Chapter 135: Penny
the couch – Tyler in my right, Faber on my left, it makes me feel
The day drifts by in a lary, comfortable hair. I’m weideed between two mannine ladies i even sauller than usual, like a little doll squished between two living mountains. Titer’s maçla Meanwhile, I’ve burly 53 per a good day.
Asher has one arm desped acts the back of the couch, his legs stretched mut, boots crossed his thight every time he shifts. His eyes me closed, head tilted back against the worn leather, Tense Every time someone laughs a bit too loudly or walks ton close. It’s like his body can’t help best tract, mady
spring into
Tyler, on the other hand, is fully unconscious beside me, his head tilted back, noth slightly open Hearing lightly more, the straty thest a stark contrast to the silent, controlled breathing of the man on my left. At time point, he even times his head, nooden bis cheek against shoulder, and mumbles something about “too much tequila” be four his head lolfs back.
I smile a bit at that. He report it later.
I’m almost lulled into a half–dream state myself when I see one of the got from the football team creeping up behind Asher with a big smile, about to scare him. I’m about to whisper a warning, but befine 1 can. Asher’s hand shoots out, his fingers wrapping inmond the guy’s
*I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Asher says, sole low and calm, the kind of calm that caries a
a quiet, unspoken promise of lee if it
The guy freezes, his eyes wide. “Holy shit, dude, how did you even know I was th
was there?”
go, his hand dropping back to the couch like nothing happened. “You’ll have to be much quieter than that if you want
The guy stumbles back, laughing nervously.
vait,” someone else says, leaning forward from the armchair across from us. “Your eyes were cloud. How the hell did you know he was there?”
just sminks, eyes still closed. He doesn’t answer,
“Ohhh, that’s freaky,” one of the girl says, gling. “I bet he can hear your heartbeat, Brad.”
“No way,” another gay cuts in. “It’s like he has a sixth sense or something. A spidey sense.”
Asher just shakes his head slightly, a Gint smile playing at his lips.
“Alright, alright.” Max says from the other side of the room, grinning. “Since Asher’s basically a real–life superhero, let’s make this a thing. Talent show! Everyone show off your special skills”
People start chewing, clapping, and even Tyler snorts awake beside me, blinking in confusion
“What?” he reûtters, rubbing his eyes.
“Talent show, bro,” someone shoots. “Show us what you get!”
“Oh, this is gonna be good,” I whisper, glaring at Ash. He raises one eyebrow, eyes still half–closed, like he’s both amaved and mildly imitated at the same
Someone starts things off with a backflip in the middle of the living room, eaming a round of applane. Another gay chugs an entire can of soda without pausing for breath. One of the gith touches ber topgue to her nose, and someone che does a weird but impressive impression of a trumpet:
Zow, who’s been quiet until now, steps into the center of the room, stretching her arms over her head. “Alright, alright,” she says, smirking. “I’ve got
She drops into a full split, then leans forward, practically folding herself in half. A few guys whistle, and one of the girls claps, muttering, “Damn, I wish I
was that flexible.”
Before I can even think of clapping. May leans over the back of the couch, grinning down at me. “Pretty cool, but I’m pretty sure you do that while flying
I can’t help the laugh that lebbles up. Zoe’s head
nju up, her eyes motowing, and Asher’s lips twitch, like he’s holding back a full grin.
“I mean,” I say, feeling a small, wicked thill as I shrug, “yes. But it’s easy for me so
can I don’t feel like
feel like I need to prove a
A few people laugh, and I catch the tight line of Zoe’s jaw before the flicks her hair over her shoulder and counters hack to her eat
Beside me, Asher leans in just slightly, his breath warm against
“That was mean.
head and find his dark eyes closer than I expected. “She’ll live,” I schisper hack, grinning.
“He’s a focking loser,” Tyler mutters beside me,
jast loud enough for me to heat, but his eyes are still on his phone
My smile slips for a second, but I force it back. Whatever. I’m not going to let him ruin my mood,
I glance at Asher again, and for a split second, I think I see something darker flicker in his gaze, his jaw tightening, but it’s gone to fast I wonder if imagined it.
The makeshift talent show continues, someone doing a weird breakdance move, another guy lifting two girls on his shoulders, and someone else playing a song by tapping the tops of empty beer bottles like a little glass piano.
