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••••

"I may have a slight fear of blood." Axel winces as he holds his wounded finger closer.

I start laughing before I see his serious expression and then stop.

Kinda.

I can't really help the few giggles that escape me.

Purely because Axel is said to be the player, the QB, the machine on the field. Yet, he's got a weakness for Halsey songs and is afraid of blood.

Each to their own I guess....

I roll my eyes before saying, "Okay, so go wash it, put on a band-aid and then the blood will stop" I shrug.

"Yeah, I can't.... uh, look at it." He mutters, looking up at the ceiling.

Again, I would have started laughing but I quickly realise he's still bleeding.

Grabbing his other hand I drag him into the bathroom and push him down onto the closed toilet seat.

"Do you have a first aid kit?" I ask.

Axel scoffs, "What Quarter Back doesn't have a first aid kit?"

"What Quarter Back is afraid of blood?" I retort, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

Axel drops his eyes to the floor and sighs. "Second shelf in the cupboard."

Reaching into the shelf above the sink, I grab the first aid kit and take out the bandages.

Taking hold of Axel's hand, I inspect the cut. It's not deep, but it's still loosing blood.

Reaching into the bag, I grab an antiseptic wipe. "This may hurt." I whisper, taking into account the silence in the room.

Axel's eyes follow every one of my movements, I can feel his gaze burning into me.

Wiping away the blood with the wipe, I realise the cut isn't actually that bad.

And he tells me that I overreact...

Placing a bandage on it, I look up into Axel's eyes.

"Thank you." He whispers, placing his other hand on my face.

I rest my head against it, the feeling of his hand against my face oddly reassuring.

Clearing my throat, I stand up and walk out of the bathroom.

"You know, it's usually the guy taking care of the girl." Axel says as he walks out of the bathroom.

"Maybe you are a girl." I shrug laughing as I rest against the counter-top.

"Mhm, that's not true and you know it." Axel murmurs as he stands in front of me, placing his hands on my hips.

He leans in and kisses me on the cheek. Then on the forehead before settling on kissing me on the neck.

Repeatedly.

There's something different about Axel tonight, something off. Like something's missing and he's searching for it.

But as soon as Axel's hot lips press against my neck, slowing dragging up to my jaw, I know he's looking for something from me.

"Prove it." I whisper as I turn my head to the side to grant him better access.

A silent white flag of surrender is waved in this simple motion.

Axel smiles against me neck before saying, "Oh, I will." In a deep, taunting voice.

Our lips crash together, just how I've imagined it happening for the whole night.

Axel picks me up, effortlessly, from the counter and I wrap my legs around his waist.

Something's been brought to life by Axel's kisses, something that's been dormant inside of me for a long time. My body feels on fire and hot lava rushes through my veins.

Clawing at his shoulders, I'm desperate to get his shirt off. Obeying my commands, he rips it off, smirking at my impressed look.

"Like what you see?" Axel teases as he begins walking to his bedroom.

I drag my lips across his jaw before whispering into his ear, "Love it."

Like a spring coiled to tight, Axel seems to be undone by my words.

But instead of using his words, he slams the bedroom door behind him.

Carrying me into the room with him.

••••

"I'll see you later." Axel says as he kisses me on the forehead.

"Bye." I murmur, not really wanting to leave.

Last night was amazing and now both Axel and I really don't want to leave each other.

At least I hope that's how he feels.

Standing still looking at each other, Axel's smile is showing off his dimples that I love.

Realising that we're both just standing there, not making a move to leave, Axel winds his hand through my hair and brings me in for a gentle kiss.

His lips gently part mine and I allow him too, not bothering to fight back. After a couple of moments, I pull back.

Resting my forehead on his, I let out a quiet laugh. "I really should go."

"Ugh, yeah. Okay, text me." Axel says, winding a lock of my hair between his fingers before dropping it and walking away.

I turn around and walk into my building, my blush feeling radioactive.

Trudging up the stairs, I open the door to be meet by a scream.

"You and Axel so did something last night!!" Rob shouts as he prances round the room.

Why I once considered him to be a friend, I will never know...

"You're too hyper." I laugh, determined not to get into these types of conversations with the guys best friend.

"And you look like you've had a great night of Cooking." Rob laughs wickedly as he comes and stands in front of me.

"So, how was it? You both looked very cute outside."

"You were watching us!" I screech.

We didn't do anything, but the thought of someone watching Axel and I kiss is extremely strange to me.

"Yeah, bro-code. Make sure the bro gets a proper goodbye." Rob recites, placing a hand on his chest.

"Did I pass?" I joke, laughing.

"Oh yeah. You could practically see the grin he had from four floors up." Rob nods proud. "I've already text Emma about it, so you should probably respond to that."

"How are you so excited?" I laugh.

I know why I'm excited, it happened to me. Why he is, however, is beyond me.

"Because I know Axel, I know his ways. But the way he looks at you and the way he kisses you, I've never witnessed it before." Ron says softly, a hint of pride etched upon his face.

"Ever?" I ask, still not having wrapped my head around last night.

"Ever." Rob confirms.

And for a split second, I imagined that I had changed Axel's perspective. That I had made a difference to him, like every one of those bad-boy stories you read as a teenager.

If only I had known that at that point, a thunder storm of disappointment was going to hit me.

••••

"I literally can't move." I laugh as I raise my head and look at my legs.

Brooke groans beside me and says, "At least you can move your head. I think I've melted onto this floor. You're gonna have to go and get a mop to wipe me away."

Our second dance practice has made our first one seem like a small warm-up. I'm drenched in sweat and it literally hurts to move.

And people say that dancing isn't a sport.

"At least we got the whole routine sorted." I say, which was true. We all now have our parts, it's just the process of making it all flow is what we're concentrating on.

I'm unexpectedly enjoying being in a group, it makes you feel more determined to do well. To perfect every single movement of your part just to make your group proud.

"Yeah. Damn, I really shouldn't be this tired. I'm one of the main leaders for fuck sake." Brooke groans as she sits up.

I let out a similar groan as I sit up beside her, we both sit there and laugh at each other, wondering how we can even possibly stand up.

And that, ladies and gentleman, is how my friendship with Brooke Martinez started.

••••

"I totally deserve this." Brooke groans as she bites into her third red-velvet cupcake.

"You do." I laugh, crumbs falling from my mouth and onto the table, representing how utterly classy I am.

I'm on my third cookie, so I'm not much better than Brooke.

We're seated in a rustic coffee shop that I've immediately fallen in love with. We landed here after eventually getting ourselves off of the floor, a need for sugar hitting us both.

"So, I do actually need to ask you something." Brooke asks as she wipes her mouth, her third cupcake demolished.

"Go for it." I smile, curious to why she's turned so serious.

"Kirsten is going to join the school's dance team," I gasp in shock and Brooke gives me a warning glance to let her finish. I give her a sheepish smile before nodding for her to go on. "And Jamie and I were wondering if you wanted to take her spot as one of the three leaders."

Be a leader.

Of a dance group.

"Oh my god, I would love to." I gush honestly, feeling indescribably happy.

"Really?" She asks.

"Hell yes." I nod.

"Great! Let's get started."

••••

Author's Note:

Aww, I really like Brooke :)

What's your thoughts on her?

So the beginning of this chapter got a bit steamy, what's our thoughts? Sorry if it was cringey ;)

The photo at the top is how I imagine the cafe that Brooke and Skylar went to! I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to interior design, so you can imagine my joy whilst I researched photos ;)

Please remember to vote and comment, I'll give you a dedication :)

Much love,

Jade x