Riley's friends on the side ~>
"Go, Zander!" Sam cheers from the bleachers.
I clap as our awkward, clumsy friend attempts to run the ball down the field.
Though he is the least athletic person I have ever met, he decided to try out for the football team. I think part of it is to please his mom, who has the mindset that good boys play sports. She's very old fashioned.
But I'll always love her chocolate chip cookies.
The team lost almost half of it's players to concussions this year, so they're holding tryouts to recruit new players.
"Do you really think he'll make it?" I ask, cringing as Zander falls face first into the ground.
"Not a chance..but he looks so cute in the uniform!"
I shake my head and sit down on the bleachers. "Explain to me why he didn't just join the chess team."
"Once again," she pauses to sit next to me, "he wants to be Wren Green."
I glance at my brother, who is on the sidelines with his buddies. He's directing Zander on where to go, pointing his finger to the end zone.
Zander nods his head as if he understands, but then he looks to me and Sam and mouths 'I don't know what he's saying'.
I laugh, running a hand down my face. "He's hopeless!"
"The scrawny kid running in the opposite direction of the end zone?" Asher asks and takes a seat next to me on the bleachers.
"That'd be the one. What are you doing here?"
He points out to the field. "The kid without his shirt on is my best friend."
"Tucker is trying out?" I ask in interest.
I spot him on the field, the only kid without a shirt on. One of Wren's friends his explaining something to him, but he doesn't really look like he's paying much attention.
"Yeah. The principal suggested it. Guess it'll help him release anger and then eventually become more like Edward Cunningham."
Sam scoffs. "Screw him."
"We're not fans of Edward Cunningham," I clarify.
"Edward Cunningham is the greatest thing to walk this planet next to Zac Efron and Asher Westfield!" some girl hisses as she passes us.
"Do you see what I mean about the whole celebrity status thing?" I ask Asher teasingly.
He shakes his head, giving my sides a quick pinch. "Enough of that!"
I slap his hands away, still laughing. He brushes away a strand of my hair, his finger trailing the side of my face. His eyes flicker to my lips, and I know what he's thinking.
"Wren could be watching," I whisper as he leans in closer.
"Let him watch."
I'm taken aback by his sudden boldness. He holds my jaw lightly as his lips press against mine eagerly.
Everything else leaves my mind when I kiss Asher. It's like he holds this power over me that stops me from thinking straight, and I kind of like it.
"You have to stop kissing me out of the blue like that," I say, flustered.
"No, please keep it up!" Sam interrupts, clapping her hands together. "Like, wow, Asher Westfield."
"Sam," I groan in embarrassment. "Please just continue watching your terribly clumsy boyfriend get beat up on the football field."
She gives me a thumbs up. "Got it."
Asher half-smiles, sticking his hands in his jean pockets. "You're not saying you don't like my out of the blue kisses, are you?"
I roll my eyes. "I'm a high school girl. Of course I like your stupid out of the blue kisses, idiot."
"Good. Does that mean you'd also want to go on a stupid out of the blue date with me this wonderful Friday night?"
"Hm..a date? With the Asher Westfield?" I say his name dramatically (even though I say it dramatically in my head all the time).
"Yes, Riley," he mutters. "I'll pick you up at eight?"
I'm about to answer when someone else beats me to it.
"Ah, nope. That's her bedtime."
My eye twitches at Wren's voice. The bastard always knows when to show up.
"I don't have a bedtime. Eight sounds wonderful, Asher."
"See you then, Riley," he says with a head nod.
I watch as he goes down the bleachers, admiring his gorgeous back. Sighing, I turn back to Wren to slap the side of his head.
"Ow!" he complains. "What the heck, Riles?"
"I told you to stay out of my relationship life!"
"No can do, baby sis. Mom and dad didn't have a boy first just so I would stay out of your relationship life."
I clench my fists in anger. "You irritate me!"
"Mom and dad didn't have a boy first just so I wouldn't irrit-"
"Shut up!"
"I didn't even say anything," Zander mumbles.
"Zander, I wasn't talking to you," I sigh as my friend walks by.
Wren chuckles to himself. "I love that kid."
"We're not bringing Zander into this! Promise me you'll leave me and Asher alone."
"Riley," he sighs in annoyance, "I don't know how many times I have to tell you that I love you for you to see I'm just trying to help."
"Help with what? I like Asher, and he likes me," I say confidently.
Wren shakes his head and holds his hands up. "Fine. I'm done. But I won't be buying you chocolates when he breaks your heart."
"Fine."
"Good." He always has to have the last word.
"Great," I challenge, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't get their relationship," Zander whispers to Sam, loud enough for both of us to hear.
"Let's go, guys." I take their hands and tug them down the bleachers.
"Bye, Wren!" Zander calls, waving his hand around. "Thanks for the help!"
"Not when I'm mad at him!" I scold.
Sam slaps him for me.
Wren and I have always been really close, and with closeness comes a heck of a lot of fighting. I'm used to him being pissed at me, but I'm just not used to him being 'done' with me.
"So, how was I compared to the other boys?"
Sam looks at me, clearly not wanting to tell her boyfriend the truth. "You did your best, sweetie."
He turns around in his seat to face me. "Rip it off like a bandaid, Riley."
I nod. "You suck."
"Thanks," he sighs, sitting back in his seat normally.
"You okay?" I ask and place my hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Edward Cunningham said I'd make a good water boy."
"Screw Edward Cunningham," Sam and I say at the same time.
"Do you think I'd be good at hurdling?"
Sam widens her eyes in horror. A clumsy boy like Zander should never go near a hurdle.
By the time I got home from the car ride of Zander's failed hopes and dreams, I only had two hours to get ready for my date. Yes, only.
It consists of me straightening my already straight hair and then putting on more makeup to my already makeup-ed face. No worries, no cake up.
I find the dress that Sam bought me for my birthday this summer and throw it on. It'll do. Hopefully, wherever he picks for us to go isn't too cold.
"Riley, the douchebag is here," Wren says casually, as if he doesn't care.
"Did you let him in?" I ask.
"Hm," he pauses, "no. I don't think I did."
I growl, bringing my hands to his neck and lightly squeezing. "You're a pain in the butt."
"Thank you."
Rushing downstairs, I open the front door for a rather dashing young man. "Hi."
"Hey," he says, his eyes shamelessly trailing up my body. "You look really pretty."
I blush. "Thank you. Same goes to you. But you're not actually pretty. Wait. I mean, you are. But not in a girlish way. I'm just going to shut up now."
"You're welcome." He laughs and sticks his hand out for me, which I graciously take.
"So, where are we headed?"
"To the pier," he answers. "It's almost like walking on the beach, but you don't have to deal with dry sand getting on your wet feet."
I bite my lip, staring at him in amusement. "You were supposed to forget all of my awkward first party moments."
"You're full of awkward moments, Riley. They're cute though," he says, squeezing my hand lightly before opening the car door for me.
I let out a deep breath as I have only a few seconds to myself. A squeal follows. Then Asher joins me in the car, starting the engine and driving towards Ventura Pier.
He turns on his music, a familiar song with an unfamiliar singer filling the silence.
"Who is this?"
"Lain, Ari, and Jed. They cover a lot of Carolina Liar."
I nod, humming along. "He's a really good singer. Ari?"
"Ari's the singer and bassist. Lainey plays guitar. Jedi drums."
"I like drummers," I muse.
"I drummed once." He clears his throat, smirking. "No big deal."
I smile at his cuteness. "Is Asher Westfield trying to impress me?"
"No teasing, Green," he orders.
I surrender, putting my hands up. "Okay, okay. I just thought it was cute of you."
"Right." He parks the car when we reach the town. "Make fun of the kid who has a helpless crush!"
I inhale sharply, always seeming to be caught off guard by Asher. "What?"
He just winks before hopping out of the car to open my door. I step out, kissing his cheek quickly.
"Sorry, couldn't contain my own helpless crush."
His eyebrows raise, a genuine smile on his face. "Wasn't that smooth of you."
I shrug. "I have my moments."
He takes my hand as we begin to walk across the pier. It's really pretty at night, lights decorating the sides.
Remember when I said hopefully it wouldn't be too cold? Well, I think I might get frostbite by the end of this night.
"I have to tell you something, Riley."
"You're not a vampire, right? That would explain the terribly good looks but-"
"I'm not vampire," he laughs.
"Oh." I pause. "I don't mean to seem disappointed or anything. I just really thought I'd have that eternal love moment. I'm not upset or anything. You are what you are."
He shakes his head in amusement. "I'm a werewolf though."
"Shut up," I mutter, hitting his side. "It wouldn't matter anyways. I'm team Edward."
"Damn." He laughs and stops walking, pulling me closer to him.
My heart rate speeds up from our closeness. He smells so good, oh my Old Spice.
"What were you really going to say?" I ask, my voice small to mimic how I was feeling next to his boldness.
"I was going to say how much I like you. And how I want to learn so much more about you. And then take you on another one of these dates."
"And then another," I add with a giddy smile.
"And so on," he says, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips.
We begin walking again, our hands intertwined. My skin feels all tingly. I love it.
"Can I ask you something kind of personal?"
He raises an eyebrow. "Yeah."
"Do you drugs like Tucker?"
I can't lie here. It has been bothering me like crazy. He told me he didn't drink, but that doesn't mean he doesn't join Tucker in getting high or whatever.
If I'm really starting to like Asher- and I am- then I have to know these things. I don't want to be with someone who is always high, or does drugs occasionally even. It's not an attractive quality for a junior in high school.
He bites his lip, taking a deep breath. In an instant, his hand is out of mine and he's running down the pier.
That's it. I've scared him away. Just perfect.
When I look up from the ground, however, Asher is only a few feet ahead of me, still facing me.
He claps his hands together loudly. "My name is Asher. I have teen spirit. I don't do drugs. So check me out!"
I cover my mouth as he kicks his leg up into the air awkwardly to mimic to SNL skit.
I drop to my knees in laughter, not even comprehending what I just saw. He joins me, kneeling down to be at my level.
"What happens at the pier stays at the pier."
I shake my head. "Oh, no, no. That was too good to stay at the pier."
"Riley!"
"I'm kidding!" I laugh and stand up from the wooden pier, pulling Asher up as well by tugging on his hands.
"So, there's my answer. My turn for a personal question."
"Go for it."
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
And then it was my turn to run.
~~
AN:
lolz
follow me on twitter xxblagitxx I want to use it more often yes
my love for Julian Morris will never end therefore my love for Wren will never end
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