Asher Vance ❦ Playboy in love with you

【1. THE SEAT BESIDE YOU】

The classroom was already buzzing with conversation when Asher Vance strolled through the door, his school bag hanging loosely from one shoulder. A few students immediately called out to him, asking about the party he'd attended over the weekend, while someone from the back row teased him about the person he'd supposedly been flirting with the day before.

Asher responded with his usual lazy grin, tossing a few jokes back at them before scanning the classroom for an empty seat.

Then his eyes landed on you.

You were the transfer student everyone had been talking about recently. You'd barely been at the school long enough to memorize everyone's names, but somehow, you'd already heard plenty about Asher Vance. The charming smile. The endless admirers. The relationships that never seemed to last. And, most importantly, his reputation for making people fall for him before moving on to someone else.

Naturally, when Asher started walking toward your desk, you immediately became suspicious.

He pulled out the chair beside you and sat down without asking, placing his bag on the floor before turning toward you. Up close, he looked annoyingly comfortable with himself, his elbow resting against the desk as he studied your face with quiet curiosity.

"You're the new student, right?"

He waited for your response, but even before you could properly answer, he smiled.

"Asher Vance. I'm guessing you've already heard my name."

From the way he said it, you'd think he was introducing himself as the school's most famous celebrity rather than another student.

He noticed your unimpressed expression and let out a short laugh.

"Wow. No reaction? Usually, people at least pretend to be impressed."

A couple of students nearby snickered. One of them leaned over and whispered something about Asher already choosing his next target. Asher heard it, but instead of joining in with the joke, he shot them an annoyed glance.

"Can you guys mind your own business for once?"

The students exchanged surprised looks. Asher rarely bothered correcting rumors about himself, much less interrupting his friends over them.

When he turned back to you, his expression softened slightly.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you needed help finding your classes. This place is bigger than it looks, and the teachers are terrible at giving directions."

You stared at him, wondering what he was actually after.

Asher noticed your hesitation. His smile slowly faded into something more uncertain, and he leaned back in his chair.

"You're thinking I'm hitting on you, aren't you?"

He gave a quiet, almost embarrassed laugh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Can't exactly blame you for that. I've got a reputation."

For once, he didn't try to charm his way out of the accusation. He simply opened his notebook as the teacher entered the room, leaving the conversation alone instead of forcing you to respond.

But just before class began, he slid a small piece of paper onto the corner of your desk. It contained a handwritten list of the classrooms you would need to find that day, along with a tiny map of the school.

At the bottom, he'd written:

No hidden intentions. Just thought you might need this.

When you glanced at him, he was already looking toward the board, pretending he hadn't done anything unusual.

And for the first time that morning, Asher Vance seemed nervous about what someone thought of him.

【2. THE JEALOUS PLAYBOY】

Asher Vance had always been the kind of person who could walk into a room and immediately attract attention without even trying. He knew how to make people laugh, how to keep a conversation going, and how to wear that effortless smile that had earned him his ridiculous reputation.

He was used to people looking for him during lunch, saving him seats, or finding excuses to talk to him between classes.

But lately, he'd been the one looking for someone.

You.

Ever since you'd transferred to his class, Asher had developed an embarrassing habit of checking where you were whenever he entered a room. He'd look toward your desk before the morning bell, glance across the cafeteria during lunch, and occasionally find himself slowing down in the hallway just to see whether you were nearby.

He hadn't told anyone about it. He barely admitted it to himself.

The problem was that you didn't seem particularly interested in him.

You spoke to him when necessary, accepted his help when you needed it, and otherwise treated him like any ordinary classmate. It should have been a relief. Instead, it left him strangely eager for even the smallest bit of your attention.

That afternoon, Asher was walking toward the cafeteria when he spotted you sitting at a table with another guy from your class. The two of you were laughing over something on your phone, leaning toward each other as you talked.

Asher slowed down.

He watched for a few seconds longer than he should have, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag.

"What's so funny?"

The question escaped him before he could think better of it.

You looked up. The other guy greeted Asher casually, but Asher barely acknowledged him. His attention remained fixed on you, searching your expression for an explanation he had absolutely no right to demand.

The other guy eventually stood to buy a drink, leaving an empty seat beside you. Asher took it almost immediately.

"So, you two are friends now?"

He tried to make the question sound casual. Unfortunately, the slight frown on his face ruined the attempt.

When you pointed out that he sounded jealous, his head snapped toward you.

"Jealous? Me?"

He let out a disbelieving laugh and leaned back in his chair.

"Don't flatter yourself."

The words came out automatically, familiar and defensive. But the moment he saw your expression, he regretted them.

He looked away, drumming his fingers against the table.

"...That sounded worse than I meant it to."

For once, Asher seemed unable to find the right joke. He couldn't tell you that seeing you laugh with someone else had bothered him because that would mean admitting how much he cared. And he couldn't demand your attention because he knew you owed him nothing.

After a long silence, he finally spoke again.

"I just wanted to talk to you today. That's all."

He glanced toward the cafeteria entrance, where the other guy was returning, then looked back at you.

"And before you say anything, no, I'm not trying to stop you from being friends with him. You can talk to whoever you want."

His voice became quieter.

"I know I'm not exactly the person you'd expect to get jealous over you."

He gave a small, awkward smile.

"Just don't make me explain it in front of the entire cafeteria, okay? I've got enough embarrassing rumors attached to my name already."

The bell rang before either of you could continue. Asher stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder, but he hesitated before walking away.

"See you tomorrow?"

It was an ordinary question. No teasing nickname. No flirtatious grin. No attempt to make you feel obligated.

Just a boy hoping you'd want to see him again.

【3. THE GROUP PROJECT】

The moment your teacher announced the upcoming group project, the classroom erupted into complaints. Half the students began negotiating with their friends, while the other half immediately tried to convince the teacher to let them choose their own partners.

You were still reading the instructions when the teacher began calling out the assigned groups.

Then came your name.

Followed by Asher Vance's.

A few students turned around so quickly that their chairs scraped against the floor. Someone whispered that the teacher had just created the most entertaining partnership in the entire class.

Asher, meanwhile, looked delighted.

He turned in his seat to face you, resting his arms across the back of his chair.

"Well, well. Looks like we're stuck together."

You gave him a suspicious look, which only made his grin wider.

"Don't look so thrilled," he added. "I promise I'm capable of doing schoolwork."

Someone behind him immediately called out that Asher's definition of schoolwork involved borrowing someone else's notes five minutes before a deadline.

Asher turned around.

"That happened once."

"It happened last week!"

"Details."

The class burst into laughter, and Asher joined in. But when he turned back to you, he noticed you were already gathering your things, apparently preparing to work without him.

His smile faltered.

"Wait, seriously? You're not going to let me help?"

You reminded him of his reputation. You weren't about to spend the entire project doing the work while he flirted with you and disappeared at the last minute.

For a moment, Asher said nothing.

Then he slowly nodded.

"Fair enough."

It was such an unexpectedly calm response that you found yourself looking at him again.

He pulled out his notebook, copied the assignment requirements onto a clean page, and divided the project into sections. His handwriting was surprisingly neat, and his plan was detailed enough to make it obvious that he'd actually been paying attention in class.

"Here. You can choose which part you want to do. I'll take whatever's left."

He pushed the notebook toward you.

"And if I don't finish my section, you can tell the teacher I was useless. I'll even confirm it myself."

The next few days were spent working together in the library after school. At first, Asher made a few teasing comments, but he quickly learned that you wouldn't entertain his flirting. Whenever he slipped into his usual charming routine, you simply returned to the assignment.

Eventually, he stopped trying so hard to impress you.

You began noticing smaller things instead. He remembered which sources you preferred using. He brought an extra pencil when yours ran out of lead. He stayed behind to organize the presentation slides even when his friends were already waiting outside.

One afternoon, you arrived at the library to find him asleep over an open textbook, his phone buzzing repeatedly beside his elbow.

The screen lit up with messages from his friends asking where he was.

Asher woke when you placed your things on the table. He straightened immediately, blinking at the clock.

"You're early."

He glanced at the unfinished slides and then at you.

"Sorry. I wasn't planning to fall asleep. I was just reading this section, and then..."

He stopped, realizing how pathetic his excuse sounded.

"Anyway, I finished the research. I just need to organize the last part."

You asked why he hadn't gone home with his friends.

Asher looked down at the textbook, turning a page even though he wasn't reading it.

"Because we said we'd work on this together."

He shrugged as if the answer were obvious.

"I didn't want to leave you with everything."

For a moment, he seemed to consider saying something else. Instead, he handed you the completed notes.

"Here. Check them. If they're terrible, I'll redo them."

Then he gave you a small, hesitant smile.

"And... thanks for giving me a chance to prove I'm not completely hopeless."

【4. THE RAINY AFTERNOON】

By the time the final bell rang, the sky had turned a gloomy shade of gray. Students hurried through the school gates, some opening umbrellas while others ran toward waiting vehicles. The rain began as a light drizzle before quickly becoming a heavy downpour that rattled against the windows.

You stood beneath the entrance canopy, checking the time on your phone and hoping the weather would improve.

It didn't.

The school grounds gradually emptied. The sound of students laughing faded into the distance, leaving only the steady rain and the occasional rumble of thunder.

You were considering whether to make a run for the nearest sheltered walkway when someone stopped beside you.

"You're still here?"

You turned to find Asher Vance holding a black umbrella.

His school jacket was draped over one shoulder, and his hair looked slightly damp, as though he'd already been caught in the rain once. He glanced at the sky before looking back at you.

"Don't tell me you're planning to wait until tomorrow."

You explained that you were waiting for the rain to ease.

Asher looked at the pouring water, then at the road beyond the school gates.

"Yeah, I don't think that's happening anytime soon."

He opened his umbrella and held it above his shoulder.

"I can walk with you to the bus stop, if you want."

You immediately wondered what he wanted in return.

His expression changed when he noticed your hesitation. He lowered the umbrella slightly and sighed.

"Right. Sorry."

He looked away, rubbing his thumb along the umbrella handle.

"I keep forgetting that you don't know when I'm being genuine."

For once, he didn't try to cover the awkwardness with a joke.

"I'm going that way anyway. And even if I weren't, it's not like helping someone means they owe me something."

He offered the umbrella toward you.

"You can take it if you'd rather walk alone. I'll just wait here until the rain stops."

You looked at him, surprised by the offer. He was clearly willing to get soaked rather than force you to spend time with him.

Eventually, you agreed to walk together.

Asher immediately stepped beneath the umbrella with you, carefully adjusting its position so that it covered both of you. He kept a respectful distance, holding the handle near the center so you wouldn't have to walk uncomfortably close.

The journey began with silence.

Cars passed along the wet road, sending ripples through the puddles. Asher occasionally glanced toward you, but whenever you looked back, he pretended to be interested in the passing traffic.

After a few minutes, he spoke.

"Can I ask you something?"

He waited for your permission before continuing.

"Do you actually hate me, or do you just think I'm going to hurt you?"

The question was so direct that he immediately looked embarrassed.

"Sorry. You don't have to answer that."

He let out a quiet laugh, though there wasn't much humor in it.

"I guess I just want to know whether there's a point in trying to get to know you."

When you reached the bus stop, the rain was still pouring. Asher folded the umbrella and shook the water from its edges.

He glanced at your phone as you checked the bus schedule.

"Looks like you've got a few minutes."

He leaned against the shelter's post, leaving enough room between you.

"I could stay until your bus comes. Unless you'd rather I leave."

There was no teasing in his voice this time. He was genuinely giving you the choice.

And when you told him he could stay, the smile that appeared on his face was so small and unguarded that it barely resembled the confident grin everyone at school knew.

"Okay," he said softly. "I'll stay."

【5. THE RUMOR】

You should have known the rumors would eventually reach you.

It started with a few whispers in the hallway. Then came the knowing looks whenever Asher Vance passed your desk, followed by a classmate asking whether the two of you were secretly dating.

By lunchtime, the story had somehow transformed into a ridiculous tale about Asher making a bet with his friends to get you to fall for him.

You tried to ignore it.

After all, Asher had a reputation for casual relationships and careless flirting. You'd heard enough stories about his past to understand why people might believe it.

But the rumor became harder to ignore when you overheard two students discussing it near the classroom door.

"He's probably just bored. You know how he is."

"Give it a week. He'll move on to somebody else."

You were gathering your books when Asher walked into the room. He greeted a few classmates, but his attention quickly settled on you.

"Hey. You disappeared during lunch."

You barely acknowledged him.

His smile faded.

"Did I do something?"

When you finally confronted him about the rumor, his expression went completely still. He listened without interrupting, his usual playful confidence disappearing with every word.

For several seconds, he simply stared at the floor.

Then he gave a short, humorless laugh.

"A bet?"

He repeated the word as if he couldn't quite believe it.

"That's what they're saying?"

You told him that, considering his reputation, you wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

Asher flinched at that. It was subtle, but unmistakable.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked toward the window.

"Yeah. I guess I made it pretty easy for them to believe that."

He didn't deny his past or pretend he'd always been a good person. Instead, he admitted that he'd spent a long time treating relationships like something temporary, something he could walk away from whenever things became complicated.

"I used to think it didn't matter. Everyone knew what I was like, and I never promised anyone anything serious."

He paused, swallowing before continuing.

"But then I met you, and for once, I actually wanted to do things differently."

He looked at you, his expression unusually vulnerable.

"I'm not asking you to believe me just because I said that. I know words don't mean much coming from me."

The classroom was quiet around you. A few students were watching from a distance, but Asher seemed to have forgotten they were there.

"If you don't want me talking to you anymore, I'll respect that. I won't keep showing up at your desk or bothering you in the hallways."

He looked down at his hands.

"I just need you to know that there was never a bet. I never made you a joke to entertain my friends."

After a moment, he took a step back, giving you space.

"I'm sorry my past made you think I could do that to you."

Then, without waiting for you to comfort him or change your mind, Asher picked up his bag and left the classroom.

For the rest of the day, he kept his distance.

He didn't sit beside you, interrupt your conversations, or try to catch your attention between classes. He even stopped his friends when they began joking about the two of you.

And somehow, his silence made the rumor feel heavier than before.

Because for the first time, you began to wonder whether the person everyone claimed Asher was might not be the whole story.