Chapter 19 October 17

• The air outside is a bit chilly. Of late, the weather has been deceptive. In the morning, I couldn’t stand the heat, now it’s freezing. On some days, the reverse is the case. My teeth chatter noiselessly, I lock my arms around myself and speed walk to my car. A figure with his head bowed catches my eyes, I stop, reminded of the evening with Asher. The evening that got me into the clinic. My stomach groans as if to remind me of the pain, I palm my lower belly and inhale. The figure pushes away from the motorbike to lace his sneakers, I smile when I realise it is indeed Asher. I don’t make any attempts to call him, if the bike is there, then Ben must be lurking somewhere, ready to pounce on me again. Asher might be a cutie but I will pass today.
• Asher notices me right as I resume walking to my car, he screams my name and I curse under my breath. I turn slowly to wave at him, my eyes darting to the front of the building. It opens and an unfamiliar face walks out, I relax slightly as Asher closes the gap between us. I will only spend a few minutes with him.
• “Hey, Tessa,” Asher says. His blue eyes are big, bright and innocent, nothing like Ben’s and his hair sticks out in a gelled, spiky mess I ruffle. He scrunches his face and looks up to me, I muster a smile, eyes going to the door at intervals. Asher’s fingertip brushes my cheek, I bite my lips. “Who did that to your face?”