28

"It's Friday, I'm in love."

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.

"Fine." He said. "We can study today after school."

I smiled, pleased that he'd come to his senses.

"Perfect. See you in the library after school."

??

I sat at the table scattered with textbooks and notes, my brow furrowed in concentration as I thought of a challenging equation for Asher to solve. We'd been here for over an hour, and I had yet to ask him something he didn't know the answer to. Asher, reluctant to be there, sat opposite me, his posture relaxed but attentive as he gave me his undivided attention.

"Did you do something different to your hair?" He asked, distracting me from the equation.

"No?"

He placed his pointer finger on his chin as if trying to play a game of spot the difference. His eyes widened as if he realized what it was.

"It's your birthday tomorrow."

My eyes widened in surprise. Who told him?

"How did you find out?"

"My mom." He grinned, leaning further over the table, and looked around as if he was about to share a secret. "You don't seem too excited about it."

"It's just another day."

"Well, then you're going to hate tomorrow."

I'm the one to lean forward this time, my curiosity piqued by his statement.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He pressed his lips together; the corners twitching, as if struggling to contain his usual arrogant grin.

"I've already said too much."

I tilted my head back as he rose from his seat, needing to know what he was implying. He faked a yawn and looked at the time on his phone.

"That was exhausting." He said. "I'm done for the day."

"Asher," I said, rising from my seat. "Don't avoid the question."

He stood tall, with his chin held high, projecting an air of arrogance.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Elizabeth." He said with a wink before strutting out of the library.

??