"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it isn't open."- Frank Zappa.
Ashley's POV
I gulp internally at the scene before me, the person crouched down in front of me. It seems surreal.
Grayson!! ... he's looking at me.
Oh my ... his blue orbs are so pretty.
No no no .... STOP!!
I snap out of it, my gaze landing on the book in his hands and how it's tightly secured in them.
"Um... here," he stretches his hands towards me, handing me my book. Stretching forth, I take my book out of his hand, and in the process of doing so our fingers touch, the aftermath being minuscule yet noticeable tingles where our fingers touch. My heartbeat increases its pace in my chest.
Ignoring my frantic heartbeats, I bow my head and utter, "T-t-hank you," without looking at those captivating eyes.
I keep my eyes hooked on the book in my hand as if it is the most important thing in the world. But is it? No!! I need to get up and hurry to class but that's going to be impossible with Grayson right in front of me, he's in my breathing space.
Standing up is kinda out of the question as of now, I'll end up falling back down due to wobbly legs or me passing out due to anxiety. And that would surely add up to the list of rumors that have already started going around. I don't want that, students and their annoying lousiness... Ugh! I wonder how they never get tired.
Okay so now things are becoming awkward. Where the heck is Cam? She's the cause of all of this.
"You're welcome... and sorry for bumping into you," he utters.
With all the courage I had left in me, I lifted my head and looked back into those beautiful orbs that were already trained on me.
Beautiful??!! Did I just say beautiful?!
Just forget I ever said that.... please.
"Sorry, I'm the one who rather bumped into you,"Â I say, brushing him off.
"I wasn't watching either. If I was, I wouldn't have bumped into you, and this- your books flying out of your hands- would have been avoided." His lips tug into a smile, an amused one for that matter.
I return the smile, "I wasn't watching where I was headed either so uh sorry?" I say and finally stand up.
"Okay, if you insist," he says mirroring my actions.
I take a bold step backward and quickly look behind, eyes roaming in search of my dear friend but then what am I greeted with? No sight of her.
"We're both in History class right?" Grayson asks from behind.
Uh... yeah!
"Yes!," I turn to him grimacing internally. What now? I don't want any more rumors.
"Maybe we could head to class together?" He utters lowly uncertainty clear in his voice and a swirling emotion that looks like hope in his eyes.
I'm sleepy... ain't it? Definitely!!
But wait a minute.... what just happened?!! Did Grayson just ask me out?.
In your dreams!!.
Stupid conscience, I could pretend I didn't hear that.
"Um...y-e-a-h," I say, and I promise I think heard him sigh!
He sighed?!
Okay so now add hallucinations to the list.
It's not a bad thing, right? He's asking me out and...
To class
Yeah, yeah ...whatever. OMG !!! I can't believe this. I mean when was the last or even first time someone asked me out?
To class
Yeah that, I mean. I tell you, no one and I mean it no guy has been nice enough to walk me to class.
I can do this, I promise I'm not nervous. Breathe in...
In
Out
In
Out
I can do this, I'm not nervous. Just watch me.
Shutting my eyes, I take one final deep breath and when I open my eyes, I find him staring back at me, blue orbs zeroing in on me. It felt as if he was capturing every second of the moment. I took a step and he followed suit, and that was how we finally made it to History class, walking side by side till we got to class. May I tell you, the walk was long but then the wait was worth it, we didn't end up late to class. I don't think I would ever forgive myself if he ended up with a detention because of me. Never!
Immediately we enter the class, several heads turn in our direction. Without wasting time, I rush towards my seat not wanting to meet any of the students' curious gaze.
I did it... Yay !!! I made it to class on time. Told ya, not nervous.
Okay so maybe I was. There!! I confessed. It was just a tad, though.
The walk was slow.
I know right? but I had to take my time, we wouldn't want me tripping, would we? I bet he was growing irritated by how slow I walked. I think I wasted his precious time, that's not important anymore.
Did I just walk side by side with Grayson?!!
Yes!
Can't believe this!
A smile unexpectedly makes its way to my lips and lingers till someone clears their throat beside me.
Cam!
I lift my head to meet her gaze and suddenly the memories flash back, she drags me with full force, and I bump into Grayson.
"You!!" I glare, shooting daggers at her.
"What did I do?" she feigns innocence as she widens her eyes at me. But I know better though.
"You left me alone," I accuse.
"It's not like you needed me, anyways." She twirls a strand of hair between her fingers, "Besides you both looked all cute and lovey and you know I'm not the type to spoil special moments like these." She wiggles her brows playfully before giving me a wink.
I roll my eyes, "Oh please! Spare me that, which special moment? We both know it's actually not what you're trying to insinuate."
"Oh Really?! It didn't seem so when both of you walked in together. You can ask anyone at all and they'll tell you exactly what you need to hear."
"We're both in the same class, you know, we still would have ended up coming to class, if not together, maybe in different time zones. The last time I checked he wasn't one to skip classes."
"You came in together!!... you both practically walked in hand in hand."
"Not true!" I challenge.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," she scoffs.
"It's your fault all this happened in the first place."
"How so?"
"If you weren't dragging me I would have maybe watched where I was headed and probably wouldn't have bumped into him."
"Oh so now I'm the one to blame?"
"And who do you think is to, Huh?"
"I happily take the blame then, at least you got the chance to speak to your..." she clears her throat "... what I mean is, you got the chance to, you know, talk to Grayson." she chuckles.
"He's human, just like we are." I frown.
"Exactly.. " she grins " the same human you so wish to be with."
"Not true."
"Look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't enjoy these few minutes past you spent with him."
Okay so Maybe I did, just a tad bit but I'm never admitting that to her.
"I didn't enjoy a-anything... "
"Oh, darling! We've been friends for what? Ages! So I know it when you're lying." She looks me dead in the eye, "Why don't you just accept that you like the boy already!" she yells and a few heads turn to us.
What am I going to do with this girl?!
I cover her mouth, "You're drawing unnecessary attention to us... I don't like anyone so just let me be okay. Why do you want me to like him so bad?"
She shakes her head about to reply but the History teacher's voice booms throughout the entire class making her shut her mouth. Not like it wasn't shut already, with my palm.
__ __ __
I came out of my bathroom this morning only to hear a ping! sound coming from my phone.
"I'm picking you up for school today," it says. Cam!
I pick my phone up and reply an 'okay' to her.
In thirty minutes she was already at my doorstep.
"Good morning Mr. and Mrs.Canton." She greets them immediately when she enters.
"Morning." My parents' chorus.
"It's been a while, how have you been?" my mom asks with a smile.
"Pretty good." Cam smiles back.
"Great."
"I guess you're here to give Ashley a ride to school," my dad pipes in.
"Exactly."
"That's nice. Then I guess Dylan would be driving alone today."
"Yeah, I know!" he scoffs and moves past us to his car. Sorry, our car. I haven't gotten my car yet so it isn't solely his.
See?!... grumpy in the morning as always.
"See you then. Remember to study hard." Mum waves as we make our way to Cam's car.
"Okay." Cam and I respond.
"Bye Mom."
"Love you, sweetie."
Immediately we enter the car Cam connects her radio to her Bluetooth and.....
I've been in the fire so long I can't get burned no more
I thought you was putting the flame but it was rain from the storm.......
We sang throughout the drive to school. And then it gets to Lecrae's part.... at this point, we were yelling on top of our voices. I wouldn't be shocked if other drivers look at us like some crazy teenagers we are. We rap alongside him...
So I'm leaning on these ropes now
And I got hope but it's slow now
So I'm leaning on these quotes now
Like Never leave me, Won't forsake me
If you don't help me, I won't make it
And it goes back to Erica again. Cam chants out the 'help'Â part while I try to match Erica Campbell's high-pitched adlips.
Said you'll neveeeeeer leeaave me
So come oooooon Jesus
Lord yeah Lord yeah
Does anybody neeed that loooord yeah
I can't make it without you lord
Ooooh
Somebody laying in the hospital right now
Need you to mark it oveeeeeer
God , I just lost my daddy I need
Yes I need Oh yes I need
Yeeeeeeeeaaaaah !!
We get to school in a whole new mood. Well.... that's the Erica Campbell music effect. The woman's got the voice and the swag. Jeez! She might even be my model in terms of you know, high pitches and mouth-watering adlips.
The day went well except for the fact I caught Grayson staring at me while class was in session. I caught him staring... several times.
Is there something on my face?
Almost every class, the same thing kept happening I was starting to think I was having illusions.... hallucinating, even. Anytime I turned to look at who was burning holes in my back, I was greeted with those beautiful blue orbs. Sorry... I mean his eyes. They held this intent kind of look, almost dreamy, dazed.
Yeah, lost, in La la Land, I guess.
I shrugged it off, I'm surely dreaming.
I am, right?
Right!
*******
ðµ - I need lifeline right now.
911 won't do, my back's against the wall now
I've done all that I can do
I've prayed every prayer
Went to every service like I knew how
Just a ship without a sail... I'm lost without your help
'Help'
Okaaaaay Guys ...so what do you think of this chapter?
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TTYL.. till we meet again.