Ajax's POV

"Let me get this straight," Felix said

"You're telling me you actually like her? And you asked her on a date?"

"Yes, that's what I'm telling you," I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Oh," he said, his voice an octave higher.

"What?" I groaned, falling onto my bed.

"Are you sure you like her?"

"Yes!"

"So it's not just a booty call?"

"What no! Of course not."

"Okay hold on," he mumbled. I was surprised when Pia bound into my room, her eye shining.

"You like someone?" she exclaimed making me roll my eyes.

"Is it really that hard to believe?"

"Who?"

"I can't tel-"

"Nevermind, I already know who," she interrupted, catching me off guard.

"Excuse me?"

"Did you ask her on a date?" she asked, ignoring my confusion.

"Yes, now I don't know what to do," I sighed.

"Well, what is she to you?"

I stayed silent, not knowing what the fuck that question even meant.

"Ummm..."

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asked in an exasperated tone.

"I don't know?" I replied but it sounded more like a question.

"You don't know," she repeated, sounding absolutely done.

"I'm new at this stuff," I whined, "I just want to somehow tell her that I like her. A lot."

"So you took her ice skating right?" she asked. I didn't tell her that, but somehow she found out. I just said I needed to borrow her skates.

"Okay, well did you tell her you like her?

"No, I thought it was implied," I replied, feeling more confused than ever.

"Oh lord, why are men so stupid," she sighed.

"Did you ask her to be your girlfriend?" she pressed.

"I thought that was implied also. She wouldn't care if I asked her or not. A date is a date right?"

"Maybe, but how often do you see her?"

"5 days a week for dance and sometimes on the weekends."

"Okay, not bad. How many times do you text her?"

"When I need to?"

"Everyday?"

"Depends, what does this have to do with anything?" I complained, tired of her interrogation.

"So you don't text her goodnight or good morning?" Pia asked, ignoring me again.

"No, am I supposed to?"

"Do you ask her how she is when you text her?"

"No."

"Do you call her at least?"

"Not really, only when I need to reach her quickly."

I frowned as Felix's muffled voice said 'lost cause'.

"The poor girl doesn't even know you like her!" she exclaimed.

I stared at her dumbfounded. Our situation was quite unique. It was a weird combination relationship I never told her that I liked her. Yet it was clear I did after... you know. But apparently not.

"She thinks you hate her!"

"What?"

"Don't what me. You can't blame her. You were a complete jerk when you first met her."

"Oh. Right."

"Here's what you have to do. Bring her some roses, she told me those are her favourite. And then tell her you like her. If she says she likes you back, ask her to be your girlfriend. Simple."

"Simple," I repeated, thinking of all the ways things could go wrong.

"Yes. Wear something decent -actually a hoodie of some sort. Spray some cologne on and show up at her place."

"Bro you have to let her know how you feel about her," Felix stated.

"Ugh, I'm bad at that," I groaned, pulling at my hair.

"Then get good at it," he retorted.

Brothers.

Always giving the best advice.

---------------------------------------------

I put off the encounter off till the end of the day and jumped in the shower at 6 in the evening.

Following Pia's advice, I dressed in a warm hoodie and my Adidas track pants. It was colder than the artic outside so I slipped on a ski jacket, spraying on my usual cologne. I even spent some extra time on my hair, actually parting it and combing through it. I had gotten a haircut earlier when I had gone out to get roses.

It was dark by the time I showed up at her dorm room. I didn't see Lena's car in the parking spot as I climbed up the stairs. A soft yellow glow came from between the blinds covering the window of Mila's entrance.

Okay, just knock. It's too late to back out now.

Letting out a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

Moments passed and I realized I was holding my breath as I heard her footsteps approach the door.

The door swung open to reveal a disheveled looking Mila.

"Ajax?" she questioned, a confused look on her face.

"Hi," I squeaked, mentally facepalming at how awkward I sounded.

"What are you doing here?" she asked stepping aside so I could come in.

"I just thought I'd stop by for a bit," I replied, scratching the back of my neck.

And because I missed you.

"Oh," she nodded, taking my ski jacket and hanging it up.

I took a moment to scan over her features. She looked tired, dark circles bruising under her eyes.

"These are for you," I said quietly, handing her the bouquet of blood red roses. I watched her reaction carefully, breathing a sigh of relief as her eyes lit up.

"For me? Thank you," she grinned, her mood changing completely. Her blank expression was gone as she smelled the roses gently.

Her dorm room was exactly the same as Lena's. There was a string of fairy lights on the window. A desk sat against the wall beside the dining table with a small picture frame. In it was a picture of Carson and her with a Canadian flag draped over their shoulders.

There was a single vanilla scented candle burning on the dining table that was big enough for 4 people.

"Here," she smiled, handing me a warm cup of hot chocolate.

"It's not nearly as good as yours but it'll have to do," she smiled.

"Oh so mine was up to par with your standards?" I asked, raising a brow in amusement. She laughed lightly making my smile grow wider.

"You wanna watch a movie?" she asked and I nodded.

Netflix and chill seems like a good idea.

The familiar scent she always smelled like intensified as she led me to her room.

And that ladies and gentlemen is how I found myself sitting on Mila's bed.

She lifted the fluffy blanket, and we both settled into her bed. It was so cozy that I made a mental note to buy myself a blanket like that.

After scrolling through Netflix for a bit, we decided on watching The Conjuring. I had seen it before and it wasn't too scary.

"Do you like horror movies?" I asked, turning my head to look at her.

"Only if I'm watching with someone else. I'm not going to lie and say they're not scary," she replied.

"Don't worry, Ajax the almighty will protect you," I smirked, casually putting my arm around her.

Smooth Ajax, real smooth. I'm so good at this.

My heart raced as she snuggled closer, resting her head on my chest. My stomach automatically tensed as she placed her hand on my abs. I shifted to a more comfortable position so I was basically cuddling her.

Oh my god. Does this count as Netflix and chilling? Am I- am I in a cuddle session right now?

I prayed she couldn't hear my heart racing like I'd just run a mile.

Halfway through the movie, Mila hid her face in the crook of my neck. I tried my hardest not to stiffen as I felt her soft breaths tickle my skin.

"She's so stupid. She's literally going to die. Oh you heard something? Why don't you just go and see what it was. Not like you could die or anything," she panicked making me laugh.

"Relax," I drawled, squeezing her waist gently. Her eyes watched the screen intently, allowing me to look over her features. Her lashes were long, highlighting her mysterious chocolate eyes. Wisps of hair framed her face as they fell out of her messy bun. Her lips, don't even get me started. She had the habit of biting on them and it drove me crazy.

For a moment I panicked when she felt my gaze and looked up to meet my eyes. She didn't look away, her cheeks flushing pink as she held my gaze.

I had completely forgotten why I came to her place until that moment.

"What?" she whispered, a smile on her lips.

"You're beautiful," I blurted and her cheeks turned red.

"Thanks," she mumbled hiding her face in my hoodie.

"I've been meaning to tell you," I began, feeling my heart about to beat out of my chest.

"Mhm."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I panicked and backed out.

"Nevermind."

"Hey, you can't do that," she pouted, her eyes narrowing, "Now I'm going to wonder what you were going to say."

"I was going to ask," I paused, thinking of an alternative question.

"Spit it out already," she grumbled, poking my stomach.

"Why is Violet your nickname?" I blurted.

Phew, nice save Ajax.

"Oh."

Oh no, bad save Ajax. You just had to ask about a touchy subject.

"Sorry, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I said hurriedly.

"No, I'll tell you. My favorite flowers used to be violets when I was little. My dad would get them for me after every dance performance. So everyone at my studio would call me violet because I would have several bouquets during competition week. Then a few years ago, he stopped coming to my performances because he was always working and I started to hate them. So now my favorite flowers are roses, which you happened to bring," she smiled, turning her head to look up at me.

"I'm just awesome like that," I smirked, poking her cheek.

"Suuure, Pia had nothing to do with that," she said sarcastically.

How do women always figure everything out?

We focused back on the movie, enjoying each other's company.

But I never did ask her to be my girlfriend.