Chapter 23

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I'm in english and we were finishing our essays that we started the other day. I never technically started mine, but I thank God I was a writer. People were mumbling throughout the class and Mr. Will didn't seem to mind, so Jake and I decided to have a conversation of our own as well.

"I know the only reason you mentioned you were on the football team to Asher earlier was so that I would invite him to go to the game," I glanced at Jake and back down at my paper with a secret smile on my face. Jake looked at me, his dimple peaking through his smile.

"I knew you'd get the memo Kit-Kat, but I just figured I'd help you out," he smiled at me. "Get your foot out the door." I looked at him with my lips to one side and flirtatious eyes. "That's what friends do." I nodded once huffing my breath.

"I guess so..." I paused. "But thank you.... I guess you did help," I told him.

"Haha! You're welcome-"

"But just know I could've done it on my own," I said quickly. He really laughed.

"Yeah right! Along with sweaty hands, and throbbing legs." I gasped at him slapping his arm.

"Shut up, I am not a boy! Guys sweat a lot through their fingers when their nervous. Girls just play with their hair or mess with there hands," I told him earing a whole sentence on my essay.

"How come I never seen you play with your hair or fingers around me then, Kit-Kat?" Jake asked me seriously. I brushed him off glancing at him and back at my paper.

"As if. I bet your hands are sweating right now just talking to me," I looked at him, up for the challenge.

"Nohuh," he smiled at me with small eyes. "My hands are dry as a desert."

"Gimme," I asked for them. He gave me his hands and honestly they weren't that sweaty at all, but I just wanted to mess with him anyway.

"Ew! They are! I make you nervous!" I chanted.

"What! No way!" He pulled them back.

"Yes way! I can't believe I make Jake Lander nervous, liiike ohmygaaawd," I over exaggerated looking down at my work, holding in a laugh.

"Haha! Not true Dawn, my hands are dry," he protested with a smile seeming to believe me as he looked down at them.

"Nope. I make you nervous. No question about it," I shook my head.

"God, I hate you Kit-Kat." I grinned at him.

"As I hope you do."

I continued to do my work and Jake did eventually, but I noticed he kept glancing at me every now and then and finally, he decided to strike up another conversation. I wonder why.

"So you're going to the movies tomorrow for sure?" He asked me. I nodded sweetly.

"Hmmmhuh. I'm really excited. We're going to see The Darkness. I'm not much a scary movie gal, but if it means having an excuse to cuddle next to Asher like you said will happen, I'll do it," I nodded once pointing at Jake. He chuckled looking at me effortlessly.

"Right...right." I shaped my lips to one side, tapping my pencil on my chin, as I looked at Jake who was writing his essay again. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hey...do you think Asher really likes me?" I had to ask him seriously. Jake looked at me, staring at my chocolate brown eyes. He didn't say anything for a second longer than usual, and I leaned in a little, my body facing him, my legs crossed. He blinked out of it.

"Of course he does. If he didn't, he wouldn't be going to the football game tonight and he surely wouldn't be going to the movies with you tomorrow...." he told me behind chuckles. I hid my lips in my mouth smiling at him, sighing.

"Haha, I don't know why I asked then. I know these things. I guess I just wanted confirmation," I shrugged back down at my paper. Jake stayed there looking at me a bit and back over to his desk.

"Girls," he scuffed. I glared back him as he was smiling. "Always overthinking." I smacked my lips at him.

"Yeah, over boys who aren't worth it," I said back like a little kid arguing on the playground. He looked at me with a smirk of voluptuousness.

"But whose going on a date tomorrow and agreed to the offer?" Jake placed his hand over his chin pretending to think about it. I gasped and went over and slapped his arm, that didn't hurt him at all.

"You know what? I hope y'all loose tonight," I nodded at him vigorously.

"Well than, I hope y'all do a stunt at the game, mess up, causing YOU to break your leg," he said back. "And hopefully both of them." I glared at him trying not to laugh, biting my bottom lip.

"God I really hate you," I told him shaking my head, still biting my lips.

"Love you too," he winked back.

~

It's almost the end of last period and Charlotte and I turned in our worksheet for the day we found on Quizlet. Thank God for the internet.

"So, you wanna ride with me tonight to go shopping or what?" She asked me putting her notebook away. "My mom gave me a full tank of gas yesterday night cause she had to borrow my Jeep. I was so happy girl, haha!" I turned to her slowly, breathing through my teeth.

"Ugh, okay. I am SO sorry Lotte, but I forgot today is the varsity football game, and I HAVE to go for cheer," I told her. She looked at me and was quiet for a bit and I couldn't tell if she was angry, surprised, or somewhat sad, or even all of the above, but she nodded sympathetically.

"Oh no, it's fine. Kevin did ask me sixth period if I could change our cupcake date to Saturday, but he never explained why yet. He must've totally forgot about the game too," she told me. "The school has been slacking on team spirit." I sighed.

"Yeah, but I really am sorry Lotte. I really want to go shopping with you and hang out. Don't think that I'm ignoring-" she cut me off right then.

"Haha, girl it's fine! I promise," she smiled at me. I smiled back not feeling so bad. "Besides I was thinking of going to the game too, but I don't want to stand in the student section alone. Most of my friends are in cheer or drill team," she shrugged. "I might could sit with some of the soccer girls," she thought to herself. I brighten.

"Wait! What if I told you I invited Asher to go to the game to watch me cheer?" I asked her. She looked at me with a surprised expression on her face. "You should totally sit by him. I told him and he concerned if you go he would. " A smile started to creep across her face.

"Asher Payne wanting to sit by his girlfriend's best friend?" She asked. I busted out laughing by what she said and how she said it. "Y'all must be pretty serious. Sure, I'll sit by him," she shrugged. "Only to get some exclusive intel about him; see if he's totally datable and bae potential." I kept laughing, looking at her with folding eyebrows of confusion.

"Bae potential? You have got to be kidding me!" I chanted as the bell rang concluding our school day was over. We both kept laughing walking out class together into the cluttered hallway and out the history building.

"What it's true! Every pair of best friends know that the girls best friend has to get the stamp of approval from their best friend to date the guy they like! I mean, think about it," she went on as we were walking, kids all going their separate ways. I rolled my eyes looking ahead of me. "Without US, relationships simply don't exist."

"Haha! Whatever Lotte! But seriously, thanks. I'm so sorry for putting you off lately and please know I don't mean it AT ALL," I apologized again. She stopped in the parking lot on our way to our cars that were beside each other. I stopped too.

"Girl, everything's fine," she placed her right hand on my left shoulder, shaking her head, her short blonde perfect locks moving with her. "So don't stress about it. We can always hang out again...." I instantly hugged her and we both giggled. "Besides, our Halloween costumes for the house party at Caleb's haven't came in yet although they said it would be here by now," we departed going over to our car doors and she looked away thoughtfully. "If it doesn't come Sunday, I'm calling them," she stormed away unlocking her car. I busted out laughing pausing.

"But, Lotte, postal services are closed on Sunday's," I reminded her. "It won't come regardless." She peaked her head from her Jeep and smiled, her Jeep so high off the ground she was standing on the metal bar to help you in.

"Exactly," she perked her shoulder at me. I was laughing too hard.

"Hahaha I love you Lotte! See you after the game!" I waved.

"Kay babe!" As I was about to unlock my car, I remembered something.

"Aw man, I forgot my poms in the locker room," I groan. "I have to get them." I began walking back toward the school, looking down at my phone and Lotte called to me, rolling her window down.

"Where you going babe?" I turned around.

"I left my poms in the locker room," I kept walking.

"Oh, want me to wait up?" she asked. I shook my head.

"Nah you can leave. I'll just see you at the game," I nodded still walking looking at her.

"Oh alright! Bye girl!"

"See ya!" I turned back around, looking down at my phone again, and after I was scrolling on Twitter, looking at the football team going at it with the opposite team for tonight, I looked up and I instantly bumped into someone.

"Ah!" I bumped back from impact about to fall backwards, but the person pulled me back upward by my arms.

"Didn't someone teach you, you shouldn't be on your phone while in the streets?" they asked me. I looked up at who was hugging me and I was instantly met with a pretty boy, with gorgeous brown eyes, and chestnut hair against the sun.

"Asher," I smiled and I went in for a hug. He laughed, the vibration of his giggles sounding against me through his chest. "What's up?" He laughed smiling down at me.

"Nothing, I just saw you walking back from your car and I figured I'd say hey," he mentioned. I chuckled.

"Oh, I didn't even see you," I looked around as there was some kids still about campus. "But, hey," I perked with a shrug and an admirable smile on my face. He chuckled under his breath.

"Hahaha hey..." Asher was staring down at me and I was just looking up at him, and finally Asher broke the awkward silence and asked, "Excited for the movies tomorrow?" I brighten, happy he remembered.

"Of course! And just a fair warning, I get scared easily, so, if I jump or scream like a little baby, don't be surprised," I admired touching his arm laughing. Ohmygosh his muscular arm...

"Hahaha! Don't worry Dee. I'll protect you," Asher cool smiled at me. I totally blushed as I felt my cheeks fluster and I had to plaster a contagious smile across my face.

'WAIT, WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!!?' I freaked out in my mind.

"Oh really?" I had to keep my cool.

"Yes ma'am," he said through his lips with chilled eyes. "After I laugh at you for being the baby, but it's all good." I busted out laughing, him joining me, and when I finally calmed down he was already looking at me, his eyes bright and a big smile. "Hahaha I'm kidding Dee, but it'll be okay. It's just a movie," he told me. I smiled up at him.

"It is....isn't it?"

"Yes ma'am," he said again licking his lip with a crooked smile and titled head.

It was quiet between us as I was just looking up at him and when I remembered I had a varsity game to get ready for, I jumped out of it and giggled,

"Hahahaha, sorry Asher, but I have to go home and get ready for the game. You still going?" He laughed.

"Of course! I'll probably just stand in the student section with the rest of the seniors," he thought. "I hear its a tradition."

"Hahaha, it is and that great! Charlotte is going as well. Maybe y'all can sit together." Asher nodded at the idea.

"That'd be kinda nice if she did, she's cool people. I'm sure she'd fit in with the other senior girls and I'll let her sit with us, although she probably doesn't need my help to do it, haha!" Asher mentioned. I laughed too because it was true.

"I can honestly say I agree with that, hahaha! But awesome! I'll tell her and Asher," I placed my hand on his arm. "Thanks so much for going to the game tonight, but you really don't have to if you don't want to. Our football team is pretty good this year, but not THAT good," I had to think of Jake. Asher shrugged with a crooked smile.

"Nah I don't mind. I haven't been to a football game since the first one back in August and I gotta support my track friends. Thanks for the invite. Really," he nodded once down at me. I blushed chuckling. "And besides, I have to see you in uniform, but how can you look cuter than you already do now?" He asked me. I brighten and I know he could definitely tell on my face by his smile contagious from mine.

"Hahaha whatever Asher," I had to brush it off like it wasn't a big deal, but obviously I was freaking out. "I'll see you before the game hopefully?" I wanted confirmation.

"We will," he vowed. I chuckled and I went in for a hug, not even waiting for his approval.

"Thanks Asher."

"Anything for Dawn Noel," he hugged me back. He hugged me kind of tight, I know by accident cause his a big guy and I groan.

"Okay, ow, ow, too tight. Too tight," I told him fake crying. He let me go quickly.

"Sorry, sorry!" He looked down at me smiling. I laughed.

"It's okay," I hugged my arms giggling. "I HOPE you didn't mean to..right?" I asked him.

"I didn't!" He backed himself up as if I wouldn't believe him. I laughed.

"It's okay, I know it was," I reassured. "I'm just messing with you, but it did hurt," I had to admit sadly.

"Aw I'm sorry babe," then suddenly he went down and kissed me on the cheek and he asked, "Feel better?" I totally flipped out, but I HAD to keep sane....wait-

SENIOR ASHER PAYNE CALLED ME BABE!!

"Hmmm mayyybe," I had to say balancing the balls of my feet. He smiled at me and suddenly kissed me on the other cheek and I giggled at that one and he asked again,

"And now?" I know with the way this was going he was going to kiss me on the lips but next, but I had to decline....

Obviously, because I never kissed a boy.....

"Hmmm yeeeah," I said giggled up at him. He kept his smile, his tongue pressed against white teeth. "But I'll feel a lot better when I see you tonight," I said flirtatiously. Asher really smiled by that one and I shrugged at him, hiding my lips in my mouth.

"I can promise that," he agreed. I laughed.

"Hahaha by Asher, thanks for everything," I finally walked away toward the cheer locker room once again.

"No problem Dee."

When I walked away and made it safely behind the door of the cheer room, I leaned back on the door freaking out, my lips hidden in my mouth once again.

"Ohmygosh!! Asher was totally flirting with me just now!!" I whispered yelled to myself. "Where's Lotte when I need to tell her stuff like this!?" And right on cue, the door opened abruptly, and I screamed falling back, "Ah!!"

"Dawn!!" That person yelled. We both fell back and when I rolled myself off the person, it was Charlotte.

"Lotte!?" I busted out laughing. She laughed with me, us both laying on the concrete between the locker room the pavement. "Hahaha! What are you doing? I thought you left!"

"I was about to until I totally saw you and Asher talking and I totally had to stay and scope! Make sure Asher wasn't going to pull a fast one," she squinted her eyes evilly looking around us. I kept laughing and she did too, as I helped her up and she followed me into the locker room.

"Hahaha! We were just talking," I assured her. Even though I was totally grateful Charlotte did stay. That's a real friend...and I was just freaking out as much as she was.

"But with all that body language and laughs I saw, it had to be way more than that! Give me the deets girl! And was that TWO kisses on the cheek I saw!? He wants a you! He wants yoooou," she pestered to me. I kept laughing as she sat in the benches and I unlocked my locker telling her every little detail. From the way he looked at me, to the way the wind blew his chestnut hair, to the kisses, I told it all. By the end, we were both laughing, and Lotte, as my best friend, decided to follow me home and get ready for the game with me at my house.

Days like these were awesome, and considering I was going to see Asher again before the date tomorrow made it even better. This is all a major dream come true, but of course I had to mentally thank Jake for mentioning the game to Asher in the first place.

Without him....honestly...would this happening?

As I was driving on the highway, Charlotte pulled up at the light beside me, blasting her aux to an old song we both knew and I laughed doing the same, dancing awkwardly behind the wheel. Lotte and I laughed at each other and as the light turned green we both drove on to my house and I squinted my eyes not helping but to smile saying to myself with the windows down,

"Nope...it wouldn't be."

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