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I never thought in a million years that I would be learning self-defense, or that it would bring such a sense of accomplishment. Yet here I am, feeling giddy from the endorphins that rush through me. I feel like I could take on the world, and more importantly, that I could win.

I take a swig of my water bottle as I sit against the cool window, sighing contentedly. Hazel squats down beside me, holding her hand out expectantly, and I hand over the water for her to take a drink.

"Have I become one of those girls who idolizes everything her boyfriend does?" I ask as I watch Alex hurl his fists at a punching bag.

Hazel sputters on the drink, nearly choking as she laughs. "What are you talking about, babe?"

I nod my head in Alex's direction. "Just looking at him is making me all hot and bothered."

"Oh, shit," she chuckles. "You're like a teenage boy."

I glare at her from over my shoulder. "I am not."

When I glance back to Alex and find that he's taken off his shirt, my eyes widen. The muscles in his back ripple and shift with every move as he bounces from foot to foot, jabbing the punching bag repeatedly. Heat swells in my lower region and I have to bite my lip to keep back a moan that wants to rip free. Damn that's hot...wait, no. Hazel is right.

"Told ya so," she says in a sing-song voice.

"Oh shut up."

✖️✖️✖️

Later that night, after a quick bite to eat, Alex and I return to my hotel. It's my last night here since the dorms open up for tomorrow, and I'm determined to make the most of it.

I step into the jetted shower, relaxing instantly as the hot water cleanses away all of the sweat from earlier. I make a mental note to look into getting multiple shower heads when I move into my own place later on down the road because these are an absolute -must.

I've just lathered up my hair with shampoo when I feel a rush of cold air slide across my bare skin. The bathroom door clicks closed, and through the frosted glass, I make out Alex's figure.

"What the—?" I stop myself at the sound of the toilet seat being lifted up. "Alexander Woods are you peeing right now?!" I don't know whether I want to laugh or cry.

He mutters something that I can't quite make out from over the rush of water, so I carefully pull the shower door back and peek out at him. Sure enough, his back is turned towards me as he faces the toilet.

"Seriously?" I groan.

He flushes and I let out a squeal as the water becomes unbearably hot, hitting my back from all angles.

"You didn't give me enough time to take a leak before you hopped in," he says in defense, turning around with a sheepish smile.

"You're impossible," I retort, shaking my head.

He takes a few steps closer, making me extremely aware of how exposed I am on the other side of the glass.

"Want some help in there?"

Yes. "No thanks."

He cocks his head to the side as he continues crossing the room to me. "You sure about that?"

Instinctively, I lower my gaze to his groin. "Yes I'm sure," I reply, snapping my eyes back to his face.

Get yourself together, Mabel.

He's so close that if he really wanted to, he could pull back the door and see everything, but he doesn't. He watches me carefully for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as though he doesn't believe me. "I'll see you outside then," he says finally, but he doesn't move.

I clench my thighs together in response to the way he looks at me. It's almost like I'm something to eat. It doesn't help that the memory of him letting out his aggression at the gym is still fresh in my mind, and his shorts still hang dangerously low on his hips, taunting me.

"Screw it," I sigh, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.

Alex's mouth comes crashing down on mine, his tongue immediately sliding out to seek mine. I kiss him back wholeheartedly, my fingertips biting painfully into the metal edging on the shower door.

We stand under the spray of the hot water, basking in the high brought on by pleasure, and I let out a contented sigh. There's no place on earth that I would rather be than here in this moment with Alex.

"I lo—" I begin to say, and then cut myself off.

Did I really almost just tell him that I love him?

Alex's arms tighten around me and he places a gentle kiss to my forehead. "We should probably clean you off a bit," he teases.

I roll my eyes, untangling myself from his embrace to reach for my loofa. I add a generous amount of body wash and am just about to re-wash myself, when he reaches out and stills my hands.

"Let me," he whispers, his lips slanting into a mischievous grin.

I shrug, allowing him to take the loofa and run it over my body. We take turns washing each other, sharing laughs as we play with the suds, but then the water turns cold and we rush to wrap in the large fluffy towels and get warm again.

"You're pretty damn adorable, you know that?" Alex says as he ties a towel around his waist.

I scrunch my nose up at him, shaking my head. "You're just saying that because I got you off."

Surprised by my brazen choice of words, his eyebrows shoot towards the ceiling. "What? No, I'm not." He chuckles lightly, and tucks me under his arm, peppering my face with kisses until I beg him to stop. "I like you a lot, Mabel."

I shove against his shoulder playfully with one hand, keeping my towel secure in a fist with the other. "I like you too, now leave. Some of us aren't quite as comfortable emptying our bladders in front of another person."

✖️✖️✖️

"Really, Cassie? Yeah I'll take your shift...no, screw you I deserve to be mad, you always pull this shit... Four to close? Ugh, fine," Hazel grumbles before chucking her phone down onto the couch.

I drop my bags at the door and shoot her a questioning glance, my hands moving to rest in my hips. "What's up, babe?"

Hazel looks up sheepishly, but her blue eyes remain as warm as ever. "Just work stuff. I wanted ya to hang out since classes will be starting soon, but she just -had to call in. Again. And we just don't have enough servers to keep up with the call-ins."

Now is as good a time as any, I tell myself.

"W-what if I applied?" I tuck my hair behind my ear and resist the urge to chomp off my lower lip. "I mean, you guys have been short staffed for awhile now—"

Suddenly, Hazel launches herself over the back of the couch and runs up to me. "Are you for real? Don't play with my heart here, I don't think I could take it."

I giggle nervously and nod my head. "I've been meaning to ask you about it since like Thanksgiving but I never got around to it. I also wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with us working and living together..."

"Are you kidding me?" She stares at me with wide eyes for a moment, and then clucks her tongue disapprovingly. "Working and living with my best friend would be amazing. Especially since you'd be taking a pretty stressful load off my shoulders."

My lips crack open into a triumphant smile. "Good, I'm glad."

"Can I ask why you're suddenly interested in getting a job though?"

I shrug indifferently. "I just don't like feeling like everything has been handed to me. I don't have to worry about money or anything because of Jo, and sometimes it makes me feel shitty, you know?" She nods in understanding, staying quiet as she waits for me to continue. "I don't have to worry about tuition, books, or housing costs, it's just always been covered. And I mean, come on, we're sophomores living in a dorm suite all because Jo was too worried that my social anxiety would get in the way of my studies. I've been babied for too long. I'm never going to make it in the world on my own if I don't experience certain things, if I don't push myself."

A sad smile tugs at the corners of her mouth, and Hazel reaches out to give my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I know it might seem like Josephine babies you sometimes, or coddles you, but she just wants to give you every opportunity she can to help you succeed. She worries about you, and you can't really blame her for that. With your past, and the guilt she probably feels for not helping you escape your asshole of a father sooner, she's more than likely just playing catch up."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you deserved a hell of a lot better than the hand you were dealt in life, babe. I think everyone knows that, and she's just trying to give you an easier life while she still can."

"Are you saying I shouldn't apply for a job?" I ask teasingly.

"Oh hell no," she replies quickly. "You can't back out of it now, you already told me you would. Speaking of which, I should probably get ready since I'll be covering Cassie's shift tonight. I'll let the manager, Diane, know that you're interested. She'll probably wanna interview you tomorrow."

"That soon?" I gasp. I wasn't expecting that. I was thinking maybe I would get close to a week. "I haven't even filled out an application yet."

Hazel waves me off with a lopsided grin. "Trust me, there's no need."

About fifteen minutes later Hazel steps out of her bedroom dressed in her waitressing uniform, and I can't help but grimace. Diane's is a Ma and Pa type diner, and it shows in the attire required. It's a light blue mid-thigh dress with white fringe along the neckline and a white apron.

Hazel meets my stare and smiles wickedly. "This will be you by next weekend, so get used to it."

I roll my eyes and toss a throw pillow in her direction from where I sit on the couch. "Don't get cheeky."

She narrowly avoids it and sticks her tongue out at me with a giggle. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Bye. Have fun working," I call after her in a sing-song voice.

She flips me the bird and laughs. "Have fun studying or whatever it is you do by yourself."

"I'll be ordering pizza," I quip back.

"Without me? You're lucky I love you, or you would've just earned yourself a slap," she huffs, and then the door clicks closed behind her, signaling that I'm alone.

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My little Mabel is expanding her horizons...

If you're interested in knowing where that shower scene went, make sure to check out the newest update to Between the Lines (this story is mature so you need to be 18+ to view it)

And as always, make sure to vote & comment to let me know what you thought of the chapter. Seriously, it's great encouragement you guys 😘