Chapter 49

"Were you up late reading again?" My dad asked as I served myself pancakes.

"Why?"

"I think I heard laughter coming from your room last night."

"Really, I didn't hear it." My mom piped in, as we all began to eat.

"You were always a heavy sleeper mom, and yes I was, sorry for waking you up." The lie came out easily. I felt bad for lying, but if they found out Asher was in my room last night. I didn't want to bail my parents out of jail.

"It's fine, just don't stay up too late again okay?"

"Okay."

After untangling ourself last night, Asher left with a promise of a date today, same time.

"I won't miss it again." He had promised me.

"We will see," I said with a small smile playing on my lips.

He gave me a wobbly smile and glanced at my lips, but he settled for a forehead kiss and left. I was more disappointed than I thought I would be.

"-Christmas shopping?" My dad asked me.

"Today?" I asked snapping out of my thoughts.

"No next year," he rolled his eyes.

I rolled mine.

"Yes, it's time for some Christmas shopping don't you think?" Every year we do Christmas shopping as a family, sometimes Maya would join or our family would join together. This year was a bit late but it was understandable under the circumstances.

Oh shuck, I can't, but if I tell them it's a date with Asher then they will definitely not approve and ask how I know but then I don't want to lie again and I can't just say I don't want to go because I do.

"Well, I will love to but can it be tomorrow?" I said a moment later.

Dad raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Well you see," I paused as I tried to gather my thoughts, "I'm going out with Asher this afternoon?" I ended it like a question.

Mom and dad frowned simultaneously, "Didn't he stood you up yesterday?" Mom said.

"Yes, but he has a reason and he apologized and asked and changed to today?" I was slightly afraid of their response.

They shared a look and mom finally spoke, "Okay, but if he stands you up again," she left an open threat.

I nodded, relief that they gave him a chance. Breakfast was over soon and with nothing better to do, I decided to visit Maya again.

I wasn't the only one with that thought in mind, Tom was already there when I arrived, "-what am I going to do without you?"

He was sitting down and had his face buried in his hands, he hadn't heard me yet and it was very awkward. I knew I should leave but I wanted to talk to Maya and wanted to help Tom.

"Hey," I said awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

He looked up and he was still as bad as before, slowly he got up, "I'm just leaving,"

"You know, she will want you to move on,"

"Not you too Laura," he groaned, "everyone keep on telling me that and I'm tired of hearing it. Don't you think I know? But I can't, I just couldn't."

"I understand it, I really do, but just try okay? For her?"

"I don't have an Asher to help me, Laura," he said bitterly.

What about your friends? Family? At least you have friends, she was my only friend. I didn't say it out loud, because he was clearly hurting more than he let on.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, it's just, I, I'm sorry." He closed his eyes, "It's just, it seems like you moved on so quickly, so easily, and I don't get it."

I laughed humorlessly, "Yeah, it seems like. You had no idea what the last month was like for me. Maybe you should ask Asher."

"I'm sorry, just, I can't do it." He let out a frustrated sigh.

"It's okay, I get it. I'm lucky to have Asher and my family to help me, but what about your friends and family?"

He snorted, "My friends? They have never been in a relationship like mine and they don't get it, they try to help me move on by finding one night stands for me. And my family, they don't understand, they said it was just three months, I should be able to move on."

I kept quiet, I had no reply for that.

"Sorry, didn't mean to let it all out on you," he apologized again.

"It's okay and please stop apologizing it's annoying," that brought a chuckle out of him, "and you can talk to me any time about it, I'm serious, don't suffer alone I will help you."

"Thanks Laura, but I'm leaving now, I held you back long enough from her."

"True," the corner of his mouth lifted.

"See you around Tom,"

"See you," and he left.

I turned towards Maya, "Look at your boyfriend, well ex."

I took Tom's previous spot and faced her, "Look at what you have done to us," I said jokingly, "anyways I'm not here to say that. I guess you expect me to tell you about my date right? Guess what, it didn't happen."

If she was here right now I swear she would have castrated him already, "Don't worry, he really does had a good reason and he promised to make it up to me today so it's all good."

Silence settled between us because I had no idea what else to say. At last I spoke again, "How I wish more than anything for you to fill this silence. Gods I wish you can answer me and give me snarky replies."

All I got was silence once again, "I just, I just miss you so freaking much, gods. But I am glad that I do have Asher to help me out because without him I think-I don't know, I just won't be able to survive this."

"Okay I should probably stop talking about the same thing over and over again," I stood up, knowing it was about time, "I should probably go and get ready now. Talk to you soon, I love you." My finger tips glazed the tombstone lightly, with a bittersweet smile, I left.

3:57, that was currently the time, and I was all ready. I wore the same outfit I planned to wear yesterday and put on makeup again. I couldn't sit still, I kept on turning my phone on and off, as if waiting for a text.

What if he didn't mean it? What if this is all a joke? What if he didn't turn up again. I swear to god if he doesn't turn up I'm giving up and never believing him ever again.

Just as the time on my phone changed to 4:00, the doorbell rang. Wow okay he is really on time this time.

I ran downstairs, hoping to get the door before my parents, no such luck. I bet they were waiting by the door to get to him first.

"So Asher, when will you be bringing back my daughter?" My dad tried to use his 'intimidating' tone but even the deaf could hear the smile on his face.

"Before 10," he replied smoothly, then he added as an afterthought, "sir."

"I told you to call me Jeff,"

"Okay Jeff," he gave my dad a full blown smile, he was definitely trying to win over my parents.

"Where will you be taking her?" My mom finally spoke, and she was using her principal's voice.

"The fair," he cleared his throat.

The Christmas fair? A smile made it's way onto my face, I finally got off the stairs to end his suffering, when Asher saw me his whole face lit up and relief passed through it.

My parents took the hint and finally left Asher in peace. He then gave me a bouquet of roses he was holding, "You look beautiful."

Oh my god he is so cute, "Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself," I was lying, he looked so much better than me. He was wearing a grey hoodie that fit him very well with his leather jacket and dark blue jeans. How can someone like him like someone like me?

He gave me one of his rare smiles, "Come on let's go,"

"Wait," I rushed back in and tried to find a vase to put the roses.

"I'll do that, don't keep Asher waiting," my mom got the vase and bouquet out of my hands, shooing me away.

"Thanks mom," I beamed at her and rushed back out to the door to Asher.

"Ready?" His eyes twinkled.

I nodded, excited yet nervous. How should I act, like normally or? How do people even act on dates. I just hope it wouldn't be awkward.

He opened the car door for me and I couldn't help but said jokingly, "Who knew you could be a gentleman."

He winked at me and gave me his smirk, "For you, always."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off my face.

The ride was filled with casual conversations and we acted like how we always do, which was a relief.

"Why did you choose the fair?" I asked.

"It seems like a good choice for a first date."

"Why not something like movie and dinner, or Netflix and chill?"

"Are you implying something here Laura?" He attempted to wiggle his eyebrows, "Didn't know you are the type to get on it on the first date." his smirk was very suggestive.

"Netflix and chill, not Netflix and chill."

He laughed, "I don't see the difference."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes again.

Soon we arrived to the fair and of course he insisted to pay for our tickets. Once we were inside, my smile grew. It had been two years since I had been in a fair, the last time I was in one was with Maya. This was my first time going to a Christmas themed fair.

Cliché Christmas music was playing loudly in the background, yet you could barely hear it because laughter and conversations covered it. All kind of scent came from all different direction; cotton candy, corndogs, fries, hotdogs, popcorn.

I cranked my neck, trying to see over the ever growing crowds. There were rollercoasters, stalls, ferris wheels, many different kind of rides and a lot more I couldn't see. I took a 360 turn, trying to take in everything.

Finally I faced back Asher, he was already looking at me. When he saw my eyes landed back on him, his smile turned into a smirk, "So where do you want to go first?"

I was grinning already, "Come on," I tugged him towards the biggest and tallest rollercoaster.

He knew where I was going and he chuckled, "Sure,"

"Hurry," I tugged him harder, wanting to get on the ride faster.

"Okay okay," he finally sped up and intertwined our fingers.

This time he was the one pulling me, "hurry,"

he mocked me back.

I rolled my eyes and walked faster trying to keep up with his long strikes. Stupid boys with stupid long legs.

Luckily the line was not long and it was soon our turn. The ride was exhilarating. I loved the feeling of being high up in the air, wind blowing everywhere and the free falling; falling where there would always be something to catch you.

"Let's play all those rides before we eat," and I dragged him with me to play all the rides which weren't a lot unfortunately.

We were both stumbling a little after all of it, stumbling and laughing and hungry. Starving, we found a food stall and bought hotdogs and corndogs alongside with drinks which I insisted to pay for.

We sat down on an empty bench and scarfed down the food, making conversations in between bites. We talked about anything that came to mind, I told him about the fairs and amusement parks I had been to, telling him about the rides.

"This is my first time being in a fair," he said when I asked about his experiences.

My eyes widen, "no way, are you serious?"

"Yeah, my family obviously wouldn't bring me," he took the last bit of his hotdog, "and my friends wouldn't go either so."

I quickly finished my remaining food and used the drink to wash it down, "Okay we are going to play everything in this fair."

He frowned, "even the boring ones? Wouldn't that be wasting time? I thought you wanted to play the rollercoasters again."

"Nope," I started to drag him to the nearest attraction, "I'm going to let you experience everything."

He quickly caught up and gave me a smile. The smile I loved, the one where it reached his eyes and happiness shone from it, a genuine one. "Okay," I had no idea how one simple word could be so heartwarming.

We played everything, from merry-go-round to mirror maze to Christmas house. I didn't remember ever smiling this much, or laughing so loud I felt like I would have a six pac.

We had just finished playing tossing the ring where I won a big fluffy teddy bear and I gave it to Asher.

He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest, "I should be the one who win it and give it to you."

I rolled my eyes, "Come on, stop being a baby, I won this for you," I smirked a little as I forcefully put it in his arms.

He hugged the teddy bear, "Hmnp, fine I will accept this gift from you only if you take the photos with me," he didn't even wait for my answer before tugging our entwined hands and pulled me towards the photo booth.

"Fine," I tried to sound indifferent but I couldn't even fool myself.

Sitting in the small booth, he inserted the money and selected a Christmas themed frame for the photo. As the booth began to count down from sixty, Asher raised his arm and made a half heart over his head and looked at me expectedly.

I shook my head ferociously, "nope, no way we are not doing that."

There were only forty seconds left.

"Come on," he pouted again, pleading.

"No it's too," I shuddered, "cringy, I'm not doing that."

20 seconds left.

"Please? It's just one post! No one will know anyways, we will be the only ones."

"Nope,"

15 seconds.

"Well I am doing it," he said stubbornly, keeping his arm in position.

7

6

5

I groaned.

4

3

I quickly mimicked his pose.

1

A camera clicking sound was heard and Asher looked at me triumphantly. I tried to scowl at him.

The last frame had a Christmas tree, this time it had a Santa Claus.

This time Asher did a weird face, widening his eyes with a gigantic creepy smile. I followed him and crossed my eyes and stuck my tongue out.

The next one had reindeers, he pulled me even closer until I was flushed against him and put his arm around my shoulders, giving the camera a smirk.

At the last second, I turned my face and kissed his cheek. The camera captured an off guarded Asher, looking more shocked than arrogant; I laughed.

The last frame had a mistletoe right on top of us. Could this get anymore cliche? He gave me his suggestive smirk again, his eyes shone gleefully.

This time he pulled me onto his lap. I threw my arms around his neck, regaining my balance. He tilted his head up to look at me with those blue eyes; and I felt unbalanced again. I was very grateful for his arms that were tightly around my waist. I wished I could stop my heart from beating so fast before I had an heart attack.

I closed my eyes and leaned down, feeling his lips on mine; a feeling I would never be tired of. He shifted slightly so we were sideways and he brushed my hair back, curling it behind my ears.

We moved slowly, too slow for my liking. I tried to move faster but he didn't follow my lead. Right after we heard a camera clicking sound, he kissed me harder. As if he was being held back and now he could finally let it all out. Then he started nibbling on my bottom lip gently, pulling it into his mouth. My hand gripping his hair tightened but he didn't seemed to mind.

"-a photo booth, let's take one," a voice that seemed far away spoke.

"Sure-" I heard the sound of curtains being pulled back, "oh shit never mind let's leave."

"What? Why- oh yup never mind we're leaving."

Painfully, I pulled myself away from Asher, "We should leave."

He groaned, "But I don't want to," he began nuzzling my neck.

"But other people will want to use it," I tried to sound stern but I knew it was a failed attempt.

He placed a feather light kiss right on my pulse and then he pulled away, "fine."

I had to thank God for giving me the ability to not blush and actually stand on my own two feet. I got off his lap and grabbed the photos, ducking out of the booth I looked around for the next ride.

"There's just one left," he pointed at the Ferris wheels.

"Okay," I smiled as he once again laced our hands together and walked towards our last ride.

As we waited in the line, I gave one of the photos to Asher and I looked at mine. I let out a small chuckled when I saw his surprise face again in the third picture. When my eyes landed on the fourth picture, I swore I would have blushed.

Wait so now are we dating? I mean we are pretty much doing everything a couple is suppose to do. Do we have to oficialize it? Will he have to ask me or something? What if he never does I mean like Urgh why is this so confusing and annoying. When it's in the books they just I don't even know they just are together like I'm so done.

"You must really like that picture hmn?" His voice was really close, I didn't even noticed that he had both his arms around my shoulders, "want to reenact it?" He rested his chin on top of my head.

I tried to wipe away the stupidly big smile on my face but my face refused to cooperate. Before we knew it, we were on the Ferris wheels. As it slowly rose higher, I looked out at the view.

The people were like tiny ants scurrying around. Even though it was already night, it was still as bright as morning with all the lights. It really was a sight, Ferris wheels was a cliché for a reason.

I turned back towards Asher, thinking he would also be looking out; instead he was looking at me with the same expression I wore when I looked out.

I raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to admire the view?"

"I already am," he was still staring at me with that awestruck look.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the smile spreading on my face. My hand absentmindedly started toying with my necklace. I think this is actually my first time in a Ferris wheels, I mean it always seems so boring and the line's always so long I never actually went on it. Who knew I would be on it with Asher?

I turned my focus back and Asher was still looking at me, but this time, his leg was bouncing a little and when I met his eyes, he ran his hand through his hair.

"Are you-" I asked him worriedly but he cut me off.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" He blurted out, then he rubbed his neck nervously, glancing at me through his lashes.

He is so adorable I can't even.

"I wanted to ask you more romantically but then I never knew the right time and how so like now on the Ferris wheels it seems like a good-"

"Yes," I cut off his rambling, saving him from himself.

"choice so I just- wait what okay, okay." He froze and then let out a relief breath.

I laughed, how can he be so cute and hot and sweet I swear how is he not fictional.

His cheeks started to grow red, "I'm usually much more smooth and not like," he gestured at everything, "this."

That just made me laughed harder, he scowled at me but then he started laughing too. We got off the Ferris wheels still laughing like two maniacs who escaped a mental institute.

"You really meant it?" He asked once we both sobered up.

"Yes, why else would I have said yes?"

"I don't know, you might just wanted to shut me up," he smiled.

I laughed again, "true, but I could have just said no."

"Hmmn yeah," and he gave me a breathtaking smile, intertwining our hands together once more. My face probably mirrored his.

I could really get use to this.

This is thrice as long as the usual chapters because I don't want this book to be too long and I know you guys (and me) deserves to get this moment so here y'all go.