This chapter is dedicated to @savana_18 for commenting and following me :) Thank you so much!

••••

The car is silent as we drive down the motorway, barely any cars near us. Street light flash in and out, illuminating the car for short bursts of time.

Axel and Rob sit in the front of the car whilst Emma and I sit in the back, closely huddled together.

After I found Emma, both Axel and Rob turned up and we all went back to my dorm room. To which, Emma decided she needed some time away and wanted to go home.

So, of course, we all agreed with her and piled into Rob's car.

Emma's house is just over an hour away and we're quickly approaching it due to the quiet streets.

"I'm just so sorry this has happened to you." I whisper for the millionth time.

I know it's not my fault, but damn I feel guilty for not noticing anything suspicious.

Apparently Emma was getting close to this guy from her course at university and they went on a few dates.

Which explains why she kept being late and disappearing.

So when he turned up drunk at her work, he asked her outside which raised no alarm to Emma as she thought he just wanted a lift home. But he then proceeded to pin her to the wall and try to take her clothes off.

She won't even tell us who did it.

She's got the cuts and bruises to prove it, but I can't look at them because every time I do, I nearly break down into tears again.

"It's not your fault, Sky. It's fine." Emma mumbles as she rests her head on my shoulder.

"It isn't yours either." I insist sternly, not allowing my best friend to feel guilty over what just happened.

"Yeah," Emma sighs. "I just feel like I could've done something you know? And now I'm running away to my parents when nothing actually happened."

"This is not your fault. You went through something traumatising and you deserve to recover." I insist.

"Yeah, okay. I just feel like I'm being dramatic." She offers me a sad smile and I pull her in closer to me.

"If you were being dramatic, why would all three of us be driving right now?"  I explain. "You deserve this time to rest, Em. You really do."

The car slowly pulls up to Emma's parents house. Emma's parents immediately rush over and engulf her in a hug.

"Thank god you're okay!" Emma's mum exclaims.

"Let's get you inside, it's freezing  here."

Before she goes in, Emma quickly hugs Axel and Rob with one arm before coming over and standing in front of me.

I immediately reach out and hug her for the millionth time today because that's all I can do.

I've never felt so helpless in my life.

Pulling away, I wipe away her tears and give out a laugh. "I'll see you in a week."

"I know, I feel like I'm going to prison." She whispers, looking at her Mum and Dad who stand there watching us expectantly.

"You'll love it." I smile and Emma laughs for the first time today.

"I love you so much." I whisper as she sends me a sad smile.

"I love you too." She says with such sincerity that my heart breaks.

After the last four hours and everything she's been through, she still reassures people around her.

And as she walks away, towards her parents, Axel and Rob both swing an arm round my shoulder so that's I'm squished between them.

Watching her disappear into the light of her house, I can only hope that the light will soon return to her eyes.

••••

The car ride back to campus is silent. Rob calls Drew halfway through and asks if he can stay over, to which Drew agrees.

I understand that's Rob wants to be with Drew, but I'm silently dreading going back to a quiet dorm room by myself.

Pulling up in front of the dorms, I get out and say goodbye to the boys. I hear the car drive off before I feel a warm hand clasp my hand.

"Thought I was going to leave you?" Axel asks, sending me a small smirk.

"It's fine, I'll put on a film and go to bed." I say, not wanting to be a hassle.

"Yeah and stay up all night? I don't think so. C'mon, go pack a bag and you can come to my place." 

"Okay." I agree, the agonising events of today have caught up with me and now exhaustion is crashing in on me like a tidal wave.

Both of us going upstairs, Axel and I manage to pack a bag for me in about a minute.

Locking the door behind me, I take a deep breath at the sight of Axel standing at the end of the corridor.

Waiting for me to spend the night at his place.

••••

I walk through the door of Axel's apartment first, Axel trailing along behind me.

"God I'm tired." I groan as I run a hand through my hair.

"You want something to eat?" He asks.

Axel stands right in front of me, holding my waist and searching my eyes with his own, concern showing through his features.

"No, I'm okay. I'll just go get changed." I smile.

Going through into the bathroom - that Axel had to show me - I'm in awe at the gold and white detailing of the bathroom.

How does he own this place?

Taking off my clothes, I quickly change into my pyjamas that consist of black shorts and a red t-shirt.

I would love a shower, but I'm simply too tired to do anything else apart from falling asleep.

Where are my sleeping?

I'm guessing the couch, so I make my way out of the bathroom and go and sit down on the couch.

"Here." Axel says as he sits next to me and hands me a slice of toast.

Despite refusing food earlier, the sight of the toast makes my stomach rumble.

Axel obviously hears it and grins at me.

His face suddenly turns serious when he turns and looks at me. "So, how did you find her?"

My eyebrows furrow as I think about that moment.

I'm not ready.

"Can we please talk about something else? I'm sorry, I just can't." I ramble, looking down at my legs.

Axel's arm lands round my shoulders as he drags me into his body.

I allow myself to relax for the first time in eight hours as Axel places his cheek on top of my head.

"She's going to be okay." He whispers.

"I know, I just hate that I can't be with her." I frown, shutting my eyes and relaxing myself further into Axel's chest. "How's football?" I ask, knowing the subject will take my mind of Emma.

"Great, we've got a match next week. My eyes are dying from watching so many reruns." He complains.

I lift my head off of his chest and look at him. Keeping his arms round me, he drags me onto his lap so that I'm straddling him.

Well this is new.

"Reruns?" I ask confused.

Axel beings to run his hands up and down my arms, sparks follow his movements.

"Every time we play a match, we have to re-watch it and take notes on it." He frowns.

"Damn, that's sounds boring. You want to do it now?" I ask, smiling.

My exhaustion seems to have vanished after straddling Axel.

Never thought I would say that sentence, but here we are.

So now, I just need to keep my mind busy whilst I await it's return.

"Sure." He agrees, smiling back at me.

Axel goes into the kitchen and makes some popcorn whilst I grab some blankets to keep me warm.  I turn off the lights so that it's just the TV lighting up the room.

Sitting down beside each other, both covered in blankets, I feel safe for the first time since I found Emma.

Putting the tape on, Axle sits beside me and begins writing his notes.

Leaning over his shoulder I read what he's written.

Good pass by me

Micheal need some work

Good defence by me

Scoffing, he turns around and looks at me. "What?" He asks innocently.

"Your notes, they're so confident." I laugh, nudging his shoulder with my own.

"Oh yeah?" He asks.

"Yeah." I challenge back, not being able to stop grinning.

"Well, what do you think I could do?" He ask, placing the notepad down on the table.

"Well, see that," I point to the TV where Axel was making a pass. "That was totally squint. You're lucky you have a good team."

"They're lucky to have me." Axel smirks before he sees my incredulous look and turns serious. "What?"

"Shit-your-pants coach wouldn't appreciate your notes." I warn, giving him my own gentle smile so that he can tell I'm joking.

"Yeah well, Mrs Eyeliner from the office wouldn't appreciate your sarcasm." Axel retorts effortlessly. 

"Okay, fair enough." I put my hands up in surrender as I turn back to the TV. "Oh man, I missed your pathetic excuse of a touchdown."

"Oi!" Axel shouts before laughing and throwing a bit of popcorn at me.

I laugh and pick it off me before leaning back against the couch, knowing not to start a throwing competition with a QB.

Settling into the inviting couch, Axel and I continue to watch the football match until I begin to feel my eyelids sink down in exhaustion.

The last thing I remember is Axel's arms around me.

••••
Author's Note:

I love Axel! I thought this chapter was important, despite the lack of Emma, so that we could see a different side to Axel. Away from all of the smirks and jokes.

I do like his jokes though ;)

What were your thoughts on this chapter?

Sorry for the slight cliffhanger last chapter, I hope this one made up for it!!

Please remember to vote and comment, it means more than you guys will ever know :)

Much love,

Jade x