Chapter 44: Done

　　Brian leaves before I can reply, I am still smiling as I start towards Asher and his silently fuming brother. The school bus is a few metres from them, someone shouts Asher’s names and he gives him a thumbs up. My smile falters when I am a few metres from them. I direct my gaze to Asher.

　　“Tessa,” Asher cries out, tackling me in a hug that almost causes both of us to fall. He beams. “You came.”

　　“I told you I would, Champ. Great game,” I say and we fist bump.

　　His arms are still locked around my waist when he turns to his brother. “Benny, I want to see Samuel. Can I go?” Ben shrugs. Asher takes that as a sign of approval and dash to the bus slowing filling up with boys his age. He stops at the entrance and waves.

　　An awkward silence falls on us, I push one leg forward, waiting and hoping he will start a conversation. A soccer ball comes flying at a boy heading to Asher’s bus, luckily missing his face by some inches. His friend claps his back and they laugh.