Chapter 32: He Jelly

I'm shoving my biology textbook into my bag, ready to escape the classroom. I pull out my phone, thumbing through my emails when a hand suddenly latches onto my arm.

I let out a yelp, looking up to see Asher grinning at me.

“Really? You scared the crap out of me.”

Asher just shrugs. “You were glued to your phone.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“We're meeting Gabe, Blake, and Kay in the cafeteria.”

“Actually, Gabe can’t make it.” I offer Asher a sheepish smile.

“Why?” He slings his arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer to him as we walk. Without thinking, I take a deep breath.

~Oh my God.~

I wriggle out from under his arm, taking a few steps away to steady my racing heart.

He's been doing this a lot lately, casually draping his arm over my shoulder or giving me spontaneous side hugs. And every single time, my body reacts the same way.

~Just tell him you're tired of squeezing your legs together around him.~

~He doesn’t make me squeeze my thighs together; that was just one time!~

Now it’s the damn dinosaurs again, messing with me.

“Buttercup,” a gentle shake brings me back from my thoughts. I blush as Asher gives me a puzzled look.

“Are you okay?”

I force a grin.

“Me?” I point at myself. “Just fine, was just thinking about Gabe,” I lie before walking off.

Asher’s hand snags my hoodie, pulling me back against his chest. I silently thank my bag for acting as a barrier between us.

“Stop it, people are looking.” I subtly glance at the students around us, catching their curious stares.

“You're thinking about Gabe?” he asks, his voice close to my ear.

“Hah, yes because he's sick.” I squirm out of his hold, turning to face him.

“I saw him this morning?” His face is blank as he looks at me, and I quickly look away.

“He just started feeling really sick, so he had to go home!”

So much for covering for Gabe.

I need to find a book on how to lie convincingly in emergencies.

I pat Asher’s shoulder. “Shall we go?”

He looks away before striding off ahead of me.

~Did I just upset him?~

A “pling” draws my attention back to my phone.

Gabriella ❤️

You suck at lying, but you saved yourself last minute. I owe you one!

Addy

No problem;) Have fun with Irin!

Gabriella ❤️

I will! Oh and Addy….

Addy

Yeah?

Gabriella ❤️

Can you just confess already!

Addy

Little bitch, you used forever to ask Irin out!

Gabriella ❤️

Not the same thing, I didn’t know if she liked me. But you two, I swear to god I am going to tell Asher you like him if you don’t do it soon.

Addy

And I will snitch on you! Shut up and go enjoy your date.

Gabriella ❤️

Maaaan, I hate that I can’t threaten you with that anymore.

Addy

Yh you better be careful.

Addy

We don’t want a certain video to get leaked, do we?

Gabriella ❤️

I hate you!

Addy

Hehe.

I glance up to see if Gabe is there.

“Who are you texting?” Asher suddenly asks and I quickly snap my phone shut, giving him a sheepish grin.

I'm being too obvious. Damn Gabe for telling me to keep everything a secret for now.

“My grandma.”

“Didn’t you tell me just two days ago that you don’t have contact with your grandparents?” He sounds grumpy as he waits for an answer.

~What's his problem? He was happy just a few seconds ago.~

“Kaylee’s grandma, she's like a grandma to me.”

Asher grunts before heading into the cafeteria, leaving me behind.

~What the hell.~

I stand there for a moment, checking my phone again. Seeing that Gabe hasn’t sent anything else, I put it away before following Asher into the cafeteria. I spot Kaylee sitting alone at our usual table and wave at her.

She waves back.

Asher and Blake are nowhere to be seen, but I don’t think much of it as I go to sit with my best friend.

“What's up? You look like you have something to tell me.”

“Sit your ass down!” she whisper-yells, pulling me down next to her. “Addy…”

“Yes?” I raise my eyebrow at her strange behavior, noticing a girl who seems to be staring at us while talking on the phone. She's gesticulating wildly as she speaks.

“They came together on Monday. Yes, to school. I've even seen them hanging out outside of school. Jalina is going to lose it when she finds out.”

~Why is she staring?~

“People think you two are together,” Kaylee says with a smug grin.

“Huh?” I frown.

“People think that you and Asher King are an item!” she squeals.

“What? Why would they think that?” I look at her in confusion before noticing that the girl is gone.

~Was she talking about me and Asher?~

~No way.~

“Are you kidding me? You guys have been seen around school together for months and now someone saw you with Asher on a bicycle!”

“Shush!” I put my finger to my lips.

“You didn’t set your alarm clock and overslept?” She raises an eyebrow at me before scooting her chair closer. I groan.

“Well, technically I didn’t lie to you. I slept like a baby in Asher’s arms. I forgot we had school when I woke up.” I snag a carrot from her tray.

“You slept with him? Bitch! How could you not tell your best friend that Asher took your virginity.” She pops a cherry into her mouth, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

“What?”

“I'm proud of you. You finally confessed, right? I have to tell Blake!”

“No!” I look at her in disbelief.

“So how was it?”

“Kaylee, I swear to God if you don’t shut up now I will change your name to beetroot in my contact list,” I hiss at her, sitting up straight when I see Asher and Blake approaching.

She kicks me under the table, and I kick back.

“I'll tell you later.”

“You're sleeping over at my house tonight. I want every single juicy detail.”

I slap my forehead.

“What juicy detail?” Blake asks as he joins us at the table. Asher takes a seat next to him.

“Nothing!” I quickly glance at Kaylee, grateful. She knows when to zip it.

Not always, though.

“Where’s Gabe?”

“Sick,” Asher tells Blake, his tone flat.

~What’s his deal?~

Kaylee arches an eyebrow at me. I respond with a noncommittal shrug.

~How should I know?~

~Maybe he’s missing Gabe?~

~He seemed happy enough before Gabe’s name came up.~

But a nagging thought in the back of my mind tells me that “missing Gabe” isn’t the real reason behind the stormy expression on Asher’s face.