We have less than six chapters to the end of this story. I've had a great time writing Florence's and Hazel's story.

Hopefully getting closure on this one will help me focus on the new stories I'm working on.

‘Sudden Attraction’

*

“HEY, HAZEL RIGHT?”A girl from my class approaches me while I'm checking my locker.

I smile. “Yes?”

Her brown hair even in a pony tail reaches down to her waist. “My name is Reanne. I'm a member of the school's female team.”It explains her fit physique. “Are you interested in joining us?”

“I haven't joined a single sports team in my life, Reanne. I might not fit in.”My cheeks burn red but she seems not to mind my inexperience in sports.

“Well, that's the reason why you should join one now. We meet everyday after school, four to five. We're in Gym two. You'll come right?”Her lively eyes and charisma are hard to resist so I agree.

After exchanging numbers with me, she leaves and another person appears.

Zion.

“Hazel.” He leans against the locker and crosses his arms which make his muscle strain against his shirt.

Plus his new haircut, it gives him a whole bad boy vibe. Well, there are no tatoos in sight.

“Diana asked you to stay away from me.”

Zion is unimpressed. He leans in, eyes boring into mine.“You, what do you want?”

I break eye contact with him. “I'm not so sure.”

“I'm not so bad like they paint me to be.”

“But if everyone is avoiding you, it's probably for a good reason.”I retort.

A frown distorts his face. “You want to know the reason why?”

This boy is persistent for sure. Why won't he leave me alone and go bother some other girl who cares.

“No, I don't. It's your business, not mine.”His lips press into a thin line that shows disappointment. “Look, Zion. I'm not usually one to care about other people's opinions but I came here for a new start, I don't need any drama.”

I'm wary about him because it's the same way Levi came up to me and charmed his way into my heart.

First time's mistake is a mistake, second time is foolishness.

Dad always taught me never to make the same mistake twice, and I won't.

Levi's actions had planted a seed of distrust forever in my heart.

Never again.

“Let me guess, he broke your heart?”I laugh at his assumption which is kind of true.

“He tried to kill me.”

The bell rings and I shut my locker before walking away.

At lunch, Diana pulls me to her and Allistair's table.

After an unhealthy amount of muffins, I relax in my chair.

“Any problems so far?”Allistair asks, biting into his croissant. Diana is also stuffing her face.

“None except Zion.”Diana chokes and Allistair thumps her back multiple times.  She takes a drink of her orange juice.

“What did he say?”Allistair queries.

He's also having the same pissed off expression as Diana. Not directed at me, I'm guessing.

“Nothing much but a fair guess is he's trying to get close to me.”Diana snorts.

“The only thing Zion does is hit and smash. It's best to stay away from him.”Diana advices.

Someone pulls out the chair next to me, glancing up, I see Xavier.

“You look like shit.”Xavier sends a glare of warning at Allistair for saying that.

Diana chuckles. “Retract your claws, my kittens. What is it, Xavi?”

“Melissa broke up with me over the phone yesterday night.”

“Good riddance.”I mumble. I never really did like her anyway.

“We should throw a party.”Diana suggests, bouncing in her seat.

Allistair's cheeks redden, but why?

“My heart has been broken, Dee Dee.”Xavier groans, resting on the desk facing me. His eyes are closed and I appreciate how gorgeous he is.

The Bergdahl brothers are blessed with good genes, I must confess.

“There's a party this night. You should come. Maybe we'll find healing for your heart.”Diana suggests, ruffling Xavier's hair. He reaches up to swat away her hand and returns to sulking again.

I freeze when our gazes lock and stay for more than is necessary.

Did someone turn on the heat in here?

I blink. “Whose party is it?”

“Tristan's.”Allistair answers

Thanks to Diana's crash course, I had information on seventy percent of the students that attend school here.

Xavier sighs and pulls himself out of the chair. “I'll just go drown in my misery instead.”

Diana grabs her stuff and follows after him, leaving Allistair and I.

“Are you attracted to Xavier?”

My gaze flies to Allistair. “No.”

I'm a terrible liar.

“You aren't telling me the truth, Hazel.”He accuses.

I dodge his intense stare. “I think you don't know what you're talking about.”

⊥⊥⊥

It happens when I least expected it to. Diana had gone out with Allistair and I was left alone with Xavier at home.

The thought of being alone with the boy made be nervous so I remained in my room, ironing my clothes for tomorrow.

I was accepted into the swim team despite my sloppy moves. Our Coach, Coach Naomi said I'd improve with more practice.

Enya's Bodiacea filters through my Bluetooth speaker, sending my mood soaring.

Well, until there came a knock.

And when I went to answer, Xavier was standing there, hair disheveled and eyes a little too dark. The multiple flecks of colours aren't visible like as usual.

“Hey.”I mumble.

He crosses the threshold and stops in f front of me. “Can I kiss you?”

Someone hold me. My heart thumps like I just ran a marathon with the way he's staring into my eyes.

But then I remember something.

“You just broke up with your girlfriend, Xavier.”His mood shifts.

Yeah, I'm a total mood killer. I know.

“Hazel, I'm not using you as a rebound. I never would, but I sincerely like you.”

He's out of my room before I regain my ability to speak.

I really should have gone to that party with Diana.

Gemma's on the line in a matter of seconds.

“Hey Haze.”She greets, sounding like she's eating.

“Are you eating?”I fall back on my bed.

“Just finished. You good?”

“Xavier asked if he could kiss me.”

My friend gasps. “Did you let him? Tell me you did. Oh my goodness!”

“No, Gem. I didn't. He broke up with his girlfriend a couple of days back-”

“You're scared he's trying to use you as a rebound.”I thump my fist against the bed, feeling frustrated and confused.

“No, G. I don't know. My mind's in a muddle and...” I trail off.

Gemma waits for me to continue but nothing.

Xavier.

Oh my goodness.

I didn't expect this new feeling at all. Where did it come from. When did it start? How am I ever going to look at him in the face again?

“I can hear you thinking hard. Hazel, don't let this bother you. If you're not interested, you can tell him so. I believe he'll understand. But then, don't hold back yourself. What happened is not your fault.”

She's right.

From this topic, we exchange stories about our lives and events.

Then, I decide to put our group on a conference call. The boys and I have been texting back and forth but nothing beats a phone call.

Hours later, I'm already yawning, so I leave the call, heading to the kitchen for some left over pizza.

Xavier's there.

Oh, to heck.

I cover the space between us with bold steps and get a good grip of his face.

“Do it.”

The corners of his mouth tilt upwards and then he slowly leans in.

An explosive feeling spins my inside once our lips touch. It's heavenly, nothing I've experienced before can compare to this sensation.

With just a kiss.

My hands wrap around his neck and he lifts me so I'm seating on the island.

He sucks on my lower lip and from there traces a shadowed kiss on my cheek, from there, down to my neck.

My hold on his shirt tightens in anticipation of something else but then, he steps away, breathing heavily.

“Why did you stop?”

He groans. “You might not be ready for the next step.”

He's right though. I've never had a sexual encounter with anyone, well to put it plainly, I've never had sex.

Shawn and I, we did fool around but never got to that part.

“You're right. But there are other things we could do.”Still high on my hormones, I grab the hem of his shirt and tug on it.

Let's see where this goes.