Ch. 11: Arguments & First Dates

It's late Friday afternoon when I exit out of my last class of the day, and step into the cool outside air. After a long week of classes, I am mentally exhausted. God, I wish I were still a freshman. This semester's course load is going to kill me! It also doesn't help that Asher has been avoiding me like I was the Black Plague all week. Now, I'm not stupid. I know he has some sort of issue with me going out with Liam. Whether it's because he has beef with Liam or has feelings for me is what I'm not sure about. I mean, he can't have feelings for me. Him and I barely know each other, and Asher doesn't do relationships; he is a love them and leave them kind of guy. So, maybe he's just pissed he can't get me into bed now?

I nearly get knocked over by someone walking out of Thomas Hall and drop the books I was carrying. Cursing under my breath, I bend down to grab them when I notice another hand go to pick up my Civil Law textbook. Glancing up, I see Asher, handing me the book, refusing to meet my eye. I take the book out of his hand and thank him. He doesn't say anything and starts to walk away.

"Seriously? What, you're not speaking to me now?" He whips around to face me in pure disbelief.

"Oh, my bad, Makayla. All you've wanted is for me to leave you alone. Just obeying direct orders," he sarcastically replies.

"Why are you getting mad at me? You're the one who knocked me over!" I point out.

"It's not my fault you were standing in front of the steps. Maybe, oh I don't know, move next time!" Asher says shrugging. Okay so if he wants to act like a child, so be it.

"I think I liked it better when you were ignoring me. Can we go back to that?" I question, turning to leave. His hands grab onto my wrist gently, tugging me back towards him.

"Look, I'm sorry Makayla. I've just had a lot on my mind this week. Didn't mean to take it out on you," he apologizes. Is he? Is he giving me the puppy dog look? He can't be serious. Boy is giving me constant whiplash with his ever-changing attitude.

"If I forgive you, will you stop looking at me like that? It's annoying." I say.

"Deal," he smirks. "So, are you coming to the game tonight? If you want, I can get you the seats closest to the field. The nosebleed sections make it harder for you to take in all of this," he says, gesturing to himself. I laugh, shaking my head. What an idiot. I'm glad we are getting along again for the moment. It's nice.

"It's amazing how you know me so well." I tease. He smiles at my comment. "As much as I appreciate it, Char, Nina, and I already have seats along the sidelines."

"Really? How'd you swing that?" he asks, confused.

"Liam came over the other night to drop the tickets off for us." I say. Crap. Bringing up Liam might not be the best idea.

Judging by the sudden frown on Asher's face, I was right.

"Hmm, look at you all cozy with Liam. You sure move fast," he replies.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I question, starting to get annoyed. Can we not have one conversation that doesn't turn into an argument?

"Nothing. Nothing. I just didn't peg you to be one of those girls, that's all," he answers. When he sees the confused look on my face, he continues. "You know, a groupie," he finishes. Excuse me! I feel my face getting hot.

"I am not a groupie! You're just pissed that I'm not fawning all over you instead!" I yell. His eyes widen for a second and his face flushes.

"Oh yeah sure. C'mon Makayla. I flirt with every girl. Don't go thinking you're special," he says, before walking away. I'm beyond pissed off now.

"Yeah, well, I couldn't give a damn what you think, Asher! Liam and I are going to have an awesome time tonight. Have fun with whatever girl you're screwing this week. I wonder how long it will take you to forget her name. Minutes? Seconds?" I shout after him. He just waves me off and keeps walking. A few people stand around looking at me like I'm a complete idiot. I glare at them until they finally go back to minding their business.

Screw him.

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I slam the apartment door shut, stomping into the living room. I plop down on the couch, ignoring Char and Nina's looks of concern. Grabbing a pillow, I scream into it, letting out my lingering anger and frustration from my conversation with Asher.

"So, how was your day?" Nina asks sarcastically, sitting in the chair across from me.

"I am yelling into one of Charlotte's throw pillows. What do you think?" I question sarcastically, mumbling from behind the pillow.

"Let me guess, you ran into Asher?" Char speaks up. I almost break my neck from how fast I look over at Charlotte, who is casually sitting on the kitchen bar stool.

"More like he ran into me!" I reply.

"Well, I'm sure it couldn't have been that bad." Char tries to reassure me.

"You're right! Who cares about stupid Asher and his stupid inability to not freaking watch where he's walking, and his stupid attitude where he thinks the world revolves around him?" I rant.

"Apparently you care." Nina jokes. I glare at her, as she holds her hands up in surrender, while trying not to laugh.

"Look, Makayla. Just try and focus on your date with Liam later tonight after the game!" Char says, trying to calm my nerves.

I groan again into my pillow.

"That's just the thing! Here I am about to go on a date with a cute and nice guy, and I'm letting a guy like Asher ruin my good mood. Ugh, what is wrong with me?" I sigh.

"Damn, Thomas really gets under your skin, huh, Miss Davis?" Nina teases. I don't like what she's trying to insinuate.

"No! He's just driving me crazy. One moment he's being nice and not prying into my past with my mom, and the next he's acting like a jealous boyfriend, which he has no right to! I mean, I wouldn't even call us friends. Acquaintances, maybe. I don't know why it even bothers me?" I throw my hands up in defeat. I've given up on trying to understand what goes on in Asher's mind. He's my partner for a class assignment. I need him to get a good grade. I should just leave it at that.

"Boys are stupid. They don't know how to deal with their emotions half the time, so I wouldn't worry about it." Char reassures me.

"Yeah, Asher acting like an ass is nothing new. The only reason it should bother you this much is if you had feelings for him!" Nina chimes in. When I don't answer back at first, Char jumps up from her seat.

"Wait, do you have feelings for Asher?" Char asks, plopping down on the couch next to me. Nina even sits up from her chair, obviously waiting for an answer to her question.

"What? No, of course not! I was just hoping to get through this semester, and maybe become friends, but clearly that's out of the question. Look, I can admit that Asher is good looking," I start. Nina and Char smirk knowingly to each other.

"Hey, quit with the looks!" I exclaim, hitting Char with one throw pillow, and throwing another one at Nina. They both laugh at my reaction but let me continue. "Look, yes he's hot. Anyone with eyes can see that. Doesn't change the fact that feelings for him would be pointless, so that's why I don't have any." I answer,

" You mean because of the obvious hump and dump attitude he's got going on?" Nina remarks.

"Exactly! Asher only does hookups, and not there's anything wrong in that, but that isn't me. I want a relationship. I want a guy who will take me on cute dates, bring me flowers, walk me to the door at the end of the night and kiss me goodnight. I just don't see Asher doing anything like that. So, I'm not even letting myself go there with him. No feelings. End of discussion." I state, getting up from the couch. Char stands up alongside me.

"Look, my best advice is to go on the date with Liam tonight and just have fun. Forget about Asher for the night." Char responds.

"He's already forgotten." I retort back.

"Okay, now let's make you look so hot that Liam won't know what hit him." Nina says. Char squeals in excitement, as they drag me to my room to get ready.

No more thoughts of Asher. Done.

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Char, Nina, and I all make our way down the stairs of the stadium seats, bumping into cheering people along the way. The game just ended, with our very own Devils taking home the victory. Char apologizes to people as she squeezes past, trying to reach Noah, who's making his way out of the locker room. The second he sees Charlotte; he practically sprints over to her. You'd think he would be tired after a long well-fought game, but it's as if he catches a second wind when he sees my best friend. She laughs and they embrace, while Noah spins her around.

"10 bucks they are together before the end of the semester." Nina whispers to me under her breath, as we watch the pair laughing and talking quietly to themselves. I nod, shaking her hand in agreement, even though I know I'm going to be out money. It's obvious these two aren't going to stay friends for too long.

As I tear my eyes away from Char and Noah, I see Liam come out of the locker room. I catch his eye and wave. He smiles and jogs his way through the crowd to get to me. I meet him halfway and unlike Charlotte, I am not expecting for him to pull me in for a hug. I tense up at first before relaxing into his embrace.

"Hey Makayla! You look amazing," he says, pulling away from me. I blush and look down.

With the help of Char and Nina, I picked out a nice pair of ripped jeans and a cute off the shoulder black top, pairing them with my small black wedge boots. Personally, I thought I was a little dressed up for a football game and felt ridiculous, but Liam had told me earlier this week that we were going to a nicer place to eat after the game. Char really didn't want me to be underdressed. I hope tonight goes well, otherwise, my feet are throbbing for nothing.

"Thanks! You look great too." I compliment. He's wearing a nice button-down shirt and jeans.

"Thanks. You ready to go?" Liam asks. I nod, as he leads me to his car. Letting him open the door for me, I slide into the passenger side door. Slamming it shut, Liam jogs over to the drivers' side. I barely hear him when he asks what kind of music I like to listen to because I catch Asher's gaze. He stares at me, as he's surrounded by his usual group of girls. It only lasts for a moment, and then another girl grabs his attention. I roll my eyes. Typical.

As Liam pulls out of the stadium parking lot, I try to relax and just have a fun time.