Damn it, stop being a goddamn coward! Just go in there! Asher paced back and forth down the hallway, continuing his internal argument with himself.

Ridiculous as he knew it was, he still felt worried about facing Landon after what a fool he’d made of himself at the dance that weekend. Was it too much to hope that Landon’s concern for him had meant something? Did he think Asher was some stupid kid who couldn’t hold his liquor? These were questions he wasn’t sure he really wanted the answers to… Maybe this was one of those times when ignorance was truly bliss.

Asher was so distracted that he almost didn’t notice Oliver emerge from inside the classroom. “Dude, get in here! Class starts in like two minutes!” He called to his friend in the now-deserted hallway. “Mr. Marshall’s gonna kick your ass if you’re late.”

Asher rolled his eyes. “Mr. Marshall can suck my dick.” He grumbled.

Oliver laughed softly. “Him? Nah, you can do way better than that.”

Joining in his friend’s laughter, Asher resigned himself to his fate. He couldn’t hide out in the hallway forever. He’d have to face Landon sooner or later, wouldn’t he?

Thankfully, class was just about to begin as Asher finally made his way inside. There wasn’t enough time for any kind of awkward exchange with Landon — Everyone just took their seats and got to work (or, in Asher’s case, pretended to).

It had to be the longest class he’d ever sat in — and this time, Asher’s torment went far beyond his usual boredom with the subject.

He tried to occupy himself with venting some of his confused feelings in his notebook again, but gave up when it felt like he was simply writing the same thing again and again. So instead, he’d tried to settle on paying attention to his teacher’s awful lecture and jotting down a few notes… But that effort proved to be even more fruitless. It wasn’t long before he was simply sitting there, letting his mind wander.

It was all Asher could do to not let himself stare at Landon all class, especially when… was it his imagination? Or was Landon trying to catch his eye?

Gotta be in my head… Jesus, I’ve gotta get it together!

Asher had never been so relieved to hear the bell in his entire life. He could hear Oliver chuckling at him as he practically ran out the door. He had five whole minutes to make it to Biology, and it was just around the corner… but he didn’t care. He just had to get away.

Unfortunately, it seemed Asher’s belief that he belonged on the school track team was misguided. He wasn’t fast enough this time.

“Hey, Asher! Wait up!”

Under any other circumstance, the sound of Landon Littlehale calling out to him like that would have made his heart leap with excitement. Instead, it caused his stomach to twist with dread.

He forced a smile as he turned around. “Oh, hey Landon…”

“You feeling okay?” The older boy asked with something between teasing and genuine concern. “I know it was kind of a rough weekend…”

Asher felt his cheeks grow warm. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He replied, failing to hide his discomfort.

Landon clearly noticed, and the smile quickly faded from his handsome face. “Hey, I’m just messing around. Seriously, I’ve been there. Tons of times.” He assured him. “I know how much it sucks. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks… And thanks for the other night too. Sorry you had to see that. I know it wasn’t exactly a pretty sight.” Asher tried to force a laugh. Look at the bright side, he told himself. Landon actually gives a shit!

Landon shrugged, the familiar smirk back on his face. “I dunno, I think you pulled it off pretty well.” He paused to let out a small chuckle before continuing. “Look, I know you’ve gotta get to class… I just wanted to ask you for something. A favor.” He clarified. For a moment, Landon looked almost guilty. “God, I hate asking for shit like this. And you can say no. There’s no pressure.” This was the most flustered Asher had ever seen him.

“Sure, what is it?” He asked, hoping he didn’t sound too eager. Landon wanted something? From him?

“So, uh, I dunno if you noticed, but Mr. Marshall updated our grades this weekend…” Landon began awkwardly. “I logged in yesterday to check, and… I’m failing. Like, horrifically failing.” He confessed.

Asher couldn’t help his surprise. They were barely a month into the school year. How the hell was he failing the class already? Especially one as easy as this? “Seriously?! But didn’t you take this class last year?” He asked at last.

Landon looked down, clearly embarrassed. “Yeah, well… It’s like you told me a long time ago — not everybody’s smart, right?”

Asher’s brow furrowed in confusion. Had he really said that? When? Oh God, what am I doing? He probably thinks I’m an asshole. “That’s not what I meant!” He insisted. “I… I just… I’m sorry. That really sucks. That you’re failing.” Asher finished lamely.

“Yeah, it more than sucks… I’m completely fucked if I can’t pass this class.” Landon explained sadly. “I can’t graduate if I fail this thing again.”

“Oh. Wow…” Asher’s heart sank. He couldn’t imagine how terrifying it must be to think you might not graduate. How much would it completely suck to think all your dreams were about to get thrown out the window, all because of one stupid class? “Do you need some help or something? Like… a tutor, or whatever?” He offered. “This stuff’s pretty easy for me, so I might be able to help you figure it out… If you want.”

Across from him, Landon let out what appeared to be a sigh of relief. “That would be amazing. Are you sure you don’t mind? Like I said, I hate asking, But I’m desperate. And honestly, Asher, you’re probably the smartest person I know.”

Asher’s heart began to race at Landon’s words. “Really?”

He nodded. “I know we’ve both gotta run… But if you want, I can text you later and we can figure out more details?” He suggested. “What’s your number?”

Holy shit. Was Landon seriously asking him for his phone number? Okay, so maybe it wasn’t happening in the way Asher always imagined it would, but he’d take what he could get.

He hoped Landon didn’t notice the way his hands were trembling as the two of them exchanged numbers.

“Thanks, man. I seriously owe you.” Landon smiled gratefully as he returned his phone to his pocket. “You’re totally saving my ass.”

Asher couldn’t help but smile at the other boy’s choice of words. He’d do anything to help save it, of course. Landon’s ass was a national treasure, after all. “Well, don’t thank me yet… But I’ll try my best.”

Landon returned his smile, sending a wave of butterflies soaring through Asher’s stomach. “I’ll text you later.”

“Okay. Later!”

Asher’s goofy grin remained glued to his face for the rest of the morning. He kept checking his phone in between all his classes, and at lunchtime, he kept trying in vain to catch Landon’s eye from across the lunch room — but he was too occupied with his friends to notice.

Lily was clearly amused by the whole thing. But Oliver… he was being so quiet. Not his usual self. And he was very clearly annoyed any time Asher brought up Landon. What had gotten into him?

“Hey, are you okay?” Asher asked his friend, finally tearing his eyes away from his crush for what had to be the tenth time. “You’re not pissed at me or something, are you?”

Oliver shook his head. “I’m not mad.” He assured his friend.

“Then what’s wrong? Is it your dad?” Asher suggested. “Was he a dick again?”

“No… it’s got nothing to do with that.” Oliver hesitated. “It’s just this whole ‘tutoring’ thing with Landon. I just… I think you’ve gotta be careful about getting your hopes up too much.” It felt like the sort of lecture his parents liked to give him. “I mean, he asked you to be his tutor, not his boyfriend.”

Asher’s brow furrowed in annoyance at his friend’s reply. Did Ollie seriously think he couldn’t tell the difference? “Well, duh. Of course it doesn’t MEAN anything. I’m not expecting to get anything out of this, except maybe getting to know him a little better.” He shrugged. “Why am I not allowed to be excited about that?”

“I never said you weren’t!” Oliver snapped back at him, anger suddenly flashing in his eyes.

“Then why are you being so weird about it?”

“Guys, seriously?” Lily interjected before Oliver had the chance to reply. “I love you to death, but you’re both being ridiculous right now. I don’t understand what you’re getting so worked up about.”

Asher let out a small sigh. Lily was right. And besides, he simply couldn’t bring himself to stay mad at his friend. “Sorry, Ollie. I know you didn’t mean it like that.”

Oliver smiled gently at him. “It’s okay… I’m sorry too. Guess I’m just stressed today or something? I dunno. I DID get a text from my dad last night, so maybe that really is what’s getting to me… You know how he is.”

They were all so distracted with their conversation that they almost failed to notice the arrival of a fourth person to their table.

“Hey, Ollie.” Penelope’s sweet voice interrupted him.

Asher did not miss the little glint in his friend’s eye as he replied. “Hey, Penny. What’s up?”

“Nothing, um… I was just wondering…” She paused, giggling nervously. “Uh, are you done with the ketchup?” Her big brown eyes flicked to the red bottle on the table. “Can I borrow it? If you don’t mind…”

Oliver’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at her odd request. “Oh, yeah… sure.” He lifted the ketchup from the table and handed it to her.

Penelope’s fingers very deliberately brushed against his as she took the bottle from his hand. “Thanks, Ollie. You’re the best.”

“No problem.” He grinned back at her.

The three friends watched as Asher’s little sister skipped back to her table with the bottle in hand. As soon as she sat back down, she and her friends put their heads close together and began talking and giggling excitedly with one another.

Asher raised an eyebrow. “Okay, so which thing are we gonna talk about first?” He asked. “The fact that she’s already done with her food, or that Penny hates ketchup?”

Oliver shrugged. “I was thinking more the fact that there’s already a full bottle sitting right in the middle of her table…”

Lily just laughed. “Hey, crushes make people do weird things!” She explained with a smile. “Not like you guys would know anything about THAT, right?”

A hearty laugh passed Asher’s lips. “Touché.”

As though on cue, he felt a slight vibration from his pocket. His heart leapt when he saw a text from Landon appear across the screen.

Asher’s fingers shook as he hastily typed his reply.

Asher’s face almost hurt from how hard he was smiling. Lily was right… Crushes DID make you do weird things, didn’t they?

Like feel ridiculously excited to stay after school and tutor your least favorite subject.