Asher:
1220 Words
“She's totally jealous.” I grin at Ryan, twirling a pen between my fingers. He rolls his eyes at me and continues highlighting something in his binder.
“And I’m starting to think that you are totally obsessed with her.”
“I’m not obsessed.”
Ryan raises an eyebrow and I chuck my pen at him. He dodges easily and goes back to his homework. I have never seen a guy as invested in school work as Ryan is. He’s class president, valedictorian and all that s**t. My parents would love him. As if my thoughts summoned her, my mom knocks softly on the door and walks in.
“Hey boys,” she says, setting a tray of veggies and dip on my desk. “Just brought you some snacks.”
I glare at her. “Mom, we’re not five.”
She smiles, smoothing down her short black hair. “I know, I know, I’m not the coolest mom.” she doesn’t look at all sorry, “But what else are moms for if not to embarrass their kids?”
Ryan smiles politely at her, and Mom turns to leave. “Have fun boys.”
I sigh in relief at the door closing behind her, and Ryan shoots me a look.
“What?” I ask defensively.
“Why are you like that to her?” he asks, “she’s nice.”
I snort. “Some would even say she’s too nice.” I don’t think Ryan would understand that being the “blessing” of the family isn’t as nice as it seems. My parents never even raise their voices at me. Well, if my father were even around to do that.
Ryan shrugs. “Whatever man. So, how’s that essay coming along?”
I wince, looking over at what I’d accomplished in my essay: the title. I close the computer. Time for a change of subject. “Never mind that, tell me about Brooke. Do you think she would go out with me if I asked?”
Ryan gives me a quizzical look. “Why would you? Aren’t you going out with Delilah now?”
I kick myself inwardly for the slip up. Ryan is a good guy, and if he knew that I was just playing Delilah he would kick my ass. And yes, I admit that’s what I’m doing to Delilah, even though I’m ashamed of it. I wish I could tell her the truth, but then Brooke would definitely never even look at me. She only tolerates me for Delilah’s sake anyway.
“I meant hypothetically. Obviously I like Delilah, a- a lot.” I say a little awkwardly, but luckily Ryan doesn’t notice.
He laughs a little. “Brooke would dump your ass so hard it would dent the ground.”
I laugh too, but I’m a little hurt. “Why does she hate me so much anyway?”
He shrugs. “Who knows with her. But my guess? In the first week you arrived at school you managed to replace Josh in the band and steal Delilah all for yourself. That would make anyone a little mad.”
“Yeah, but she’s like, really mad.”
“That’s just Brooke being Brooke. She’s pretty intense.”
I snort. “Trust me, I know.”
We laugh, and before Ryan can go back to his book I ask quickly. “What was the deal between her and Josh anyway?” I can’t help it, but I need to know why Delilah is so hung up on the guy.
Ryan sighs. “Brooke and Josh were really good friends. He had some f****d up family stuff, his dad abusing his mom and that type of thing. And I’m not entirely sure, but I think Brooke might have something going on at home too. She never talks about her mom, and her dad was deported or some s**t. So she and Josh would vent to each other I guess.”
“But they never…?”
He laughs. “Oh no, although Josh sure wanted too. Brooke didn’t see him in that way I guess.”
I feel my blood begin to boil at the thought of that i***t. If he ever set hand on Brooke-
My thoughts are cut off by Ryan leaning forward and swiping my computer. He opens it, then glares at me.
“The title? Come on man, I didn’t come over to talk girls.”
I roll my eyes at him and take the computer back. “Fine, Jesus.”
“Aren’t you Jewish?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Then how come you swear in chirstian?”
“s**t, I f****d up. That better?”
He laughs, and soon I’m laughing too.
***
I pull up into Delilah’s driveway laughing so hard it hurts. She’s laughing too, and everytime she tries to drink her soda I make her laugh again and she has to stop.
“Stop it!” she protests weakly, laughing too hard to argue.
I snort, and it sets us off again. I park the car, then turn to Delilah with a smile. To say we had fun tonight would be an understatement. We went for pizza, and then we got to talking and laughing. Being with Delilah is...easy. She’s nice to talk to, and I really think we would work.
“Thanks for tonight.” I say, finally sobering up.
She smiles, green eyes twinkling. “You paid your debt. I can’t say I’m not surprised.”
She leans forward and passes a hand through my hair, and before I can think this through I kiss her.
She tastes like strawberry, and her lips are so soft. I pull back and look at her. She’s smiling, her arms around my neck. I lean forward again, just to make sure I’m right, but hoping I’m wrong, please let me be wrong, please…
Nothing. No fireworks or chemistry. It’s nice, of course, but it’s missing that spark that makes a kiss great.
She pulls back again, and looking at her I tell myself that that’s okay. It’s fine. Maybe with time the spark will come, and besides, being with her is fun and easy. I convince myself everything will turn out fine.
“Delilah.” I whisper. We’re still so close I can see the tiny freckles on her nose. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
She giggles, then leans forward to give me one last kiss. Still nothing. “Of course I will.”
I smile, trying to hide the sadness and disappointment I’m feeling. But as I run my hand through her blonde hair, I can’t help imagining if everything would be different if it were wavy brown like a certain gold-eyed girl’s.
- Writer
