Friends,Enemies & Falling In Love

Plans Change

Chapter 4- Plans Change

*Ashers POV*

My mind pulling me back to what happened at the treehouse. How can she act like it never happened, I understand we shouldn’t of done it but taking all precautions to avoid me was just unnecessary. I grunt to myself. After giving up the front seat she avoided me all the way through science, barely evening saying a word to me. I was now in English and I could not concentrate to save my life. I pull out my phone, hidden between the pages of my book I had propped standing up. I click on her contact and bite down on my lip, debating on what to say to her.

Asher: You can’t avoid me forever Lexapedia x

The messages send but I don’t see the usual image of the text bubbles appearing instantly. So she was avoiding me.

“Is there something on your phone you want to share with the class Asher?” Growled Mr Olson. All eyes were on me, this wasn’t the best time sir.

“Ofcourse not sir” I muttered back, trying to slide my phone back into my pocket as slyly as possible.

“Then you wouldn’t mind handing your phone over for the rest of the lesson” he said matter-of-factly, taking no time to clear the class room and stop in front of my with his hand outstretched. I sighed pulling it back out and placing it in his hand. Well there goes my distraction. He walked back to his desk placing my phone on top so it was in clear view, thank god for having a passcode. I spent the majority of the lesson trying to make sense of the book we were allocated to, out of all of them ‘Great Expectation’s’ had to be the most boring. A vibration off of sirs desk brought my attention back around, the thought of it being Lexi made me giddy. Mr Olson scowled at me from the front of the class and i gave a half assed shrug.

When class finished I was the first at the front to retrieve my phone.

“Next time Asher keep it away or I’ll have it till the end of the day” Mr Olson warned, I gave him a quick nod before he placed it in my hands. I locked it as soon as I felt it touch my skin, scrolling frantically to see who it was.

Lexapdeia: Im not avoiding you, see you at practice x

I grinned to myself, football and cheerleading practice were hosted on the same pitch. I’d never been more excited to play football more then I did in this very moment.

“Come on lads we got practice” I called to Myles and Callum as we raced out of class.

“Race you there!” Myles bellowed and began his sprint to the pitch, there was no way I was letting him beat me there. I raved after him, gaining on him with no time at all.

“You’ll have to do better then that Smith” i snickered as i overtook him. Moments later we arrived at the pitch, and as expected the girls were already there in their uniforms. My eyes met Lexi’s and my lips parted. She had her dirty blonde hair in a high ponytail, a few baby hairs lingering beside her cheeks, and the cheerleading outfit hugged every curve on her body and ending half way over her thighs. I give her wink as I head to the changing rooms, in hurry to get in and out so I could see her again. I hated the fact she was always on my mind but I was done fighting it at this point. Changing in lightening speed and leaving the boys to finish getting changed I rushed out. The girls had already started cheerleading practice, and were doing a variety of different warm ups. I head in to the pitch straight towards coach, I had to concentrate on practice if I wanted to get a scholarship for college. If if that did mean sucking up to coach and not fantasising about the things I would do to Lexi in that uniform. I swallowed the urge to moan and started training drills, occasionally throwing glances towards Lexi. After a few play throughs coach gave us a 5 minute break to which we all instinctively headed over to we’re the girls were, my time with Lexi was rare so I’ll take any excuse to go see her. We arrived just in time to see Lexi get flung into the air by Kayla, me and Myles both took a sharp breath in. And as if she had done it a million times, she flipped mid air and landed perfectly on her feet. I started a wave of clapping, the boys both joining in seconds after. Lexi and Kayla turned to look at us, grins painted on there faces, Lexi face was bright red and she was taken back. They headed towards us after they noticed who we are, Lexi heading straight towards me.

“Never knew you were that flexible Lexapedia” I teased, whispering so Myles wouldn’t hear.

“I can show you how flexible I can really be” she whispered back, the breath from each word lingering on my cheek she was that close. I just wanted to pull her in and kiss her. As I was about to speak she pulled away and bent backwards, arching her body over and throwing her legs in the air before falling backwards to land in a crab. I gave her a sarcastic round of applause then helped her back up, she look flustered and it was a cute look on her.

“Impressive, you’ll have to teach me” I chuckled, nudging her shoulder gently. It wasn’t the show I really wanted but it was a show none the less.

“Oh my god Ash” screeched a familiar voice, I let out a groan before Willow appeared with her puppy Ella following close behind.

“You came to see me practice how cute!” She continued, I felt every nerve in my body catch fire.

“Came here for you?” I grunted the annoyance in my tone clear, Lexi’s had drained of colour.

“I’ll uh just leave you to it then” she mumbled, before turning around and walking away. I turn to Willow fire burning my eyes.

“What the hell was that Willow!” I chastised. Her face flinched at the anger in my voice and she took a step back.

“Don’t tell me your angry about what’s-her-face leaving” she snarled back, crossing her hands over her chest trying to push her cleavage up. No matter how much you try it won’t work, I ain’t falling for this.

“Her name is Alexa and yes I am angry because it’s your fault she’s gone!” I snapped, recently I’ve been losing my cool over everything.

“When are you going to realise that I’m a lot better for you” she huffed, flipping her hair of her shoulder before walking away.

“You could be the last person on the planet and I still wouldn’t go there” I called after her. I head back over to coach, irritated and itching to get some anger out. After running through some more plays we head to the changing rooms to shower. I rush into the nearest free-cubicle and draw the curtain, stripping down and throwing my clothes and towel so there in arms reach. I turn it all the way and just stand there a moment, anger seeping out of me. I fling my fist forward and punch the tiled wall of the shower cubicle, when I don’t see no obvious damage I go again, my knuckle cracking and splitting on second impact. I let out groan and turn the shower off, reaching out for my towel. I dry myself off and then get dressed back into my jeans and T-shirt. After putting everything in my locker, I head to the bathrooms to clean up my hand. Pushing it open I come face to face with Dylan.

“Bro what happened to you?” His eyes flicker from the annoyance on my face to the bloody hand.

“Wall got in the way” i grunt, walking around him to go rinse my hand off under the sink, wincing slightly as the cold water hits my skin.

“You might want to go see the nurse that looks bad” he quipped, I couldn’t be bothered with the argument so I just nodded and shook of my hand, bursts of pain erupting after a single movement. Dylan walked with me to the nurses office but she dismissed him to class. She looked me over, put a sling on me with a ice pack and told me to rest it and that it would be better within a few days. I thanked her then jumped down from the doctors bed, rushing out of the door to drama class. We all chose drama as a joke so that we could all be in one class that wasn’t completely academic, and it turns out I actually quite like drama. I walk into the theatre and the group was huddled together at the back of the stage. As I approached all eyes fell on my arm and Lexi and Kayla rushed forward.

“What happened!” Lexi chocked, her eyes were full of sorrow.

“Did it happen at practice?” Kayla chirped in.

“Yeah, I saw him after and took him to the nurse” Dylan chimed in, i through him a look of thanks for covering for me.

“Are you gonna be able to play the game this weekend?” Myles blurts out.

“Yeah nurse said it would be better in a few days just need to rest it. Which means no homework for me” I grin sitting myself on one of the theatre boxes, I’m lucky that my right arm is my writing arm.

“I’ll do your homework for you!” Lexi promised, throwing me that award winning smile. I knew she was mad at me but she was to much of a nice person to act otherwise, she couldn’t hate anyone even if she tried. And she never could stay mad at me for long, even as kids she would sit and pout for 5 minutes and then come back and act like as if nothing had happened.

“Thanks Lexapedia, I’ll bring it over later” I beamed, she was way to good for me. She gave me a quick nod.

“Alright class split into groups of six, Asher you can sit this one out and be director for your group. Pick a Shakespeare play and recreate a scene you half 45 minutes before presenting!” Mrs Hall called from the front, she was a middle aged women, probably about 50, short and plump with ginger frizzy hair. She was really kind and let us get away with a lot but when mad she was scary.

“You heard her, I’m in charge and I say we’re doing Romeo and Juliet” i grin, Lexi looking at me in complete shock. I know for a fact that is Lexi’a favourite Shakespeare play, not because it’s a hopeless romantic story but because it was tragic, it wasn’t your stereotypical happy ever after ending.

“Really a cringey love story” Myles whined, dropping dramatically to the floor.

“Get up you drama queen” Callum jested giving him a kick to the knees, Myles fake fainting.

“Very well done Myles, now actually include it in your work” Laughed Mrs Hall as she walked by. He jumped up embarrassed and red and we all couldn’t help but laugh. We finally decide on the scene we’re Mercutio dies to the hands of Tybalt. We’re all in stitches most of the way through rehearsal. We get to the end when Myles drops to the floor again pretending he’s been stabbed. Dylan playing Tybalt stood their looking triumphant when Callum rushes over as Romeo taking Myles into his arms. The girls were adamant that they just wanted to to kneel fake sobbing as they couldn’t be taken seriously with any lines as they dissolved into laughter every couple of minutes. Seeing Lexi filled with so much joy that she physically couldn’t contain her from laughing was the best painkiller I could of ever received. I could sit here and listen to her laugh all day. Practice draws to a close and they get on stage to present while I take a seat in the front row. Thankfully we managed to make it through the whole scene without anyone breaking character in a fit of laughter, however I did see Kayla and Lexi’s nearly pop as they tryed to control it. At the end they call me on stage, using my one good arm I push myself up and stand with them. Lexi takes my good hand and we all do a bow and the class erupts into laughter, even Mrs Hall is smiling. We all move to the middle rows to watch the other students perform, Lexi nestled on the seat to my left. She absentmindedly rested her head on my shoulders as she sighed smiling at the other performances. I quickly kissed the top of her head before anyone could notice and her face looks up at me for just a moment, just enough to catch enough to catch a couple of seconds where her smile grows wider and all her attention is on me. She looked forward just as the last group came off the stage and Mrs Hall gave us permission to leave. We all stood up in unison and walked to the canteen to grab lunch before going to sit out in the field as it was sunny. I joined the end of the que behind Callum, was mindlessly talking about something him and Kayla watched when all my attention was on Lexi and Kayla at the front of the line.

“Honestly dude just ask her out already” I blurt out, not think at all. He bursts out laughing.

“Your right I do need to ask her, what about you? Eyes on anyone?” He teased, I wanted to say Lexi, I wanted to just tell someone so wasn’t keeping it all locked up and pushed down inside. But i didn’t.

“Nope absolutely none” i mutter, pulling my eyes off of her.

“Then you wouldn’t mind me going out with me tonight” Willow boasted, I didn’t even realise she had joined the que behind me.

“Busy got plans” I insisted, when will she get the idea, I’m not interested!

“Like what” why does she have to keep pushing.

“I’m doing home working with Lexapedia tonight” i point towards a unsuspecting Lexi was watching helplessly at this exchange.

“ Dont worry, go out and enjoy yourself” she gulped and my body sagged under the disappointment. I was looking forward to tonight, and now she’s gone and thrown me to the wolves.

“That settles it, Kayla wanna come out with me, Asher and Willow tonight?” Callum asked Kayla, who turned to Lexi as if asking for permission. Lexi gave quick nod, you wouldn’t of even noticed it unless you were watching her carefully. Kayla turned around and smiled nodding, I could tell she didn’t want to go.

“Then how about this me, Myles, Ella and Lexi go do something tonight?” Dylan broadcasted, I looked over at him and he raised his eyebrows at Lexi.

“Sounds good to me. Coming Lexi?” Ella and Myles said at the same time. Lexi grinned and nodded. They decided to go bowling and we decided to go aswell, just split off separately when the time comes to play. We all grabbed lunch and sat in silence eating, Willow and Ella had gone over to their friends and left us be thank god. I just couldn’t get over the thought of Lexi spending time with Dylan. He wouldn’t go there would he? It’s not like Myles would let him after saying I couldn’t even go there. I peck at my food the majority of lunch and then go to reception at the end saying I needed to go home early because of the pain.

I called mum as I got to the front of the school.

“What’s up hun I’m at work?”. She sounds out of breath, then yet again she goes with a dozen screaming kids. She always wanted a big family so when my dad only wanted me it killed her. I start imagine what my kids would be like, mine and Lexis. The sound of there little feet running across the wooden floor, they would have her eyes, those beautiful honey eyes. I snap out of it as mums voice brings me back to earth.

“Asher?”

“Sorry mum, hurt my wrist at practice and schools letting me go early but I can’t drive home” I’m embarrassed at the the thought of her finding out it I didn’t injury myself at rugby.

“Oh hun are you okay? I told you I don’t like you playing football” the concern rang through her voice, she never understood why I wanted to play professional football so much.

“I’ll call dad don’t worry about it mum I’ll see you later, love you” I say goodbye and hang up. Now this is a conversation I don’t want to have. I pull up my contacts and find Dads. I hover over the call button for a second before I press. After 4 rings he answers.

“Asher what is it” he sounds so abrupt, must be in a meeting.

“Hurt my wrist at school can’t drive home can you come get me” I ask pleadingly, I never ask him for anything because I know the answer will be a no.

“I’ll be there in 10” then he ends the call, I can tell he’s pissed at me but I can’t stand the thought of being near Dylan and Lexi at this moment in time.

Like he said he arrived 10 minutes later, his office was only down the road so he must of walked up to drive the car home.

“Get in” his tone stiff, my body stiffens at the sound, but my feet obey his words and I climb in to the back seat. He climbs in the drivers seat and I pass him the keys, he starts the car up and pulls out of the car park. I’m expect him to dissolve into rage and begin shouting at me about how I’m wasting his precious time. But he doesn’t.

“What’s going on with you your mum says you’ve been acting strange?” His eyes don’t leave the road but I still somehow feel like he’s staring me down.

“Nothing just hurt myself at football practice” i mutter, it’s not like he actually cares, probably only asking because mum asked him to.

“I know for a fact you can’t hurt your hand like you have in football” he grunts, dad used to play football for his college and he was pretty good at it to. He was my inspiration for playing, back when he cared.

“Well I did” I repeated, my eyes watching the streets blurr past. I can hear him scoff and roll my eyes.

“Fine you don’t want to talk about it” he sighed. Part of me just wanted to give him and tell him all about Lexi, about how she’s basically forbidden fruit, how she’s going out with another boy and that I cant physically stand the thought of them together. A few moments pass and I didn’t realise i said until i did.

“I like a girl, but I can’t like her because her brother will kill me, and another girl ruined any chances I could of possibly had with her anyway so punched a wall” I take a deep breath in preparing myself for the brutal shouts and insults. Instead he just laughed.

“Is it Kayla?” He joked, this was the first time in a while where he actually felt a father and not just some alien like man living in my home.

“Kayla doesn’t even have a brother” I laughed.

“So that leaves Alexa” he pressed, I could feel myself getting flustered and sweaty.

“Your having a laugh right?”i said jokingly trying to think of any possible way of changing this conversation.

“Well she’s the only other girl that I know you know who has a brother” he pondered as he pulled into the drive.

“Yeah well it’s not Lexapedia” i mutter, it’s like I’m trying to convince myself.

“Sure kid” he grinned, I looked at him and smiled, I actually felt like I had my dad back.

“I’m going out later can you drop me there?” I aided climbing out of the car, testing the waters a bit with him.

“Yeah I’m talking the rest of the day off, you want pizza?” He questioned and I burst out laughing.

“As if that’s a question” he replied to himself. I ran straight upstairs to start getting ready, we had hours till we had to be there but I wanted to look perfect. Not for the sake of Willow, but because of Lexi being there. Recently I have found myself just wanting to be in her presence, which is going to be difficult seeing as she won’t be remotely near me.