23-Locked In

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Persephone

"I can't decide whether you're bullshitting me or not." I say, propping my chin on my hand. 

Peyton rolls her eyes as she tugs on a pair of yoga pants. 

"I'm serious. Phoenix offered to teach me how to swim and I couldn't just say no to an offer like that."

I huffed a laugh. 

My best friend could swim to an extent. She could tread water but she couldn't actually swim, unless you counted doggy paddling.

She also can't go under water without plugging her nose, hell she can't even dive to the bottom of a pool. 

Yeah she could probably use this lesson seeing as Phoenix used to swim for his high school team. 

He's probably a better teacher than I ever was. 

"I still can't believe you didn't tell me until like ten minutes before you are leaving." I say and she scoffs, "As if I didn't have to find out from Phoenix that you and Asa are hanging out today."

She puts a hand on her hip, "Say is it for a study session?"

I narrow my eyes at her and she smirks when she realizes I can't use that defense. 

We were pretty much done with the project and now were hanging out just because we wanted to. 

Ever since Asa's confession we have been doing good, well as good as we can get while avoiding the fat ass elephant in the room. 

Neither of us have crossed any lines passed what was considered platonic but I could tell he wanted to. 

I definitely wanted to. 

Even though he finally let me in I can see he's still guarded. For some insane reason Asa feels as if he's too damaged to be happy. 

Well I say bullshit. 

He deserves better than what his parental figures did to him. He deserved to be loved as every child should be. 

I just hope one day he'll see that he can let his guard completely down with me. I wanted to show him how incredible it is to trust and love someone. 

God knows I love him. 

Have I accepted that fact? Yes. 

Was I ready to voice it? Hell no. 

Asa can barely wrap his head around the fact that I still want to be near him after his past let alone be in love with him. 

Which is why I am keeping that declaration to my self for as long as I need to. It won't be easy given how often we spend time together. 

"You know you and Phoenix have been spending quite a lot of time together." I note taking the heat off of me. 

Sometimes you got to do what you got to do. 

The slightest blush coats Peyton's cheeks as she pulls her blonde hair into a pony tail. 

"He's not the worst company." She says, slipping on her shoes and grabbing her wallet. 

"Besides knowing you and Asa will eventually stop this weird game and get together I feel as your best friend I should at least be aquatinted with Asa's."

I roll my eyes, "Use that shit on someone who's buying." 

My features turn serious as I prepare for what I say next. 

"For what it's worth I think hanging out with Phoenix is a good thing. I trust him with you and I know - even if you won't admit it - you want him around as more than just an acquaintance."

This time her cheeks turn a darker pink. 

"I-" She stops her self before clearing her throat, "have fun with Asa."

With that she heads out the door leaving me to get ready before meeting up with Asa. 

* * * 

"How long are we staying here?" Asa asks and I shrug. 

Anna had called and asked if I could come in while she had to do something important. Of course I couldn't say no to her so now Asa and I are currently stocking books in the romance section. 

Did I mention we were in the middle of getting lunch when I got the call?

Asa is grumpy because he didn't get to finish his burger. 

Luckily for me her call came after I was done eating. 

I hand Asa the last book on the cart. 

"Can you come help me load some more from the back?" I ask as he puts the book in it's rightful place before coming with me to the backroom. 

We had gotten some new books donated that Anna wanted me to find places for. 

Loading them onto the cart with Asa's help I pull the cart behind me as he opens the door. 

Well tries to anyway. 

"Are you turning it the right way?" I ask and he sends me an unamused look, "I'm not an idiot Percy I know how to open a door."

Jiggling the knob a few times he finally step back. 

"Shit are we locked in." I state more so than asking a question. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of tight spaces and even though this room was bigger than your average closet with all the books it was quite cramped. 

Trying to breath through the panic clawing at my throat I try to imagine the feeling of the ice against my skates.

Still even with the mental image of the moves my body makes with the sound of the music I still can feel my heart racing. 

"Hey Percy you ok?" Asa asks and I can tell he's close. 

I don't know how close for sure as I have my eyes squeezed shut. 

Warm hands come to rest on both sides of my face and with the feeling of the steady hands I realize I am shaking. 

"Just breathe, baby." He says and I try to draw air into my lungs but a wheezy sound leaves me. 

Oh that was so sexy. 

My knees buckle and I end up sitting with my back against the wall, my elbows resting against my knees. 

Asa's thumbs rub back and forth on my cheek soothingly. 

My fingernails dig into my palms and my eyes squeeze tighter until all I can hear is my heartbeat. 

Soft lips meet mine shocking me back to reality. 

His lips move against mine and once the shock begins to wear off I start to reciprocate. 

My fingers find his silky brown hair, his hands still cupping my face. 

Pulling away, Asa rests his forehead against mine. 

"Better?" He asks and I nod. 

"How did you know that would work?"

He shrugs, "I read it in a book once."

Leaning forward I kiss him softly on the cheek. 

"Thank you."

He nonchalantly shrugs as he pulls us both to our feet. 

His hands fall to my waist and one slides lower and into the pocket of my jeans. 

"Asa what are you-" I cut myself off as I watch him pull out a set of keys. 

He turns and uses each one and until the magic key finally unlocks the door. 

"No fucking way." I murmur realizing I had the key to get us out the whole time. 

Asa toss the keys back to me. 

"Come on Percy, lets finish stacking those books I want to finish what we started on the floor."

He doesn't elaborate any further as I watch him stalk out of the room. 

Was he talking about the kiss?

Running my fingers over my lips a smile tugs on them. 

He was so talking about the kiss. 

Wait does that mean he's finally ignoring the elephant in the room? Does that mean he wants to try with me?

I don't let myself get my hopes up in that department but I know for sure I want to finish what we started in that closet. 

______

Edited

A/N Hey besties I'm back!!!!

For those who weren't aware for the past week or so I have been super busy. I had a campus tour in Arizona and flew all the way from Hawaii to visit. When I got back from my trip the day after I had to work early in the morning so now was the only time I have had to really sit down and post. 

Also my aunt is coming to visit and so I will either be posting a lot as I'll be staying in my room to avoid her or not posting as much if she manages to convince my family that sitting in my room reading and writing all the time is unhealthy. 

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter I promise things will start to heat up and develop from here!




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