Chapter 40: Forgetting Him

ADDY

Gabe’s lips are puckered, ready for a kiss. I can’t help but laugh when Irin pushes his face away, shooting him a look that’s more playful than annoyed.

Probably because I’m standing right there.

“So Blake’s in the know, huh?” I tease, raising my eyebrows at the lovebirds.

Gabe pulls away from Irin. “Kaylee spilled the beans!” He wraps an arm around Irin, who’s still grinning at him. He talks, she kisses his cheek.

He looks at her again.

A pang of jealousy hits me as I watch them exchange lovey-dovey glances.

Gabe brushes a loose strand of hair from Irin’s face.

“The guy laughed for two whole days. Two days!” He huffs, turning back to me. I can’t help but snicker.

“Did he tell Asher?”

I wish I could take back the question as soon as it slips out.

~You’re going to forget him.~

~Which means you’re going to stop bringing him up, stop thinking about him, stop dreaming about him, and…~

“Addy?” Irin’s hand waves in front of my face, pulling me back to reality.

“He didn’t,” Gabe says, shaking his head. “Still in a funk. Doesn’t want to do anything. Acts like someone wrecked his beloved guitar, the one he’d kill for.”

“I’m totally in the dark. I think Blake knows something, but he won’t spill. He just said you guys need to talk. I feel left out!”

“He knows you can’t keep a secret, that’s why!” Irin teases. Gabe starts to protest, but I cut them off.

~Why am I always the third wheel?~

“I don’t want to talk to him. I’m done with him.”

Gabe shakes his head at me, looking away from the girl he once refused to ask out.

“Sort it out before it drives you crazy. You’re smarter than him. He likes you, you like him. It’s probably just a misunderstanding.”

I sigh.

“I don’t know, Gabe. I have to meet Mrs. Pummel, so I’m heading out.” I gesture toward her office. They nod in understanding.

I’m not meeting anyone. I just need an escape from their honeymoon phase.

It’s not that I find all the affection gross. It just makes me miss being with Asher.

“Don’t stress too much, and don’t forget about the bio test tomorrow,” Irin reminds me as I’m about to turn away.

“I won’t, Irin!” I flash them a smile, wave goodbye, and walk away.

“And talk to him! Open up and talk to him. Slap him if you have to!” Gabe calls after me.

I don’t bother to respond.

~Talk to Asher?~

~About what?~

~Bullshit!~

***

I step out of my next class, feeling a wave of relief. It felt like I was stuck in there for an eternity.

My mind kept drifting back to Asher.

The way he looked at me.

~He punched Xander.~

~Why?~

The question keeps bouncing around in my head.

I hurry past the cafeteria and out of the school building.

~Some fresh air will help.~

~Breathe in, breathe out.~

I shake my head, running my fingers through my hair.

I never thought I’d reach a point where I’d want Asher King out of my life.

No matter how many times I told Kaylee I’d forget him before I even got to know him, I never really meant it. I just agreed with her to shut her up.

But back then, I believed.

I believed there was a chance.

A chance for me and him, together.

I guess some things are better left as dreams. Because no matter how much you wish for a fairytale ending, it doesn’t always come true.

I chuckle, letting the wind brush against my face. It’s quiet since everyone’s inside, and for a moment, I consider skipping class.

I’ve only ever done it once before, with Asher.

~Damn it.~

~Not again...~

~I can’t stop thinking about him.~

I’m about to head back inside when I hear voices. Without thinking, I hide from whoever’s coming.

“I really missed you, you know!” I peek around the corner.

My face tightens in annoyance when I see Asher walking with Jalina.

~Little bitch.~

~Walk away!~

I stay put, watching. He doesn’t see me, but she does and flashes me a smug smile.

My temper flares as I contemplate ways to take her down.

~What a bitch.~

~Has he moved on already?~

Jalina presses herself against him.

“Baby, I really, really missed you.”

~He heard you the first time, brat.~

“You were spending too much time with that bitch. I told you she was a fraud and that she’d hurt you one day.”

~Fraud?~

~Hurt him?~

~He’s the one who hurt me, ignored me.~

I huff.

~Ridiculous.~

I turn away from them, walking off.

I don’t have time to sit here and listen to this crap. I grumble, taking another step, when I suddenly bump into someone.

“Puff,” the person says. I step back to see Xander in front of me. “In a hurry?”

“No, just heading back inside,” I sidestep him, heading into the school building. He follows me.

“I followed you outside.” I raise an eyebrow at him, and he shrugs. “You looked kind of lost.”

I laugh at his serious expression.

“I’m good, promise.”

“Good to know.” He smiles at me.

“What about you? Does it still hurt?” I glance at the bruise on his face.

“Hurts like a motherfucking bitch. Not gonna lie. Your boyfriend’s got a mean punch,” he jokes, and I give him a light shove.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“But you like him.”

“Did you overhear our conversation?”

He halts in his tracks, shaking his head in response to my question.

“I had a hunch from the beginning. I just wanted to believe I stood a chance. But you’re more than just fond of him, aren’t you?”

I hold his gaze for what feels like an eternity before…

“Whaaat? Nooo!” I blurt out, flailing my arms around like a fool. “He’s like a bro—”

“Don’t finish that sentence. I’m not blind, you know.”

I let the charade drop, giving him a sheepish look.

“I liked him, past tense…”

“You like him, present tense!” He corrects me, flashing a smile.

“You’re so annoying!”

“I’m just stating the facts. You can’t get over someone just by telling yourself you’re over them.”

I give him a stern look.

“He doesn’t feel the same way, Xander, but what can I do about it? He likes ~her~.” I nod my head in the direction of Jalina, who’s just walked in alone.

~Bitch.~