The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 40

JUNIPER

I asked Asher to meet me in front of the library, instead of picking me up from my dorm. Moira was getting ready for Homecoming in our dorm with Ashley and a few others, and I wanted to avoid another interaction with Moira and Asher. Even if Asher knew Moira spilled lies about me, I didn't want her to even attempt to tell him something that was untrue.

Even the smallest seed of doubt could grow under the right circumstances, and I was happy with Asher. The last thing I wanted was for Moira to ruin things with him.

Once my hair and makeup was done, I rushed out of my room, hoping to avoid talking to Moira in any way.

"You're actually going to the dance in that tacky dress?" Ashley said before I could make it out of the room.

They were in the living room, and now they were all staring at me. I wanted to just walk away and ignore them, but I didn't want them to think I was running away with my tail between my legs like a scared dog.

"Ashley, your jealousy is showing. You're beautiful in your own way, don't worry," I said, knowing this would bother her.

She scoffed and scowled. She was helping Moira curl her hair while another girl was painting Moira's nails. It was like she had a squad of servants ready to tend to her needs. They didn't look like they were friends in the slightest, and I wondered if that was how I looked to outsiders when I was Moira's friend.

"Jealous of you? As if!" Ashley said. She clenched her jaw, giving away her frustration, even though she was acting like my words didn't bother her.

"Don't mind her," Moira said, catching my eyes. "She will fall from her high horse soon enough."

Something about the way she looked at me unsettled my stomach. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Moira smiled and looked away from me. "Enjoy your happy little bubble while you can. It's going to pop before you know it."

I wanted to press her for more information, but I knew her well enough to know Moira wouldn't say anything she didn't want to. I walked out of the dorm, trying to push out the words Moira filled my head with.

I wanted to brush them off as false words meant to mess with my head and ruin my night, but my gut told me it was more than that. Moira was planning something else, and I had no idea what. "Hello, my beautiful lady," Asher said, rushing over to me the moment he saw me.

He wrapped his hands around my waist and started to pull me in for a kiss. I leaned back before our lips touched.

"You'll mess up my makeup," I quickly explained.

Asher furrowed his eyebrows, still not pleased with my explanation. "So I'm not allowed to kiss you all night? If that's the case, then I want to go back to my original plan of staying in all night."

I rolled my eyes and lightly tapped him on the chest. "Just not until we take pictures together. After that, then you can kiss me all you want."

Asher's eyes darkened. "That's a dangerous offer."

I squeezed my thighs together, feeling his desire fuel my own. I cleared my throat, trying not to get lost in the heat of the moment. "We should get going."

"Not yet. I want to get a better look at you." Asher stepped back and grabbed my hand. He spun me in a slow circle, his eyes roaming over every inch of my body. "You're absolutely stunning."

I blushed at his compliment. "Thank you."

"But, you're missing one thing." He pulled out a corsage out of nowhere and placed it around my wrist. It was a light purple that matched my dress. He was also wearing a dress shirt that went with my dress.

"It's so pretty." I looked at the corsage and admired how elaborate and simple it looked at the same time. It was the first time someone had gotten me a corsage for any of the dances I had gone to.

"A pretty girl deserves a pretty flower." Asher pulled me to him and leaned in like he was going to kiss me, but he held back. "Now we can go to the dance."

We walked to the gym, and the outside was decorated with blue and gold ribbons and balloons. Inside, the lights were turned off, and fairy lights lined the ceiling, making it look like the dance was under the stars. A live band played on the stage, and right by the entrance, a photographer was taking photos of couples in front of an elaborate backdrop.

Asher pulled me towards the photographer first thing. "Let's get this picture over with, so I can kiss you."

"Those photos cost money," I said, trying to resist Asher's pull. "We can just take a photo with my phone."

"Don't worry. I'll pay for the picture. This is our last chance to attend a dance before graduation, right?" He turned back and winked at me, instantly making me blush.

There were a few people in line in front of us, but it didn't take long for our turn to come. We stood in front of the photographer, and I wrapped my arms around Asher's waist and turned to smile at the camera.

A bright light flashed, and the photographer called out, "Next!"

"Can we take one more?" Asher asked, walking up to the photographer.

He looked like he was about to tell Asher no, but Asher slipped the man a twenty. "No problem. We can take a few, if you want."

"Thank you so much." Asher flashed his signature smile, and the photographer seemed stunned by the expression.

This time when we posed, Asher turned my head to look at him. He pressed his lips against my forehead, and the flash blinded me again. It was such a small gesture, but it made my heart flutter and my knees feel weak.

In moments like this, I felt starstruck by Asher. I couldn't believe he wanted to be with me. He was sweet with his small gestures, yet he made me laugh like no one else. He also made me swoon like a girl in love.

"Your photos will be done by the end of the dance. You can either pick them up then, or you can pick them up at the Student Union on Monday," the photographer explained.

"Thank you!" I said, pulling myself out of my stupor.

The band switched to a slow song as Asher and I walked away from the photo booth.

Asher held out his hand and asked, "Care to dance?"

I took his hand and smiled. "I would love to."

He led me onto the dance floor, and when we made it to the center of the room, he pulled me into him. I draped my arms around his neck, and he placed his hands on my lower back. We swayed to the music. I rested my head on his shoulder, and the world disappeared around us.

All I needed was Asher holding me close as music filled my ears. The world felt like it was right. Suddenly, graduation didn't feel so difficult, and the unknown of the future didn't scare me. A part of me knew that as long as I had Asher by my side, then everything would be okay.

"Hey, June," Asher said. His voice was a low whisper in my ear, and I could feel the seriousness in his voice.

I looked up at him. "Hmm?"

"I'm glad you convinced me to come tonight. As fun as it is to have you all to myself, I love how many people are staring at me, filled with jealousy," he said.

I looked around and saw all of the stares Asher was talking about. "I'm pretty sure they're jealous of me, not you."

Asher chuckled, and his chest vibrated against me. "Perhaps the girls staring are jealous of you, but there are plenty of guys jealous of me. Look again."

Asher spun me around, giving me a better look at the crowd. Plenty of guys stared at us too-it wasn't just girls. There were a few other couples on the dance floor right now, but nearly everyone on the sidelines stared at the two of us.

"I don't understand why they would be jealous of you," I said, still confused by the situation. I had a few guys ask me out over the years, but it was nothing compared to the guys clawing their way to get to Moira.

"Because you're beautiful and smart, and the entire school knows who you are."

"Just because of terrible rumors."

Asher chuckled again. "Why do you think the rumors spread so wildly? People have been jealous of you for a long time. I suspect that Moira batted away guys for you, only letting ones near you that she didn't have any interest in herself. I didn't let her get in my way, and all those guys out there are jealous."

I didn't know what to say. I just always assumed that I was a background character in my life. I did what was necessary. I kept my nose in books to keep up my grades. I joined the student council to elevate my status as a student. I had never noticed guys looking at me before.

"That's still hard to believe," I said, but I couldn't come up with another reason why there were so many people staring at us.

"That's okay. I'll believe it for you. June..." Asher's voice lowered even more, and he turned me so I was looking at him. "You have been a light in my life ever since you walked into it. I feel so grateful to have met you. I love you."

My heart thundered as he said the words. I hadn't expected him to admit his feelings like that. I cared about Asher more than I cared about any other guy I had dated, but the thought of saying those three words back made my throat tighten, and I couldn't do it. It felt wrong.

Before I could think of a way to respond, cheers interrupted the moment. The football team rushed into the dance with Nathan leading the way. Victory was plastered over their faces, and everyone clapped and cheered. Our team won the Homecoming game. "We should congratulate Nathan," I said, breaking away from Asher.

Before I took two steps, Moira rushed up to Nathan and grabbed his face. She pulled him into a deep kiss, making the students around them oo and aww and the public display. My legs turned to stone, and my knees felt like they were about to give out as I watched Nathan makeout with Moira in front of everyone.