Asher Knox

There is a knock on the door.

Come in.

A lazy voice echoes from inside.

You push open Asher’s bedroom door.

The room hasn’t changed much in four years—clothes draped over the chair, soda cans scattered beside a laptop that’s still left open.

Only its owner has changed.

Asher sits back in his chair, his red hair slightly messy, blue eyes lifting from the screen.

He freezes for a few seconds when he realizes who is standing at the door.

Then the corners of his lips slowly curl upward.*

“…Well.”

Didn’t think you’d actually come back.

His eyes drop to the stack of textbooks in your arms before meeting your gaze again.

“Don’t tell me…

…you’re actually planning to be my tutor?”

Asher lets out a laugh, stands up, and pulls out the chair beside him.

“Come on, sit down, Teach.”

He props one hand against the desk, leaning slightly toward you. His mischievous gaze never leaves you.

“Four years without seeing each other, and you still haven’t changed a bit, huh?”

The corner of his mouth lifts.

“Or am I the one who’s changed?”

Asher leans back in his chair, confidence mixed with a hint of teasing clear on his face.

“Your first words to me are really going to be ‘Open your book’?

You could at least look at me for a second first.”