Chapter 03

I'm standing there, looking like an idiot while my list of insults and/or comebacks start to vanish. This never happens. I've never been one to be a lost for words.

"I'm not gawking," I defend, "I'm simply observing. There's a difference."

The guy raises an eyebrow as I try not to show any sign of weakness. He examines my facial expressions and body language for a signal, but in the end he gives up.

That's right, little bitch.

"Well, congratulations on winning Ashton." Blaze says, changing the subject.

Ashton turns his focus off of me and onto Blaze. "Thanks."

A smile curved at the edges of his lips while I stood there practically tapping my foot on the ground, waiting for Blaze and Parker.

"Well let's go." Aiden replies as he entangles his fingers with mine and a small shiver creeps down the spine of my back.

I hated affection of any sort.

We both start walking away, but Blaze's next few words made my throat dry.

"Hey, we're going to a fight next week. You should come." She offers.

I was contemplating whether I was going to punch Blaze first or attempt to uninvite the random stranger that Blaze wouldn't leave.

Ashton shook his head. "I got a race next week and I never back down from a race."

I almost started dancing in relief, but all I did was let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Oh well, what a shame. Let's go." I respond happily and contently.

"Aw come on. It's on a Friday. Got anything planned on a Friday?" Parker insists, pushing the conversation.

Oh, so he's just going to let his guard down like that? We don't even know the guy for fuck's sake.

Ashton looked to his side in deep thought then finally answered, "I guess I could come. When and where?"

Throughout this whole conversation, I wasn't able to say anything. Nor did I know why or cared. I had wanted this conversation over before it even started.

"There's a bunch of people here and we wouldn't want them to hear now would we." Blaze got out her phone and so did Parker.

"I agree. You never know when someone could be eaves dropping or snooping."

Blaze starts typing something in her phone then she hands it to Ashton. "Here's the address and time."

He got his phone out and took a picture of it then slid the phone back into his pocket. At least they didn't exchange phone numbers, I would have freaked out since they only just met like seven minutes ago.

"Great he's coming. Now let's go." I demand as I pull Aiden by the arm, stomping my way to his car.

He stops me, almost making me fall like he almost did a few minutes ago. I met his eyes, but looked away after a couple of seconds. He placed his arms over both sides of my arms and started rubbing them.

"Shh, calm down."

I don't look back, I didn't like this affection. Aiden was a lover, I was a fighter. I did feel a little bad that he kept trying to make me happy, but it never worked. He deserved so much better.

I sigh as I allow my head to fall in his chest. I groaned when a headache started forming in my forehead. I just wanted to leave and go to sleep in my bed and have to deal with this headache of mine tomorrow.

No exceptions.

"You okay?" He asks. I could hear a hint of panic in his voice. Aiden was a caring, lovable type. He had always been someone who knew I could count on or anyone for that matter, but I knew what he wanted. Something I wasn't ready to have nor wanted.

"I'm fine." I mutter, pulling myself away from him as I rub my forehead.

Aiden never pushed conversations. Most people would be fine with that, especially me. I never was one that liked getting into my feelings, but sometimes I wished he would tell me off. He was the perfect type for a girl who wasn't me. He deserved so much better.

He nodded, guessing that I wouldn't want him to push the conversation. He lets it end and opens the car door then stops.

"Wait. I forgot that I had some errands to run." I paused and looked at him then nodded. I could walk home, it was good for the extra exercise anyways.

Delilah and Lylith came running towards me and Lylith embraced me with a hug. Delilah patted my back once Lylith stopped squeezing the life out of me and they went to Delilah's car.

Blaze ran towards me with Parker behind her. Aiden and Parker exchanged a hug eachother while Blaze and I gave eachother small hugs. The thing I liked most about Blaze was I had more things in common with her than any of my friends.

She and I weren't huggers, but we did hug eachother for like a split second. If that even qualifies as a hug.

"Can you drive Robin home? I got a bunch of errands I have to run." Aiden asked as Parker pulled away from their hug.

"Actually I got some extra homework to do and I'm not waiting until Saturday to do them." Blaze said and Parker nodded.

"Plus my house takes about an hour and Blaze is already pissed that she's driving me home."

Blaze nodded in agreement and Parker responded with a short laugh. Blaze looked over at Ashton who was getting his car keys out his pocket.

"It's fine, I can walk ho-" But I was interrupted with Blaze cutting my sentence short.

"Maybe Ashton can drive you home?"

I raised an eyebrow as Aiden crossed his arms. Blaze motioned to Ashton who was near us, getting his car ready. We all stopped to look at Ashton and I already had goosebumps just thinking about being in a car with him. And not the good kind.

"No no. It's fine, rea-" Yet again, I was interrupted when Blaze shouted Ashton's name and he looked over at us. Blaze motioned for him to come over here, and he started jogging over to where we were at.

Blaze pointed to me. "Miss. Banks needs a ride home, mind assisting her?"

My face was burning with bright red. I would rather walk home, carrying a truck than let this idiot drive me home.

"No it's fine I can walk."

I try not to show any signals or signs of anything. Hart had already started observing me for any sign telling him I didn't want to go.

This guy was observant of situations, one crack and he'd see through my lies. I really had to put my acting game on.

"Yeah and I don't drive hoes I just met." He turns around and starts walking towards his car while leaving my friends and I speechless.

Hoe?

I raise an eyebrow and step on the heel, catching up to Ashton. Man am I glad I decided to not wear heels. Even though I don't even own a pair. I tug at his arm as he opens his car door.

"Sorry, just wanted to make sure I heard you right," I start as he turns around. "But did you just call me a hoe?" I ask emphasizing the hoe part of the sentence.

He gives me a stern and intimidated look, but it doesn't phase me. I'm used to those types of looks from my father and...other guys.

"Oh let me think." He answers as he brings his finger to his chin, scratching it. Taunting me.

"Ah yes, you heard right."

He turns back around and attempts to get in his car, but I had other plans. Furiously, I punch his arm with all my might and he stops and rubs the area of his arm I punched. He looks at me and groans.

Little bitch.

"Let me get this straight. When you think of a girl being a 'hoe', you expect them to wear this?" I motion to the outfit I was wearing.

I had decided to wear a red and black flannel over a grey shirt paired with jeans and white shoes.

He looks at my outfit with his eyes, top and bottom. He shrugs. "You could be wearing a hoodie and sweatpants and I'd still call you a hoe. So what?"

My hands curl into fists. This ignorant bastard.

"So what? What exactly is the definition of a hoe, Hart?" I ask as I cross my arms, refusing to beat the shit out of this guy.

Even though I would enjoy ever second of seeing him cough up blood, I don't want to get a lawsuit or fight the guy. I don't know how strong he is, but he does tower over me by a bit.

He's about four inches taller if were talking math and guessing. I could punch this guy on the jaw if I wanted to, but I back down. But my fists are ready for any defensive and so is my hand-eye coordination.

"Why do you care? I called you a hoe, not a whore."

I groaned, punching my fist at the car door unintentionally. This guy was getting on my last nerves. I fold my arms to my chest and look away towards the ground.

This guy's defensive side reminded me of someone. Someone who I tried to forget for the past two years. Someone who made me shiver at the thought of him. Someone who's name felt like venom every time I said it. Someone who I was not ready to talk about.

To anyone.

From the corner of my eye, I see him raise an eyebrow at me. "Anger issues." He teases as he gets in his car.

I still refuse to look at him as he starts his car. Damn my stubbornness. He rolls his window down and I could feel his eyes burning through me, I don't give in. Never have. Never will.

He sighs and I see from the corner of my eye, he looks away. Police sirens start echoing and I  quickly start to walk away, but he comments something before I could even walk away.

"Get in."

I stop walking and look back at him with confusion. "What?" I ask, turning around to face him.

He narrows his eyes at me and we both stare at each other.

"Get in." He repeats, but in a demanding way. He repeats the words slowly, like I don't understand what he said the first time.

"Why would I want to?" I raise an eye at him and I'm rewarded with a low groan.

"Get in the car and stop being stubborn."

I roll my eyes and look to the side where my friend's cars were originally parked at, but instead I see a group of teenagers talking and laughing.

I sigh and go to the passenger's seat.

"I can walk you know."

He backs up and replies with, "I know, but I don't care."

I open my mouth to say something, but can't think of anything to respond with. I sit in my seat quietly and look out the window while the trees past by and so does my energy.

My eyes slowly close shut and I rest my head on the seat while black fills my eyes.