Page 15 of Ask Me To Stay

“Don’t laugh.” I coughed to clear my throat. I was still recovering from the near choking incident. “I teach math at the high school.” Her face went blank, and I couldn’t tell if she was shocked or what. “Say something.”

“You’re a teacher? The guy who used to tell me about all the stuff he did in school is now on the other end of it?” She laughed lightly. “How many times has a student done to you what you used to do to your teachers?”

“Never.” I crossed my arms over my chest. Well, once. My first day was pretty rough. I teach mainly seniors, so they’re a little more mature.”

“Right.” I rolled my eyes. “So seniors take like calculus and stuff, right?”

“Yeah, and stuff.” I chuckled.

“You’re smart, then.” She sipped her drink as she looked passed me toward the water.

“I’ve always been smart. Being smart doesn’t mean you can’t do dumb stuff. It’s a guy thing. Guys do dumb stuff.” I set my empty bottle off to the side.

“I can do dumb stuff.” She pouted as she stood, causing Taco to shift.

“Oh really? Sweet little Willow can do something she’s not supposed to do?” I loved seeing this side of her. I’d been waiting all day for it. When we were kids, I would egg her on until she snapped and finally helped me with whatever scheme I’d been planning. “What are you going to do?” I stood and stepped in front of her. “Well?” I moved closer. I towered over her now. I’d hit a growth spurt after the last time we saw each other.

“I don’t know,” she grumbled as she pressed her lips together. “It’s harder to do something you shouldn’t when you’re a grown up. There’s less legal stuff to get in trouble for.”

“I know what we can do.” I grinned as I grabbed her hand and led her inside.

ooooooooo

Willow

“Are you sure we’re not too old for this?” I glanced down at the four rolls of toilet paper in my arms.

“Positive.” Russ glanced back at me. We were currently walking down the street. He was leading the way because as usual, it was his plan. We stopped in front of the pink house on the corner. This was always where we came to pull our pranks. The kid who stayed here all summer was a bully, and Russ was always up for ruining the kid’s night.

“We were like fourteen the last time we did this.” I sighed. “What if they don’t even own the place anymore?” I stopped, and then realized I was standing under the streetlight.

“Stop being such a buzz kill. Toss the paper,” he snapped at me.

“Fine.” I loosened one end, and tossed the roll in the tree. I wobbled slightly as the alcohol started to really affect me. The roll went up, but didn’t come down like it should. Russ was writing on the windows in shaving cream and drawing cartoon-looking boobs. Somewhere in my mind, I thought I needed a second chance on this roll of TP, so I took off my sandals and attempted to climb the tree.

It's been years since I did this, and even though I knew what I was doing, my body was trying to remind me that I wasn’t a little kid anymore. I got half way up, and started slipping. I swatted at the roll hanging precariously from a branch before yelping.

“Russ!” I hissed. “Help!” I wrapped my arms around the branch as my feet dangled.

Russ turned around. “What the hell?” He dropped the can of shaving cream and rushed over. “You’re not supposed to climb the tree.” He scowled as he stood directly below me. My feet were swinging, and he kept ducking. “Stop kicking. You’re going to… Ow!” He bent down leaving me hanging there.

“Help me!” I whined.

“Stop kicking. You hit my fucking nose,” he howled as he cupped said nose. Blood was dripping between his fingers. I stopped swinging my feet just as I lost my grip, but Russ caught me in his arms, saving me from hitting the ground.

“Well, that didn’t work.” I drunkenly looked up at the roll of toilet paper still stuck in the tree.

“Un huh.” Russ blew out a breath as he gingerly touched his nose. “I think you broke it.” He scowled.

“You gave me the drink.” I wagged my finger at him as I staggered over to the other rolls on the ground. I tossed a second one, and the same thing happened. “See? I can’t do it right.” I pouted.

“Look.” Russ grabbed a roll. “Hold it like this, and then throw.” He tossed a roll and it fluttered through the tree, cascading to the ground like it was supposed to.

“Why are you better at this?” I stomped my foot.

“Practice.” He gave a quick nod. “Let’s get out of here. I need ice.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me along just like he did when we were kids.

“Can you fix me another one of those drinks when we get back to your place? That was good.” I grinned up at him.

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