She was picking up the dishes from the counter when his footsteps followed her in. 'I'll help you," he stood beside her, scanning the bowls wondering which ones to grab when his eyes landed on pumpkin pie. A wave of happiness washed over him. "Whoa..you've made pumpkin pie?" he exclaimed, joyfully. "And lasagna too" she revealed shyly and turned to get to the table. He grabbed the remaining bowls and followed her to the table like a child. " You are the best, Pumpkin. And this is the best dinner night I've ever had," he declared already. Serena chuckled, indulging in his new side. He acts like a child when excited. "Well, at least taste the food first then decide," she suggested calmly.He quickly settled down in his chair and gazed upon her with childish anticipation as she served him food. Her movements fluid and graceful. She generously loaded his plate with his favorite Lasagna, she knew how much he liked it. Asher couldn't help but smile fondly at the sight of her, unconsci
"I usually sit here and gaze at the star-lit sky while having my coffee. I love stars," she disclosed, admiring the fireballs dotting the midnight sky. Asher also leaned against the wall and took a sip of his coffee. "What's so special about them? They are just stars," he replied, not understanding her fascination with them. Serena took a moment before answering. "They are mesmerizing but not because they shine. Ever wondered how much they endure to shine the way they do? They selflessly burn to illuminate their surroundings and decorate the night. Only special ones can be this selfless," she explained. Asher was once again captivated by her way of thinking. "Someone is very passionate about stars," he teased, enjoying their conversation. He liked having deep talks with her. Her thought process was unique- full of different colors. "No seriously. I mean....They have been here even when we were not here and they will continue to exist after we die. You getting right? Isn't it ama
Serena glanced up at the overcast sky and exhaled a loud sigh. It was going to rain soon. All the students and teachers were filing out of the building, rushing to their cars in an attempt to evade the rain. Just then the clouds roared deafeningly causing her to startle. She took some steps backward and wrapped her arms around herself to retain her warmth. It was turning colder. The school was all empty now. There was still no Trace of Shanice. Shanice had asked her to stay back as she wanted to see her after school. She didn't tell her why but Serena had agreed nonetheless. Now Serena was waiting for half an hour and she still had not arrived. The girl had this tendency of being fashionably late. Serena was used to it and never complained but the situation was different right now. She had a shift at the clinic and she was getting late for that. Clocking in late at work would mean clocking out late- Serena's neighborhood wasn't the safest for that- and that's why she always clocked i
Her face lit with a smile. The bus was taking forever to come. Henry had chosen the best time to show up. "Get inside," Henry waved her over. "Can you also drop Asher?" she shouted back with a hopeful tone. Henry shifted his gaze to Asher and his smile faltered upon meeting his hostile glare. The very evident scowl on his face was a clear indication of his strong dislike towards him. Henry for the life of him couldn't understand why. The bespectacled boy resembled a glowering lion ready to charge if his territory was threatened. And in this case, his territory was Serena. Henry quickly shifted his focus to Serena, avoiding any further confrontation with him. "Sure," he responded to her pleasure. As Serena approached his car with a smile, Asher quickly stopped her by tightly gripping her wrist. "The bus has arrived," he ground out lowly. Serena looked at him with confusion, but he didn't pay attention to her and instead kept his eyes on Henry. Serena opened her mouth to speak
"Why would you make her wait and not come?" Asher questioned Shanice. He had expected better from Shanice. Shanice regarded him with confusion. "Who?" she asked. Asher's laser-cutting gaze turned sharper at her ignorance. "Serena. Why did you make her wait if you were not planning to come?" he repeated, trying his best to keep his growing anger in check. "I had some work," she answered vaguely and got back to her phone. "You could have told her beforehand," he wasn't convinced by her answer. It sounded selfish. She sighed and glanced up at him. "Why are you making such a big deal out of nothing? She doesn't mind it," she shrugged. Asher was astounded to see her act like this. The Shanice he knew was kind and empathetic, not like her. "It was raining badly, Shan. She doesn't own a car like you and the bus stand is 10 minutes away from school. You may not know it but traveling in the rain is a fucking challenge for those who don't own their personal ride. She also had a shift a
"Shan..guess what? Our ship is finally sailing," Mendy told Shanice, amused, as soon as she seated her ass down on the chair. Serena shook her head in defeat while Shanice gave Mendy a confused look. "What ship?" she asked, mildly curious. "Henry and Serena. They are texting and who knows soon they will be fucking like rabbits," Kim snatched the phone from Mendy and shoved it in Shanice's face. Serena was both shocked and embarrassed by Kim's words. Hooking up, and talking about sex was a common thing for them but not for Serena. She hadn't even had her first kiss yet. "No. There is nothing like that and give me my phone back, Shanice," she shot out her arm to get her phone back from her but Shanice leaned backward in her chair while reading all the texts. "Did you read where he asks her out?" Mendy chirped, amused. Shanice nodded. Serena was puzzled. "He never asked me out? What are you talking about?" she countered. "He did. When he asked you to grade papers with him. It's h
She opened the door to find soaking wet Asher standing in front of her. Water was dripping down his clothes, forming a pool around him. Her wide eyes raked his frame in disbelief and when they landed on his face, he flashed her a toothy grin. "What are you doing here?" she frowned at his state. He bustled past her into the apartment. "I came to see you," he offered. She caught the water drops trailing behind him and pulled in a sigh. She will have to mop the floor. "In the rain?" she looked at him as though he had gone mad. He shrugged and took off his jacket. "Close the door and that window too," he pointed towards the window. She let out a resigned sigh and closed the door and the window as he had said. She then made her way into her room and retrieved a towel for him. Since she didn't have men's clothes and her own wouldn't fit him, he had to make work with a towel. "Here," she offered the towel to him. He took it from her and started wiping at his face then proceeded to dr
"He must have been a really nice person," she remarked softly. The statement brought a melancholic smile to his lips. "He was," he agreed. His eyes gleaming with nostalgia as if he was reminiscing his good old days with his brother. "He was the best big brother one could have. An idol son and a caring friend. He was an inspiration," he praised his late brother with unrestrained reverence. Serena could tell he held his brother in the highest regard. "You look up to him, don't you? I can tell you are very much like him" she noted, smiling. He turned his face towards her and met her gaze with his sad, desolated eyes. "I can't be like him even if I want to, Pumpkin. He was an angel whereas I am a.....I am not even worth the dirt under his shoes. Please don't insult him by comparing him to me. He doesn't deserve it," a heavy storm of guilt burst forth in his eyes as he implored her earnestly. Serena sensed a deep sadness in his tone. How long has he been beating himself up? Her hear