Ally's pov:

We pull up at a small restaurant only five minutes later, courtesy of Axel. 

Bryce and Dylan bickered for a whole minute on where they each wanted to go, before Axel ultimately decided to shut them up and drive to where he wanted to go instead. 

Us girls didn't have much of a preference, considering the fact that we just wanted food that wasn't associated with the dining hall. 

It was quite enjoyable though, watching the boys bicker over something as silly as a place to eat. 

As soon as Axel parks the car, we all jump out as if we haven't eaten in weeks. We must have looked famished when the host saw us because she sat us as soon as we stepped in. 

And let me tell you, our friends made their intentions quite obvious. For instance, making sure that Axel and I sit next together. Or making up random conversations with each other to make it so Axel and I only have each other to talk to. 

Very obvious. But it was amusing, nonetheless. 

"Have you caught on to their schemes as well?" Axel chuckles into my ear, causing goosebumps to rise on the back of my neck from the heat of his breath.

I was basically on top of him, thanks to the host who was kind enough to shove the seven of us into a booth that was clearly meant for no more than five people. 

"They aren't the slickest, but I admire their efforts," I say, earning a laugh out of him. 

I watch the way he laughs, memorized by the way his face scrunches up, eyes lightening, and eyebrows lifting. He looks even more handsome when he laughs, if that is even possible.

He catches me staring, which earns me a bop to the nose, "see something you like?"

Yes. 

You.

"No," I blush, pushing his face away from mine when he leans over to tease me. 

"You shouldn't lie like that, it's a health hazard," he grins, and I don't know if I want to wipe that annoying grin off his face or kiss it.

Ugh, what a difficult choice. 

Instead of doing either, I decide to ignore him and flip through my menu, "What are you getting to drink?" I ask, aware of his intense stare on my every move.

"Water," He answers. 

Wow, how surprising. The man who swears by water at college parties wants a water with his meal.

I pretend to cough as I mutter, "boring," into my fist, earning a mocked look of offense on Axel's face. 

"Did you just call me boring?" He pretends to look shocked, but by the way the corners of his lips raise into a smile, I can tell he was trying to hide his amusement. 

"Noooo of course not, I must have caught a cold or something. In fact, I think I'm spiking a fever as we speak." I say, holding my hand to my forehead as if I were checking for a temperature. 

He rolls his eyes, "Oh, yeah sureeee. Because my coughs form words as well," he says with sarcasm dripping from his voice. 

"It's probably because I'm a talented individual, you probably can't relate," I tease, enjoying the way his eyes zero in on me.

Getting under Axel's skin has probably become one of my favorite hobbies. I don't think I will ever get tired of the way he looks at me as if he can't decide if he would rather win the argument or kiss me half to death.

I knew he wouldn't kiss me with all our friends around. I like that he keeps our moments between us, no matter how bad the temptation is to kiss right now, in front of everybody. 

"Personally, I think I've very talented."

"And why is that?

"Why don't you ask me later in private?" he winks, whispering it so quietly that I barely even heard it. 

Oh lord. 

I don't know how I was able to stay upright in my seat as my body goes all numb and jiggly. Desire implodes my brain as I force myself to remember that we are in a public restaurant, surrounded by our friends who are in such deep conversation, they miss the way I'm nearly melting in my place. 

I try not to think too hard on Axel's words because frankly, once my brain goes down that road, I'm afraid it won't be coming back anytime soon. 

"Pink Lemonade," I say out of nowhere, crossing my hands together as I watch a waitress approach our table. 

"Huh?" he questions, confused by my sudden words. 

"What I'm getting to drink, pink lemonade," I say as if it is the most obvious answer in the world. 

His mouth opens, then shuts, opens, and then shuts again before resting into a thin line. "You aren't going to answer my question?"

"What question?" I ask, flipping through the menu, seemingly unbothered. 

My favorite hobby, indeed. 

He goes to say something else, but the waitress arrives at our table with a notepad in hand, interrupting him from whatever he was about to say. 

Pity, because I would have loved to hear it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lunch went by smoothly as Axel and I ended up swarmed into everyone else's conversations. But when Sophia turned to talk to me across the table, it was difficult to ignore the unwelcoming churning in my stomach. 

Not now. I say to myself as I force my brain to rid the negative thoughts about what I saw on the ride over. 

I knew I needed to ask her about it at some point. To make sure it wasn't what I was thinking. But how does one ask a question like that?

Hey, I saw that bruise on your stomach and wanted to make sure your boyfriend wasn't abusing you..?

How does one even begin to say something like that? Obviously, I can't come off too strong and just accuse her long-term boyfriend of something like that. But either way, I need to figure out how to ask her in a way that won't hurt her feelings if I'm wrong. 

Gosh, this is such a mess. 

Her boyfriend most likely already hates us, so fueling the fire only makes me afraid that this will be the end of our friendship. The final "I knew you shouldn't have been friends with them," moment I know will come if I'm wrong and he finds out I was accusing him of such a thing. 

But if I'm right... 

My voice of reason echoes in my head. If I'm right, then she needs help.

She needs help away from him.

After a few minutes of Sophia talking and myself answering with short-sentence answers, I feel a stare on the side of my head, burning into me. 

I should have seen it coming. He can always sense when something is wrong from a mile away. 

Maybe that's his special talent. 

Much better than mine. 

He waits until Sophia has finished her conversation with me to turn me towards him with gentle hands. 

"Yes?" I ask when he doesn't say anything to me right away. Even though I already knew that he knew something was wrong, it still didn't stop me from playing dumb. 

"Something is wrong," he says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. 

"It's nothing," I say, trying not to make a show of it as our friends sit around us. 

"I don't believe you," He says as he caresses my hand with his thumb in a soothing motion. 

And just by that action alone, my nerves doubled down until only a small uneasiness filled my stomach. Which was nothing compared to how I was feeling before. 

It's crazy to feel how strongly he affects me. How my emotions can almost flip as quick as a switch when he's involved. And somehow, once again, he makes me feel a whole lot better. 

It should be illegal, for someone to have this much of an impact on me. And yet, I'm not complaining a single bit. 

Just as I am thinking of a response to his words, the waitress comes by to tell us our food is a bit delayed and won't be out for another ten minutes. 

She isn't even a few feet from the table when Axel shoots up from his seat, pulling me up to stand next to him, "Ally and I are going to go for a quick walk before the food arrives," he announces, not even waiting for a response from our friends before helping me out of the booth. 

Axel's back is turned toward them as he leads us out of the restaurant. But I turn back towards our table to see all their eyes on us. And I don't miss the thumbs up I get from pretty much all of them as if we were about to go at it in the car. 

"Go do something I would definitely do!" I don't miss Dylan's shout as I exit through the door, not missing the sound of our friends shushing him to shut up before the door shuts behind me. 

I follow Axel for a few more steps until we reach a wooden bench, where he urges me to sit down next to him to talk. 

"Now tell me what's got you all upset," He says, resting a hand on my thigh, which honestly ends up being more distracting than soothing. 

Dang him and his muscular arms. 

"How did you know something was wrong?" I ask, curious to know how he knew something was bothering me.

"Because when you talk, no matter the conversation, you are always engaged with what the other person is saying. You always make sure people know that you are listening, and it shows in the way your eyes light up in interest or how your nose twitches in disdain. Even the obvious turn of your lips either up or down, good or bad, shows people that you ARE listening. You ARE interested. You DO care. A lot.  But back there, you just seemed... numb. As if you were lost in your own head." He says, knocking the breath out of me. 

I never... realized he paid attention to things like that. 

I don't think anyone has ever paid such attention to me the way he has. 

It makes me feel... noticed. In the best way possible. 

And without thinking twice about it, I tug on his shirt and bring his lips to mine. Kissing him with the same intensity he makes me feel. 

And he isn't shy about our kiss either, making sure to pull me to him in a way that would definitely get us kicked off the property if someone were to walk by. 

It was he who ended up pulling away first, and it looked almost painful for him to do it. I watch as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, giving him some time to think before he continues...

"I care about you. A lot, Ally. If that wasn't obvious enough. I want to be there for you with whatever is going through that pretty little head of yours." He says, proceeding to lay a few taps on my head in the process. 

The action makes me giggle as I swat his hand away, "I know you care. I see it every day, and I cherish it more than anything." I say, with nothing but honesty. 

And I care for him too. 

So much.

I don't even think he would understand how much. 

Because I'm falling hard for him. 

So hard. 

Hey Guys!!

I hope you liked this one!! I actually didn't write out this chapter last minute like I've had to do a bit recently lol. I thought summer was supposed to be fun and relaxing. 

Friendly advice, avoid summer classes at all costs -.- 

And avoid working as well, I suggest just being broke. Saves you time at least (lol jk jk)

Anywayssss, I love you all so so much!!

~juls