Hunting the Fairy Tale

Chapter 16 - Silent Knights and Awkward Conversations

Willow

Everybody is gathered at Asher's motorcycle when I arrive in the parking lot after school. He'd brought it from where it had been parked and stopped it near my mother's car and the "dragon wagon". Hunter is pulling his gym bag and the spare helmet I used on Tuesday from the car.

"Here," he says, placing the helmet on my head and fastening it under my chin. "Go ahead, get on," he adds when I hesitate next to the motorcycle. I turn and try to return Asher's encouraging smile, but I don't have much success, so instead, I just climb onto the seat behind him.

"I know it's seeeeeeeeeeeeriously tempting, but don't get all touchy-feely and make Ashy crash, 'kay?" Paisley advises, making me feel even more uncomfortable. I can feel Asher laughing, rather than hear him.

"Paise, will you not be a pest for five seconds?" Hunter growls.

Oh, my word! He is one to talk!

"Why?" she asks, scrunching up her face at him.

Hunter puts an arm around her neck and rubs his hand roughly over her head, making her complain quite vocally. She digs her fingers into his ribs, twists around, and finally wraps her arms around his waist. Torturing him turns into a hug, which turns into the two of them standing side-by-side, arms crossed, trying to push each other away, without being obvious about it, while still being very obvious about it.

They are so strange.

I again feel that twinge of longing I'd felt during break time. I've never casually and comfortably played with anyone like that before. Paisley suddenly steps closer to the motorcycle and fidgets with Asher's helmet strap. Satisfied, she smiles at him and gives him a pat on the helmet. "See you later."

She waves at me and turns away to climb into the van. Tanner, Jake, and Hunter also say their goodbyes and go on their way. Tanner and Hunter to the rugby fields and Jake to the driver's side door of the van.

Asher suddenly turns slightly so that I can hear him. "If you feel weird and you need me to stop, just pinch me, okay?"

"Okay," I agree, knowing that I will most likely not take him up on that offer. Pinching him seems a bit too intimate for my liking. And what if I accidentally hurt him... and we crashed?

"Thank you for the lift," I say and receive a head nod in answer. "Please just drop me off at that intersection where Hunter dropped me yesterday."

In spite of my reluctance, I end up clinging tightly to Asher, my arms wrapped snugly around his waist between his stomach and his gym bag. I'm not used to speeding around on motorcycles yet, though Asher expertly navigates the traffic and doesn't do anything that appears risky or irresponsible, I'm still terrified. The sheer speed of it and the powerful drone of the engine beneath me, all of it is making my heart race and my throat close up.

Holding onto him, feeling his muscles move, and inhaling his clean scent, is surprisingly comforting. though. After a couple of minutes, I gradually feel myself relaxing against his broad back. I eventually realise that I'm starting to enjoy the new sensations. As our ride progresses, I'm feeling increasingly free-spirited and daring. I might start to like catching rides on motorcycles.

I am turning into a stranger!

He smells and feels different from Hunter. I don't feel comforted and relaxed when I'm this close to Hunter, and yet I know him a lot better than I know Asher. But then again, I haven't rolled around on the beach with Asher or seen him naked. The effect Hunter has on me is hugely different and rather disturbing. I don't really understand the difference or what causes it. I have nothing to use as a reference and I'm not brave enough to explore it.