His Survivor

10. Questions

Ashley's POV

"No, that is just too much, Evander", I complain as he again proposes something outrageous. 

"Seriously? You are the laziest person I have ever seen", he rubs his forehead and I chuck a pillow at his head which lands perfectly and he glares at me. 

"What? You are rude as f**k". 

"f**k is not rude", he answers and for a second my brain freezes while he bursts out laughing. I glare at him while his laughter dies down to chuckles. 

"If you don't stop, I will kill you". 

"I would love to see you try, babe", he winks at me and continues chuckling and with a smug face, I eat his last piece of pizza from his own plate. He turns to look at me with a dangerous look and I swear, I see the fire in them with a hint of amusement.

"I will give you a head start, Ashley. 1...2..", a flee the room before he could even say three. I run down stairs in a hurry, trying my best to run away from the beast that I woke up. I hear his footsteps following me and I will my legs to run faster. 

I make the mistake of looking back and he is right there, a few meters away from me, his hands in front of him, ready to catch me. I scream and as I am running, I collide into someone and I was almost about to fall, but those hands catch me. 

"Ashley, honey, be careful", Ian says as he wraps his arms around me, breaking my fall. I immediately separate myself from him, standing away, as if his touch burned me. It didn't burn me, but the memories in my head did and I wasn't ready yet to accept them and move on. 

"Why were you chasing her, Evan?"

"She ate my last slice of pizza and chucked a pillow at my head, that's all", Ian laughs out loudly at our childishness. 

"Honey, after you are done, please come and see me, okay?", he asks and I nod briefly and he smiles at us before going up to his room. 

"Let's get back to it, shall we?"

"Come on", we both go back upstairs and I still can't believe we just ran after each other as if we have always been friends. My brain is still not ready to accept that this is the same Evander who behaves rudely and thinks that the entire world revolves around him. This Evander chased me around the house because I ate his slice of pizza, something I thought could never happen. This Evander is more chilled out than the one in school. Its been two days since we have been meeting up for the project and in these two days, I have figured out, that this man is extremely talented and intelligent, though I would never admit it to his face. His ego is big enough already and it doesn't need anymore encouragement. 

"How about making a beating heart model?", he suggests and though it is a very difficult task, it seems challenging and I never back down from one. 

"And a presentation to go with it?"

"Perfect. We can do the presentation first as it is the easy part and then make the model?"

"Sure. Let's get started with the presentation right away, yeah?"

"We don't make that bad of a team now, do we?", I grin at him and shake my head. 

"No, we don't", with that, we start reading the books and numerous articles on human heart, which takes about three hours. 

"We have jotted down the points so we can club them together tomorrow, if you want?"

"Sure or I can do it tonight, if you want?", I offer and he shakes his head. 

"No. We will do it together. Not that I don't trust you, but I would rather be of some help than let you do all the work", he says and I smile at his genuine reply. I am almost totally convinced that, Evander has two personalities. The asshole one is the most common one, but this less of an asshole one, is the one I like. This personality likes to joke around and tease you, till you are dying of laughter. 

"Great. Are you tired?" 

"Not too much, why?", my muscles are a bit sore as the medicines have increased as I am to go through chemotherapy soon. My hair have started falling faster than before and I just hope it stops soon. I really don't want to be bald, again. It was really difficult the first time and now that I have friends and a good school, I don't want to go through that s**t again. 

"I am really hungry, you?"

"Starving". 

"I know just a place. Come on", he says and we collect all the mess we made and throw it in the bin, washing the dishes in the kitchen and then leave the house. 

"Let's take my car", he says and I shrug. 

"I don't own a car yet, so, we have to take yours anyway", he gives me a questioning stare but doesn't ask me and gets in the car and I do the same. He drives out of the parking once I have wore my seatbelt. He is a bit of a fast driver but I can tell, he is holding back for my sake though its still fast. 

We both sit in a comfortable silence, and I am pleasantly surprised that we can tolerate each other fr longer than we already do. He has been nothing but helpful since the past two days when it comes to the project but once that's done for the day, we both loose our patience, and a small fight breaks out, every f*****g day, Its like a vicious cycle. We just cannot not fight for even a day. Fighting with each other is like the only source of entertainment for us and also our friends. They love to watch us fight and on numerous occasions they have told us, how much they enjoy it, if their words that fuel the fights are any indications. We have weird ass friends, I tell you.

"I can't believe we both can be civil to each other", I break the silence and he chuckles. 

"You are not as bad as I thought you were". 

"What do you mean?"

"When we first met, as in, you crashed into me-", I interrupt him but glaring at him.

"You were the one to crash into me, mister", I point at him and he shakes his head before sighing. 

"Whatever. So as I was saying, before you interrupted me rudely, I thought of you to be self centered, rude and overall a snobby rich brat, like most of the girls at our school but in these past few days, you proved me wrong and when you stood up to Mia, it was when I realized, how strong headed you were. You don't take s**t from people", he says all this while looking straight at the road but glances at me once in a few seconds. This guy has figured a little bit about me and for once, he isn't repulsed by my straightforward nature, like many are. Many people judge me because I like to say whatever I feel. I am not that kind of person, who hides what she really feels like and says the things that the other wants to hear. I usually don't sugarcoat my words and give the person the answer that I think is right, and not what he or she thinks is. I do not take their feelings I consideration when they ask me my opinion or advice about something. I am the person to come to, when you want a taste of reality. My cancer has made me stronger than I could have ever been and also, vocal about my opinions. When it comes to me, I would rather rip the bandage off in one go rathe than stalling and doing it slowly. 

"But I feel like, there's more to you and as I promised you, I will figure you out and consider these as my steps towards them", he says and I immediately think about the most important thing that he could get to know and then leave because of my baggage. 

"Keep dreaming, boy", I try my best to reply nonchalantly, but my voice wavers a bit at the end but even if he caught it, he didn't comment on it. He stops the car in front of a cozy looking cafe and I am already waiting to go inside. 

"This looks promising", I say and he nods before leading us inside. He enters first and keeps the door open for me. I thank him and he nods before we go to the counter. This is small cafe and there are only two people here, other than us. 

"Hey Adele", Evander greets the old woman behind the counter and she smiles widely at us before engulfing Evander in a motherly hug. She kisses his cheeks and he pecks her forehead, smiling softly at her. Their interaction tells me, he is a regular customer here since many years, probably. 

"How are you? Still looking as gorgeous as ever", he says and she swats his chest before chuckling. 

"I am good but you don't visit me anymore". 

"I am sorry. I have been a bit busy with the school and s**t". 

"Language, young man. I do not tolerate it". 

"Adele, you curse more than me", he gives her a flat look and I chuckle, successfully gaining their attention. 

"You brought a girl with you?", Adele seems really surprised and pinches my cheeks, catching me off guard. 

"You are adorable, sweetie", she says and I smile at her. 

"Thank you, Adele. I am Ashley". 

"Nice to meet the girl who stole this boy's heart", Evander clears his throat while I shake my head in denial. 

"We aren't in a relationship, Adele", Evander clarifies and I nod my head in agreement. She frowns before looking at him smugly. 

"Of course. How could you even score a beautiful girl like her anyway while being busy with bitches?", I choke back on the laughter that was trying to break free because of the glare Evander was shooting me but I just couldn't control and laugh loudly and Adele joins me. 

"That's true. He won't be able to get me, ever", I say and he rolls his eyes but doesn't answer it with another one of his witty replies. 

"Adele, can you get the usual for me, please? And as for Ashley, order whatever you want", he directs the latter towards me and I nod before scanning the menu but it is plucked out of my hands by Adele. 

"Nonsense. I will bring my special for this beautiful girl. Go and take a seat", he shoos us away. I chuckle at her behavior while he just shakes his head, probably used to it. 

"She sure is cheerful for her age", he chuckles at my words before taking a seat by the window, his usual I guess. I take the one opposite him and stare out the window. He are facing away from the roads and traffic so on the outside, there are some bushes and a lot of greenery. 

"Tell me more about your mom. I am sure she was an amazing person", he says and I raise my eyebrow at him questioningly. 

"Are we playing 20 questions or something?"

"If that's what you want", I think for a minute and nod my head. I would very much like to get to know the other non-assholic personality of his.

"Let's start again, shall we?", I say and before he could say anything, I fire the question. 

"What's your favorite cuisine?"

"That's simple. Italian". 

"Why Italian?"

"You only get one question per turn but I will allow you this one time", he says and I snort at his words. 

"Mostly because of the spices they use. I love the aroma and the way they taste". 

"If you like spices, you should definitely try Indian food. They use number different spices and the taste will blow you away". 

"You love Indian?"

"Yeah, my mom used to make the best Indian food ever", it just slips out of my mouth and I stiffen a bit. The memories are really nice and sweet but they mostly involve my father. After my father left us, my mother was busy with making enough money and taking care of me, that we didn't get much time to ourselves. He doesn't say anything, thankfully, but just stares at me, with calculative eyes, trying to figure me out, yet again. 

"Your turn". 

"What was your life back home?", I sigh inwardly. These are the types of questions I would rather not answer, but with him, I feel comfortable and I know, whatever I tell him, will be between us. I don't know why I have this kind of confidence, but when it comes to him, I just know. 

"It was nice, to say the least. My mother was my best friend and we used to do everything together. After I used to come back home after the school, we used to bake some cookies before she left for her job. She always made sure I was comfortable enough in our little house. She, never once, left without making sure I was okay. She loved me unconditionally", I tell him. 

"Loves", he says and I avert my eyes away from the scenery to look at him. 

"You said, loved as in past tense but I am sure she is watching over you and loves you just as much, if not more", he says and the sincerity in his house catches me off guard. 

"Thank you", I whisper softly and he nods and tells me to go ahead with the questions but before I could ask, a boy places our dishes in front of me, the aroma, reminding me of my hunger. 

"Enjoy", he smiles at me cheekily and I smile back. He lingers for a second but leaves after catching Evander's gaze. I chuckle and so does he. 

"Damn, this is so good. I am going to come here everyday", I moan after taking a bite of the amazing cheese pockets. The cheese melts in my mouth and my taste buds wake up from their slumber. I continue eating and I am not even aware of Evander's eyes on me this whole time. 

"I am glad you like it, honey", Adele says as she comes towards us and smiles. 

"These are absolutely amazing".

"Thank you. Let me know if you both need anything at all", she leaves and Evander smiles at her retreating form. 

"She is amazing". 

"She is", he says and we go back to eating while continuing the game. We keep the questions lighthearted and by the end of it, I know his favorite color is grey, just like mine but I love blue and black too, well he likes black too. His dream is to become a businessman while he is the only child. His mom dies and he avoided talking about his father and I ever asked him again about him, sensing it being a sensitive subject. I told him about my hobbies being reading, writing and dancing and he was genuinely surprised at the last one. 

"You dance?"

"Used to. Not anymore". 

"Why?"

"I just don't", I hoped he would drop it and he does, thankfully. Now, I feel like we have a mutual understanding towards each other and this outing was a good step towards us being friends but I spoke way too soon. Currently, we are fighting about the bill. He insists on paying while I want to pay it too. Then I suggested about splitting it, but no, this conceited man just doesn't listen to me, at all. 

"Stop it, you both", Adele chides us. 

"Just split the bill, Richardson. She is an independent woman, who doesn't like to be in debt to anyone", she says and I smile smugly at him and he groans before agreeing, begrudgingly.

"I don't like this". 

"No one said you had to", I reply and he glares at me once before hugging Adele goodbye and to my surprise, she hugs me too.

"You are perfect for him", she whispers to me and I chuckle. 

"That's never going to happen". 

"You will be surprised, honey", she says and winks at me before letting me go completely. 

"Let's get going. Its getting late". 

"Yeah. Bye, Adele"

"See you soon, honey. Evan, be sure to bring her back soon". 

"I would rather not", he grumbles and we both laugh before leaving the cafe. I didn't realize it was almost nine in the night. 

"Buckled up?"

"Yeah", he zoom in the direction of the house and I rest my head on the window, staring outside while some tune plays in the background. My thoughts take me back to the man sitting beside me and I can't help but think, about our progress today. We have managed to not piss each other off and actually had a really good time. We got to know each other more and that has got me worried. What if I become too close and then, once he get to knows everything, he leaves, hurting me beyond repair? Somewhere in my brain, I know he won't, but I am just not ready to tell him and loose him, when I think I am just about starting to get to know him, for more than he lets people see. Inside that hard exterior, there is a young boy, wanting to be understood, just like me. We both are those people, who like to show how strong they are but from the inside, we are broken and we just want at least one person to understand how we really feel.