13 | holty

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E P I G R A P H

She was as untouchable as the stars,
but that didn't stop me from wishing

thirteen | holty

Halo's POV

I WOKE UP to my phone vibrating against the wooden top of my bedside table. An irritating tune sounding from the speaker before I pressed the dismiss option and slipped out of bed.

I groaned as my tired, sore limbs ached. Practice has been extremely rough lately and I've been putting in hours on end to make the team best as possible for the big game coming up, this first game of the year.

We've finally got our routine down and we've finally mastered the pyramid, Esme goes on the top because she's the most flexible and she weighs the same as a feather. So, now each practice we just rehearse the routine and if anyone has any input or suggestions then we improve it.

I showered quickly, brushing my teeth and my hair before tossing on my cheer uniform and a hoodie overtop so I don't die of hypothermia, I slipped on my air force ones and I straightened my hair last night for once, so it'll be straight for a few days now—or until I decide to wash it.

I applied a thin coat of mascara and a bit of concealer over my spots. It's that time of the month, so my skin is punishing me as well as my uterus, right now. A little too much information but unfortunately, it's something us women have to deal with on a monthly basis (well more than that for some people)

I ran downstairs to grab a granola bar and a bottle of water as always before sitting down on the—for once—vacant couch, going through my phone when a text came through in the group chat I have with Esme and Alix stating that Alix's car is at the mechanic so she can't get me.

I replied telling them that it's fine and I'll walk, when a knock sounded at the door.

I furrowed my eyebrows, standing up as I walked to the door, opening it to reveal my sister Kristel, her pram next to her which held a very excited Jax and Nova standing behind her leg.

"Hawo!" Jax screamed, followed by a squeal from Nova.

I smiled, bending down as Nova ran into my arms, wrapping her smaller ones around my neck as I stood up, holding the sides of her legs to prevent her from falling.

Kristel smiled at me, tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear as she pushed the pram inside, "Hey," she greeted, "Sorry for not calling first."

I dismissed her, planting Nova down on the couch, "It's fine," I waved her off, "I was up anyway."

She unbuckled Jax from the pram before placing him on the ground. He smiled in excitement, his two front teeth—which are far too big for his mouth—showing as he stomped his blue shoe clad feet on the wooden floors.

Jax is one year old and five months-ish but he's the cutest kid I've ever seen, I may be slightly biased considering he's my nephew but he's absolutely adorable. He's tiny, even for his age and he's got pale skin like his dad but blonde hair like his mom with her green eyes also.

He's smart and he is able to communicate basic things and play, eat and do other things well but he doesn't speak much, mostly just strange sounds.

He knows names well, he catches onto those surprisingly fast but other than that he only knows how to greet people, yes and no, he's also great at screaming at his sister when she annoys him.

Since he can't communicate his annoyance for her, he settles for screaming to the top of his lungs with the most high-pitched squeal until she goes away.

Nova is the opposite of her brother; she's got mousy brown hair like her dad brown eyes—also like her dad. The only thing she really shares with her mother is her complexion and facial features. She's quite tall too, for a six year old and very smart.

Her and her brothers' personalities differ completely. Nova is annoying, loud and extremely whiny, on most occasions I have to force myself to be nice to her because seventy percent of the time I want to boot her out the window.

But Jax is quiet, shy and reserved for the most part, well besides from when he is screaming.

"Do you want a coffee or something?" I asked politely.

She nodded vastly, "That would be amazing." She replied.

I grabbed the remote off the coffee table, switching on the TV before putting the children's channel on and grabbing the small crate of toys from under the coffee table and sliding it in front of Jax before walking into the kitchen and boiling the kettle.

I grabbed a cup, putting a teaspoon of coffee and two sugars before adding hot water and a bit of milk, stirring it before walking back into the lounge and handing it to her, sitting down on the opposite end of the couch.

"How's school?" she made conversation.

I shrugged, "Pretty good, some old I guess."

She nodded, "You finish in how many months now?"

"Eight months after this month," I replied, "I finish in June."

"Are you excited to be the first Storm kid to actually finish school?" she teased.

I rolled my eyes, "I don't think of it like that." I replied but she seemed unconvinced, "I doubt dad will even come to my graduation."

She stared at me with a bland look, "He so will, and so will Jax, Nova and I." she pointed out, "Hey, Jaxy." She said as she pinched his cheek in which he just nodded followed by a giggle.

Yet another knock sounded at the door and I snapped my head in that direction immediately, confused as to whom is here now because I can't think of anyone, unless it's Zayden?

"I'll be right back." I replied, excusing myself as I walked over to the door though Nova beat me to it.

She placed her small hand on the doorknob, swinging the door open, "Who are you?" she asked immediately.

My eyes widened and my heart dropped as I stood in the doorway, revealing the only bad boy I know, Holt Stone.

"Nova, don't say that." I scowled quietly, "Sorry, uhm. . .This is my niece Nova."

Holt's eyes widened at my words, obviously finding it surprising that I have a niece at the age of seventeen, well a niece and a nephew.

He nodded, "Shit. . ." he said speechlessly.

Nova's jaw dropped as she stomped her foot, "Don't swear!" she shouted.

I internally face palmed, my cheeks turning a bright shade of red as she continued to embarrass me with little effort.

"Fuck sorry—I mean—"

"—Fudge." I corrected, a tight smile on his lips.

His grey eyes diverted to me as a small smile took over his lips, "Yeah. . .fudge." he replied, humour clear in his tone.

I leant against the doorway, "Nova, go inside. I'll be in, in a minute."

She narrowed her eyes at Holt before turning around and walking back over to her mom and brother.

I sighed in relief, "Sorry about her."

He chuckled, his lips parting as his perfectly straight teeth made a show along with his dimples and adorable smile lines, "It's fine. She's just like you."

I raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

"Feisty." He replied bluntly, "And bitchy." He added.

I screwed my face up, not sure whether to be more offended that he called me bitchy, or my six year old niece bitchy.

I tried to be mad, but it was so hard to be with the way he looked. . the way he was standing on my porch in those ripped jeans, black converse and he wore a loose white tee which hung from his body so perfectly, he skipped the jacket again today and that gave me a well-appreciated view of his tattoos once again.

His hair was slightly more grown out now, barely but surely and it looked even better then it had before, it looked more messy and effortless.

I scoffed, choosing to ignore his statement, "What're you doing here?"

He folded his arms and good god it was a heavenly sight, "I was going to give you a ride."

I narrowed my eyes at him, biting my lip, "What if I don't want a ride?"

He shrugged, "I'm not giving you a choice." He stated, "It wasn't a question."

I glared harshly at him before sighing, "Fine." I replied, "Come in."

I stepped aside. He gave me a cheeky smile before stepping past me before I closed the door and walked into the living room with Holt following closely behind me.

"Um, this is my sister Kristel and my niece Nova. . as you now know, and that's Jax. My nephew." I said awkwardly, "Kristel, this is Holt. . .my friend?"

I cried internally, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Not just because my niece just embarrassed me in front of Holt or because he is here in my house again, but because I just introduced him as my friend.

What was I thinking? I don't know if we're friends. We definitely aren't more than that, I'm not sure if we're less but we're something.

Kristel smiled at him, he returned the smile before sitting down next to me, resting his hands on his knees as his leg was flush against mine causing me to suck in a breath.

Jax waddled over, stopping in front of Holt. Jax's eyes went wide as he saw the tattoos on his arms which grabbed his curiosity as he took another step forward, so he was standing aside Holt's right leg.

"Flower," he murmured, pointing at the many roses on his lower arm.

Holt and I both smiled and laughed in response, "It's a rose." Holt told him in a tone I've never heard him use other than the time he. . .the time he held me after Ever died. It was soft.

Jax gasped, "Wose!" he said excitedly, stomping his feet as a grin took over his lips.

Holt chuckled, "Close enough."

Nova pulled herself off the couch next to Kristel as she walked over to see what Jax was talking about, staring at his arms with judgemental yet curious eyes. Goodness, this kid is going to be the death of me.

"Why do you have drawings on your arm?" she asked, tilting her head to the side as she analysed him.

Kristel's eyes widened, "Nova!" she shouted.

Holt tugged on his bottom lip nervously. I know he doesn't interact with people too often. He is quite blunt as it is, he always has been so this is probably a lot for him. It's probably foreign. He doesn't have any children in his family.

"They aren't drawings, they're called tattoos." He replied, "They're permanent, see." He said as I watched his tongue poke out to lick the pad of his thumb before he attempted to smudge the tattoo but obviously the ink remained.

Nova's eyes widened as her lips parted, "That's so cool!" she gawked.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from smiling.

"Well we should get going," Kristel announced as she stood up, "I just came over to ask if you would mind looking after the kids on Saturday night, I've got a work function. I'll leave money for dinner and everything."

I nodded, "Yeah, of course."

"Can Holt come?" Nova pleaded, "Please please please?" she chanted.

Jax nodded, "Holty!" he screeched causing me to laugh loudly, I couldn't hold it in.

Holt narrowed his eyes at me, giving me a look that screamed 'shut-the-fuck-up'.

I shook my head, "He can't, he has plans." I replied.

Nova dropped to the ground, folding her arms over her chest as she narrowed her eyes at me, "You're mean."

See this is part of the seventy percent of times that I dislike this child.

I sighed, looking at Holt with a sympathetic expression, "I'll come." He replied, causing my eyes to widen for the millionth time this morning.

Why on earth does he want to come? He's probably just saying he'll come so that my niece doesn't throw a tantrum. I'll make sure I tell him he doesn't have to come on the way to school.

Kristel smiled at him with a grateful smile before scooping up Jax and buckling him back into the pram, "Well I'll see you both Saturday, thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

We both nodded in response, "What time should we come over?"

She tapped her chin as she thought for a moment, "Around four would be great."

I nodded, walking them to the door. I waved them goodbye as I watched them walk down the path. Kristel doesn't have her license but she literally lives two streets away, so it's fine.

"Bye bye Hawo." Jax waved from the pram.

I smiled, "Bye Jaxy."

I shut the door before turning around and walking straight into Holt's rock hard chest which scared the living daylights out of me.

"Don't do that," I scowled, smacking his chest lightly.

He smirked, "Why not Hawo?" he cooed, pinching my cheek.

I glared at him, slapping his hand away, "Shut up, Holty."

I grabbed my phone off the couch before walking back over to the front door, waiting for Holt to exit before locking the door and walking across my front yard over to Holt's parked car, thankful he's driving me otherwise I would be late after Kristel's visit.

I waited for him to press the unlock button on his keys before sliding into the passenger seat, waiting for him to start the car.

He began driving immediately, winding the windows down so we could get some cold yet refreshing air.

"You know you don't have to help me babysit." I told him as I stared out the window, watching the scenery fly by, "I know you don't want too."

He snorted, "Why wouldn't I want to?"

I shrugged, turning to face him, "Because you hate me?"

He laughed loudly, "I feel nothing close to hatred for you, angel." He said smoothly.

My cheeks burned as I scoffed, folding my arms over my chest, "You haven't spoken to me since you came over that night."

I didn't want to sound clingy or whatever, but I was so shocked after that night he had left. I wasn't sure what I had done wrong and I am still not. I've thought over each and every event that happened that night, every sentence said, and every action done, and I've come up with absolutely nothing.

I let it go and since then we haven't interacted with each other in a month.

He turned to stare at me with a cheeky expression, "Aww, did you miss me?"

I rolled my eyes, "Definitely not," I retorted, "You didn't answer me."

He stopped at a red light, turning to face me as he tapped his fingertips on the steering wheel, "I want to help you."

"Why?"

He shrugged, "I have nothing else to do, I guess."

My heart sunk slightly, I'm not sure why but it felt as though an anchor was attached to it, weighing it down. I don't know what response I had hoped for but that's definitely not it.

The rest of the drive was silent, the entire way to school until eventually we pulled into the school parking lot and I knew immediately that Zayden was going to say something about my chauffer later.

I got out of his car, slamming the door shut as we walked side-by-side through the parking lot and up the stairs.

As we walked through the double doors, all eyes were on us. Including Zayden's, Alix's and Esme's as well. In other words, half of the school.

Holt smirked at the attention, stopping to face me, "I'll pick you up at five on Saturday," he said.

I nodded as he turned away from me about to walk off when I quickly wrapped my hand around his wrist, stopping him.

He turned back around to face me, staring down at me with a confused expression, his stormy orbs causing my stomach to swirl with emotions like they always do.

"Um, thanks for the ride." I said in a small voice.

He nodded, staying put. I hadn't realised why until I noticed my hand was still secured around his wrist and I don't know why, but I didn't want to let go, regardless of the death glare my boyfriend was sending me right now.

I bit my lip nervously, "Oh, sorry." I murmured, letting of his wrist.

He didn't utter a single word as he turned around for the second time, walking away and I couldn't help the urge that made me want to follow behind him and touch his skin. The way my body feels when all I do is simply brush past him is unspeakable, that exactly.

Unspeakable. I wish it was also unthinkable because the electric jolt that consumes my body every time, we touch scorers every corner of my brain.

Hiiii, thank you so much for reading ♥

I hope you liked this chapter. I think it's my favourite so far. There will be another chapter up soon, probably before Wednesday because I can't wait, I've got so much planned ughhh.

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