Chapter VIII: Affinity

I did not see Ashton for the rest of the day, nor did I particularly want to. I had no interruptions on the way home and no unwanted questions from prying parents. It was nice. It was easy. It was usual.

But it was dull.

There was no denying that my dreams that night were more exciting than my afternoon. As much as I hated to admit it, even dream stalker Ashton was more interesting than the four white walls of my room. Interesting as he may be, I was quite disturbed when I awoke in the morning to find that I had dreamt of him all night. I seemed to be forming an unfavorable habit.

I was a little apprehensive when I went to school that Tuesday, but the morning passed by harmlessly. And it was easy enough to ignore Ashton during lunch period because I was on the other end of the cafeteria and facing away from him. If he wanted me to not get involved with him, I would happily refrain from doing so.

Thus, one uneventful hour later, Britt and I were sitting at a table in the library, studying. Britt had an English paper to write, and I was happily wrapped up in my science homework.

I was just turning the page of my textbook, when a shadow fell across my view. That shadow was accompanied by the voice of Josh Presley. "So this is what you do when you aren't busy being intimidated."

Snapping my head up, I looked at him in shock—and at the two boys behind him too. Josh was watching me with his signature grin, all charming and mischievous and annoying at once. Dave was smiling a little more innocently, and as for Ashton, well, I refused to look him in the eye.

Fixing my gaze on Josh, I replied, "No, I'm terribly intimidated right now. Homework doesn't do itself."

He laughed, and I could have sworn I heard Britt drop her pencil—not at my words, but at the sound of his laugh, surely. I'd once heard her describe him as having the voice of an angel.

Angel or not, he had a knack for disturbing my peace.

As if reading my thoughts, Josh pulled out the seat directly across from me and sat down. Then he leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands, observing me. I gave him as weird a look as I could muster. He just smiled more and glanced to his left at Dave and Ashton. "Take a seat, guys. Maybe Maine is onto something here."

Then he pulled a book out of seemingly nowhere and pretended to read it. I could tell he was pretending because his eyes were darting all over the page at a hundred miles per hour. He wasn't even trying to be subtle.

Shaking my head, I returned my gaze to my science book and tried to block the boys out. That was easier said than done when Dave sat down on Josh's right, and Ashton was forced to take the only seat left—the one next to me.

Beyond uncomfortable, I brought a hand up to the right side of my face in an attempt to create a shield between us. I was still very much lacking the nerve to look at him.

As it were, I didn't have to work up the courage myself, for Josh was already busily working on it. No longer holding his book up, he looked between the two of us and said slyly, "Is this what a relationship of intimidation looks like? Awfully boring."

Gritting my teeth, I pulled my hand down only to slam it on my textbook. "Just forget the intimidation thing, okay?"

He laughed again, enjoying this far too much. "How could I forget it? It's the funniest thing I've heard in weeks."

Fighting the urge to reach across the table and choke him, I instead gripped my science book so hard my knuckles turned white. "I'm not intimidated, okay? There, I said it."

Josh glanced between me and Ashton again, still smiling. With a nod, he conceded, "All right. I'll take your word for it." As I was about to return to my homework, he said suddenly. "You hear that, Ash? She's not intimidated."

I brought a hand to my forehead in embarrassment. Can't I just disappear?

Ashton finally spoke up. "Shut up."

Thank you! Smiling despite myself, I looked back down at my science book. I was going to get my homework done one way or another.

At least for the time being, the boys left me alone. Instead, they turned their attention to the other person at our table. As my eyes skimmed over a paragraph about sodium chloride, I heard Josh say, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Josh."

Pretty sure she knows who you are, I thought dryly.

"I'm Britt. Nice to meet you."

I was almost jealous of how composed she sounded. I had made a complete fool of myself when I'd met the boys.

"Nice to meet you too. Although I am a bit surprised—I wasn't expecting Maine to have such a pretty friend."

I nearly choked on my spit. But I shouldn't have been surprised; Josh was a flirt, after all. Sneaking a look at Britt, I noted that she was doing an impeccable job of keeping her blush in check. I'd known her long enough to know that she was freaking out on the inside though. I mean, I'd be freaking out too if my crush had said that to me.

To her credit, instead of melting into a puddle, she said, "I'm flattered. But you really shouldn't be surprised—Maine's pretty awesome too."

"Oh, without a doubt," Josh said, but I wasn't buying it.

"Did you see what she did yesterday?"

I full on stared at her now, panicking. No, stop it, Britt!

"We did." It was Dave who said that. I snapped my gaze to his, suddenly curious. I already knew how Ashton felt about what I'd done, but what did his friends think? Dave met my gaze steadily and said, "It was very brave of you."

"No, it was stupid," Ashton cut in a bit too aggressively, making me jump in my seat.

Ever the amused, Josh laughed at that. "Hey, at least she wasn't intimidated yesterday, am I right?"

I threw my head back and groaned. "Goodness, you're worse than him!" When I said him, I looked at Ashton finally. I was shocked to find his face somewhat transformed. "Oh, sheesh," I exclaimed, suddenly forgetting Josh and his stupid teasing. "He really did get you."

Ashton looked away quickly, as if that would hide his black eye. "Just be glad he didn't get you."

Irked, I snapped, "I am. And he wouldn't have gotten you either if you weren't so—"

"So what?" He faced me again, no longer trying to conceal anything.

I sat open-mouthed for a second, feeling sick. He looked awful—worse than he should have. Had he gotten into two fights yesterday?

"If I weren't so what?"

Clearing my throat, I looked down in embarrassment. "Nothing."

He didn't ask me again, but I could feel his gaze boring holes in the side of my face. Running my fingers along the edge of my book, I attempted to read another paragraph, but it was no use. It was especially pointless when Josh reached forward and snatched the book out from underneath my hands.

I looked up in irritation. He just smirked and shut my book with a thud. "So, Maine. While we're on the topic of yesterday, why'd you do it?"

Honestly, I have no idea. "Because," I said lamely, my cheeks threatening to flush. "I don't like fights."

"You sure that's it?" I glared, willing him to stop, but he just went on. "You sure you didn't do it because you and Ash—"

"Give me that!" I interjected, grabbing for the textbook and for any escape from this conversation.

Josh yanked it back, and then he tossed it across the table into Ashton's hands. I turned, half expecting Ashton to give it back to me, but he just held it high with his right hand.

"Like I said, there's no reason for you to get involved," he reminded me, and I somehow felt even more embarrassed this time.

"I know." He still held the book up, as if challenging me. "I know," I said again for good measure.

Ashton stared at me a moment longer, but then he conceded and handed me my book. I yanked it back forcefully. Just what was his purpose in coming here today? To humiliate me further? Just for trying to help him?

Ashton was the only one I was wondering about, but I looked at Josh when I said it. "Why are you guys here?"

Josh blinked innocently. "Is it such a crime to stop and say hi?"

I scoffed. "It is when you're interrupting our studying."

"I don't mind!" Britt piped in. I glared at her, hardly believing the betrayal. She just shrugged apologetically. Suddenly I resented boy-crazy Britt.

Josh didn't mind. "Looks like it's four against one, Maine."

My eyes scanning those surrounding the table, I came to a contradictory conclusion. "Actually, I think it's three against two."

Josh titled his head. "And how's that?"

"Ash," I said, forgetting to add the 'ton.' "He doesn't want to be here anymore than I want my homework interrupted."

Appearing caught off guard, Josh looked over at his friend. It was Dave's expression that caught my attention, though. He was still watching me, eyes narrowed. He looked to be on the verge of discovering every one of my secrets just through that stare.

Nervous, I forced myself to look down at my hands instead. What could he possibly discover through this simple encounter? Surely he wasn't a mind-reader—although he did seem more perceptive than his two counterparts. Not that I had any proof of that. He didn't talk very much.

That was what made it so much scarier when he did speak up now. "No, I think he does want to be here." I looked up again, ready to argue, but Dave went on to say, "He wouldn't have suggested it if he didn't want to."

Josh flashed me a smile, pleased with Dave's assertion. Ash shifted in his chair.

They're wrong, I promised myself. I would know.

But then Ash leaned forward and told me right to my face, "Dave's right."

My lips parted. What? Everyone but me seemed to think this was hilarious—even Britt spit out a laugh. "Britt!" I exclaimed in as loud a voice as an occupant of the library was allowed. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

She just snickered again, not even bothering to apologize. Disgusted, I sat back in my seat and folded my arms across my chest in contempt.

Looking over at Ashton crossly, I observed what I hadn't earlier. He was lounging easily in his chair, seeming almost happy that I was upset. My frustration mounted. Aiming a glare at him, I finally said, "So you're just here to annoy me?"

"More or less," he replied with a smirk. "I figured I'd settle the whole detention thing by invading your study time."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I got you out of detention, so I should get something in return."

"'In return'?" I repeated with a scowl. "Well isn't that incredibly typical of you?"

He stared me dead in the eyes as he asked, "What? Did you think I was just being nice?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but instead I found myself caught. He was right. I had thought that exact thing. When will I stop being so naïve? Despite my faltering, I still tried to answer him. "N-no. I'm not that stupid."

Ashton stared at me for a moment before looking down at my neglected science book. Although no words spilled from his lips, he appeared to be trying to hold back laughter. Angry, but even more embarrassed, I looked away as well.

"Just take a look at yourselves," Josh spoke up then, as if missing the sound of his own voice. I glared at him but inevitably waited for what else he had to say. That was an unwise decision. "You keep saying you aren't friends, but you act just like it."

"Excuse me?" I said in disbelief. "Doesn't being friends mean you're friendly with each other?"

David surprised me by speaking again. "Friends don't always get along."

Biting my tongue to refrain from spewing out any rash words, I carefully thought through my response. "I'm aware of that. However, being friends implies that you have at least some affinity toward each other."

"Who says you and Ash don't have that?" Britt betrayed me for the third time today.

Laying my palms face down on the table, I leaned forward and delivered through gritted teeth, "I do."

"And if I don't?" Ashton interjected, catching me by surprise.

Turning my head his way so that I could read his expression, I challenged, "Did you not hear what you just said? You basically told me that you only helped me so I would have to pay you back for it later. That doesn't sound like affinity; that sounds like manipulation."

One corner of his lips twitched upward. Then he broke into a full-out grin. "Maine, you know I'm just messing with you, right?"

"You're—what?" I trailed off hopelessly. His statement had caught me completely off guard. As I felt the heat begin to crawl into my cheeks, I frantically tried to come up with a response. Nothing came.

"Are you blushing?"

It was a simple enough question, and I could have accepted it if it been asked by anyone other than Ashton. Somehow, his asking it only caused more blood to rush to my face and my tongue to become temporarily handicapped. It didn't help that he was staring at me the whole time. It was a mystery that I could still stare back.

I eventually attempted a coherent sentence, but it started and ended with "I—" I need help.

Ash finally let his laugh slip. Part of me was embarrassed, the other part spiteful.

Seeing that he was obviously not about to apologize, I took matters into my own hands and brought my foot down hard on his. It felt absolutely divine.

"Ow—hey!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What was that for?"

I smiled innocently. "What?"

A split second later, his foot came down on my own, and I automatically reached out to shove him. He must not have been expecting that, for he lurched a mite too far, nearly falling from his chair. Now it was my turn to laugh.

Recovering himself, Ash sat up carefully and gave me a wary look. "There you go again—resorting to violence."

"Hey, you deserved it."

He considered that for a second. "Well. Maybe."

All I could do was roll my eyes.

Thankfully, the rest of our period in the library wasn't quite as painful. Granted, it was weird and unnecessary for the boys to be there, but at least Ashton's practical joke was out of the way. In fact, although they were definitely a distraction, I didn't entirely loathe their company.

Still, I needed to get at least some studying done, so when the boys stood to leave, Britt and I stayed put.

As soon as the boys were out of earshot, Britt leaned close and whispered, "Is Josh not the cutest guy you've ever seen?"

Although that was not something I'd been thinking about at all, I could hardly disagree. "Sure, but he's awfully annoying."

"In your opinion, maybe. I thought he was quite charming." She smiled dreamily.

I snorted. "He was to you—my 'pretty' friend."

She beamed, hardly catching my tone. After a minute of dramatically staring off into the distance, my best friend finally snapped out of it. "But Ash wasn't so dreadful, was he?"

I looked up from my work suspiciously. "Debatable."

"Come on, you were getting along by the end of it."

Frowning, I agreed. "I suppose we were."

"And what you did for him yesterday—that wasn't nothing."

Groaning, I brought a hand to my head. "Whatever it was, he didn't appreciate it."

"But he got you out of detention, right?"

"Yeah, only to hang it over my head later!"

"He was only teasing, remember?"

"Oh, stop being the voice of reason," I retorted, only half-joking.

Britt hesitated for a second, as if debating whether or not to say what was on her mind. Then she finally looked me in the eye and said in her sincerest tone, "Maine, have you ever thought about just...forgetting the whole revenge thing and just being friends with him? I mean, you already basically are friends."

I actually considered her words for a moment before another thought came to me. "Have you completely forgotten what he did to me in detention? I can't just pretend that never happened and let him off the hook!" Even as the words came out, I knew that I was really saying them for my own benefit, not hers.

The longer I knew Ashton, I was finding it harder and harder to scrounge for reasons to hate him. Thinking back to the day we'd met in detention was my best fuel for the fire at this point. And it actually worked to some extent today.

It made Britt shut up—although that look in her eyes remained, driving me slightly mad. It also helped me turn my mind back to the offensive. To think that I'd even considered just dropping the whole thing and being friends with the delinquent! Preposterous.

From that day forward, my experiences at school were a bit—different. Unlike the previous week, Ashton didn't avoid me sporadically and then suddenly act all weird on Friday. No, this time he did not ignore me at all. Disturbingly, he talked to me sometimes in passing, and he even waved at me down the hallway once.

With that came something even more disturbing—the attention of other people. By Friday, I was already growing to expect the crude looks I got from other girls whenever Ashton and I were in the same room or even hallway. I started to wonder what was going to become of me by the end of this ordeal.

Would I lose my mind and have to switch schools? Or would I be murdered by the cheerleading squad before it even got to that point? Ridiculous, but my mind was busy.

At one point, I almost considered telling Ashton to stop paying attention to me, because I was effectively being bombarded by impolite stares and whispered comments. But then I figured he might cause even more of a scene just to drive me up the wall. And then there was the fact that, although I hated to admit it, I did not totally mind being waved at by Ashton Savvonski.

Even if it resulted in the volleyball team captain calling me a whore behind my back.