Chapter 03 — Parallel

AVA 

The following day, everyone at school is still talking about the incident. It was mortifying, everywhere I went, people were whispering. 

The tension followed me all the way back home. Although my Dad didn’t say anything—at least to me. 

I could hear them also whispering about it. I ignored the whispering and went on the terrace, pacing around as I thought of the next design to work on. 

I heard a bird call behind me, it was the signal Asher always used whenever he wanted us to talk. 

I smile for the first time, seeing him on their own terrace. 

“What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be chasing some poor girl home?” I joked, dropping my hand. 

He laughs it off. “I don’t chase girls, they chase me. Who could blame them though? I am simply irresistible.” 

To further prove his point, he flexes his non existing muscles at me, kissing his non-existent becip. 

“What's going on? My parents are talking but no one is saying anything to me. Is he…” I swallowed, having a mild flashback of his hands around my throat. 

“My Dad is beyond furious, and grandma can’t seem to figure out what has gotten into him. She’s convinced that someone framed him or something,” he laughed.

“That’s not funny, someone is in a coma right now because of him, and everyone at school is talking about him. Some are blaming me, calling me a bad sign.” 

I sniffed, recalling Maddie taunting words at the cafeteria. Taunt I could handle, as long as she doesn’t result in attacking me. 

Rubbing my throat, I let out a groan from the pain. It’s still sour from how hard Caden had choked me, a statement I never thought I would ever say concerning him. 

“Hey, what’s that?” Asher inquires, referring to me rubbing my throat. 

“Just experiencing a little designer’s block. This helps me think.” I lied, turning away from him. 

“Well, Beth and I are heading to town later, want to ditch everything and come with us? It will help with your muse,” he suggested. 

“Why not? Wait in the car for me!” I jumped, running off the terrace to catch up with them at the gate. 

I arrived there a couple minutes later with my sister, Sophie. 

It was a smooth ride from the house to our destination, even though it wasn’t until later that I found out where we were heading. 

Turns out one of Asher's friends was throwing a party, and he didn’t tell me! So I spent the entire time babysitting our younger siblings instead of having fun.  

“Sophie, Beth! For the last time, don’t touch anything.” I snatched the cup of punch from both of them. 

“You know what? We are leaving.” I grab their hands, leading them outside the building. 

“Easy there dork…” Maddie hissed out before I bumped into her. 

“Sorry,” I muttered, squeezing past her through the entrance. 

“Wait…” she stopped me, aiming toward my ear. Before I knew what she was doing, she grabbed my emerald earrings, the ones that were gifted to me by Don himself. 

I love that piece more than anything so naturally I went to grab them from her, but she kept it out of my reach.  

“They are mine now, thank you.” Adding insult to injury, she measures her ears with it then walks away laughing with her friends. 

“Ava, did that girl just steal your earrings?” Sophie asked, shocked. 

“No, she’s simply borrowing it. Let’s leave, Asher will find his way home.” I am still annoyed he brought me here to basically babysit the nerve of that guy! 

We got home sometime later, and I first returned Beth home. Asher’s mom did ask me to stay for dinner, but I declined with the solid excuse of working on some design. 

It’s no news to friends and family that I wanted to be a designer. Which is why after high school, I am going straight to fashion school. 

A place where I don’t have to deal with violence every day? Sign me the hell up. 

About half an hour later, I felt a rap on my window. Looking out, I realized it was getting a bit dark outside. 

I got so immersed in creating, that I completely lost track of time. Leaping over my bed, I pulled the curtains apart, rolling my eyes as Asher’s face came into view. 

“What are you doing here? Got kicked out of the party or has it been moved to my house?” I made a face at him, refusing to let him in. 

“Come on, don’t tell me you’re mad at me. If you wish to blame anyone, blame my Mom. She wanted me to bond with Beth. What could I possibly do with a twelve year old?” He whines, making a puppy face at me. 

“You could have taken her to a park or an ice cream place.” I suggested, in case of next time, feeling my heart melt already. 

“You hate parties, it’s not your kind of scene so I thought you wouldn’t mind watching her for a bit. I came as soon as I found out you’ve left.” 

I didn’t bother correcting him about hating parties. Instead I opened the window, giving him the permission to slide through. 

Since the window facing their house was close to my bed, he landed directly on it and rolled over, bumping into me in the process. 

I lost my balance, falling off the bed. I let out a groan, glaring when he started laughing at me. He slides down, extends his hand and helps me from the floor. 

“Can I have a look at your newest creation?” He snatches my sketch book before I could answer, then slumps onto my bed. 

I followed suit, laying next to him as he scrolled through the sketches. I glanced at my sewing  machine from across the room, suddenly getting an idea. 

“Henshal is being a pain in my ass, you should get him something like this.” He pointed towards a spiky dress I doodled out of sheer boredom. 

I laughed, rolling on my back. I was pretty sure Hanshel will have my head on a flatter if I ever suggest something like that to him. 

“Asher?” 

“Yes?” He answered, peeking curiously at me. 

“Why aren’t you interested in the family business?” I inquired after a while. 

“Too much responsibility. I don’t want to be tied down doing one thing, why do you think I have four girlfriends?” 

I gaped at him. 

“Four?” I echoed, eyeing him. “Do these girls know each other? I hope I’m around when they find out and decide to beat the crap out of you. I definitely want to have that saved on my camera roll.” 

“What?” He raised slightly. “You wouldn’t defend your best friend?” 

“Oh please, you should have known better than dating four girls at the same time. Who does that?” 

He hovers over me, his lips set straight. “Best friends stick by each other no matter what.” Then he attacks me, tickling my sides. 

I shrieked, bursting into a fit of laughter. 

“Asher stop, I’m going to pee myself.” I begged, but sensing he didn't plan on letting up, I attacked him back. Weakening his hold on me, giving me the upper hand… at least for now!