Chapter 19
nineteen
Dylan
I’m settling into my second period American Lit class when I first notice the whispers.
I glance over to see Sarah and Emily leaned in close a couple seats away, talking too quietly for me to understand.
Looking around the room, they don’t seem to be the only ones either.
Elliot and Claire are quietly conspiring as well, along with a handful of others.
“Any idea what everyone’s so interested in today?” I ask, leaning toward Alexis seated beside me.
“No clue.” A slight frown purses her lips. “Though if you ask me, this school is entirely too obsessed with gossip. I mean, just look at you and Ash.”
My brows scrunch together. “You think this has something to do with us?”
“Of course not,” she says, the long sleeves of her embroidered dress flapping as she makes a soothing gesture. “You two are old news by now. But I’m certain whatever’s caught the school’s collective fancy now is just as silly.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I settle back in my seat as Mrs. King rises at the front of the room, calling us to order.
I try to focus on the discussion about the latest book we’ve been reading, but now that Alexis has planted the idea, I can’t help but wonder if it really is me and Ash my classmates are discussing, even if I have no clue why.
Like Alexis said, our relationship is several weeks old. Nobody still cares…do they?
After class, I say goodbye to Alexis and let her know Ash and I will meet her and the others for lunch. Now that they’ve officially met, we eat lunch with them every other day or so. I’m genuinely amazed at how well they get along when Ash isn’t determined to be a jerk.
As I’m navigating the hall toward the gym for third-period PE, I catch a snippet of passing conversation.
“…car crash…”
I stumble, forcing myself to keep walking. Car crash? Is that the current rumor floating around school? Hopefully, no one got seriously hurt, but at least that means Alexis is right—it has nothing to do with Ash and me.
Relaxing, I make my way into the gym, my sneakers scuffing against the polished floor as I perch on a bench in the bleachers.
I’ve still got a couple minutes until class starts, so I open my backpack and take out my half-finished Calc homework.
Maybe I can get enough done that I don’t need to work through lunch.
You haven’t seen Ash yet today.
The faint thought sends my pencil skittering across the page. It’s not that unusual for Ash and me to miss seeing each other until fourth period since Econ is the first class we share and I’m usually racing to get to school on time after dealing with Patrick in the morning.
Still…what if the rumor going around is about Ash after all?
A vision of Ash and his aunt lying in the middle of the road amid smoking wreckage lodges my heart in my throat. Stop being morbid, I chide myself, rolling my shoulders and erasing the scribbled line I’d left on my homework. You don’t even know for sure anything’s happened.
Faint whispers from nearby draw my attention and I glance over to find Elliot from my American Lit class once again engaged in intense conversation, this time with a girl named Kelly. Biting my bottom lip, I scooch along the bench toward them. They fall silent when they notice my approach.
“Hey guys,” I say, offering a fleeting grin before lowering my voice. “Do you know anything about some car crash?”
Elliot and Kelly glance at each other. My stomach performs anxious flips while I await a response.
Eventually, Elliot leans in conspiratorially, “Well, Kyle’s dad is an EMT, and word is that he was called to help out with a bad crash on the interstate last night. I don’t know all the details, but they’re saying it involved a student from Banton High and they’re now in critical condition.”
Kelly shakes her head. “I heard the student died on the scene. Susie’s uncle works at the hospital, and that’s what Susie said.”
Elliot shrugs. “Beats me.”
They resume their original conversation while I slide back to my original spot.
My heart racing, I take out my phone and check my messages, relieved to find new texts this morning from Robbie in the group chat.
I’d already seen Cat earlier in History and Alexis in American Lit, so that means my friends at least are all right.
Nothing from Ash though since last night.
I send him a quick text, then pull up my web browser and search the local news. While I find a few vague mentions of a car crash late last night, there’s nothing about who was involved. The police must not have made the details public yet.
Switching back to my messages, I check on my conversation with Ash.
No reply, but that’s not too surprising.
Ash isn’t the best at responding, and he should be in the middle of class right now.
I tuck my phone away, struggling to tamp down my nerves.
Clearly, no one knows the full story yet.
And even if Elliot’s right and a student from Banton was involved, what’re the odds it was Ash?
Despite my self-assurances, the anxious pit in my gut only grows as third period drags on for what seems like forever. By the time the bell rings and I rush into the hall toward Econ, I can barely think straight.
I may have only known Ash for a couple months, but he’s become such an integral part of my life. If anything were to happen to him…
Barreling through the crowded corridor, I ignore the shouts and glares from other students as I shove past them. The only thing on my mind is getting to Econ and making sure Ash is all right.
I reach the classroom in record time, skidding to a halt in the doorway. My gaze quickly scans the room, terror gripping me when I spy Ash’s empty seat. My vision trembles around the edges, and I can feel my entire world close to shattering apart.
“Any particular reason you’re standing here blocking the door?”
Ash’s rough voice washes over me like a comforting blanket. My shoulders sag as a breath whooshes out of me. I turn to find Ash wearing a half-smile, one eyebrow cocked. His grin fades when he sees my face.
“What’s wrong?” His expression darkens. “Has Tommy been harassing you again?”
It takes me a moment to find my voice. “No. Well, I mean, yes, but that’s normal. I’ve been hearing everyone talking all morning about a car crash. And then when I got here and you were missing, I thought…well, I guess I let my imagination run away from me.”
A light blush colors my cheek, but I don’t sense any judgment or mockery from Ash—only compassion as he steps in and hugs me. “Trust me, I know all about losing control of your imagination,” he murmurs. “But it’ll take more than a car crash to keep me away from you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Except for as far away from Banton as you can get the instant you graduate…while I’ll still be stuck right here.
I shove the unwelcome thought aside, focusing instead on how right Ash feels in my arms.
Someone loudly clears their throat behind us. “I’m all for gay love, but you mind doing it somewhere that isn’t in the way?”
Embarrassment heats my skin as Ash and I pull apart, moving to our seats. Now that I’m not out of my mind with worry, I manage to actually pay attention as Ms. Pederson runs through her lecture on pricing structures. I even jot down a few notes.
However, my morbid curiosity remains. Assuming this whole thing isn’t a bullshit story someone made up and a student here really was involved in the accident last night, who was it?
Ash and I make our way to Mr. Simon’s classroom for lunch and find the others already there. We’re just settling in to eat when the loudspeaker crackles to life.
“Good afternoon, everyone. This is Principal Clayton speaking. As many of you are likely aware by now, a rumor has been percolating through the school, and while I’d hoped it might run its course, I feel it best to address it.”
Sudden apprehension fills me. I snag Ash’s hand, gripping it tightly. He offers a comforting squeeze as the principal continues.
“It is with great sorrow that I confirm that one of our own was involved in a car crash last night. Details are still sparse, but initial reports suggest that Greta Mathers lost control of her vehicle and collided with a tree. Fortunately, she survived, though her condition remains critical. I’m certain we will all be thinking of her as we pray for a speedy and painless recovery. Thank you.”
The loudspeaker cuts out with a hiss. Ash and I lock eyes, his expression as stricken as my own. A deafening silence chokes the room.
“Poor Greta,” Alexis says, her voice quavering. “I hope she’s all right. I’ll have to check with my church and see if there’s anything we can do for her or her family.”
“Why’s it always gotta be the nice ones who get screwed over?” Cat sighs, playing listlessly with her food. “I can think of a few dozen other students who deserve it way more.”
“It’s not about deserving it,” Alexis retorts. “We just have to trust that it’s all part of His plan.”
Cat snorts. “Right. Because some deity up there gives a shit what happens to any of us. Greta hit the anti-jackpot—nothing more, nothing less.”
Alexis frowns, appearing more heated than I’ve seen her in a long time. “You might not believe in a divine plan, but I do, no matter how unknowable it is.”
Turning away from my bickering friends, I focus back on Ash and find him looking utterly miserable. I squeeze his hand. “Hey, it’s okay. Principal Clayton said she’s still alive. I’m sure the doctors are doing everything they can to make sure she stays that way.”
Ash manages a weak nod and swallows, his voice shaky when he speaks. “All she ever did was try to be nice to me. And in return, I treated her like shit. I never even thought to apologize.”
I scoot closer to Ash and drape an arm around his lower back. “It’s not too late. You can tell her yourself as soon as she’s better.”
Ash doesn’t reply, though I feel him lean against me.