The Space Between Us(13)

“Yes, he is. You guys just won’t admit it.” I felt the blood rushing to my face. I hated how easily I blushed anymore.

“We're just friends, Reeve, for like, the thousandth time.” I said with exasperation. Reeve winked at me, and then leaned forward and half-shouted to Pippi Longstocking next to me.

“Hi, I'm Reeve, Asher's friend. You know, number seventeen? Anyway, I heard you asking about his status and he is definitely single. And he loves blondes. You should ask him out.” I was sure the heat with which my stare pinned Reeve down was going to melt her face right off. Making sure my face was hidden from the blonde beauty I mouthed at Reeve, “What are you doing?!” Reeve shrugged, rolling her eyes, then leaned into me.

“Maybe you guys just need a push.” She grinned wickedly at me. I scowled back at her.

“How do you know he likes blondes?” I asked, not sure where the question came from.

“I don't know if he likes blondes, but I'm betting on brunettes,” Reeve answered with a wink.

I was thoroughly confused, but too distraught to do anything about it. I knew Asher and I were just friends, but I never considered that he might date someone. And I wasn't prepared to deal with the idea of Asher going out with someone. As much as I liked to spout to people about how we're best friends, I couldn't ignore the fact that I became territorial and jealous thinking about the blonde girl asking him out on a date.

After the game, Reeve and I waited in the hallway outside of the locker room like we always did. We stayed a ways away because there were always a ton of people milling around and we would just get in the way. Eventually, I saw Asher come out of the locker room. He looked up to find us in our usual spot and my favorite smile graced his face when our eyes locked. I couldn't help but smile back at him. My smile fell from my face when I saw the blonde beauty intercept him as he was halfway to us. She stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. He was caught off guard and looked down at her hand, which she left on his arm for a ridiculous amount of time. When she finally removed her hand, it was only to push back some stray hairs that had come loose from her braids and tuck them behind her ear. I watched as Asher's eyes followed her movements and my stomach turned when I saw a smile cross his face.

She was obviously doing most of the talking, and he nodded and spoke a few words here and there. At one point I saw him get a little confused, then he looked down at his feet. When his eyes came back up to hers, he said something I couldn't make out. They exchanged a few more words, but then she walked away and he continued towards us.

“Let's see what Mr. Carmichael has to say about that,” Reeve whispered to me before he made it close enough to us to hear.

“Hey, Asher. Good game. Who was that you were talking to?” Reeve asked eagerly.

“Uh, Samantha? I think that's what she said her name was.” He turned to me and smiled. “Hey. Like the game?”

“Parts,” I said with a shrug. He gave me a questioning look. “Your three-pointers were amazing.”

“Thanks, Bit,” he said with a dazzling smile.

“What did Samantha want?” Reeve asked, queen of subtlety.

“Uh,” he said, suddenly uncomfortable. “She asked me to the Spring Fling.” The Spring Fling was the semi-formal dance that the high school put on for all the students. It was coming up in about a month.

“No way! She's really pretty. What did you say?” Reeve was being really pushy and it irritated me. Asher shifted uncomfortably and I saw his eyes dart to me before he answered.

“I said no.”

“Interesting,” Reeve said. I began to really hate that word. “Why would you say no? She's an upperclassman and really pretty.”

“Because I don't want to go with her.” He said sharply, shooting hard stares her way. My eyes batted back and forth between them, trying not to get caught in the crossfire.

“Is there someone else you want to go with?” She asked him.

“Reeve, drop it,” he said.

“I just don't understand why you would turn down a perfectly good date. It makes me think there's someone else you'd rather go with.” I saw her eyes turn on me.

“Reeve, that's enough,” I said quietly. I didn't like the feeling I was getting from their conversation. Part of me wished Asher wanted to go to the dance with me, but more of me wanted everything to remain the same.

“You guys are hopeless,” she sighed. “Ok, well, my dad is probably waiting to pick me up. I will see you guys tomorrow,” she said, sounding way too cheery. She walked away and left Asher and I staring at each other uncomfortably.

“Are you ready to go?” Asher asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah,” I responded quietly. I turned to walk down the hallway with him. Once we got outside, I felt a little more relaxed. It was dark so I couldn't see Asher all that well and welcomed the idea that he couldn't see my face as clearly anymore either. Reeve stirred up all kinds of thoughts and emotions in me that I didn't know if I was ready to deal with. It was spring and even though it wasn't raining, there was still a chill in the air. I wrapped my arms around my waist.

“Here,” Asher said as he slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I said and offered him a small smile. I pulled it tighter around my body. It was huge on me and could probably wrap around me twice. All the extra fabric caused it to bunch up in front of my jaw and I couldn't help but inhale the scent that permeated from the collar of the coat. It smelled like him. The intoxicating smell of Asher, mixed with the scent of the wet pavement was almost too much for my body to handle. I felt my heartbeat speed up, and I tried to keep the expression on my face even and unaffected.