The Ginger Kid

Chapter Three

He is in all my classes.

I do not know whether to be thrilled by this turn in events or frustrated. I mean I realize this guy is attractive and that I am obviously attracted to him, but at the same time his lame efforts to speak to me has only made me a little annoyed with his character. Don’t judge a book by its cover, they say. Of course he seems cool and easy from afar but every single time he’s spoken to me the words that come tumbling out of that gorgeous smile has sparked a nerve. He keeps picking out every self-conscious feature I possess. I just met this guy and he’s already making me blushingly frustrated, if that makes any sense at all. I really don’t know what to do so I’ve been attempting to ignore him. I even went so far as to run away when the lunch bell rang. During lunch I told my friends about it in the hopes of some advice or at least some sympathy, anything really.

“Maybe it’s a New Zealand thing?” Sadie offered with a shrug.

That was a possibility but I very much doubted it, “I don’t think that’s it.”

“Maybe he’s just a dick,” Wyatt suggested and smirked before taking a big bite of his burger. I gave him a frown in return. Though that could also be true, hanging around Jakob I wouldn’t be surprised. However, he’s only just moved here so that couldn’t be right. But he could just be a mean guy already, couldn’t he? It still doesn’t feel like that’s it. I sigh as my mind is going in circles giving me a headache. I started to rub my temples in the hopes of easing my pain and my frustration.

“Or maybe he thinks you’re cute.”

My head snapped up and I stared at Olivia who sported a mischievous grin. I think my jaw just dropped. “No way!” I immediately shouted, incredulous at the thought of that.

“Yes way!” Olivia laughed. “I think it’s the most probable answer for his behavior.”

“I think she’s right, James.” We all turn our heads to stare at Thomas who is holding a small bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. He stares back a moment, “What?”

It was at that time the bell rang and we departed. I left for my next class then not feeling any better about the whole situation. Now school has been let out and I’m weaving through the parking lot to my Honda Accord to head on home. When it comes into my sight I see my younger sister leaning against the four door dark blue vehicle, chewing on bubble gum and texting one of her many friends. We are like complete opposites. I’m the oldest and she is already two inches taller than I am. Her hair is more auburn than mine and wavy, though she’s always straightening it. It falls to just pass her shoulders. She has fewer freckles, just enough to make it look cute instead of ridiculous. Amber doesn’t wear glasses nor need braces like me. She isn’t a complete scrawny twig but she is girl so certainly more curvaceous. My sister dresses as if she’s a Prep in training, a fledgling waiting for her time in the spotlight. The only thing we share in common other than the obvious is the same blue eyes. I suppose I got the brains and she got the looks.

As I approach, she looks up and groans, “Oh thank god, finally!”

I frown and glare at her and her tone of voice, “What’s with that?”

“You take forever, Jamie,” she sighs as if I’m some little kid she has to deal with. It’s more like the other way around. Brat, that’s what she is.

“Don’t call me that! And I do not!”

“Whatever, can we go?” She pushes off the car and gives me a look, waiting for me to unlock the doors. I almost wish I had club meetings today because then she’d be forced to take the bus and I know that she hates that. I hate having to drag her ass around because she’s only fourteen and can’t drive. I come up to the driver’s side of the car and unlock it with the little button on the keys.

“Oi!”

I hear someone shout that but ignore it not thinking it’s for me. I am just about to open my door and Amber already has the passenger door wide open when someone calls my name.

“Uh…James?!” There it is. Who is that?

I turn around to see none other than Asher Holland. What the heck?

“Oh god, it’s you!” Crap, did I just say that out loud? I must have by the odd look on Asher’s face and the raised brows. I’m probably blushing again but to save face I bark out, “What do you want?”

“Sorry, my sister can’t give me a lift home so…I was wondering if you could. I don’t really no my way around. Please?” He smiled probably in the hopes of persuading me.

“No.”

“Yes!”

My sister and I share a look. She’s the first to look away and I’m sending death wishes in her direction just as she continues, “Sure it’s no problem, uh…?”

“It’s Asher and thanks,” he smiles at her and moves towards me. I see that my sister has got that look whenever she sees a cute boy and it takes all my efforts to not snort and roll my eyes. Amber giggles and I turn my attention to Asher as he moves to the back door. It’s so unfair how attractive he is and he’s looking at me too, which gives me shivers down my spine.

“Fine, whatever, let’s go,” I grumble getting in. Once everyone is inside and secured, I always make sure all passengers buckle up. I check my mirrors and start up the car. I have to have the seat up nearly all the way and up close to the steering wheel considering my lack of height. I feel sort of embarrassed now with Asher sitting so casually and comfortably in the middle of the backseat. Taking a deep breath, I put the car in reverse and back out soon enough we are out of the parking lot and heading down the road. Amber attempts small talk with Asher and trying to use her girlish charms she thinks she has. It makes me want to hurl and I turn up the music on the radio a bit. She glares at me but then suddenly remembers something.

“Oh shit, I’ve got ballet practice, Jamie!” she exclaims and nearly makes me swerve. She’s so loud and obnoxious. Thus I’m forced to turn around and head the opposite direction to go drop the brat off at her stupid ballet practice. The only good thing as at least I am rid of her and don’t have to listen to her flirting with Asher. Of course, he just had to get in the front passenger seat after Amber goes into the building. It makes me a little nervous and I can feel his eyes on me as I start to drive again. I ask for his address and I am surprised to hear that he lives close to where I do, though I don’t voice it. We settle into a tense silence that I should probably be thankful for because he isn’t asking questions that point out my flaws, but it really is killing me.

“So um, you’re from New Zealand?” I try, slowing down to stop at a red light.

“Yeah,” is all he says.

Right, that was vague; can’t he give me something here? “So what’s that like?”

“Different from here,” he grins at me and I think he knows what he’s doing. Prick.

How can someone turn me on and piss me off at the same time? I haven’t even known him that long, barely a day. I want to smack him and then kiss. What’s wrong with me? I don’t know what to say now. So I’m silent for the time being, rock n’ roll music the only sound within the car. I think back to first period and glance at Asher from the corner of my eye. “I wouldn’t hang out with Jakob Hall, he’s kind of an egotistic asshole,” I turn down a road that leads into both his and my neighborhood. People often say that it’s weird when I use profanity because it doesn’t seem to suit me. Personally, I don’t care.

“No worries, mate, I already figured as much,” I look over at him and see him smiling and looking at me. I blush for what must be the billionth time today.

My insides boil and I focus back on the word not saying a word till I finally pull up to a small two story. The home is white with blue trim, a red door, and a small porch. The drive way is empty except for my Honda now. Neither of us moves nor says a word for a few minutes. I stare at the house trying to figure out what to say yet again. My emotions are really all over the place and I’ve started to fidget in my seat. I adjust my glasses finally and turn to speak but before I can I feel his hand in my hair ruffling it. My eyes widen and I just stare at his gorgeous smiling face.

“Thanks for the ride, James,” he pulls away, his fingers not getting tangled in my hair like I’d expect them to. “I’ll see you around, yeah?” I just nod slowly. He chuckles and opens the door getting out. I watch him as he walks up to the front door and opens it, but just before he goes in he turns to wave at me. I dumbly wave back. I stare at his front door for a while even after he’s gone in before my mind returns and I get flustered at my own idiocy. Even so, I can still feel his fingers in my hair and on my scalp. I drive back home which is only the next street over. Once I get inside, both my parents still at work, I make my way upstairs to my room. There I kick off my shoes and drop my bag next to my bed before flopping down on top of it. I bury my face into one of my pillows and sigh heavily.

I turn my head and stare off at nothing in particular, my mind wandering. What did he mean by seeing me around? Was this going to be an every day thing now? I’m anxious in both a good and bad way. What if Olivia is right? Does that mean…he likes me? But that seriously can’t be. I won’t let myself get my hopes up. I’m smarter than this. Still I guess it doesn’t hurt to wish. I flip over on my back and stare up at the ceiling, fixing my glasses that went askew while my head had been buried. It was all probably just a one time thing, right? At least, I don’t want to be played. I’ve gotten my fair share of teasing and cruel jokes, I don’t really need more. God, I don’t know what to think. I do know though that I obviously have already developed a crush, one I should probably squelch. I feel a bit apprehensive about tomorrow now. It would have been easier if he wasn’t in all of my classes. How did that happen anyway? I’d change my classes if we hadn’t already been in school for more than a month and a half. I guess I’ll have to deal. It’s funny how I’m so urgent to put distance between us when my heart keeps saying it wants to get closer. Apparently Asher might feel the same way but I can’t be certain. Why am I always like this? My brain is constantly getting in the way of my heart. Stupid brain.

AN: Here is the third chapter. I don't know if i'll make nanowrimo unless I do some serious writing this weekend. I cross my fingers. Anyway I really appreciate the comments and reviews I have gotten so far, thanks so much! I had trouble finishing this chapter at first but I hope it's at least a decent read. Please readers, I want some more...reviews that is. xD