Blood of Ash

Chapter 2: Asher POV

Crap. That was too close. I had made it to school before her, but the close call was that I had just shifted back into human form and was dressed and leaning against the tree when she came out of the woods. She didn't know I could see or smell her. She smelled like cherry blossoms and apples and lilacs. It hit me just as strong as it did the first time I met her, over and over again. Every time I'm near enough to smell her, it lights my soul on fire. There isn't any word strong enough to describe the pain I'm in every time she's gone.

What she doesn't know is that I know. I know she's a true blood in a family of humans. I know she's almost out of control. I know how to help her. I just need her to tell me the truth. Her hunger is getting worse. Pretty soon, she won't be able to quench her thirst using the squirrels and rabbits and birds around the school. She doesn't even seem to remember that I am the one that stopped her from hurting Lilly more.

I sighed and watched as she ran into the forest. She was getting more beautiful every day. I wasn't going to be able to hide my feelings much longer. Her abilities were getting more powerful every day. Soon she was going to know. There was no doubts about it.

~time lapse~

I was standing in front of my locker, waiting for Bella, when this redheaded freshman girl came up to me. She giggled and said, "Hi, Asher."

I smiled hesitantly. "Hi. It's Elizabeth, right?"

"Lizzy," she blushed. "I have musicianship first period and I see you setting up in there a lot."

I smiled. "Yeah, it's an internship Bells and I do."

"Who's that," she asked in an annoyed voice.

So she doesn't like Bella. Got it. I smiled and said, "Bellalyse?"

She forced herself to smile. "Right!" She giggled and I knew Bella had come within sight and hearing. "So anyways. I'm having a party this weekend and was wondering if you wanted to come?"

"Sorry," I smiled. "I don't go to parties."

She said something dumb that was insulting towards Bella and I growled. " You do not have permission to call me by that name. and that girl is my best friend. She has nothing to do with whether I go to a party or not."

I honestly don't remember the rest of what she said, but next thing I know, Bella is by my said fast. Too fast. She's grabbing that girl's hand and flinging it away, acting a tiny bit like a possessive girl friend.

The freshman said, "Well he doesn't like you either," before storming off.

I grabbed her arm and purred, "Bells, you know I can take care of myself, right?"

She sighed, "I just hate when they can't get the hint. You're too nice."

She's right. You don't like me. Her voice suddenly popped in my head and it dawned on me that she really had no idea of the internal war I fought every day. It didn't even sound like she was conscious of her thoughts.

"Anyways I'll see you in class," she said and began walking away.

As she walked away, I desperately yanked onto the thread between us and shouted in my head you're right. I don't like you, because I love you dummy.

Too bad she couldn't hear my thoughts. That would make life easier. I sighed reluctantly before remembering that she wouldn't see me in class. I had to get over to the hospital. I had forgot about my doctor's appointment.

Well crap on a cracker.