Ch. 16: Unresolved Tension

(^^^How I picture Char at the beginning of the chapter^^^)

I don't see Asher at all on Monday. Our criminal law class was cancelled. Tuesday, I don't see him around campus. On Wednesday, I spend my day off hanging with Char and Nina. Thursday, the football team is on an overnight trip out of state for an away game. By Friday, I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. I have had time to work through my feelings, and the only conclusion I can come to is that something has shifted between Asher and me. It's been a little over a month, and it seems like everything is moving fast and slow at the same time. I've never felt this way before, not being able to figure out my own feelings. It makes me nervous, like the rug could be pulled out from under me at any moment. I need to talk to Asher. I need to know what he's thinking. At least then, I'll have an answer, and maybe some direction on where to go from here. He texted me yesterday about getting together to work on our criminal law project after they get back from the game. I guess I'll have my chance tonight.

After my last class of the day wraps up, I make the walk back to our apartment. When I open the front door, I quickly duck as a shoe comes hurling toward me.

"Sorry, my bad." Char apologizes.

I glance over to see her standing by the couch, surrounded by a mountain of clothes and shoes. Nina doesn't bat an eye; instead, she seems entirely focused on painting her nails. Things were weird with us during the first part of the week after everything came out about my mom. By Wednesday, I couldn't take it anymore, with us all walking on eggshells around each other. They were treating me like I was made of glass and afraid I might break. I was pissed that they wouldn't listen to my reasoning. When all is said and done, none of it mattered. I just wanted my friends back. After a much-needed talk, we all agreed that if I dig a little deeper into what happened with my mom, they want to be kept in the loop on anything I might find. No more secrets. No more lies. After that, everything seemed to go back to the way it was before. Well, except for the fact that I almost took a shoe to the head.

"Do I even want to ask?" I look to Char for an explanation on why her closet has seemed to have made a new home on our living room floor.

"I'm hanging out with Noah tonight when they get back from their away trip and I have no idea what to wear. Can you please help me? Nina has been no help at all." Char rambles on, sending a pointed glare in Nina's direction.

"Umm, you have tried on over 15 different outfit combinations. Excuse me if I lost interest." Nina says, putting down the polish. Char groans in frustration. Well, by helping Char, I can at least distract myself for the next few hours. It will be nice to think of something besides Asher for the time being.

"Don't worry Char. I'll help you find the perfect outfit, but we all know that Noah will be in awe of you, no matter what you wear. You have the boy wrapped around your finger, despite having only known each other for a few weeks." I remind her, in hopes of getting her to calm her nerves.

"Yeah, but he still hasn't asked me out," she frowns. "We hang out, play video games with his friends, study together, but nothing hinting at anything romantic. I feel like I am turning into one of his bros. I like him, which I didn't expect so soon after Lucas. I want to see if there is anything there, besides friendship. If that's not what he's looking for, I'd prefer to know now, so I don't get my hopes up." I nod my head in understanding. Char has always gone after what she wants. She isn't afraid to take risks, even if she might get hurt. I wish I had her confidence.

"Wait, aren't you meeting up with Asher for another study date tonight?" Nina speaks up. Char squeals in excitement and starts bouncing up and down. Damn it, Nina. I shoot her a glare before answering.

"It's not a date. We are working on our assignment together. Don't get it twisted." I reply, while playing with the ends of my hair, a nervous habit that is a dead giveaway to my friends. Seeing Nina smirk at my reaction to her question, I immediately put my hands at my side.

"Oh my god, that's right! You guys still haven't talked since he showed up here the other night. Okay well now we have to find an outfit for you too! Asher won't know what hit him." Char pulls me over to the couch and starts sorting through where her entire closet threw up. I groan, as she starts holding up options for me to wear. Nina seems entirely invested in the process now.

So much for needing a distraction.

*************************************************

After a few hours, several arguments, and multiple outfit changes later, Char and Nina have finally settled on an outfit for me to wear. I must admit; they did a good job. I had told them I wanted a more casual look, and they delivered. I'm wearing a pair of light grey form-fitting sweatpants with a cropped white zip-up hoodie. I then paired the outfit with my tan platform Ugg boots and touched up my makeup from earlier today. It's cute and comfortable. I wasn't too sure about the cropped hoodie, but Char and Nina assured me that I looked good. Char has just finished adding soft curls to my hair when I hear my phone ping. All of us look at each other before diving for my phone on the coffee table. I scramble to get there first and steal the phone from Char's grasp before she gets a chance to read who it's from. So nosy, I swear.

"Who's it from? Is it Asher? What did he say?" Char fires off question after question, not leaving me any time to respond. I unlock my phone and read the message.

Asher:

Hey just got back. Come over whenever you're ready. See you soon, sweetheart.

The nerves hit me like a tidal wave. He seems so casual. Too casual. I hand the phone over to Char for her and Nina to see. Oh god. What if I have completely read this situation wrong? What if I'm the only one that thinks there's something between us? He was probably just screwing with me the other night. I can't do this.

"Hey, whatever you're thinking, don't. It's all going to be okay." Nina's voice speaks up over the near-deafening sound of my self-doubt.

"Guys, I can't do this. I'm just gonna go over there and study. We don't need to talk. Can just sit in silence. Probably a safer bet." I reply.

"No. Okay, look. Just go over there, keep things light and casual, and wait for him to speak up. He's the one who wanted to talk in the first place. See what he has to say and then take it from there." Char says, reassuring me.

"Yeah, I agree. Just play it cool, and you'll be fine." Nina agrees with Char. I nod, slowly taking in their advice. Char gives me a quick hug and hands me my bag and keys. They wish me luck, as I head out the door and out of the building. Once I'm in my car, I rest my head against the steering wheel, letting myself have a much-needed moment to gather my thoughts. I lift my head up and take a deep breath. Okay, you got this. You can do this. He's just a boy. I put the car into drive and make my way over to the football house. By the time I arrive at Asher's place, the sun is starting to set, shining a golden glimmer onto to the house and the rest of the street. The beauty in the night almost calms my nerves. Almost. I grab my bag and step out of the car, making sure I lock it, before heading up the pathway. I ring the doorbell, and take one last calming breath, when the door opens with Liam standing on the other side.

He smiles when he first sees me, but then a confused expression falls onto his face. "Hey Makayla, what are you doing here? Not that it isn't nice to see you, but you know what I mean," he rambles on. I smile and am about to reply when he answers his own question. "Oh, are you here to see Asher? Yeah, dickhead is upstairs in his room. You could head on up," he says. Still no love lost between them.

"Right. Thanks, Liam." I reply, not really wanting to talk any further. Even if I have forgiven him for his real motives in asking me out, it's still a little awkward around him. Liam notices my hesitation to talk, and simply nods, before heading into the kitchen. I slowly make my way up the stairs. With each step, my heart beats faster and my palms start sweating. I reach Asher's door and see that it's slightly open. I pause, not sure if I should walk in or not. After standing there like an idiot for a few moments, I push open the door and walk in. Asher is nowhere to be seen. I get ready to send him a text, when I hear Asher say my name from behind me. As I jump in surprise, I almost lose my balance in the process. Before I have a chance to regain my footing, Ashers' arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close. I turn around to thank him when I suddenly lose my ability to speak.

There's Asher holding onto me, with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

I try to not stare, but I can't help myself. I sneak a glance and instantly regret it. I knew Asher was built, but damn. I know he must see me staring, but I don't care. My eyes follow a drop of water, as it runs down his toned chest and disappears beneath the towel. My face feels like it's on fire. I will myself to look away, only to see Asher smirking at my reaction.

"So, should I get dressed before we talk or should we just skip talking altogether?" he asks, taking the sight of me in, as well.

Lord, send help.