Ashley Cooper's Arc

Chapter 10 of 37

The staring had stopped, but the girl by the door hadn't. All week she turned up wherever Mike went. Now she sat two seats down from him at lunch. Ashley watched her lean in, laugh at something Mike said, and touch his arm. Ashley couldn't tell if it was friendly or more than that. The not-knowing was worse than the stares had ever been. The girl was new. Ashley had seen her in the gym, lifting weights most boys couldn't move. Tattoos ran down both her arms. A bright hijab framed her face. She was strong and pretty and unbothered, and she sat too close to Mike. Ashley set down her tray. She could stew for another week, or she could ask. She sat across from the girl and made herself smile. "I'm Ashley. I don't think we've met." "Katie Pecca." The girl grinned. "You're the one with the bone arm. That's honestly so cool." She said it easy, like a fact, not a jab. "Thanks," Ashley said. Her chest was tight. "You've been around Mike a lot lately." Katie laughed. "Yeah. He's the best point guard here. I'm trying to make varsity. He's been showing me his crossover after practice." She looked at Mike, then back at Ashley. "Wait. Are you two together?" "We are," Ashley said. Katie's face fell, but not with anger. "Oh. I've kind of had a crush on him since I transferred." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I didn't know. He never said." Mike went red. "I did say. I told you about my girlfriend on day one." "You said her name was Ashley." Katie shrugged. "I didn't put it together." She looked at Ashley and held up both hands. "I'm not trying to take your boyfriend. I promise. I just wanted help with basketball." Ashley studied her. The girl meant it. There was no sneaking in her eyes, no hidden plan. Just an honest crush she'd already let go. "It's okay," Ashley said. And she found she meant it too. Katie slid her tray down and sat beside Ashley instead of Mike. "Truce. Also, can I ask about the arm? Does it get cold?" "Not really." Ashley wiggled the bone fingers. "It's just part of me." Katie leaned in, curious, not cruel. They talked through the rest of lunch. Mike watched the two of them and shook his head, smiling. When the bell rang, Katie bumped Ashley's shoulder. "You should come lift with me sometime." "Maybe," Ashley said, and she almost laughed. Walking out, Mike took her bone hand. "You worried about her all week, huh?" "A little," Ashley admitted. "You didn't need to." But Ashley knew the fear wasn't really about Katie. It was the old worry underneath. Mike had chosen her once. She still didn't fully believe he'd keep choosing her. That doubt walked out the door with them, waiting for its next chance.