Chapter Twenty Seven - It is best I stay away...

Asher

I was in a shitty mood. I have been since I rolled out of bed this morning. I was pissed off and annoyed. I was angry at myself for how I dealt with Farrah last night. I was also slightly disappointed in Farrah for even agreeing to go on a date with that jackass! She can do better. Maybe if I asked her for a second date, we wouldn’t be here, but I was too late now. I had fucked up, for real this time.

I didn’t even want to be here at school today, but I needed to see Paul. I was going to try once more to get him to back the hell off. Farrah was already angry at me, so what difference would it make if she found out that I had words with Paul? I looked around for him and spotted him. I walked by my friends and went straight for him.

“Paul!” I hissed.

“Asher, fuck off,” He hissed back.

“No,” I said, taking my place in front of him.

“What the hell do you want? Is this about Farrah? If so, don’t bother because she has agreed to a date, and you aren’t going to change that,” He said.

“Oh, I still have time,” I said, “Stay the fuck away from her, Paul. I don’t know what your game is, but you will not get away with it,” I said, stepping in closer.

“My game? What makes you think this is a game?” He asked.

“Because Farrah is nowhere close to your type,” I said, “Guys like you don’t date girls like her,” I added.

“What does that mean? I thought you were her friend. It sounds to be like you mean she isn’t pretty enough for me,” He said.

How did he even get that from what I said to him?

“No, I don’t mean that at all,” I said, “I mean, Farrah is too sweet for you and way too good for you,” I added.

“Farrah and I are going on a date, end of, OK? You had your fucking chance. You blew it, so back the hell off,” He snarled at me.

“This date won’t be happening. You just watch this space,” I said smugly.

I didn’t give him a chance to respond because I turned and walked away. I headed to my friends.

“What was all that about?” Stuart asked.

“I don’t trust that bastard. I think he has some plan in mind, and that is why he asked Farrah out,” I said.

“So, what are you going to do about it?” He asked.

“I don’t know, but one thing I do know, it isn’t happening,” I said.

“Maybe telling her how you really feel will be a good start,” Stuart said.

I groaned, shaking my head and walked away. I do not even want to get into that conversation. I don’t even know how I feel about her. I can’t share with her something that I don’t know. I went to first class even though it didn’t start for another twenty minutes. If I was in there, then I don’t need to deal with people or their stupidity!

I rested my head on the table, sighing to myself. I hear the door open, and someone comes in. No, I was not in the mood for anyone. I hesitantly looked up, and the last person I wanted to see was standing there. Farrah. She must have had the same idea as me.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“Hey,” She whispered.

Farrah stood awkwardly, rocking slightly on her heels. She was looking around, not sure what to do or say.

“You OK?” I asked.

“Yeah, fine,” She said, finally sitting down, a couple of seats in front of me.

Silence fell between us again. I don’t like this silence. It wasn’t normal for us. I moved from my seat and went and sat next to her.

“Farrah, please don’t go on a date with Paul?” I said softly, “You are too good for him,” I added.

“Asher, I am not getting into this again, OK? I am going on a date with Paul unless you give me a reason not to. And I don’t mean because you don’t like him,” She added.

I went to open my mouth to say something, but no words came out. I didn’t know what words to say. Farrah shook her head, getting up, and moved down to a seat at the front.

“Farrah, don’t be like that,” I said, “I don’t know what you want me to say? What can I say that will make you change your mind?” I added.

“If I need to tell you what to say, then it is pointless, Asher,” She said, shaking her head, “I am done with this conversation,” She added.

I was fighting a losing battle. It would seem. I left it at that and went back to the back of the classroom, sitting there. It was going to be one of those days.

***
The day had been hell! I have had to watch Farrah with Paul. They even spent lunch together. The more I saw them together, the more I wanted to punch him. He was flirting with her, and she was getting all giddy and giggling, the way she usually acts around me.

“Dude, what has been wrong with you today?” Stuart asked as we headed out of school.

“Nothing, I am fine,” I said with no emotion.

“Asher, just tell her already! Tell Farrah that you like her and that you want to be with her,” He said firmly.

“No, it isn’t going to make a difference. She has agreed to go on a date with him, and she is too good for me,” I said, “I will just break her heart, so maybe it is for the best,” I added, shaking my head.

“And what Paul is the better option for her? At least you care for her, Asher. You can’t say the same about him,” He said.

“I had my chance. I fucked it up,” I said, shrugging it off.

“Then try harder,” He said, “Asher, I have known you a while now, and I have never seen you like this over a girl. I have not seen you care for someone in the way you do for Farrah,” He added.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said.

“Bullshit! And you know it,” He laughed, rolling his eyes.

“Stuart, it is best I stay away from her, end of the conversation,” I said, annoyed.

He held his hands up and nodded. I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last he brings this up. I wanted to forget about it, at least for today. I need a drink, a smoke, and to get laid—my favourite three things to do to help me forget about everything. There will be a party somewhere. There always is. I need one that my friends aren’t going to because I don’t want to continue the conversation.

“I will catch you tomorrow,” I said, heading for my car.

I got in my car, and when I was about to pull away, I see Paul walking Farrah to her car. She rested against it, and the way he was leaning into her, it looked like he was going to go in for a kiss. My grip tightened on the steering wheel. Surely, she isn’t going to let that happen, not this quickly.

He went to lean in, but she giggled, pushed him away and shook her head. Paul laughed and took a step back. Thank God because I think if I see them kiss, that would be enough to make me snap.

I started my car and sped away from school, and headed home. I don’t think I will be coming to school tomorrow or for the rest of the week because I can’t deal with it, not right now.