Asher's Heart

Extra #1

PAST

(Asher)

When I was five years old, I asked my parents if we could keep Anderson. They told me no. Needless to say, I was bummed. Later mom told me all the reasons we couldn't do that. She said her dad would be all alone if we did that. Five-year-old me didn't care about her dad but I did get that it would make Anderson sad if she had to leave her dad, so I grudgingly agreed with her.

Eleven years later, nothing much had changed. I still wanted to be with her. I was just a little better at hiding it.

I was in the basement half of which had been converted into a studio and the other half a rec room.

I was sitting on a stool with a guitar in hand, ready to strum out the latest tune, I'd been working on.

Anderson was sitting on the wooden floor in front of me with her legs crossed under her. She was wearing jeans and a gray V-neck sweater and her brown hair fell down her shoulders, looking so soft I wanted to run my fingers through it. My hand twitched in my lap with the urge. I didn't do it though, because that would be creepy and not to mention awkward.

"I don't have all day, Asher," she said, motioning for me to start.

I exhaled and let my fingers dance over the strings. I closed my eyes, losing myself in my art. Halfway through, I realized I was singing too. The lyrics weren't the best, it still needed work. I hadn't planned on sharing that yet. But opening my eyes, seeing the look on Anderson's face I kept going. The look in her eyes told me I was doing something right. It was admiration bordering on worship. I lived for that look. I craved it. Especially when it came from her.

By the time I was done, I was smiling at her. Not a normal smile either. It was a full-on silly-in-love grin. She smiled in return and I died a little inside. She was one of those people who smiled with their whole face. The corners of her eyes crinkled and her big brown eyes shined.

"That was really good," she said. "Now can I go?" she promptly added.

I sighed and stood up walking over to the wall and placing the guitar on its stand.

"No, you can't go yet," I said.

"But I listened to your song. We had a deal," she stood up too.

I walked around aimlessly, fumbling with other instruments, thinking of a way I could keep her here longer. "The deal was you do as I say," I reminded her.

"And I did," she said. I could feel her glaring at me.

"It's not over yet," I said. "You lose, you do as I say. Those are the rules." I turned to her.

"Rules huh?" she raised an eyebrow. "Then it's also a rule that you can't cheat and you cheated," she said.

I raised my eyebrow in return. "Keep telling yourself that, Anderson. You and I both know that you lost fair and square," I told her.

She huffed because she knew she was lying. She couldn't beat me. I was a pro at gaming.

"Fine. But I have to go somewhere, so make it quick," she said, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She walked over to the loveseat and plopped down.

People would think I was keeping her here against her will which I kind of was but jeez. Couldn't she be a little happier hanging out with me? Couldn't she at least pretend?

Just as I was going to say something, the door to the basement opened and my twin brother entered.

He swaggered up to us in his low-hanging jeans and a t-shirt. "What's up?" he said. He sat beside Anderson and grinned at her. When she blushed, I rolled my eyes.