Hanging By A Thread (Asa Butterfield Fanfiction)

Cathy

His lips taste like the sweet peppermint my Mom used to make pastries with back home.

They were nice. And I couldn't help but kiss him back, but there was this odd feeling inside of me that didn't want to. I just pushed that feeling and thought at the back of my mind.

So, what were he and I now? I wanted to ask him, but I was in no rush at all to put labels. I was perfectly fine with waiting and keeping things at a moderate pace. I just hope he had the same perspective as I do.

I stay with Max now, since obviously Asa and I aren't too keen or friendly with one another. But the angry tension has lessened, but it was surely still there. I was going to give him time to get over it, and I didn't want to force anything.

It's a week before Christmas. The whole house is completely decorated-- there's ornaments and this long festive cloth draped on the staircase railing, new Christmas-like curtains that were bright green and red, different colored lights practically all around the place, we had put up a handsome Christmas tree near our living room fireplace, which had colorfully designed stockings hanging on them.

It had gotten extremely chilly here in New York, and the Christmas spirit was all around the city. People were merry, cheery and jolly, embodying the holiday joy.

I had called my parents and we chat online from time to time, and we try to stay connected as possible. They would comment on how much I've grown, asking my the typical 'How's school', 'Any problems with friends', 'Do you have a boyfriend' questions.

I had gotten a lot fairer, my skin no longer as tan as it was when I had first gotten here. My hair had surprisingly faded into an ash blonde color, with light brown streaks; but besides that, nothing much of my physical appearance has changed.

But emotionally, saying it has massively changed is a complete understatement. When I first came here, everything was still so confusing. I didn't know what I felt about Asa and I was totally unsure of what I should feel towards him.

It took me quite a while to warm up to Jona and Kelvin, but I eventually did. They were like the older brothers I never had. Now, I was more aware and sure of my feelings towards Asa. I know they exist, no matter how hard I try to deny them, and that they never go away.

Asa and I had developed an odd but compelling friendship; but of course there was a big bump on that road ever since that whole Payton thing. But I wanted to put that behind, just like I did with all the torment he had caused me back at school. I hated thinking about it, the ill way he was treating back then, always pushing me around and putting me down. I used to hate every inch of him, but ever since we had stayed under the same roof, everything had changed. And I'm glad it has.

Lottie and I have developed a sister-like relationship. Me, being an only child, never knew how it was really like to have a sibling. I learned how it felt like when me and Lottie bonded. We would hang out and watch cartoons or whatever we wanted to see, ate junk food all day during the weekends, and overall, we were able to be ourselves around each other. And I had grown a soft spot for her.

I check the clock. 4:27 p.m. I dash down the stairs, heading into the kitchen. As expected, all of them were there. I reach for my jacket and zip it up, taking a quick bite of my peanut butter sandwich.

"Ready to go?" Jona faces us, finishing his glass of water as he reaches his pocket for his car keys. We all nod and follow him out.

We reach his car and buckle in, as he starts the vehicle. I sit beside Lottie, as she holds my hand. "What time does the bowling alley open, Jona?" I ask, tapping on his shoulder.

"At around 5 p.m. Don't worry, the alley is just a couple of blocks away. And it closes at around 10 or 11, I think. Wait, what's today again?" He turns to us, and answers his question, "Oh right, it's a Saturday. So it closes at around 11."

I nod. He shifts the gear, and we start driving down the streets of New York City. We roll our windows down, and we let the cool air calm ourselves, as we admire the lights outside. New York truly is breathtaking.

We pass by a few buildings, and we grow closer to the bowling alley.

We finally round a corner and Jona stops the car and we go out. Max reaches for my hand and laces it with his, and I give him a small smile. Kelvin coughs and smirks, and we both roll our eyes.