his arms over his chest." What's your average GPA?"
"Three point five maybe."
"What's the highest GPA you've ever gotten?"
"Three point nine."
"What's your average test score?"
"One hundred to ninety four percent."
"What's your most common letter grade?"
"A's."
"What was your ACT score?"
"Thirty."
"Are you going to take it again?"
I nod to him and don't question why he's giving me a full on interview right now." Yeah. I want to get a thirty six- a perfect score."
He nods to himself and look at me." I got a twenty one last year."
I nod slowly and bit my lip." That's what we'll work on." He squints at me but brides I go on, the rumble of my fathers car echoes through the road and we both stand up as he comes down the street to here. Gabriel grabs my bag before I can, and doesn't glance at me as dad pulls into the driveway and parks the car. Gabriel gestures for me to go on and I lift an eyebrow before doing so, glancing back the time he walks after me with the bag in hand." You don't have to pack that Gabriel."
"It's the nice thing to do and call me Gab from know on."
"Nicknames? Um... Call me Ash." He nods as we make it beside the car and the passenger side door opens up and a combat boot stomps to the ground and the person stands up. I scowl at the little devil, my mood gone from happy to angry and annoyed with just a glimpse of his face. How can someone hate another person this much? It can't be healthy for me.
"Need help with your bag kitten?"
"No Gab's got it." I bend slightly to look at dad in the car and say," Pop the trunk." He nods and pushes the bottom to unlock it and Gab walks to the back and puts in it for me and shuts the back after." Thanks."
"No problem Ash." He says, glancing at Cole then back at me, seeming slightly uncomfortable." Animal crackers and chocolate milk right?"
"Right." I say with a nod and give him a small smile." See you later alligator."
He rolls his eyes at me and begins to walk back to his house," Afterwhile, crocodile. Is that becoming our thing?"
"Yes, so get used to it." He laughs and gives me a small save before going back to his porch and standing there waiting for us to leave. I look at Cole with a raised eyebrow." You better be getting your tall ass in that back seat. I'm sitting up front."

Three thousand two hundred and forty-one words! I'm slowly going back to normal and not just barely having two thousand. anyways, I decided to write a lot today because honestly today was a good day. Spanish was a little awkward because we had to go in front of the class and have a conversation with our partner in Spanish but I did... A little less than fairly well, but still better than I expected. Art was also fun because I was laughing most of the time, and making jokes which always puts me in a good mood. A who doesn't it? So yeah, tomorrow I'm going to begin the next chapter and start to write then. What do you think about Gabriel? As mean as I put him in the first chapter? What do you think about the Hana/Asher problem? Also please tell me what you think about the cast, and tell me who you imagine as them. And also for any confusion or comment may happen about it, I'm going to explain why I do it. How I barely describe an unimportant character. Like the waitress, the librarian, Hana's dad. It's because many things. First reason being that well they're unimportant, they really do hardly anything to the plot line. Or do they?..... Second reason, i don't want to write a whole paragraph about a character when all they have is a couple lines and