Ethan trudged towards the school bus stop on Elm Street, the crisp morning air carrying the chatter of his fellow Ashwood Academy students. The sea of navy blue jackets emblazoned with the school's crest seemed to blend together, a uniform tapestry of familiarity. As he joined the crowd, Ethan's gaze drifted, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a firm slap on his back jolted him out of his reverie. Ethan's instincts flared, his muscles tensing, ready to defend himself. He spun around, unsure whether to unleash a punch or a biting retort.
But his expression softened as he locked eyes with the grinning face of Asher, his classmate and friend since freshman year. Asher's mischievous gaze sparkled with amusement, his Ashwood Academy jacket rumpled from sleep.
"Yo... What's up, Ethan?" Asher asked, his voice booming through the morning air.
Asher sauntered alongside Ethan, his signature messy locks tumbling across his forehead in effortless disarray. Unruly strands of chestnut-brown hair danced with each step, framing his bright, mischievous gaze. A few errant wisps escaped his tousled mane, curling around his ears and accentuating his perpetual grin.
His hair was a testament to his carefree spirit – a rebellious tangle that defied order and convention. The messy texture added a layer of rugged charm to his features, softening the sharp angles of his jawline and accentuating the warmth of his hazel eyes.
As he laughed, his hair seemed to come alive, shifting and settling into new, artfully rumpled configurations. The overall effect was endearingly chaotic, a visual representation of Asher's adventurous soul and infectious energy.
Ethan relaxed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Just trying to survive another day, Asher. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
Asher laughed, clapping Ethan's back once more, albeit gentler this time. "Sorry, buddy! Needed to wake you up. You looked lost in thought."
As they bantered, the bus rumbled into view, its headlights illuminating the lively gathering. Students began boarding, their chatter and laughter filling the air.
"Hey, did you finish Mr. Johnson's math Summer assignment?" Asher asked, falling into step beside Ethan.
Ethan nodded. "Barely. I was up till midnight solving those equations."
Asher grinned. "Same here. But I think I got most of them wrong."
Ethan smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. Typical Asher, he thought, surprised that his friend had even attempted the homework.
"I've got gist for you," Asher said, his voice trembling with excitement, as he leaned in closer to Ethan.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "What happened?" he asked, his tone resigned, anticipating another wild story from Asher's arsenal.
Asher's grin broadened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You won't believe what I did last night."
Ethan's scepticism was palpable. "Try me."
Asher paused for dramatic effect, his eyes scanning their surroundings before locking onto Ethan's curious gaze. "You know that girl, Mary?" he asked, his voice low and conspiratorial.
Ethan's eyebrows furrowed, his expression inquisitive. "You're going to have to be more specific, Asher. There are at least five Marys at Ashwood."
Asher chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm talking about the one who's part of the cheerleading squad. We attended drawing classes with her, remember?"
Ethan's face remained blank, his eyes squinting in concentration. Asher's grin began to falter, his patience wearing thin.
"Come on, Ethan! She's got long, curly brown hair and—"
Ethan's expression remained unyielding, prompting Asher to try a different tack. "I'm talking about the cheerleader Mary with...an impressive physique," Asher said, his tone laced with frustration.
Ethan's eyes snapped into focus, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Oh, you mean the girl with the big boobs?"
Asher's face flushed, his eyes narrowing as he shot back, "That's not what I said, Ethan. You're reducing her to one physical attribute." His tone carried a hint of exasperation.
Ethan held up his hands, palms outwards, in a gesture of innocence. "Hey, don't get defensive. I'm just trying to place her." A sly grin still lingered on his lips.
Asher shook his head, his smile returning, though tinged with amusement. "And the best way you could do that was by describing her boob size? Have you been ogling her, Ethan?"
Ethan's eyes darted around, his face sheepish. "What...of course not." The denial was unconvincing.
Asher chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "Anyway, moving on. You won't believe what happened to Mary."
Ethan's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean by 'happened'?"
Asher's grin broadened. "She's done."
Ethan's eyebrows shot up. "What do you mean by 'done'...as in, done done?" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Asher nodded, confirming Ethan's suspicion. "Yep, our Virgin Mary is no more."
Ethan's eyes widened. "No way, damn...Who's the lucky guy?"
Asher's gaze locked onto Ethan's, his expression serious. "Dale."
The name hung in the air, heavy with implication. Ethan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing.
"Dale? As in, Dale Wilson? The star quarterback?"
Asher nodded, his smile fading.
Ethan whistled softly. "Well, I didn't see that coming."
" Same here bro" Asher said
"So, how's Nancy?" Ethan asked Asher, his tone casual, but his eyes probing for more.
Asher's response was swift, almost too quick. "She's fine."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sliding sideways, the side eye a silent demand for elaboration. "Just fine?" he pressed, his voice laced with skepticism.
Asher's grin faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably before surrendering to Ethan's inquisitive stare. "Okay, okay...we've kissed," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan's eyes snapped back to center, his interest piqued. "Kissed? That's a big leap from 'just fine'."
Asher chuckled, his face relaxing. "Yeah, well, it happened during the summer when I went to her house."
Ethan's eyebrows shot up. "You went to her house? And her dad allowed you in?" His tone was incredulous, knowing Nancy's dad had always been notoriously protective of his daughter.
Asher's grin returned, tinged with mischief. "Here's the funny part: I went to her house around seven in the evening, climbed the tree, and knocked on her window."
Ethan's laughter burst forth. "You climbed the tree? Like a ninja?"
Asher nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Yeah, something like that. But the funny thing is, her dad almost caught us. I had to hide in her closet."
Ethan's eyes widened. "No way! What was that like?"
Asher's face contorted into a comical expression, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Let's just say I saw things, Ethan. Things I can never unseen."
Ethan's curiosity was piqued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Things like what?"
Asher's grin broadened, his voice dripping with amusement. "Let's just say Nancy's collections are impressive."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his tone laced with intrigue. "Collections of what?" he asked, his voice sheepish, yet eager.
Asher's reply was barely audible, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Nancy's collection of stuffed animals is...impressive." The words hung in the air, heavy with innuendo.
Ethan's laughter burst forth, a deep, belly-shaking sound, as the bus arrived, its doors swinging open with a hiss.
The driver's voice boomed through the morning air, "Ashwood Academy, let's go! Board up, students!"
As they climbed the steps, Ethan's chuckles continued, earning curious glances from fellow students. Asher joined in, their laughter mingling as they found their seats.
"Stuffed animals, really?" Ethan asked, his grin still plastered on his face.
Asher shrugged, his expression deadpan. "Yeah, stuffed animals."
Ethan's laughter resumed, his tone laced with sarcasm. "So you didn't see anything else but just stuffed animals?"
Asher's gaze darted away, avoiding Ethan's piercing stare. "Yep."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his voice tinged with amusement. "Then why can't you look me in the eye?"
Asher's defenses rose, his tone growing slightly irritated. "I said it's nothing, so it's nothing."
Ethan chuckled, his voice low and teasing. "Lucky you."
The bus's doors closed with a hiss, and the engine roared to life. Ethan and Asher walked down the aisle, their footsteps synchronizing as they made their way to their usual seats – second to last, on the right.
As they settled in, Ethan nudged Asher playfully. "You're holding back on me, man. Spill the beans."
Asher's gaze remained fixed on the window, his expression stoic. "There's nothing to spill, Ethan."
Ethan's laughter mingled with the rumble of the bus's engine. "We'll see about that."
The bus lurched forward, joining the morning traffic. Ethan and Asher sat in comfortable silence, their banter momentarily suspended as they gazed out the window, lost in their own thoughts.