Running Up That Hill

chapter three

"Asher Wilson was flirting with you and you did it back!." I laughed at Laura's accusation. "I was just talking and he wasn't flirting, he was asking what everyone asks".

Laura crossed her arms across her chest. "5$ bucks, prove me wrong".

I stopped what I was doing and arched my eyebrow at her. "You are on, because I'm always right". She put her hand out and I shook it.

"I'm about to be 5$ richer". Laura walked away doing an evil laugh.

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"Laura! This is provocative." I huff. She had me put on a red button up but left a few buttons undone showing a bit of cleavage. "It's sexy!". She protests.

Laura looped her arm through mine as we went to this bonfire everyone was at and I felt immediately overwhelmed.

Sometimes my gloves aren't enough and it's exhausting. Everyone's energies surrounding me. Laura's is fine because I'm so used to her but others, it's just not okay.

The music was loud and the chatter of people. We got closer and then Laura settled her eyes on Garrett not like she just saw him hours ago with a woman plastered to his side.

"I'm going to get a drink, you want one?." Laura asks me. I shook my head no. "I'll be right back, don't move!". Laura disappeared leaving me by myself.

I already knew where Laura was going. I didn't care because that means I don't gotta see it.

I pulled my jacket tighter to my body in the autumn night. People were dancing and some were sitting around the bonfire.

I walked to the railing of a gazebo nearby and sat on it watching everyone until I saw a bottle of coca cola in front of my face. I followed the hand and saw it was Asher.

"You look lonely." He smiles, I take the bottle feeling the coldness against my gloves. Asher took a seat on the railing next to me, He kept a few inches from me.

"I have never seen you before, are you new?." Asher lights up a cigarette then blows out the smoke. "Sorta, my first year in public school."

Asher nods his head. "You still never answered my question". I looked at him with a small smile. "You never answered mine".

Asher laughs quietly, I can see his shoulder shake. "It's stress relief is why I do it".
"It's bad for you". I said, he took another drag from the cigarette. The cherry glowing orange. "A lot of things are, Koda."

He used my nickname that Laura and my parents use for me. "It's Dakota." I correct him. "Dakota, sorry". He holds his hands up in defense, he was teasing me.

I finally saw him take a drink from a beer I didn't see he had. "So I told you why, you tell me why". He points at the gloves on my hands.

I sighed looking away towards the bonfire, the flames danced and licked the air. "I'm sure you heard the rumors by now".

Asher swung his legs around the railing so he was straddling it now. "That you killed your parents? Or that you're a witch".

Okay, witch was a new one. That was kinda stupid, why would a witch wear gloves?.

"Well, well." I turn my head hearing Garrett. It was him and Nancy with the rest of his friends. "You're not casting spells on our friend now are you?".