Chapter 239

When I woke up again, I was the most comfortable I had ever been. It was night, and the overhead light was off. One of the bedside lights, however, had been clicked on. I was resting against Asher’s bare chest with his arm around my shoulders.

He was awake, holding a book with his other hand. When he noticed my opened eyes, he closed the book and placed it on the edge of the bed. Then he brushed his free hand through my hair.

“How are you feeling?” he asked me.

My brain was still pleasantly blissed-out and numb, so I took a moment to carefully consider his question. I supposed, when I focused in past my pleasure, I felt a bit stretched out.

“A little sore, but not bad.” I giggled a little. “I feel more good than bad.”

I noticed then, the worried glint in his eye and the slight downward curve to his lips. It made my heart ache.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I lost control of myself.” Asher lowered his head, and his gaze, away from me. “I wanted to be gentle, but I wanted you so badly that I couldn’t hold back as much as I intended. If I hurt you…”

I reached out and cupped his face now, bringing his full attention back to me. “Asher, I’m not hurt. You didn’t hurt me at all. Honestly, I felt nothing but pleasure. And now, yeah, I’m sore, but it’s nothing. I just may need another little bit before we go again.”

His concerned for me always warmed me and made me feel safe.

“I trust you, Asher. You would never hurt me.”

Finally, my words seemed to ease him. He rolled into me and held me closer. He pressed kiss after soft kiss over my face until I was giggling again. And then he smiled as well.

“You are amazing,” he said. “You are the only woman I will ever want for the rest of my life.”

“Asher…” I love you. The words sat prepped on the tip of my tongue. I so nearly said them. But the room was growing dark again, and I was drifting off to sleep, comfortable and happy.

“Sleep. You need your rest,” Asher said, combing his fingers through my hair. “We’ll talk about whatever you want in the morning.”

It sounded like a promise, one that I hold him to.

I closed my eyes and surrendered to my dreams.

When I blinked my eyes open again, dawn light was coming in through the windows and Asher was sleeping soundly beside me. His features were smoothed out in sleep. His hair was messed over his forehead. I pushed it back. Then I leaned down and pressed my lips to his.

He smiled against me.

“Good morning to you, too.” His voice was grumbly and groggy. I loved it. I wanted to hear it every day for as long as I lived, and if there was an afterlife, this would be it for me.

It felt so easy now, to admit to myself that I loved him, and to understand that he most likely loved me too. How simple it was then, to open my mouth and speak.

“Asher, I –”

A strange, distant mumble cut me short. It sounded like… chanting? Chanting my name?

Asher and I both sat up at once.

“Get dressed,” he said, as he went to the window and peeked out. Whatever he saw there startled him. “We’re about to have company.”

I pulled on a change of clothes, and Asher did too, just as a knock sounded on the door.

“I’ll get it,” Asher said, and beat me there. He opened the door, and Aimee and Nicole burst through.

“You’ll never believe it!” Nicole shouted, too bright and energetic for so early in the morning.

Aimee was much more reserved, but also more observant. She looked at me, then looked closer. Then she nearly smirked. “Cynthia, you are glowing.”

Immediately I blushed. “Can we talk about this later?”

“What does that mean?” Nicole asked. “She looks the same to me.”

“Later, please.” I covered my face with my hands.

Asher cleared his throat. “Maybe you both can explain what exactly is going on out there.”

“Oh, right,” Nicole said. “Everyone’s rallied to show their support for Cyn. And by everyone, I mean, everyone.”

“She means a lot of people, Cynthia,” Aimee said. “And even more have added their names to our petition.”

“What petition?” Asher crossed his arms.

“A petition to have Cynthia readmitted to the Academy. Her score was just too close. There’s no way she wasn’t stonewalled on purpose, likely because of her pregnancy, and everyone agrees,” Aimee said.

“We’re going to march down to the administration office to submit it,” Nicole added. “We were hoping you might want to join us.”

My heart pounded in my chest. All of those people chanting out there were here to support me? And there was a petition? Chase hadn’t even posted his exposé yet. People were already on my side without knowing the full story?

It felt so hard to believe, I stood absolutely flabbergasted for several long moments.

Then I looked at Asher. He was watching me.

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

I thought a moment. “I want to see it for myself.”

Together, the group of us left the dorm and found a sea of people waiting outside of it. When they saw me, they burst into loud cheering. Aimee and Nicole hooked their arms with mine and, with Asher behind us, we all began to walk down toward the administration office.

As I moved with a crowd at my back, for the first time since leaving the cheerleaders, I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself. For so long, I felt like I only existed on the outside. But to have so many people rally around me and support me, I knew I belonged.

For years, I’d want this feeling, this sense of community, and now, when I was nearing my lowest point, it finally found me.

These people, friends and strangers alike, were on my side. They wanted me to stay. They had my back.

I looked at Asher and smiled. He reached out, placed his hand on my shoulder, and gave me his support.

When we reached the administration office, Aimee and a couple of girls I didn’t known, asked me to wait outside while they took care of it.

“We want them to see that we, the students of the Academy, stand behind you,” she said. They had brought me to support me, but expected nothing from me.

I nodded, and they disappeared inside. Nicole and Asher and a slew of people stood with me just outside the door.

I felt empowered, and strong. With this support, I could do anything.

At least, that was what I thought for that one perfect moment.

Then, suddenly, something smashed by my head. I was in Asher’s arms before I knew what was happening. Someone screamed, but most people didn’t even notice.

When I looked back, shards of glass had been where I had been standing. Nicole’s arm was bleeding.

“Nicole!” I cried out.

“Get her out of here!” Nicole called to Asher.

He didn’t need her to say so, he was already moving me, dragging me away.

“But, Nicole!”

“I’m okay, Cyn! Just get to safety!”

Chaos ensued. People in the crowd were shouting, confused. Someone was still throwing bottles.

“Who’s doing that?”

“Where is that coming from?”

“Asher,” I said, voice trembling. My whole body was trembling.

“Stay beside, Cynthia.” He held me close and didn’t let me go until we were back in the safety of our room. Then he peered over me, looking for injury.

Miraculously, I wasn’t harmed – just very, very scared. “Who could have done this?”

I asked the words, but I already knew the answer.

Joseph.