Chapter 5: Pro at Slamming Doors

ADDY

On the Monday morning following my meltdown, Kaylee is tugging at my arm for the third time.

“You’re sure, right?” she whispers, her eyes wide with concern.

“Absolutely. No one saw me or the kiss.” I glance around, ensuring no one is eavesdropping.

“Hmm…”

“Think about it. If anyone knew, we’d be the center of attention by now.”

“True, but I don’t think people know Asher is looking for you yet.”

I frown, giving Kaylee a puzzled look.

“Uh, so, well... I heard it from Blake. They’ve been tight since they were kids,” she mumbles.

“Really?”

“Yeah. For some reason, he doesn’t want anyone to know.” She looks deep in thought, and I’m about to respond when—

“Kaylee! Addalynn! Care to share your conversation with the rest of the class?” Mr. Baldwin grumbles, looking more than a little annoyed.

I blush a deep red, but Kaylee quickly shakes her head.

“Good, then I suggest you pay attention!” His voice echoes through the classroom, and we both nod in silent agreement.

~Stupid baldy!~

***

“I swear, I want to kick Mr. Baldwin sometimes,” Kaylee grumbles as we head to our lockers.

I can’t help but laugh.

“Give the guy a break. His girlfriend just dumped him!” I try to lighten her mood.

“Serves him right,” she scoffs.

I laugh even harder before turning to face her.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just wondering about something.”

“What?”

“How did you hear from Blake? You said Asher didn’t want anyone to know, and Blake wouldn’t just tell you—I mean, why would he?” I raise an eyebrow at my best friend.

“Well, I may or may not have been with Blake yesterday,” she whispers, glancing around.

“Bitch!” I hiss.

Kaylee gives me a sheepish smile before shoving the rest of her books into her locker and slamming it shut.

“You ditched me for ~Blakey~ yesterday?” I give her an accusing stare.

A blush creeps onto her cheeks, and I can’t help but grin.

“So, did you just hang out or did you get some action? Knowing you, you probably went all the way.” I smirk.

Kay flips me off before heading to the cafeteria. “I’m not buying your lunch today.”

I laugh before catching up with her.

“So, what’s the deal with Asher?” I ask as we walk.

“Well, Blake and I were watching a movie when he suddenly called.”

I smile.

“Literally watching a movie!” She smacks my arm.

I burst into laughter again.

“Blake’s phone was on speaker so you heard?”

She nods. “But trust me, if Asher is looking for a girl he kissed at a party—you—people are going to lose their minds when they find out.”

We get in line, which isn’t too long. Kay points at what she wants and the lunch lady slaps the food onto her tray, then raises an eyebrow at me, signaling me to hurry up.

~Damn, she’s in a bad mood today.~

“Just a pudding, thanks.”

The lunch lady moves around to get me a spoon before grunting at the next person in line.

“I paid for your pudding already. Let’s go!” Kay drags me toward our usual table.

“If she knew you got a pudding for me, she could have just given it to me, though.” I frown.

“Don’t mind her, she’s always grumpy.”

I smile at my best friend before digging in.

~Damn, this is good.~

“Want some?”

Kay eyes my pudding before opening her mouth, and I feed her a spoonful. I shove another spoonful into my mouth right after.

“Damn, this is so good!” I moan.

“Better than Asher, honey?” Kay grins.

I give her a puzzled look before I finally understand what she means. My eyes widen briefly but I decide to play along.

I shake my head, smirking. “Never,” I whisper just loud enough for her to hear.

“Holy shit! Who are you and what did you do to my best friend?” Kay jumps up excitedly in her seat.

I slap her shoulder playfully before finishing off my pudding.

“So, what’s your plan?” she asks, munching on her sandwich.

“I’m not telling him. I don’t want Asher to find out. Not that I have the guts to do it anyway, especially now that he’s looking for me?”

Kay nods and I lick the rest of the pudding from the spoon.

“Are you going to keep licking the already clean spoon?”

I look down at the spoon and see that Kay is right.

“Ah, screw this. I’m getting another one. You want one?” Kay nods and I saunter off, Asher and the kiss forgotten for now.

***

“I swear to god, Kaylee, I will mash your face if you don’t stop ringing the doorbell soon,” I mutter loudly. The girl knows where the spare keys are but loves to torture me.

I glance at the clock and frown. ~I thought she was coming later.~

I tighten the towel around my body before bounding down the last few steps to the door.

“Kay, how many times do I have to…”

My words trail off as I stare at the person in front of me who is definitely not my best friend.

His eyes are wide open as well, staring right back at me.

My eyes widen even further as I take in his handsome features up close.

~Oh, God, he’s gorgeous.~

~Why am I not freaking out?~

My eyes scan him up and down before they settle on his lips. Those lips, those pouty lips I kissed just a week ago. My eyes dart up to meet his brown ones.

~Why does he look so taken aback? He’s the one who rang my doorbell.~

I’m still rooted in the doorway, oddly composed, when my slow brain finally registers my semi-naked state.

~Oh, for the love of all things holy!~

I blink once, twice, then abruptly slam the door in his face.

Asher King shows up at my doorstep and what’s my response? I just stand there, gawking at him before slamming the door shut. I let out a groan.

~Who even does that?~

Right, that would be me, Addalynn Reina, also known as the world’s biggest fool.

~Idiot, idiot, idiot!~

I bang my forehead against the door, then it hits me that he’s probably still out there. Damn, why was he here to begin with? Did he discover the truth?

No way!

I dash upstairs, pull on a pair of onesies, then race back down.

Onesies? Seriously, Addy?

I head back upstairs, swap the onesies for jeans and a T-shirt, then hurry back down. Cautiously, I open the door again, ready to apologize... but Asher is gone.

A wave of disappointment washes over me as I step back inside.

~Why was he here, though? He couldn’t have figured it out, could he?~

~I’m definitely in hot water.~

“Addy, you wanted ramen, right?” my dad hollers from the kitchen. The frown on my face disappears.

“Yes, Dad!” I shout back, my spirits lifting.

~I’ll deal with my problems and Asher after I’ve devoured my delicious ramen and enjoyed a good K-drama.~

With that thought, I skip my way to the kitchen.