Chapter 2

~

I'm in physics which is the period after lunch.

I'm always happy for two reason during 5th and 6th period, because one) I get to chill with Lotte and I take a break from Celeste and Jake then right after that... I get to see Asher.

My two favorite people.

I walk in and Asher's not there yet, so I legit start praying he didn't leave early or something and make it to class even if he was late. Eventually, he finally comes in as I'm settling, getting out our textbook and he smiles at me.

"Hey Dawn," he waves to me.

"Hey Asher," I say back to him. He puts his plain black backpack down by his seat.

"What's up?"

"Ugh, nothing much. Just dreading the SATs coming up," I groan not looking at him. He nodded.

"Ah that sucks. I took the practice test my sophomore year, did you?" He asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, it was pretty hard, but that was because I left my $175 dollar scientific calculator in my moms car. I was so pissed I just started choosing answers on the math portion," I admitted. He laughed.

"Haha! That really sucks. Hey, did you do the homework last night? I did it, but I don't think my answers are right," he got it out.

"Me either. We can check them together," I suggested. Even though Asher was a senior taking physics again, he was still pretty smart.

He told me he had to retake the class because he failed first semester by two points, and I didn't blame him. And this may sound wrong, but I'm glad he failed, because if not....he wouldn't be sitting with me right now and we most likely wouldn't be friends.

We chuckled checking our answers as there were only two that were different and he bet half a pack of gum his answers were right and I bet my wretched green mechanical pencil I was right.

"Ooooo a pencil. I really need that," he smiled down at me.

"Half a pack of gum? Looks like it'll last me 'till Tuesday. Excluding the weekends," I commented. He laughed holding his hand in his stomach.

"Haha! Let's just see who got them right first," he crossed his arms.

"Fine," I nodded at him with a scrunch face as the tardy bell rang.

"Alright class. Take out your homework and trade papers...." Asher and I gave each other glances taking each other's paper.

"Good luck," I whispered.

"You're the one whose gonna need it," he told me clicking his pen.

"Oh yeah right," I rolled my eyes. He laughed again glancing down at me. I had to smile.

Five minutes later, we both ended up getting a question out of the two wrong so it was even.

"Aw man. I really needed that pencil," he sighed.

"And I really could've used half a pack of gum," I sighed disappointed in myself. We paused looking at each other before sharing a laugh. "I don't care. You can have the pencil," I offered it to him. "I never use it anyway." He smiled.

"Well than you can have my pack of gum. I have a ton at home from my little sister," he smiled. I took it as he took the pencil.

"Thanks."

I went ahead and already took a piece and I didn't know if it was because it was in Asher's possession or what, but it tasted better, or I just had lunch and it was refreshing.

"Ooo, winter-mint. I like it," I nodded at him putting the rest in my satchel. He chuckled.

"Who doesn't?" I shrugged smiling. He smiled at me before looking down at his paper and after a few minutes of us not talking, I finally had the nerve to ask,

"So are you going to Caleb Matthews party?"

"Hmmph, I don't know. Parties like that aren't my kind of thing..." he admitted with an iffy face. "Stuff always seems to go down at those types of things and it seems never good." I nodded sucking in my lips.

"Yeah, I totally get you..." I said looking at the textbook pretending to look up these answers.

"But I might go.... I know Caleb personally and he's a cool dude. He was the varsity basketball team as point guard last year and I'm sure he'll be MVP this year on the team. I just never been to his house parties. You?" he asked me. I nodded with my eyes closed.

"Hmmhuh, but they're alright. My best friend drags me to go to them because the guy she likes is his best friend. But overall I'm not much of a partier. If so I just go for the free food," I shrugged. He chuckled at me.

"Haha, yeah true. I might too if I find a costume," he sighed thoughtfully. I quickly looked at him. 'Wait.... Is he debating to go if I go?? Do I ask him? Does he want me to help him find an outfit?' I thought totally perplexed in the mind. He looked at me. Probably because i looked delusional.

"You going Dee?"

'He called me Dee!'

"Oh...um...I'm not sure," I shrugged. He nodded understandably.

"Me either.... Maybe if I find someone to go with I might..." 'Okay, he's totally wanting me to ask him,' I came to conclusion with a smile. Suddenly I panicked looking at the book. 'Wait.....do I ask him now!?'

My thoughts were racing as I couldn't let this opportunity go down the drain so I had to use my 'straight talk strategy' Lotte and I came up with.

~
Charlotte and I were sitting in her backyard sunbathing drinking pink lemonade her mom made one day this past summer.

We were talking about how sometimes we say dumb stuff without thinking to guys hoping we can find a way to keep talking to them. I asked Lotte,

"What should we call that?" She thinks a second and with her Raybands on, looking out to the pool and she says,

"How about 'Straight Talk'. A conversation by mouth, but not by logical thought. Mostly used when you want to avoid a conversation quickly or start a new one so you can kept talking to the person that your usually fond of, or have an interest in." I look at her and smile looking out the pool as well.

"Sounds like you just read some girl code dictionary for freshmen. But i approve." She laughs at my joke and sighs.

"You wanted to know," she smiles.

"I did."

~

"Uh....I uh....I have an idea," I heard myself say. He gave me his full attention.

"What's up?" I shurgged before answering,

"How about this.... We both go to the party IF we find a costume and if we do we go AS friends... If we don't like it we can both bail for a free Saturday night Halloween Day.... How about that?" I asked.

Okay, in my head that sounded WAY better, but that's the side effects of straight talk, but by his smile, I guess it was alright.

"Haha, sure. Seems legit," he commented with a nod. I nodded too with an optimist smile.

"Yup. Guess tonight I better look for a costume," I mentioned.

"Me too....I'm not the one to dress up, but I guess I could to have a little fun," he shrugged. "This is my first house party at Calebs." I smiled showing my teeth.

"Hehe, well there's a first for everything."

"Yes ma'am there is," he says back.

After a moment of being productive I notice Asher sucking in his lips and his legs were throbbing under the table like he was anxious about something and before I could ask what's up, he asked me,

"Ah...are you busy next week?" I looked into his light brown eyes that could come off as dark orange because they were so lively.

"I don't think so.... What's up?" He paused a second.

"Do you wanna go to out sometime after school? We could grab some food?" He suggested. I literally JUST died.

'Is Asher Payne asking ME on a date??' I asked myself.

"Oh that'll be cool...." I heard myself say...that's ALL I could say.

"Yeah....do you want to? Like, Tuesday? You can choose the place. It could be anything you want," Asher informed looking right into my eyes as if this was a scary thing for him to do, but I didn't notice as I was literally going crazy in the brains myself.

"Uh....sure. I'd love to go out with you Tuesday," I tried not to choke blushing. He smiled at me.

"Cool. We could meet up. Text me the time and I'll save the date," he nodded. I smiled at him.

"Alright. I'll be able to let you know by the weekend," I informed. He nodded.

"Awesome."

I blushed at him as he chuckled at me and we both returned to our work and I couldn't stop smiling like a nerd as I was literally about to go on my 'first date' with my dream guy and best guy friend Asher....and I knew Charlotte was going to flip when I tell her last period about all this.....but....

I never went on a date.....and I definitely didn't know much about Asher THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW for this 'date'....

So now what was I suppose to do now...

~

It's the middle of English and the whole 'going out to eat with Asher' thing was still bugging me in my mind, but all that was lost when the door bust open with a boy laughing. I didn't even look up as I already knew who it was.

"Jake Lander..." my English teacher Mr. William said. I was right.

"Yeah...sorry I'm late... Had a little business to take care off," he replied. 'Yeah with your girlfriend,' I finished his sentence in thought.

"This is the third time this week you've been late to my class Jake....considering it's only Thursday," my teacher replied plainly looking down at his clipboard. I chuckled under my breath.

"I know, I know, but I'll make it up to you," Jake promised. My teacher looked at him.

"You can, and you can start by taking this D-hall slip and sitting down. Class started 15 minutes ago," he handed him the yellow sheet of paper. The whole class chuckled and even I had too.

"Ah what? Tomorrow? But....I got plans Mr. Will. Can I make it up today?" he pleaded with a smile. Jake was such a hustler....and a player.

"If you include wiping every desk and scraping gum off the bottom of each one it's a deal," my teacher held out his hand pushing up his trendy hipster classes. Now you see why every girl had a crush on him?

"Deal," Jake shook on it. The class giggled some more. I looked down at my book like I wasn't watching any of that and Jake went down my row to get to his seat which was a lot harder than it needed to be on his part since his seat was in the row over, but he just came down that aisle to mess with me, and when he came down my way, he pitched me in my arm and I back slapped him back as he walked by and he chuckled as I must've didn't hurt against his muscular arm.

I heard him hop over to his seat and the teacher kept lecturing once again.

"So class I'm going to prepare you for your essay writings for the SATs in three weeks since I know more than half of you are taking it. So you're going to start off like this-" I was beginning to take notes as he had examples written on the Smart Board as I had to take it too, but I got a vibration in the back of my jeans pocket. I took out my phone and it was from Jake of course....being stupid.

1:46pm
'So what I miss?' -Jake.

I huff my breath.

1:48pm
'Should've been here instead of kissing on your girlfriend.' -me

1:50pm
'Very funny but I wasn't with her. I was still with the guys. Ended up going to Whataburger after we played a few in the courtyard and we got stuck in traffic.' -Jake.

I shook my head.

1:51pm
'And all that took two and a half class periods?' -me.

1:51pm
'Well....I did give Celeste at least ONE kiss....'- Jake.

1:52pm
'Disgusting,' -me.

I heard him chuckled in the back of the class.

"Is something funny Mr. Lander?" Mr. Will asked. I got a text.

"Oh...uh, nothing good sir. Please, carry on," he said with a smile. I read the text.

1:54pm
'You jelly?' -Jake.

I rolled my eyes and after sending my message, I dumped my phone in my satchel beside me angrily biting my pencil looking at the board.

1:54pm
'Fuck off.' -me

He chuckled again and the guy beside me tapped on my shoulder and pointed to the back. I looked back to see Jake lifting his chin with his phone in his hands. I glared my eyes at him evilly and rolled my eyes back to the front of the room.

'Why must I always be pestered by such boys and left with no response from the ones I actually want?' I thought to myself desperately.

It's the end of class and as I was packing my things, Jake walks past me with an exotic grin. "Nice chat Dee," he told me still walking. I shook my head at him.

"Don't talk to me..." I told him strictly. He laughed walking out class. I went up to Mr. Will at his desk and plastered on a smile...even though since he was cool, and cool to me, I didn't need to fake much of it.

"Mr. Will," I got his attention.

"Ah the best writer I know, or rather that I shall say future author, Dawn Noel. What's on your mind?" 'Why can't ALL teachers be this cool...and good looking?' I asked myself.

Mr. Will was like the youngest, cutest, teacher in all of the junior classes. He wore black hipster glasses, and he had dark brown hair that went into a groomed mustache and beard. He had dark brown eyes like Jake's but his were wiser. He had a vanilla skin tone and a tall slim body as he always as wore high-class suits everyday or jeans and a tucked in shirt that ALL the girls (including me) drooled over. He was honestly too out for his age but so in for us.

He was basically a made trendsetter.

"I saw an opening for a journalist contest called Writers Block around the school? Annnd I was wondering if it's something I should do?" I asked him. He smiled.

"Of course you should do it! It's the perfect opportunity for you to put yourself out there. I meant to tell you about this sooner so you could go ahead and start on something. The winner would be announced homecoming night." I titled my head.

"Homecoming? Why? Is it a big deal?" I asked.

"Well, the winner gets to win $1000 and an opportunity to get their entry published by real publishers. This is our first year having this.... I honestly think you should do it Dawn," he nodded at me. 'Hmm....I could go on a shopping spree with that kind of money with Charlotte and I always wanted something published in real life....I guess it's worth,' I thought with a shrug.

"Oh...okay... But is it okay if I show you my entries before I enter them though? I don't want to enter something that might not make it," I asked him with an iffy face. He smiled up at me.

"Of course. It may be bending the rules a little, but I'll just give you corrections, not necessarily the 'yes you have the winning piece' assurance," he told me. I smiled. Professor Will was the best.

"Thanks Mr. Will. I'll start something tonight," I told him happily.

"Of course. Have a nice rest of the day Dawn."

"Bye, see you tomorrow," I friendly waved at him. I walked out the class and then and there was Celeste coming my way with some of the cheer squad with her.

"Haha! We're you seriously just hitting on Mark William?" she asked pathetically.

"Well you obviously know him better than I do for calling him by his first name," I faked smiled at her not showing my teeth. She laughed through her nose crossing her arms.

"Whatever bitch, move out of my way. Don't want to be late for my class," she brushed my shoulder purposely. Charlotte caught up to me.

"Wait, I really love your perfume Celeste. The smell really compliments you," I told her super cheery. She turned to me like I was crazy.

"Oh really?" she gave in. I nodded happily.

"Yeah, where did you get?" I asked her.

"Dillard's. It's a fragrance you probably can't afford," she told me scrunching her nose. I smiled nodding.

"Well it's defiantly a fragrance I don't want, I believe its-" I fake sniffed looking around, "Dog shit? Yeeah it fits you just perfect girl. Keep it up," I gave her the okay sign with my hand. Charlotte busted out laughing.

"Whatever. I don't even know I'm talking to losers like you. Byyyyyye Deeee," she shashayed off.

"Bye." I said plainly.

"That girl has some serious issues," Lotte shook her head looking at her.

"More than Vogue," I sighed. "Come on, lets get to class," I tugged at her arm.

~

I was sitting in U.S. History with Lotte beside me as this class didn't have assigned seats. As we're watching a documentary, I noticed Lotte kept glancing at me from the corner of her eye and because she must've known something was up, she secretly texted me.

3:24pm
'What's up girl? Something bothering you?' -Lotte.

I replied,

3:25pm
'Omg, I 4got to tell you, Asher was indecisive on going to the Halloween House Party at Caleb Matthew's house and I felt he kept dropping hints he wanted me to go....but I don't think I want to and he kind of asked me on a date...' -me.

Lotte looked at me with wide eyes popping her gum and I looked at her hiding a smile. She replied one second later.

3:27pm
"Are you serious?! You better take that offer! He totally wants you to go WITH YOU!' -Lotte.

3:28pm
'I don't think so. I mean, why would a cute all-state swimmer and track star want to hang with me? He's a senior.' -me

3:30pm
'Because he totally likes you! Y aren't you happy!!? You're going on a date w/ Asher!?' -Lotte.

I could literally hear her screaming beside me as if we were talking normally.

3:33pm
'I never been on a REAL date and I defiantly don't know a THING that Asher likes. How am I suppose to impress him well enough when we go out and at the party to make him ask me to homecoming??' -me.

As Charlotte was replying it got me thinking....

'Lotte doesn't know Asher well enough to get him to like me and ask me to homecoming.... But maybe one of the swim guys! But I don't know anyone else from the swim team besides him.' My face brighten and I perked up in my seat.

'But I do know a popular boy who happens to be in the same locker room as him and share the track.....' Suddenly I got the text from the Charlotte and it read,

3:36pm
'Stock him on social media!!! You can really find out a lot about guy on there!' -Lotte

I put on a creepy smile and I simply replied,

3:38pm
'Don't worry....I think I have an idea...' -me

~