Asher I wasn’t doing well. I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I thought of Cynthia and the look on her face before she’d left my life forever. I had no appetite. I had to force myself to eat for sustenance. I felt like a zombie, going through the motions of the day to day. Classes, p
“It’s late,” I said. “You shouldn’t be here.” “I want to talk.” She stepped aside as I withdrew my key and unlocked the door. “I have nothing to say.” I opened the door. “Then you can listen.” She shoved past me, entering my room. I could have stopped her, I guessed. But I hadn’t. Maybe, truth
The whispers about me in the hallways and around campus slowly diminished as the novelty of my pregnancy reveal wore off and some other scandal became the talk of the school. I was relieved, because this meant I could really focus on studying. I needed the extra concentration, because studying was
I could do this. I would go out with Lamar and have a good time. A knock sounded on my door. I checked the clock. Lamar was a few minutes early. I didn’t think much of it as I went to the door and pulled it open. Yet when I took in the figure just outside of it, my entire body froze, except for
“Yeah. Date,” Lamar said. “I’m taking Cynthia out tonight.” Asher’s attention turned to me. I immediately dropped my gaze, unable to meet his eyes. Soft as a whisper, Asher said, “Cynthia?” He made my name sound like a question, and I knew what he was really asking. He wanted me to confirm wha
I frowned. A call to action sounded in my chest, ready to defend Asher against any slight. I tampered it down somewhat, reminding myself that Lamar was my date, not some stranger out to hurt Asher. “Asher doesn’t care what I eat,” I said. Asher could be controlling sometimes, but not about everyth
Asher has no respect for you. The words struck me like a blow, and though we continued our date, never bringing up Asher again, those words clung to me the rest of the night. Even after I went home, where I changed and rested in my bed, the words – the implication – haunted me. They were things
I scolded myself mentally for not considering Lamar’s preferences, and for thinking of Asher at a time like this. “Sorry, Lamar. I didn’t mean to wake you.” “Cynthia? What time is it…? Oh… Okay. Well, I’m awake now. What’s up? Everything okay?” He exhaled deeply. “I’m sorry,” I said again. “I