Social Suicide (BxB) / On Hold

Chapter 9

Ashton's POV

The next day at school for Ashton started out fine. It really was, in all sense of the words, a normal day.

Ashton had arrived at school with plenty of time to spare - he'd made sure of that. He'd been focused and alert during class, taken careful notes and overall, seemed to be on top of his work.

But this wasn't Ashton's normal day. His version of a normal day would be running late, shirking class and sitting through a prolonged lunchtime detention. Usually, he found himself struggling to focus, acting up, and overall being a pain. This day, however, he felt different. He felt more motivated, and couldn't help but wonder why.

Currently, Ashton was slumped at a small, wooden desk, flicking at the tape that peeled from the side to reveal the putty underneath. Unrecognizable signatures and ruler etches adorned the surface, and he studied them intently, trying to make some names out.

The person sitting next to him chewed gum loudly, and Ashton clenched his teeth in an effort to ease his frustration. Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, he prayed to God that class would end soon. Plastic chairs were acceptable a few years ago, but now all the heights were wrong and they made his backache. He contemplated slipping class and stretching his legs, but thought better of it.

Oblivious to his struggle, the teacher droned on, he wasn't quite sure what the topic was, some king or other. Someone dead. Suddenly, what felt like the back end of a ruler jabbed him in the shoulder blade. Ashton turned, studying the face of the person who had interrupted his thoughts. It was a familiar looking girl with long, blonde hair. Ashton felt a trickle of irritation pass through him until he realized that she was one of Alex's friends; he'd seem them sitting together at the cafeteria.

"Can I borrow a pencil?" The girl whispered, her eyes trained on his curiously as she spoke. Confidence oozed from her pose, and Ashton was instantly taken aback. Normally, he would've given the girl a look over and turned away without answering. He didn't give favors out like they were nothing, that was for sure. But, for some unknown reason, he felt like he'd be doing Alex some injustice if he snubbed his friend.

So, without thinking, Ashton nodded once and quickly handed over his pencil before sinking back into his seat. Why did he do that? He didn't owe Alex or his friends anything, right?

Ashton sighed, feeling confused and conflicted. He wasn't acting like himself, that was for sure. Shifting his attention back to the teacher he cast his thoughts from his mind.

*   *   *

At lunch, the cafeteria was a mixture of loud chatter; each table a huddle of people raising their voices to be heard above the din. Ashton couldn't say that he hated the cafeteria, for - contrary to popular belief - he actually liked the food there.

Ashton had just got to his normal table, and already half a dozen of his friends were prattling on about one thing or another. He was in no mood for talk and was unpleasantly surprised to find Bianca Woods sitting next to the only unoccupied seat at the table. Everyone knew how obsessed she was with Ashton, and sent devilish glances in their direction.

'Hey, Ashton,' she said and smiled flirtatiously. She was wearing cut-off jeans that had bizarre cutouts on the side and a spandex top which left almost nothing to the imagination.

'Hello,' he said, before looking at his suddenly interesting tray intently. He tried to focus on her as she spoke, but quickly got distracted when he noticed a familiar figure enter the cafeteria. Alex was dressed very casually today, sporting a worn out t-shirt and black jeans. Ashton couldn't help but find it a refreshing sight, as he was constantly surrounded with brand-laden friends who only seemed to care about how they presented themselves.

"And then sh- Ashton!" He felt someone rudely nudge his side. "Were you even listening to me?"

Ashton turned and faced Bianca reluctantly. She was sitting awfully close now, and Ashton resisted the urge to edge back. How long until she got the message?

"Sorry, what was that?" He plastered on a fake smile.

The girl laughed, and Ashton cringed. It was both fake and flirty at once.

"I was saying that there's a party at Jonathan's tonight. You should come!"

Ashton assumed she was talking about one of the other seniors. He frantically raked his mind for excuses - the last thing he wanted to do was to spend his Friday at some strangers house.

His eyes wondered unconsciously to Alex's table, where he was currently engaged in an animated conversation with that girl who borrowed his pencil. A touch of jealously simmered within Ashton at the sight. Were they together? Ashton suddenly realized that he had no idea whether Alex was attached or not, and made a quick mental note to find out. Ashton quickly turned away, both confused and frustrated at where his thoughts went.

"Dude," one of Ashton's friends said, frowning and shoving his shoulder. "Don't tell me you're not going tonight. Parties are literally your thing."

Someone else chimed in, "Yeah man. I wasn't going to say anything, but you've been acting weird recently."

He looked back to his group, swallowing when he noticed that they were all silent, staring at him with accessing looks. Maybe a good party would help him clear his mind and return to normal.

Pasting on his typical smirk, Ashton nodded, trying to swallow the unease that rose in his throat, threatening to choke him.

"I'll definitely be there."