CHAPTER 11

                                    

                                          
"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it isn't open."- Frank Zappa.
Ashley's POV
I gulp internally at the scene before me, the person crouched down in front of me. It seems surreal.
Grayson!! ... he's looking at me.
Oh my ... his blue orbs are so pretty.
No no no .... STOP!! 
I snap out of it, my gaze landing on the book in his hands and how it's tightly secured in them. 
"Um... here," he stretches his hands towards me, handing me my book. Stretching forth, I take my book out of his hand, and in the process of doing so our fingers touch, the aftermath being minuscule yet noticeable tingles where our fingers touch. My heartbeat increases its pace in my chest.
Ignoring my frantic heartbeats, I bow my head and utter, "T-t-hank you," without looking at those captivating eyes. 
I keep my eyes hooked on the book in my hand as if it is the most important thing in the world. But is it? No!! I need to get up and hurry to class but that's going to be impossible with Grayson right in front of me, he's in my breathing space.
Standing up is kinda out of the question as of now, I'll end up falling back down due to wobbly legs or me passing out due to anxiety. And that would surely add up to the list of rumors that have already started going around. I don't want that, students and their annoying lousiness... Ugh! I wonder how they never get tired. 
Okay so now things are becoming awkward. Where the heck is Cam? She's the cause of all of this.
"You're welcome... and sorry for bumping into you," he utters.
With all the courage I had left in me, I lifted my head and looked back into those beautiful orbs that were already trained on me.
Beautiful??!! Did I just say beautiful?!
Just forget I ever said that.... please.
 "Sorry, I'm the one who rather bumped into you," I say, brushing him off.
"I wasn't watching either. If I was, I wouldn't have bumped into you, and this- your books flying out of your hands- would have been avoided." His lips tug into a smile, an amused one for that matter.
I return the smile, "I wasn't watching where I was headed either so uh sorry?" I say and finally stand up.
"Okay, if you insist," he says mirroring my actions.
I take a bold step backward and quickly look behind, eyes roaming in search of my dear friend but then what am I greeted with? No sight of her.
"We're both in History class right?" Grayson asks from behind.
Uh... yeah!
"Yes!," I turn to him grimacing internally. What now? I don't want any more rumors.
"Maybe we could head to class together?" He utters lowly uncertainty clear in his voice and a swirling emotion that looks like hope in his eyes. 
I'm sleepy... ain't it? Definitely!!
But wait a minute.... what just happened?!! Did Grayson just ask me out?.
In your dreams!!.  
Stupid conscience, I could pretend I didn't hear that.
"Um...y-e-a-h," I say, and I promise I think heard him sigh!