Page 61

Friday I’m in love, The Cure

Sawyer

The morning light streamed in through the kitchen window. I sat at the table with a piping cup of coffee in my hand as I stared outside with a pensive look. My mom joined me in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

“Have you thought about what you want to do for your birthday?” My mom asked as she cracked some eggs into the bowl.

“Not a party.”

I’d always hated celebrating my birthday. It stemmed from my fifth birthday when no one showed up. Not even my best friend. I vowed I would never have another birthday party again, and I’ve stuck to that vow ever since. I don’t intend to break it.

My mom’s smile faltered.

“I would have thought you’d want to do something now that you and Joshua are together.”

I shrunk back, not wanting to disappoint anyone.

“We could do something small. Just a few of us.” I said. It sounded a lot better than a party, and I would love to spend the day with Josh. “Only if Asher comes too.”

Despite his infuriating personality and mood swings, I appreciated Asher as a friend—someone that I could confide in about my fears, or discuss the latest books.

“You both seemed to have taken a liking to each other.” My mom said. “Grace said the tutoring sessions have been helping him a lot. His grades have improved significantly.”

My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to keep a straight face. The weight of the guilt was bearing down on my shoulders. It had been so long since we’d studied. I hated lying to my mom.

“He’s been great.” I said, ignoring the pang in my chest.

I looked down at my coffee, as my guilt ruined the taste. There was only one thing I could do to get rid of it.

??

The hallways seemed more crowded than usual as my gaze fluttered around in search of Asher. I stood on my tiptoes, but I could barely see over anyone’s shoulders. I waited for him at his locker, but that wasn’t a guarantee. He tended not to show up at school until lunch, which is why I was surprised to find him strutting towards me. A lopsided grin formed on his face as he leaned on the locker beside his.

“I knew you’d get sick of Mr. Darcy.”

I rolled my eyes at his playful jab, but turned my expression serious as I met his gaze.

“We need to get back to tutoring.” I said, folding my arms across my chest.

“If you wanted to spend more time with me, you just needed to ask.”

His grin fell, his expression changing from humorous to curious when he realized I wasn’t finding the situation funny.

“I hate lying to my mom.” I said. “I can’t do it anymore.”

His arrogant demeanor returned.

“I don’t mind lying.” He said. “It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“Asher,” I said with a sigh. “I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

I shook my head at his inability to be serious.

“Forget it.”

I turned to get to my locker before class, but he wrapped his fingers around my wrist.