"Do you feel like you've settled in?" James asks as we walk through the hall.

Pushing past a group of freshmen I shrug, "For the most part."

" I've been here for almost a month, as crazy as that seems. It's flown by in the blink of an eye but at the same time life in Atlanta feels like forever ago.

So much has changed, I've changed.

"Why the sudden interest?"

He gives me an innocent look, "No reason, I was just wondering when you'd start branching out."

"What do you mean?" There's not much that I haven't done already.

"I was thinking, maybe getting a girlfriend." He offers casually.

A laugh escapes, that's funny. "I don't do girlfriends. I don't date."

"Why the hell not?" He demands

"Never have, too much commitment. They're like dogs, you have to give them attention, tell them they're pretty and feed them. I like the freedom of riding solo." I explain and when he makes a judgy face I continue. "This is coming from the guy stuck with Avery, you're what I don't want to be."

No one wants to be like him, that's clear. A small part of me squirms. At one point I wanted a girlfriend, almost had one too but then my father happened.

Why date one girl when there's so many options? That's how my dating life began, a new girl whenever I wanted. I hate thinking about him, but it might've been the only sound advice he gave me. 

Relationships are a no go.

"Okay, I'm a bad example but you're telling me you don't want to date Scarlett?" He pushes.

I stop walking, his words taking me off guard. Me, date Scarlett? "Never, she's my friend and she's not the same type of friend Stella is to you."

He looks like he's seconds away from laughing so I start walking again, hopefully his delusions aren't contagious. Two attractive people can be friends without having the need to date.

This is what's wrong with society.

"Forget I said anything." He says as the bell rings.

Gladly, I'd prefer to keep my sanity.

*****

History sucks.

I've had the same thought in my mind for the last twenty minutes of class as I watch Scarlett copy the notes from the board. She's so far away.

The kid that sits behind her, Gabe, was sick all last week so I sat in his seat. Now he's back and I'm three rows behind her, I asked him to trade.

He wouldn't.

So now I'm stuck with nothing to do but pay attention, how miserable. I usually watch her take notes or pester her in some way, shape or form for attention. Although I haven't had to do that the past couple days, she's started talking to me on her own.

That gives me an idea.

Crumpling up a piece of paper I chuck it at her, holding back a laugh as it gets stuck in her hair. It takes three more tries for her to realize she's being hit, shaking her hair furiously.

Finally, she turns around, a scowl on her face. What? 

Hi. I wink to piss her off, looking down at my notes to pretend I haven't been staring at her for the entirety of class.

My phone vibrates and I pull it out, I'd rather get my notes from Scarlett later.

James
I'm over Avery.
She threatened to break up with me if I talked to Stella again.

Well the James love triangle saga is more interesting than the revolutionary war.

Ash
So what are you going to do about it?

I've become James' rant buddy. Every time Avery pisses him off, which is often, he complains to me. I'd be annoyed if I didn't know I was being helpful. I've never been able to do this with someone before.

James
I'm going to break up with her.

I reread the screen four times, there's no way he means that.

The bell rings and I forget about James, I can ask him in person about his sudden decision. A punch to the gut greats me as I put my phone up.

"What was that for?" I ask Scarlett, wheezing for air. There's no way in hell she should be able to hit that hard. Where does she hide her muscles?

"That was for making me miss the notes." She grumbles, fully satisfied with the amount of pain I'm in.

Looks like I can't copy off her now, but it was worth it.

Throwing my arm around her shoulders I pull her close, amazed by her lack of cringing that typically follows. "But I missed you."

I'm aware that I sound like a whiny baby, but it's true and the walk to the locker rooms from here isn't even that long. Then there's a long practice and I go home.

My pestering was limited today.

Scarlett lets out a huff of annoyance, I think the third one of the day, but then she smiles. "We have five classes together Ashton. You couldn't go 45 minutes without talking to me?"

A few girls wave at me but I ignore them, my main focus on Scarlett's lips as she smiles. They're so pink. And plump. "No I could not."

I wonder how it would feel to kiss her.

She smirks, flicking my nose as she goes to the locker room. My heart pounds in my ears, what the hell is wrong with me? It's James, he put stupid thoughts in my head that shouldn't be there.

Shaking my head, I reach for the door, James bumping into me with a dazed look on his face. "Sorry, bro."

He doesn't even stop to talk, one thing on his mind– freedom. "Good luck!" I call out, knowing he's gonna need it. Hopefully he's not dead by the end of the conversation.

Taking a deep breath, I enter the locker room, the shouting of teenage boys greeting me.

"Mister King's gonna be a free man." Alex cheers, his pants on top of his head. Everyone yells and beats on the locker doors.

"Not for long!" Sage calls as he heads to the bathroom.

They groan, a kid I think named Zev stands up. "Who cares, anyone's better than Avery."

Ain't that the truth. I'm pretty sure ten years will be added onto James life once he breaks up with her. That and the strand of grey hair he has growing will go away.

"Does anyone else get weirded out that the Rhodes are related to her?" One asks, catching my attention amongst the chaos.

"Scarlett and Avery even look alike."

My eyes pop out a little at this, Scarlett and Avery couldn't be any more different. One's psycho and the other certainly isn't; I wouldn't say she's normal, but nothing like Avery.

"Nah!" Trey Morris, a senior says. "Scarlett's way hotter."

I feel uncomfortable as they laugh, worried what else they'll say. They're definitely right, Avery is nothing compared to Scarlett, but Sage should be out of the bathroom any second. There are some conversations you just don't have with family around.

"The whole tortured bitch vibe is a real turn on, kinda makes you wonder what'd she be like." Another chimes in, wiggling his eyebrows.

The majority of guys agree but the kid from history stops changing, the smile falling from his face.

"Yo, McClain, if you're planning on getting with that, I suggest you move on. She doesn't put out." Jake Bowman taunts, pulling his shirt off. I can't help but take notice of his tattoo, a spiderweb is an interesting choice.

My blood boils, they're talking about her like she's an object. A toy for their pleasure alone. Ever since I bailed on the party, he's been a total ass, but this is crossing a line.

"Shut the hell up." There's no smile on my face. Not a hint of humor as I crack my knuckles. I'd gladly bust someone's face in.

"I mean, you've got to be hanging out with her for a reason. No one really wants to-"

I go to throw a punch when the kid from earlier, Gabe, slams his locker, the sound echoing through the room. "Bowman, shut the fuck up before I shut you up."

The guy smirks, eyeing him over, forgetting about me. "Good to see you're still playing hero."

Before I can even wonder what he's talking about Gabe lunges for him, fists flying. Zev grabs hold of him, barely keeping him contained. Jake laughs, backing down. Something tells me he was ready for a fight.

Getting dressed I don't wait around to talk, the groups mood falling after the conversation. My walk to the field is focused on one repulsive thought.

I used to be just like them, hell a few months ago I wouldn't have hated Jake. I was him. I remember a conversation I had with a kid named Ian Blackwell over his best friend.

You just have to sleep with her once, I can assure you it won't be a mistake. He punched me in the face for that comment and looking back, I deserved it.

II stop at my usual spot for Scarlett, wondering what their locker room conversations are like. Surely nowhere near as dramatic as ours can be. She barrels through the door like she's running for her life. James exits a few seconds later, a smile on his face.

Oh my God, he did it.

James runs after Scarlett and they talk, probably about Stella. The next thing I know James is hugging Scarlett, practically pulling her off the ground. It's taken me three weeks to be able to hug Scarlett as much as I do and James just gets to hug her whenever he wants. And that's three times the hug I've ever given her.

She isn't even pushing him away.

She walks up to me, a big smile on her face that I've never seen before. She never fully smiles at me, it's only grins and smirks. Shaking my head I walk past her, only able to see their hug.

"Where are you going, Ash?" She calls after me, probably with a confused scrunch on her brows.

It makes me angrier that I know that. "Away from you."

What is my problem?

All of practice I let my anger out, hoping it'll die down, it hasn't. Instead it festers within me. I get even more upset over the fact I'm bothered by it.

It's just a hug. One, small, simple hug. Minimal skin to skin contact and I'm throwing a temper tantrum.

After practice I go straight for my truck, slamming my stuff in the back.

"Ashton, wait up!" Sage calls after me.

Despite my mood I stop, feeling bad for leaving him behind. These past few weeks Sage has been the guy I talk to the most. He may be younger but he's easy to talk to and honestly, I think we had something in common.

No friends before I moved here.

He has Ella and there's Stella, Scarlett's probably his best friend but there's no one else. He's distant. It appears to be a family trait.

Sage is out of breath by the time he reaches me, his face flushed. "Do you want to hang out?"

My immediate response is yes before I catch sight of Scarlett walking to their car, Saffron on her back. She laughs at something her little sister says but I can tell it's forced. She catches my eye and freezes, a hurt look on her face that makes me mad again.

I made her upset.

"Sorry, bro, mom wants me home for dinner." Sage's face falls, looks like I'm just disappointing all the Rhodes kids today.

A smile spreads across his face, giving me a high five. "Don't worry about it, I'll talk to you later."

No, actually, I don't think you will if the look on Scarlett's face is any indication. Sibling code beats bro code I'm afraid.

*****

The drive home I try to forget about Scarlett, instead focusing on the area around me. The roads are all so pretty, trees lining the sidewalks. A few kids ride their bikes along the path without a care in the world.

Everything is so peaceful, but it does nothing for my attitude.

Walking inside I find mom making dinner, singing along to the radio. "Hi, Hun, how was school?"

The smell of burning cabbage does nothing to fix my mood. 

"Fine." I grumble, trying to head upstairs. Making it halfway before mom catches me"Hold up." I stop. "Sit."

I walk to the chair she points to, feeling like a child.

"What has you so upset, Ash?" She questions, taking a seat next to me.

"Nothing." I assure her tightly, but she raises an eyebrow.  

It's kinda difficult to lie to someone with a degree in psychology. I bite my nails trying to figure out how to word my situation.

"Do you ever overreact for no reason? Like there is no reason to be upset but you still find yourself feeling hurt. Then in return you act out and do something you regret."

Mom scrunches her brows, and I notice hers don't move like Scarlett's. The fading botox keeps them from fully moving, resulting in no deep crease between her eyes.

Not that it would make me smile the way Scarlett's does.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"It's hard to say, what's an example?"

Another pause of silence, how much do I truly want to expose. I'm just being stupid. "Let's say a guy saw a girl hug another guy. And this guy got upset because it's taken him so long for the girl to willingly hug him but this other guy just gets to give a hug that's bigger than any other hug the first guy has done. And the girl doesn't protest. Instead she smiles and acts like it's totally normal. So the guy gets upset and in return is rude to the girl, who doesn't deserve the rudeness at all." I don't even notice my voice rising until I'm done, "Rhetorically speaking."

Because the hug shouldn't bother me at all– it doesn't bother me.

A million emotions pass through my mom's face as she processes my rant. I tap my fingers anxiously waiting for her to say something.

After a moment she looks at me, "Well, Hun, people don't act a certain way unless they're feeling something. Sometimes we act without consciously knowing why."

"Oh." But what would be my reason? "I'm gonna go shower."

She smiles, rubbing the side of my face, "Dinner will be ready soon."

I think I should've taken Sage up on his offer to get food, damn the consequences of dealing with Scarlett. There's no hope for the dinner mom's going to feed us. The sudden happiness she has make me uncomfortable. On my way out of the kitchen I bump into dad, a smile on his face. Someone must've had a good first day of work.

"Hello, son." He envelopes me in a hug despite the fact I'm still sweaty, grossing me out.

"Hi, Dad." I offer to his back since he's already walking into the kitchen. I know I should head upstairs but curiosity gets the best of me.

"Is he..." dad starts, his voice dying out.

"Oh yeah, big time." Mom says, giggling a little.

Am I what? A weight pulls me down before I can walk back into the kitchen. Grunting I walk upstairs, pretending nothing's wrong.

Stopping in my room I jump on my bed. "Gosh my back sure does hurt."

Ronnie laughs, finally breaking her silence. I begin to tickle her, pretending to be hurt by her slaps. "Ashy, stop!"

"How are you, Munchkin?" I ask, picking her up.

"I'm good." She admits, brushing her dark hair out of her eyes. She's showered after karate, which means I'm just getting her dirty all over again. "I think my friend's gonna spend the night this weekend."

"Really?" There's at least some good news on this apparently shitty day.

"Mm-hmm, you're going to love her. She's just as quiet as I am." It's funny to me for Ronnie to describe herself as quiet because all she ever does is talk but then again, she's uneasy around new people.

Something she's had to deal with because of me.

"Well I can't wait to meet her, but right now I need to get cleaned up." I offer, feeling guilty for no reason. My feelings need to take a number and get in line, now isn't the time.

She nods, kissing my cheek. "I love you, Ashy."

"I love you too, Ronz." I call after her. At least she's happy.

My phone buzzes, Scarlett's snapped and texted me. 

Sweetheart
What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong, I'm just stupid. I'll talk to her tomorrow, that way I can apologize in person. Interestingly Sage is still talking to me, sending a video of the twins wrestling Stella's brother.

When the girls are away the boys will play.

Despite my sour mood I can't help but laugh, knowing that Scarlett would be pissed at them.

Why do I know that?

The rest of the night I repeat that question in my mind, keeping me from sleep. Why?

*****

The next three chapters are my absolute favorite. Writing this whole mindset has been an absolute whirl of emotions.

Let me know what you think, PLEASE VOTE
XO-Mo