Chapter 9 CHAPTER: 009
He looks away immediately, his fingers curling tighter into his palms while a lump forms in his throat and blood rushes to his head, staining his cheeks with a blush. It's ridiculous how he keeps blushing.
“Hey.”
Rase’s voice pulls him back. Asher turns his head to find Rase watching him closely.
“You okay?” Rase asks.
“Yeah,” Asher replies too quickly, clearing his throat to get rid of the blush.
Rase doesn't seem convinced as he glances toward the training floor just in time as Xavi walks away to join other ice students. He looks back at Asher suspiciously.
“Are you sure?”
Asher nods his head. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Rase still doesn’t look convinced but before he can say anything more, the instructor claps his hands, gaining everyone's attention.
“Alright. That’s enough observation. Back to your own training. It's freezing," he says as if he can't wait to leave.
Immediately, the group breaks out in signs of relief, and immediately, they rush out of the hall, but Asher takes one last look toward the floor, stealing one last glance at Xavi, who has his attention on another ice elemental, a flirtatious smile on his face.
Asher looks away and walks out, not liking the feeling that coils in his stomach at the sight, but it means nothing.
~~
As soon as the fire elementals arrive back at their own training hall, they clamor in relief at the warmth.
“Alright. Pair up. We're having a little bit of combat.”
Instantly, students pair off. Rase stands in front of Asher, rolling his shoulders like he’s getting ready for something fun.
“Alright,” he grins, wriggling his brows playfully. “Try not to burn me.”
Asher gives him a flat look. “I’ll try.”
Rase grins. “Good enough.”
The instructor shouts orders, and Asher tries hard to follow. Blocking Rases' attack with his hands and dodging when necessary, but then his mind starts to wander back to the scene at the ice training ground with a particular ice student with the most beautiful smile and prettiest eyes.
“You’re distracted,” Rase suddenly says as he strikes his shoulder hard, and Asher barely dodges as he lands on his butt on the floor.
Asher groans in pain while Rase approaches him, holding his hand out, and Asher takes it to get off the floor.
“What's on your mind? Still thinking about what happened during morning class?” Rase stares at him with a tilt of his head.
Asher blinks at the reminder but shakes his head. “I'm not thinking of that."
Just how easily he forgets just from having a certain blue-haired boy in his mind.
Rase hums in response, once again, not convinced. Then he asks casually, “Have you met Xavi before?”
Asher’s heart immediately jumps in his chest, doing its job a little bit faster than normal. “What do you mean?”
Rase shrugs. “Nothing. I saw you staring at him earlier. Do you like him? Maybe a crush? I won't blame you, though; he's good-looking and super, super hot, almost everyone has a crush on him.”
Asher stares back blankly, caught off guard by the questions. “No, I don't.'
Rase watches him for a second longer, like he’s trying to read something on his face, and then he shrugs again. “Good.”
Asher frowns slightly. “Why?”
“Because Ice and Fire are not meant to mix. You already know that. You can't have anything with him even if you like him,” He says simply, trying to seem casual.
Asher nods. “I know.”
Asher doesn't even like him, even though there might be butterflies in his stomach whenever he sees Xavi, but he isn't stupid enough to tangle himself with the Ice elemental, knowing the consequences.
Besides, Asher is too worried about controlling his fire to start developing crushes. “I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” He says almost after a minute, and Rase smiles at that.
“Good answer.”
Asher nods. “Shall we continue?” He asks, going back into a fighting stance, but Rase only stares at him and then, without warning, Rase reaches out, his fingers brushing lightly against Asher’s red hair, pushing a loose strand away from his face in a soft touch.
Asher stills as Rase’s hand lingers for just a second too long before dropping.
“You’re pretty, you know that?” Rase says casually.
Asher blinks, his throat suddenly going dry. “What?”
Rase shrugs like it’s nothing. “Just saying. I admire pretty things when I see them."
Instantly, Asher feels the heat immediately rise to his face, but not the same kind when Xavi calls him pretty. It's awkward and unexpected. It makes his skin itch. Asher doesn't like it.
“I—” he starts to say, but then he hears the sound of his name.
“Mr. Lauigne.”
Both of them turn, and they watch as Professor Dalen stands a few feet away, waving for him.
Asher's heart sinks to his stomach almost immediately. The man isn't here to scold Asher, is he? Dread immediately fills his stomach as he slowly drags his feet and crosses the room to reach the man.
“Professor Dalen,” Asher starts, staring at the floor, but the man suddenly reaches out and taps his arm. Asher lifts his head to see an uncanny smile on the professor's face.
“You don't have to be nervous. I only wish to have a word with you in my office. It will only take a few minutes of your time. I hope you don't mind?” He requests, withdrawing his hand from Asher's arm when he sees the way Asher watches it.
“If it's about today's incident. I'm sorry I set the class on fire, and I'm sorry if I hurt you or the other students. It wasn't my intention to lose control,” Asher immediately apologizes, bowing his head lowly. “I'm sorry, Professor Dalen."
“That's not why I'm here. Why don't you come with me to my office, and we'll talk properly and privately?” The man smiles again, and Asher nods.
Asher looks back at Rase, who watches from a distance, before he follows the professor out of the training room.